Winter is here, and we have the gear for it, including an innovative and functional French Press for travel, a packable jacket, an attractive and durable gun sleeve, and a skinning knife that’s a work of art. Hunting and fishing gear reviews in every issue.
Klean Freak Body Wipes
These 11-inch by 11-inch antibacterial wipes are touted by the maker as a “shower in your pocket.” We probably wouldn’t go quite that far, but they do smell good, kill germs, and remove a lot of dirt. They come individually packed, which we find very convenient, and are sold in various-size bundles, the most popular being a 12-pack bundle. These are much easier to use than packing a few wet wipes in a zip-seal plastic bag as we’ve been known to do in the past. We like this product and will be packing it for our hunting and fishing travels from now on. They work really well from top to bottom. $15 (kleanfreak.com)
BruTrek BaseCamp French Press
We really can’t speak highly enough about this durable, insulated coffee maker and coffee pot combo. It is rugged and designed for outdoor use, but we also find ourselves using it in our home kitchen and the kitchens at fishing and hunting lodges. It’s spill proof, leak proof, has a sturdy handle, and is double-wall vacuum insulated. BruTrek has some sort of proprietary technology that keeps the grounds separated in the bottom while pouring, and it makes up to 48 ounces of java. We travelled with smaller compact presses before we found the BaseCamp, but always struggled with the small quantity per pressing. This makes enough for us and a couple of friends in one run. We suggest adding at least two BruTrek Camp Cups to your order just because they’re cool for coffee and perfect for bourbon on the rocks later in the day. $60 (planetarydesign.com)
Handle Stash
Handle Stash is a shock-absorbing beverage holder that clamps to the handlebars of a bicycle. We love bike cupholders because we’re the kind of rebels who like to ride a beach cruiser to and from happy hour. We’ve tried quite a few others but usually ended up all wet. This one is great because it has shock-absorbing technology that actually works. It’s best for mixed drinks but also performs admirably when toting carbonated beverages. We still suggest chugging about a third of anything fizzy before beginning a ride, but we would probably suggest that regardless of the vessel. The universal clamp is easy to use and easy to attach. The elastic band that keeps a can or cup snug is also a nice touch. A great product for an afternoon cruise. $38 (handlestash.com)
Nomad PMD Jacket
This jacket is a great packable alternative to a puffer jacket. We love puffers, but they just aren’t very durable, and a misplaced briar or a barbed wire fence can quickly relieve them of a lot of their insulation. The PMD has four-way stretch fabric, Primaloft 100-gram insulation, and is quick-drying. It will resist a little bit of rain, too. Even though this jacket is touted as portable and packable, it can still be a great choice as primary outer wear in the fall or spring. It’s quiet, too. $140 (nomadoutdoor.com)
Choona Shore Short
The Choona Shore Short is an all-purpose piece of coastal clothing. It’s a quick-drying blend of nylon and spandex that’s made for surf casting and paddle boarding but with styling that will also turn heads on a day-drinking jaunt to the Flora-Bama. A short and simple review for a short and simple piece of gear. We like these—a lot. $98 (choonaclothing.com)
Danner Trail 2650 Campo
The Trail 2650 Campo is a lightweight, warm-weather hiking shoe that can also be used for trail running. It has Vibram Megagrip soles that work well in rocky terrain, even the loose, crumbly shale that we often encounter in the Wasatch Mountains. They aren’t bad on snowy trails either, but again, these are meant to be a warmer-weather shoe, so wear warm socks if running on snow. They have a leather and textile upper that has lasted us for more than a year in rough conditions. We especially like the neoprene cuff at the ankle—it helps keep out debris. $180 (danner.com)
Wren & Ivy Legacy Gun Sleeve
We often travel by air to hunt or shoot. It can be cumbersome to pack a full-size soft case along with a large TSA-approved carrier, especially when packing multiple guns. We like to pack a lighter-weight gun sleeve or sock so we don’t have to haul a hard case around once we’ve reached our destination. This sleeve provides quite a bit more protection than a sock, especially against rain, and looks a bit more formal in the field or at the shooting grounds. The Legacy Gun Sleeve is made from an attractive waxed-cotton fabric. It can be ordered with a monogram for no additional cost. It has a reinforced toe end and is closed by simply folding over the opening and tying together two beefy nylon straps. It’s thick and hefty enough to give us a good level of confidence when putting a fine shotgun into the back of a UTV, but can be easily folded to fit into a carry-on bag. Wren & Ivy is known for making great looking, long-lasting products, and the Legacy is no different. $155 (wrenandivy.com)
Grizzly Forge Stag Skinner
We received a Grizzly Forge knife as a gift last year and it has quickly become the only fixed-blade knife we carry in the field. It’s incredibly functional and quite beautifully made. We also like holding a functional piece of art in our hand. Grizzly Forge is veteran-owned and located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Since all of the knives are handmade by a craftsman, every blade is unique, and they’re not easy to get. Keep an eye on the company’s social media page to find out when a new knife is becoming available—and grab it quickly. Lately, they’ve been putting out some very cool cleavers and high-carbon 4.5-inch skinners called the Revenant. Custom orders are also available. $800 (thegrizzlyforge.com)
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