All of us at Exo Mtn Gear are passionate about the hunting gear we use. And thankfully we get the opportunity to test a lot of gear in the mountains.
At the end of each year, we like to highlight gear items that made a difference for us in our outdoor pursuits that year.
Below you will find Steve & Mark's favorite gear of 2025, a podcast discussing this gear, and links for each item.
Before we dive into our 2025 selections, you can look back through our picks for previous years: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, & 2018.
Looking for a complete gear list for your backpack hunts? Download a FREE gear list template...
Our "Gear of the Year" Selections for 2025
Steve's List
-
RRS TFCT Tripod + Ridge Warden Ball Tilt Head + Sparrow Bino Adapter
-
InReach Messenger Plus
- Airlock Suppressor
- Thermarest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad
-
Guardian Chest Plate + Ivory Holster Shell
- onX HUNT
- K4x Pack Systems
Mark's List
-
Airlock Zero Gravity Suppressor (Podcast)
-
Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece (Podcast)
- Nitecore Pocket 10k w/ Built-in USB-C
- Defiance anTi-X Action, Pre-Fit 6mm Creedmoor, & Factory ELD Match Ammunition
- Honorable Mentions
Gear In The Field
In 2025, Steve & Mark hunted bear, deer, elk, and moose across several states and seasons. Here are a just a few photos of their "gear of the year" in the field...
Steve (left) with Rob from S&S Archery. You can see Steve's handgun setup with the Guardian Chest Plate and Ivory Holsters Shell, along with a sneak peek at Steve's custom bino suspension. You can also see the Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece, Rob's Airlock Suppressor, and one of many K4x prototype packs we have been testing for a couple of years.
Steve's tripod setup for shooting and glassing with the RRS TFCT legs and the Wiser Precision Ridge Warden Head. With the replacement feet Steve used, the total setup weighs 2lbs, 4oz. Once again, you can also see the Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece and Airlock Suppressor.
Mark searches for bears in the Washington high country. Several of his gear of the year items are being used, including the Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece, Airlock Industries Suppressor, his home-built 6mm Creedmoor rifle with the Defiance anTi-X Action, and binos equipped with the Sparrow Bino Adapter.
After Mark shot his bear across a canyon, Steve uses onX to mark the location of the bear before they cross a river to recover the bear. Also seen, Outdoor Vitals prototype mid-layer, Mark's home-built 6mm Creedmoor rifle, and Steve's custom bino suspension.
A short clip showing the sound of the Airlock Industries Zero Gravity suppressor on Mark's rifle.