Save or Splurge: The Hunting Gear That’s Actually Worth It
So, do you actually save money by hunting your own meat? Maybe. But if you’re anything like me, there’s a good chance those savings are currently hanging in your gear closet or stored in your garage.
After a few seasons of hunting, I’ve learned that you absolutely don’t need the most expensive version of everything. But there are a few pieces of gear where spending more is worth every penny.
Here’s where I’d save, where I’d splurge, and where I’d skip the purchase altogether.
Boots & Socks
Splurge: boots. Save: socks.
A good pair of mountain boots is an investment, but when you’re climbing thousands of vertical feet, traversing rocky terrain, and carrying a heavy pack, your feet are not the place to cut corners. Well-made boots, when cared for properly, will last you many seasons and can handle anything the mountains throw at you.
As for socks, I’m a big fan of merino wool, but you don’t need to splurge for fancy, hunting-specific ones. The bright-colored merino hiking socks you’ve got in your closet already will work great.
Optics
Splurge: the glass. Save: the accessories.
If there’s one category where I think you can truly see (literally and figuratively) the difference between budget and premium gear, it’s optics. You’re going to spend hours behind your glass, trying to pick apart a mountainside looking for animals that have never resembled rocks more in your life. I’ve always been a believer too that your gun can only shoot as well as the scope on it, and the glass is often the limiting factor for shooters.
Optics can get really expensive really quickly, so it’s important to be realistic about your needs. Buy the glass for the hunt you’re actually doing, not the hunt you hope to do someday.
Packs and Pack Accessories
Splurge: the pack. Save: the accessories.
This is an area I learned the hard way. A pack out with a good versus poor pack makes an enormous difference in your hunting experience. A good frame and pack that fits well, transfers the loads to your hips, and carries everything you need is a game changer. Packs are super personal, so I would recommend trying on as many as possible to get a feel for what works.
You don’t need every accessory the pack company makes. Extra pockets, gun straps, water bottle carriers, organizers – the list goes on and on. These additions can add up really quickly, but are more of a luxury convenience factor. Start with a quality pack that fits you well, then add the accessories only when you find yourself needing them.
Clothing System
Splurge: rain gear. Save: base layers and insulation.
I will happily spend more money on the layer that keeps me dry than buying hunting-specific base layers. A heavy rainstorm without proper rain gear can quickly become miserable and even dangerous in the backcountry. Trusting my rain gear allows me to set out in the wilderness with one less worry.
Like almost every other hunter I know, we have other outdoor hobbies. Under my green and camo rain gear, you can often find me sporting bright blue ski baselayers, an orange hiking fleece, or a cozy neutral wool sweater. Hunting shares a lot of the same physical demands as a lot of other outdoor hobbies, so you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out that you probably own a lot of the clothes needed. Just because these layers aren’t camo doesn’t mean you can’t wear them hunting.
Pro tip: when purchasing gear for other hobbies, look for neutral color options so you can use it for hunting too!
Camp Gear
Splurge: sleeping bag. Save: camp luxuries.
After a long day in the mountains, sleep isn’t a luxury – it’s recovery. If you’ve ever been up all night because you’re freezing, you probably know why spending the money on a nice, down sleeping bag can be very worth it. Bonus points if it packs down small in your pack too. When it comes to my camp setup, I pretty much save in every other category. Logs make for great chairs and a jacket stuffed into its hood works great as a pillow.
Gadgets & Tools
Splurge: satellite communicator. Save: knives.
If you’re hunting miles into the wilderness, a satellite communicator could be your lifesaver. This is not an area to look for a cheap option or to go without. The ability to call for help or access weather forecasts is not a luxury, it’s a must.
Hunting gear has no shortage of gadgets that are awesome, but they don’t make you safer or a better hunter. My favorite field processing knife is cheap, has replaceable blades, and has never failed me.
My Rule
Don’t splurge on the gear that makes you look like a serious hunter. Splurge on the gear that makes you safer, more comfortable, more capable, or more successful in the mountains.
You don’t need to own the most expensive version of everything to be a successful hunter. In fact, part of becoming a better hunter is figuring out what you actually need versus what is simply fun to buy.
The goal isn’t to spend less. It’s to spend better.
About the Gear Tester
Lexi Olson
- Lexi Olson
- Lexi Olson
- Lexi Olson
- Lexi Olson
- Lexi Olson
- Lexi Olson
- Lexi Olson
- Lexi Olson
