The Best Hunting Accessories for 2025 (100+ Items Tested)

Out of the 106 products we tested, these ten picks got us most excited to get back into hunting season

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It’s the small things that make or break a hunting trip, including the accessories. We tested 106 products, from binoculars to shotgun cases, in a wide variety of conditions, including a torrential rainstorm at a drop-off camp in southeastern Alaska, a sweltering multi-day deer hunt in the Sandhills of Nebraska, and a balmy deep-sea fishing trip in New Zealand.

We tested gear while hunting birds (including both waterfowl and upland hunting), deer, bear, and barbary sheep, in tree stands, on ground blinds, while bow hunting, and pack hunting. These ten products not only withstood the range of weather, but they made our experience hunting deep in the wilderness that much more enjoyable.

Updated for Autumn and Winter 2025: I’ve completely recompiled this list with picks from a new round of testing.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

$180 at Amazon $165 at Scheels

Weight: 2.7 oz

Pros and Cons⊕ Keeps its edge⊕ Well balanced⊕ Compact⊕ Versatile⊗ Expensive

Benchmade’s fixed blade, Meatcrafter knife ($200) has been a mainstay in my kitchen for years, whether I’m slicing up prime rib steaks for a dinner party or using it to break down a whole deer in the garage. As much as I love the sharpness and feel of the six-inch trailing point knife, I hesitate to bring it in the field given its size.

Benchmade’s answer to this problem is the new Meatcrafter four-inch knife, which offers the same performance and similar ergonomics of its flagship meat knife, but in a smaller, more mobile package—perfect for camp kitchens or the finer tasks of breaking down wild game in the field.

Last spring, I used the Meatcrafter Four-inch to field dress a huge, wild tom turkey. It cut through skin and meat with little resistance and made quick work of separating tough joints and tendons. Thanks to the CPM-154 stainless steel blade, the knife remained sharp throughout the task, while other cheaper knives we tested became dull. I also appreciated the vulcanized EPDM rubber, and thermoplastic composite handle, which felt comfortable in-hand and provided excellent grip even when wet, making it ideal for outdoor use in the rain or snow.

Made for breaking down small game and bigger game birds, this knife would also be ideal for the finer work of caping or field dressing big game. There’s even enough blade to completely break down smaller cervids, making it a viable quiver-killer hunting knife.

$199 at Forloh

Weight: 18.4 oz

Pros and Cons⊕ Low profile⊕ Reduces shoulder and neck strain⊕ Waterproof⊕ Compatible with Forloh’s backpack system⊗ Pricey

Colorado deer hunter Nolan Dahlberg used the Method Bino Harness during winter while archery hunting for white-tailed deer and again in spring while turkey hunting in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin. Trekking through the region’s dense forests and open, rolling fields, the harness was secure, lightweight, and comfortable enough to wear during long hours in the field due to its slim and low-profile design. It distributes weight evenly thanks to a large rear mesh pad, reducing shoulder and neck strain.

Forloh sweat the details on this harness. Dahlberg had quick and easy access to his binoculars thanks to the forward-opening flap, which required only one hand to operate. Dahlberg used the harness through snow and dust, and the waterproof, 210-denier double-sided diamond ripstop nylon exterior provided adequate protection against abrasion on vegetation.

Overall, the Method Bino Harness is suitable for any activity that requires binocular use. It shines during extended hunts over rugged terrain, when comfort and weight are important considerations.

$600 at Amazon $600 at Cabela’s

Weight: 25 oz

Pros and Cons⊕ Great in low-light⊕ Superior image clarity at distance⊕ Relatively affordable⊕ Comfortable in hand⊗ Included harness is poor quality⊗ Rear lens cap fits too loosely

The BX-4 Pro Guide Gen 2 Binoculars are a solid choice for hunters looking for quality glass without paying a premium price. Nebraska hunter Kevin Paul used the binoculars for spot-and-stalk deer hunting in the Sandhills of central Nebraska and while sighting in his rifle at the gun range. He found the rubberized exterior comfortable in-hand, and the included form-fit eyecups were a nice addition. The interchangeable winged eyecups helped block out stray light and the low eyecups were comfortable over glasses.

Image quality was clear and provided nice detail at longer distances, thanks to Leupold’s fully-coated lens system that enables higher light transmission, clarity, and definition. Paul did not notice chromatic aberration (blurry fringes of color that can appear along the edges of an image) at distances of 600 yards, which should cover most hunting scenarios. He also appreciated the locking diopter that prevents accidental bumping and changing of the lens.

$549 at Mystery Ranch $549 at Scheels

Weight: 5.3 lbsSizing: S-XL

Pros and Cons⊕ Ultralight⊕ Durable fabric⊕ Customizable⊗ Lack of organizaton

The Metcalf 75 is for backcountry big game hunters looking for a durable, customizable, and lightweight pack. Omaha-based hunter Kevin Paul tested the Metcalf 75 while hunting big game in the dense eastern deciduous forests of eastern Nebraska. Made of 330-denier LP Cordura (polyurethane-coated nylon), the pack still doesn’t show any wear after a season of chasing deer through thick, thorny brush.

The Metcalf is built on Mystery Ranch’s proprietary Ultra Light MT frame, which minimizes weight while maximizing the pack’s load-bearing capacity. The minimalist, taller frame allows for more balanced pack-outs thanks to micro-adjustable lifter points. Weighing only 5.3 pounds, the Metcalf is a welterweight in the hunting pack world. Designers eliminated weight by tapering the frame and making the compression straps and compartment lid removable. Paul tested the meat shelf with 30-plus pounds: the extra weight stayed close to his body and did not shift, which prevented imbalance and fatigue. Adjustments were easy to make for the perfect fit at the waist and shoulders, thanks to the easy-to-reach straps. The ladder system at the top of the frame allows users to easily make adjustments based on their height.

External compression straps and side attachment points are highly adjustable, allowing Paul to secure gear outside of the pack exactly where he wanted it, such as a rain jacket, hunter orange vest, and shooting sticks. They also helped compress the bag to eliminate loose fabric when the bag wasn’t full.

Organization was a point of frustration with only a removable, dual-compartment lid apart from the roll-top-style main compartment. Internal orange loops for hanging extra pouches were able to support three liters of water. However, for the price, Paul wished the Void organizational bags ($22) were included since there aren’t any compartments inside.

$130 at Amazon $130 at Cabela’s

Weight: 0.95 lbs

Pros and Cons⊕ Reasonably priced⊕ Durable and weatherproof⊕ Easy setup and use⊕ Excellent customer service⊗ Image capture might not be 100 percent reliable based on one mishap

The Tactacam Reveal X-Pro is a reliable, easy-to-use, and reasonably priced cellular trail camera. Testers set up the Reveal X-Pro in the woods of eastern Nebraska where deer, turkey, and other game animals are abundant. It didn’t leak or crack through extreme heat, cold, snow, rain, and curious animals, including turkeys and deer, that rubbed up against it. Setup was easy and quick—tester Jeff Kurrus was able to pull up images on his phone within minutes. (LTE data plans through Verizon or AT&T start at $5 per month.)

Kurrus didn’t experience any common technical glitches, like poor battery life, corrupted SIM cards, or images not appearing on his phone. At 16 megapixels, the image quality of the Reveal X-Pro is stellar, even in the dark.

Tactacam’s customer service is also top-notch, quickly resolving a billing question Kurrus had. “Tactacam’s technicians made me feel that if and when I do have issues, they will always be there to help me solve them,” he said.

$49 at Amazon $39 at Walmart

Weight: 5.29 oz

Pros and Cons⊕ Lightweight⊕ Water-resistant⊕ Includes all essentials⊗ Expensive for a triage kit

Uncharted Supply Co.’s R&D process for this ultralight first aid kit involved interviewing over 100 outdoor experts. The result? An ultralight kit that’s comprehensive enough to take deep into the wilderness, no matter if you’re hunting, fishing, or backpacking.

Advertised as “half gear repair, half first aid,” the Uncharted Supply Co. Triage kit consists of matches, bandaids, blister bandages, zip ties, safety pins, Aspirin packs, duct tape, baling wire, an emergency mylar blanket, and a few other essentials. Hunter Charlie Ebbers first took the Triage Kit to a drop-off camp in southeastern Alaska in early November. Rain, sleet, and snow pounded down for seven days, and on day five, two inches of water had seeped into his tent (Ebbers reported that he had to stow a lighter inside his long underwear to keep it dry). Although the rest of his belongings got wet, the Triage Kit’s contents remained “bone dry” thanks to its tough, 30-denier nylon exterior.

“The kit has traveled with me everywhere since I got it. It’s just about perfect for someone who wants to travel farther while hunting. It’s the product that I was most enamored by this season,” Ebbers said.

$179 at Watershed

Weight: 1.5 lbsSizing (rolled): 52″ height x 14″ width (tapers to 4″)

Pros and Cons⊕ Water-resistant⊕ Durable construction⊕ Floats⊗ Shoulder strap pad slips⊗ Closure difficult to open

If you’re expecting inclement weather or traveling near water, the Wetland Shotgun Case is a true dry bag that will keep your shotgun protected. Kevin Paul tested the bag’s integrity in a bathtub of water for one hour: His shotgun and padded gun case were completely dry when he pulled them out.

The bag is solidly built with clean stitching and reinforcements at high-stress points, which held up after aggressive tugging and pulling during testing. Although the case is more expensive than other cases, its reliability is well worth the cost if you have a high-dollar shotgun and anticipate hunting in soggy areas. Many other waterproof cases are merely water-resistant.

Paul had just a few gripes about this case. He liked the comfort and durability of the shoulder strap; however, the shoulder pad needs better grip, especially when wet. The ZipDry closure can be difficult to pry open after it’s sealed, which is made worse in freezing temperatures. The polyurethane-coated fabric does make noise when on the move, but it’s no louder than a backpack or rain jacket.

$74 at Amazon $74 at Wiley X

Weight: One size (unisex)

Pros and Cons⊕ Lightweight⊕ Matte options for hunting⊕ Smudge- and dirt-resistant

Angie Kokes wore the Saber Advanced Sunglasses while hunting, sightseeing, and deep-sea fishing in New Zealand and Australia. The matte black frames with gray lenses concealed well while she spear hunted for red stag on the North Island of New Zealand. At home, she found the included interchangeable color lenses (gray, clear, and orange) versatile for a variety of uses, whether shooting at the range or working around the ranch.

Kokes was most excited about the scratch-resistant coating on the lenses. She reported having to wipe the lenses less frequently than other sunglasses, even while hunting in dusty environments. The lenses provide 100 percent UVA/UVB protection and distortion-free clarity.

These shades were comfortable, too. The Saber fit her low nose bridge well, allowing airflow that prevented the lenses from fogging up during high-output activity. Dual-injected rubber temples don’t press into her head, either, and they’re compatible with an Rx insert.

$95 at Amazon $95 at First Lite

Weight: 9.1 ozSizing: S-XXL

Pros and Cons⊕ Lightweight⊕ Packable⊗ Pricey⊗ Sticky zipper

We tested the Phantom Leafy Suit Top during spring turkey hunting season in eastern Nebraska. According to tester Jeff Kurrus, the 3D camo pattern does a great job of concealing and camouflaging while sitting, and allowed him to disappear into the spring greenery. Plus, the top is lightweight, made of breathable mesh, and fits easily over whatever clothing you’re wearing thanks to its roomy fit. It kept us cool during long hunts compared to other similar tops.

At only 9.1 ounces, it’s packable for a variety of hunts—outside of turkey season, the suit could be useful to duck hunters or big game archery hunters who need to sneak in close.

Hunting gear is an investment. If you’re a beginner looking to get into the sport, don’t rush out and buy the most expensive and technical gear possible. While top-of-the-line hunting gear certainly helps with comfort, it won’t make game animals appear nor improve your shooting.

Big-box stores such as Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops generally offer decent mid-tier products. In some parts of the country, even Walmart carries cheap hunting gear that will get the job done, albiet with less comfort and durability than more expensive options. Once you’re invested in the sport, that’s when it’s time to look at the top-tier products that will last a long time and ultimately save you money.

If you’re already a backpacker or hiker, you can wear the clothing you already own—lightweight and moisture-wicking are features that are also desirable in hunting. Choose pieces in muted, natural colors, or black when hunting in a ground blind, as it will help you blend in with the dark interior. Unless you’re hunting in open country and doing a lot of spotting and stalking, expensive camouflage is not required—staying comfortable and warm is more important.

For guided hunts, reach out to your guide with any questions about layering and insulation. For example, what you might wear for a drop hunt in Alaska will be drastically different than hunting deer in a tree blind in the Midwest. Also, areas that see drastic changes in temperature and precipitation from early to late season will require you to pay close attention to the forecast when choosing what to bring and wear.

Lastly, don’t forget to check state regulations for hunter orange requirements, a safety precaution that makes you more visible to other hunters. Although it’s not required in every state, wearing hunter orange is strongly recommended. Learn more at this link.

Nine testers put over 100 pieces of gear through a hunting season of extreme variability: from warm early-season hunts in the Midwest to the extreme limits of winter in the Alaskan wilderness, from the North Island of New Zealand to the Colorado backcountry. Testers encountered soggy conditions, temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and even desert conditions in New Mexico.

Our youngest tester was 12 years old, with the oldest in their late 40s. The majority are lifelong hunters, with a couple who found it in early adulthood. Most of our testers would consider themselves “generalists,” pursuing big, upland, waterfowl, and small game based on opportunity.

Nolan Dahlberg runs Dahlberg Digital out of Colorado, where he hunts grouse, elk and mule deer. He spends a considerable amount of time each year hunting white-tailed deer on his family farm in Richland County, Wisconsin.

Charlie Ebbers lives and hunts in the Copper River Basin of Alaska. He’s a generalist and was charged by three grizzlies in 2022. He has more than 20 years of hunting experience.

Angie Kokes shot her first shotgun at 3 years old and grew up hunting with her dad to pursue upland birds in Nebraska. After teaching herself how to rifle and archery hunt for deer, Kokes learned how to spear hunt. She also has hunted big game with her spear in Africa and New Zealand.

Jeff Kurrus is an outdoor writer and photographer in Nebraska with more than 40 years of hunting and fishing experience. He spends more than 150 days a year hunting and fishing in a wide range of conditions.

Eli Kurrus is a 12-year-old hunter and angler in Nebraska. He spent more than 100 days in the field with his dad last season, from the beginning of the hunting season in August to the hottest days of July fishing for largemouth bass.

Kevin Paul is an industrial service electrician in Nebraska who spends most of his free time hiking, hunting or pursuing some form of shooting sports. Kevin is a generalist, self-taught hunter who has a soft spot for upland birds and small game.

Jennifer Pudenz is the founder of Adventuress, the only women’s hunting and fishing magazine in the U.S. She grew up hunting and fishing in Iowa and is continuing that passion in Minnesota, where she currently resides.

David Nguyen is a California active law enforcement officer with 15 years of experience. He is a certified firearms instructor with the FBI, California Peace Officer Standards and Training, and Sig Sauer Academy in the pistol, pistol red dot sight, concealed carry pistol, patrol rifle and less lethal munitions.

Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley grew up camping and backpacking in California. She began hunting in her early 20s and currently resides in Nebraska as an outdoor writer, photographer and wild game cook.

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