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Over the past 12 months, our editors have spent a lot (and we do mean a lot) of time outside, whether hunting, fishing, camping, or just heading out on the boat for an afternoon relaxing on the water. And for all of those activities and all of those hours, we've used a lot (and we do mean a lot) of gear. So we have a few well-researched and well-trusted recommendations for fellow enthusiasts. If you're shopping for someone who, just like us, is obsessed with the outdoors, we've narrowed down our favorite gifts of the year. These are products that we've used and used and used again—and the ones that we'll continue to use. Because they're just that good. And we bet the hunter, angler, or outdoorsman on your list will feel the same way. Happy shopping!
Al’s Hat
A good fishing hat is hard to find. Until this fall, I’d been wearing the same cap—a faded and tattered Sage lid—that I bought at a Montana fly shop way back in 2001. While I haven’t retired that hat for good, I am giving it a well-deserved break on a hook inside my closet. Its replacement? Al’s Hat. Not only is this ball cap sharp-looking, the fact that it’s named after Field & Stream’s legendary fishing editor, A.J. “Al” McClane, counts for something in my book. At risk of jinxing myself, I'll say that every time I’ve worn Al’s Hat on my home river, I’ve landed a nice brown trout. —Colin Kearns, Editor-in-Chief
Yeti LoadOut GoBox 60
It's no secret that Yeti makes some pretty great coolers (that make for some pretty great gifts), but of all the things at Yeti, my all-time favorite is the LoadOut GoBox. I own every size, but the largest 60 is the best, in my opinion. It's roomy enough to store whatever you need—ammo, optics, knives, tools, hand warmers, etc.—and has zippered pockets, a divider, and a removable cargo tray to keep it all organized. Plus, in true Yeti fashion, it's incredibly durable, with a waterproof and impact-resistant exterior. It's easy to lug around thanks to the grippy handles, and you don't have to worry about tossing it in the truck bed or it getting wet—it'll keep everything inside safe, protected, and dry. —Amanda Oliver, Director of Commerce
Sitka Fanatic Bib
I am no fan of the insanely expensive hunting clothes trend, as a lot of that stuff just isn’t worth it. But there are exceptions—and the No. 1 exception in my book is Sitka’s Fanatic Bib. For late-season deer hunting, especially bow hunting, it is a legitimate game-changer. Made of thick, super-quiet Berber fleece with PrimaLoft insulation and both WindStopper and GoreTex linings, it keeps you warm on stand—and still in the game—longer than any other garment I’ve tried, and I’ve tried a bunch. The Fanatic jacket is great, too, but I’ve found that I hardly ever need it as long as I’m wearing the bib. That’s how good it is. —Dave Hurteau, Executive Editor
Benchmade Flyway Knife
I've cleaned hundreds of ducks with my Benchmade Flyway. It is the perfect size for breasting out waterfowl and upland birds. The 2.7-inch blade is easy to maneuver and make precise cuts with—exactly what you need when cleaning small ducks. The full-tang blade features jimping on the spine that makes for excellent control. Plus, the handle has small grooves to enhance your grip even more. It can be a little difficult to sharpen, but since Benchmade offers free lifetime sharpening, you can just send it back once it becomes dull. It is the ultimate bird hunting knife and every wingshooter should own one. —Ryan Chelius, Senior Editor
Maven CS.1S Spotting Scope
Maven’s CS.1S spotting scope in 15-45X65 magnification is super handy for scouting new areas from the truck before hiking in on foot. That’s because—as opposed to an angled scope—the CS.1S’s in-line design works seamlessly when mounted to your vehicle’s driver or passenger side window. With the right tri-pod, though, I've found this scope to be equally handy out in the field, and it takes up less room in my pack than a bulkier angled version. It’s got the same glass that made Maven’s “C series” binos famous, and compared to other spotters, the price point is downright cheap. —Travis Hall, Associate Editor
Ryan Kirby’s “High Country Hatch” and “Chip Shot” Prints
If you forced me to pick a top moment of 2024, the day in late May when I got my hands on the first copy of the all-new F&S journal would be a serious contender. And a big reason for that is because of the brilliant cover illustration from Ryan Kirby. This isn’t just a magazine cover, it’s a masterpiece—one that is sure to join the ranks of the other classic F&S covers from our archives. Take it from someone who already has a framed print of this cover: It looks spectacular on a wall.
Now, if trout fishing isn’t exactly your thing—if you’re more into, say, whitetail hunting—you're in luck, because Kirby also illustrated the deer scene on the cover of our recently-published “Wilderness Issue” of the F&S journal. This one is also a masterpiece, and you can purchase a print of it here. —CK
Turtlebox Speaker
The Turtlebox Gen 2 is, without a doubt, my favorite product this year. Without. A. Doubt. It's easily the best outdoor speaker I've ever used. The sound quality is crisp and clear and the volume is ridiculous (in a good way). And what's really cool about the Turtlebox is that it's super rugged and completely waterproof, and it even floats. I've used it on the boat, at the beach, in the mountains—no matter where I take it, everyone who sees it (and more importantly, hears it) is blown away. Trust me when I say anyone would be thrilled to see this under the tree this year. —AO
Helle Nipa Folding Knife
Any decent knife makes a good gift. Even if your outdoorsy loved one already has one, or three, they’d probably like another. But you know what makes a great gift? A knife from Helle. This Norwegian company crafts heirloom-quality fixed blades and folders using a proprietary high-carbon-and-stainless layered steel with curly birch handles shaped and finished by hand. My favorite is the Nipa, a lock-back folder that’s just big enough for deer and not too big for birds and small game. It locks up like a safe, comes scary sharp and is a breeze to keep that way, and practically disappears in a pocket while you’re hunting. It also happens to be a thing of beauty, which is a joy forever. So, your loved one will never stop thanking you. —DH
Zamberlan Sawtooth Boots
I usually switch over to my Sawtooth boots in early November when the temperatures drop well below freezing. This year, I wore my Sawtooth's on a late-season backcountry mule deer hunt in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. My feet were comfortable throughout the entire week, even after hiking over 30 miles and packing two bucks off the top of a mountain. The aggressive tread and 11-inch leather uppers help prevent you from rolling an ankle in rugged terrain. The boots are also fully waterproof and haven enough insulation to stay warm into single digits. Most important, my feet never blistered over the course of seven straight days of hunting, and that's something I can't say for most other hunting boots I've worn in the past. —RC
Sitka Kelvin HyperDown Jacket
The Sitka Kelvin HyperDown jacket has been an essential part of my big game hunting kit this year, particularly when hiking into higher elevation areas in search of mule deer and elk. It’s the warmest jacket Sitka makes but one of the lightest and most packable puffies I’ve ever carried for hunting. At just under 1 pound, 5 ounces, I keep it handy, even on warmer days, in case an unexpected snow storm hits the high county. —TH
Costa Grand Catalina Polarized Sunglasses
A few months ago, I lost the pair of polarized shades that I’d been wearing on the trout stream for 5-plus years. Initially, I was bummed because I loved those sunglasses—but the accident turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because I replaced them with a new pair of Costa’s Grand Catalinas. These are, without question, the best polarized sunglasses I’ve ever used. The first time I wore them on my home river, I felt as though I was truly seeing the river for the first time. The clarity with which I could peer into the water blew my mind. I noticed details—rocks and holes and river-bottom contours—that I’d never seen before. Suffice it to say, I’ll be taking good measures to make sure I don’t lose these sunglasses, too. I plan to wear them for years. —CK
Gunner Kennel
If the person you're shopping for owns a dog—even if they aren't a gun dog—the Gunner kennel is a top-notch gift idea. We've been using ours all year with our 8-year-old German Shepherd, Lily, and she loves it (and she does not usually love crates). We even used it for an almost three-hour road trip to our cabin in West Virginia multiple times, and she laid happily inside, as cozy and calm as can be. Ranked the best overall dog kennel in our tests, it's the only double-walled aluminum kennel currently being made (right here in the USA) and is the safest and sturdiest we've tried. It's 5 Star Crash Tested by the Center for Pet Safety, and has ample ventilation along with thermal properties to keep your pup cool during the hot months yet warm during the cold ones. Gunner's dog bowl is equally great, if you're looking for something to go with it. —AO
Muck Boots Muckster
Hunters and anglers can be tough to buy for. When it comes to the more technical equipment—reels, bows, lures, loads—they often want to do their own shopping. So, if what you need is a good, general, can’t-go-wrong gift idea for the outdoorsy person in your life, get them the original perfect camp shoes (assuming they don’t already them). My wife got me a pair Muck Boots Mucksters years ago, and I have basically lived in them ever since. Made of neoprene and rubber, they are comfortable and waterproof, slip on and off, and last a surprisingly long time. Bonus for you: They’re very affordable—although your giftee doesn’t need to know that. —DH
