The 12 Best Hunting Accessories for Fall and Winter 2026

Updated September 17, 2025 10:00AM

The best hunting gear can make your hunts more efficient and productive by giving you an edge in addition to keeping you comfortable and safe. For instance, packing out meat shouldn’t end in back pain because you brought the wrong pack. A trail camera that constantly freezes is useless. A good pair of binoculars will help you make the correct call when judging whether an animal is legal and desirable to take. And a warm sleeping bag could keep you well-rested for a tough climb the following day. Innovations in hunting accessories give us the ability to hunt longer, smarter, and harder.

To help you figure out the best hunting gear for your needs, terrain, and game, hunters tested gear in eastern and central Nebraska, Iowa, Alaska, New Mexico, Illinois, and Minnesota. They collectively hunted bear, white-tailed deer, mule deer, sheep, moose, wild pigs, turkey, pheasant, coyote, and waterfowl, and one tester did some trapping. Testers hunted in a wide range of conditions fall through early spring, including on warm, mild days to sub-zero temperatures. After testing more than 100 items for a whole year, this is the best hunting gear that got us through multiple seasons.

Updated September 2025: We added four new hunting pieces, including a day pack, sleeping bag, bino harness/pack combo, and storage bucket. We’ve also updated info and pricing on some of our previous picks that we still highly recommend.

Best Hunting Gear: At a Glance

We chose the Kifaru Shape Charge Pack as the best hunting day pack because it was comfortable to wear, lightweight, and thoughtfully designed. Tester Angie Kokes used the pack to train for an upcoming elk hunt, hiking with it over several outings in the Oak Canyons of central Nebraska fall through winter. The big game hunter appreciated the pack’s durable construction: 500D Cordura resists abrasion, heavy-duty #10 YKK zippers, and Bartack reinforcements in high-stress areas.

At 19 inches long, the Shape Charge is on the bigger side for a day pack, but its low-bulk and comfortable fit made size a non-issue. The back-panel’s stretch material and non-skid lumbar pad felt comfortable, even when loaded down and on the move. The pack itself weighs only 3 pounds 15 ounces and is ideal for a variety of hunting situations, whether sitting in a deer blind or spending a day spotting and stalking.

The zippers and pockets are thoughtfully placed—right where Kokes needed them. On other packs she has owned and tested, Kokes said that water bottle pockets are typically an afterthought and flimsy; the pockets on the Shape Charge are heavy duty and won’t collapse as you reach to get a water bottle in and out. The full-zip clamshell design provides easy access to gear in the main compartment, which is built with two internal mesh pockets for organizing smaller items. At the top of the bag, two external lid pockets offer quick access to essentials, such as a headlamp, knife, and snacks. External military-grade webbing and compression straps keep a tripod and rifle secure.

A couple small details that would’ve made this pack better: We wished there was a grab handle at the top of the pack. And although the pack has a hydration bladder sleeve, there is no dedicated port for threading the tube through to the outside of the bag.

The Sitka HyperDown Sleeping Bag is lightweight at 2 pounds 3 ounces, roomy even for taller hunters, and made for sleeping and glassing. Inside an unheated shack in Interior Alaska when temps dropped below zero degrees outside, one tester was chilly the first night but slept comfortably after adding a blanket the second night. Pretty impressive considering the bag is rated to 25 degrees with a lower limit of 13 degrees. The slight chill didn’t deter him from taking the bag on a December hog hunt in Texas or passing it on to his wife to keep as a winter emergency bag in her car.

We liked the bag for its high-quality feel and durability: The zippers are heavy-duty, and the ripstop nylon shell is tough—the bag doesn’t need to be babied. We appreciated that the baffles were horizontal, which meant the 580 grams of 900-fill down won’t bunch at the feet area over time. Plus, the water-resistant membrane shed frost that fell on the top of the bag the first night our tester slept in the Interior Alaska shack.

At 6’4’’, he is one of our tallest testers. Although he tested the regular-size sleeping bag, it was still comfortable and roomy. He thought the zipper configuration was ingenious, allowing the user to keep their arms out and also walk, useful for glassing and emergency situations.

When hunting in 20-degree and above conditions, we would not hesitate to trust the HyperDown Sleeping Bag on future hunting trips in the backcountry; it’s now an essential in our kit of best cold weather hunting gear.

We tested three chest packs this year, and the Kuiu Pro Chest Pack came out on top. Part bino harness and part accessory pack, Kuiu’s model was the most hunter-focused of the three. Tester Angie Kokes wore the Pro Chest Pack hiking and glassing in the Sandhills of Nebraska, and the pack’s adjustable load-bearing harness system made it comfortable to wear over flats, rolling hills, and steep canyon terrain.

The Pro Chest Pack is designed to protect your binoculars, rangefinder, and other hunting gear from the elements. Although testers didn’t experience any hard downpours, they met several days of moderate rain, and the Toray Primeflex Waterproof Nylon shell and YKK Aquaguard zippers kept water out.

A rail-lock mounted ammo holder is removable from the underside of the pack; an additional harness accessory pocket (sold separately) can also attach. Two external side pockets hold a rangefinder and other gear. Kokes appreciated the connection lanyards that are sewn into the main compartment and the rangefinder pocket, which she used for tethering valuables to prevent accidental dropping and loss. In addition to the main pockets, the pack has ample internal mesh pockets, side pockets, a front zippered pocket, and a next-to-chest drop pocket for a phone.

A compartment at the top carried Kokes’ Zeiss Conquest 10×42 binoculars, which she was able to quickly and quietly access by flipping the magnetic lid. “No clanking buckles, Velcro, or noisy zippers,” Kokes said, vetting the pack as ideal for spot-and-stalk hunts. One downside: Even though the removable bino block shim is customizable, she said that her binoculars were still swimming in the roomy pocket. If a smaller model was available, she’d trade down in a heartbeat.

Advertised as “the bucket you didn’t know you needed,” we found that we did, in fact, need it. Testers appreciated being able to stow hunting gear and have a place to sit in one unit—leagues better than any bucket you’ll find at the hardware store.

The bucket’s rigid HDPE plastic is high-impact resistant and virtually indestructible. At 5 pounds, it’s also incredibly heavy and not something you want to carry for miles; it was most useful when hunting deer or waterfowl from a blind, or sitting among the reeds to wait for ducks to fly ahead. When fully loaded with shotgun shells, our tester expected the handle to crack and cut into his hand, but Yeti’s HeftyHauler Handle design is the most comfortable and durable he’s ever experienced. “I think this bucket is overbuilt like a brick house, but sometimes that is what you want,” he said.

As for the swivel seat, it is the “goldilocks” of firm support with enough flex and padding to be comfortable for several hours of sitting. The seat cushion is made of heavy-duty foam, which is waterproof, UV-protected, and abrasion resistant, so you won’t have to worry about the foam cracking or dissolving anytime soon. Taller than traditional 5-gallon buckets, it allowed our tester to see out of the blind more easily. And thanks to wear-resistant nylon gliders, it’s quiet and smooth for all 360 degrees of rotation.

Want to access your gear? Easily release the seat’s water-resistant seal with a grip tab. But don’t worry about water leaking in: Bucket contents remained dry no matter how much water one tester sloshed the bucket through.

In addition to the included swivel seat, the bucket is compatible with a wide range of accessories including a lid, utility gear belt, caddy, and tie-down kit, all sold separately.

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 we love the sharpness and feel of the six-inch trailing point knife, we hesitate to bring it in the field given its larger size.

Benchmade’s answer to this problem is the new Meatcrafter 4” 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 tasks in the field.

This knife is more than enough 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, it remained sharp throughout the task, while other cheaper knives became dull. Testers 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.

The BX-4 Pro Guide Gen 2 Binoculars are a solid choice for hunters looking for quality glass without paying a premium price. One Nebraska hunter 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.

Our tester 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.

The Metcalf 75 is for backcountry big game hunters looking for a durable, customizable, and lightweight pack. An Omaha-based hunter 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. One hunter 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 a tester 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, we wished the Void organizational bags ($22) were included since there aren’t any compartments inside.

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—one tester was able to pull up images on his phone within minutes. (LTE data plans through Verizon or AT&T start at $5 per month.)

We 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 one of our testers 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.

An update: The Tactacam Reveal X-Pro remains solid after two seasons of continuous use. Our tester still relies on the trail cam to help him keep updated with what’s happening in the woods.

Uncharted Supply Co.’s R&D process for this ultralight first aid kit involved interviewing over 100 outdoor experts. The result? A mere 5.29-ounce 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. One hunter 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 (He 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,” one tester said.

The first-aid kit continues to be an essential part of our packing list. When we caught up with a tester over a year later, he shared that he was currently packing for a hunting trip in South America, and the Triage Kit was coming with him.

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. One of our testers tested the bag’s integrity in a bathtub of water for one hour: When he pulled out his shotgun and padded case, both were completely dry—proof that this was among the best hunting rain gear we tested.

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.

Our tester 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.

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.

After two hunting seasons, Kokes reported that she still reaches for the Saber to protect her eyes, and she is still loving them.

We tested the Phantom Leafy Suit Top during spring turkey hunting season in eastern Nebraska. According to our tester, the 3D camo pattern did 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.

More Hunting Accessories We Recommend

How to Choose Hunting Accessories

There’s a dizzying amount of hunting gadgets and gizmos available, and while it might be tempting to pick up the latest and greatest gear with some celebrity hunter’s face slapped all over the packaging, spending more money won’t necessarily make you a better hunter. With that said, there are some accessories we can’t live without. We reach for them because they give us a slight edge. Or make our time in the field more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. Or help make a dirty job less so.

I’ve also found that it can be personal. I remember the first time I saw the Butt Out in action – a nifty, $10 tool that allows deer hunters to quickly release the anal canal of a deer before gutting it. While some hunters swear by the Butt Out, others, like me, prefer the old standby – a very sharp knife.

I also remember when knives with replaceable, scalpel-sharp blades became a big thing. Beause eventually, while breaking down a large animal, most knives will dull – and there are few things more vexing than a crappy knife holding up the job after a long day, and it’s growing dark and cold and you still have to pack out.

Hunting can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. My advice is to get a couple hunting seasons under the belt first, with the help of a mentor or more experienced friend or family member, before charging your credit card with things you thought you needed.

Plenty of hunters and anglers have fallen into the trap of purchasing gimmicks that end up in the garage to gather dust. There are also a lot of cheap, poorly-made gear out there. Find out what others are using, how they are liking it and read reviews. The best accessories are the ones that become a part of your process. They are the ones that stay in your kit.

How We Test

To find the best hunting gear, eight testers put 62 pieces of gear—25 accessories and 37 pieces of apparel—up against the elements this season: from warm early-season archery deer in the Midwest to the extreme limits of winter in Interior Alaska. Testers encountered subzero temps, ice, mud and extreme wind. They hunted across a variety of terrain, including the rolling sandhills and steep canyons of central Nebraska, in the dramatic wilderness of Alaska, mule-deer habitat in New Mexico, and in turkey country in the rocky hillsides and prairies of Wisconsin and Illinois.

Meet Our Testers

Lead tester and category manager Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley spent her teenage years 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.

Nolan Dahlberg runs Dahlberg Digital out of Wisconsin, where he spends a considerable amount of time hunting white-tailed deer on his family farm. He also travels to hunt grouse, elk and mule deer.

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.

The 12 Best Hunting Accessories for Fall and Winter 2026

Table of Contents

Best Hunting Gear: At a Glance

Best Hunting Day Pack: Kifaru Shape Charge Pack

Best Sleeping Bag: Sitka HyperDown Sleeping Bag

Best Chest Pack: Kuiu Pro Chest Pack

Best Storage Solution: Yeti LoadOut 5-Gallon Bucket + Swivel Seat

Best Hunting Knife: Benchmade 15505 Meatcrafter 4” Trailing Point Knife

Best Binoculars: Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 Binoculars 10x42mm

Best Pack for Big Game Hunting: Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75 Pack

Best Trail Camera: Tactacam Reveal X-Pro Camera

Best Lightweight First-Aid Kit: Uncharted Supply Co. Triage Kit

Best Waterproof Shotgun Case: Watershed Wetland Shotgun Case

Best Hunting Eye Protection: Wiley X Saber Advanced Sunglasses

Best Leafy Suit Top: First Lite Phantom

More Hunting Accessories We Recommend

How to Choose Hunting Accessories

How We Test

Meet Our Testers