I would agree that these things are very expensive and most people cannot afford them but there is a reason they cost so much, they are the best of the best and you get what you pay for.

How do you guys figure that most folks can't afford these? Obviously, someone is buying this stuff or these places wouldn't manufacture these items. I didn't find any products reviewed that were obscene for what you get. Sure, a $10,000 ATV is alot of money but for a 750cc; thats what you are going to pay. The name of the article wasn't "What is the cheapest made in china crap can you buy"; its the best of the best and like all good things you have to pay for premium. If the authors only discussed the cheapest crap products we'd be complaining as to why every rifle or shotgun review is a Mossberg.

i have a tasco scope....rocky boots...a mossberg shot gun...and a lee enfield 303....i would bet my venision tastes as good as anybodys does....buy what ever you can afford to get in the field...thier arent any fashion judges scoring your deer...just the guys in camp

F & S does a decent job of including "best buys" and moderately priced gear. Their customers are advertisers- that's how they stay in business, so let the buyer beware. If you fall the must have "ground breaking technology" that comes out every single year it's your own fault. I bet you we'd all benefit more from a few hours of range practice than 95% of the new innovations. I'll probably never buy a $2000 crossbow or a $1200 coat, but apparently someone does. How exactly does an inaccurate $600 1911 knock off in 22 lr with a really heavy trigger make a best of list??

NEhtr18,Best of the best...uh Sir! Its so new and undertested. How many will be sent back to the manufacture, we won't know. I don't rush out to test other folks stuff when comma's start entering the equation. Used Bear recurve, 50.00 saved 1150.00, I walk, saved >9000.00, Buck 110 left in car by hitch-hiker free, saved 150.00, Browning K-roo boots 70.00, saved 180.00, Backpack @30.00 a new hand me down from my son every year, saved 120.00 this year, Layering & portable blind @ 300.00, saved 900.00, used WbyMKV300lefty, 400.00, saved @ 800.00, used H&R Singleshot 12ga3" 50.00, saved 1500.00 ect. these are just some well tested items, over 16000.00 in savings and thats just a fraction of the items. If we don't keep as much of our money on our own hip it will certainly end up on someone else's and if it ain't on my hip I can't live. Some of my stuff is name brand but it really came from a field test. The reason they cost so much is how rapidly people slam there money on the counter... Shop like your momma was a turtle & your daddy was an owl...slow & wise never rushed to break the bank. Like the man said,"you'll have to get that 'cause all I got are hundreds". Oh yeah ! Go Happ !

I have a Columbia hunting coat just like the expensive heated one. The coat on it's own is outstanding and well worth what I paid for it, (under 300 bucks). If has a printer silver lined inter coat that will keep you very warm in cold weather, (December Ohio Deer hunting in this case). I wish Columbia would price this new coat closer to what the "little Guy" could afford. They have limited the dealers that handle it so not much reason to discount it. There is not doubt it is a great product but out of most peoples price range and that's a shame. Not every hunter can drop that kind of money.

RGJZ06

Although, the Columbia coat is a little over the top, ah hell, it's ridiculous!!

First, it's called "BEST OF THE BEST."

Second, they offer plenty of the value based reviews in their regular issues (i.e. non-BEST).

Third, WOW! You guys are babies!

I cannot fathom a $10,000 quad with a PLASTIC bumper. I'd destroy it in less than an hour. The safety harness looks like a nice one, but seriously, silver and gold?? Who picked the color-scheme, the Kardashians?

I fully understand the "you get what you pay for" theory. I don't have a problem with the price tags on most of this gear, even though I cannot afford most of it. If its the best, then so be it. What I do take issue with is the Columbia heated coat. $1200?? Come on! Thats not "getting what you pay for" that sir is absurd. I would love to hear the testing methods used to rate that coat the "best".

To jay, I have a pair of rocky boots and they are the most comfortable, best fitting boots I have ever owned.

lol.....oh well you cant win em all

I didn't realize so many poverty stricken individuals had computers,,,,

I am making my wish list maybe if I am real good. I will get some of these nifty hunting gear.

To anyone who might be reading these posts for the first time, let me say.... I am sorry for some of my fellows that post.We all are not like this.
I dont believe that F&S expect any of us to "toe the company line". I do believe they are looking for honest feedback, which some have given.
Others want to make fun of other people posts. To them I say......... Please be adult enough to take eslewhere. There are alot of people who look at these posts.
To put it bluntly, You are making us all look bad. While we can disagree, there is a fine line between taking a playful jab at someone and being insulting.

you do get what you pay for. I would rather have really well made long lasting gear than gucci garbage while i am hunting or fishing

@wes. I used to wear Rocky's all the time. The last pair I bought about 2 years are the most uncomfortable, low quality boot I have ever owned. I'm not alone in complaints, the new boots are POS.

wonder what mossy oak or realtree thinks of pic 2

$1200 Electric Coat + duck hunting in Arkansas = disaster.

I looked at the Hoyt and Mathews bows and ended up getting a Martin instead. Martin has all of the features and quality without the extra expense of the name IMHO. Not cheap china merchandise as a previous poster has alluded to but made in the USA as is, I believe, Bowtech / Diamond, Darton, Maitland, Quest, Elite and several other makers.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1301572

I know everyone gets all jacked up about the cost of things on these lists but it is still nice to look at all of the new gear. Just like going to Cabelas, Bass Pro, Gander Mt, etc. and not buying anything. It is still nice to just look.

I just renewed a 3 year subscription with both Outdoor Life and Field & Stream for $20 each. That comes to $0.56 per issue, delivered. (WOW.) Soooo, given that little bit of math, I had to laugh when I read one of the comments above which reads, "Remember if the masses stop buying your mag. because they feel it is not relevant to them you are out of a job and don't expect that hand full of rich readers and advertisers to bail you out." With regards to the latter, I think it's pretty clear that we've already been bought out. I am not dumb enough to believe that my whopping $0.56 per issue is enough to pay for printing those shiny pages plus delivery. It may be a lot of advertising, but I still enjoy the occasional good article that doesn't promote an product, but rather just tells a good story or teaches us a lesson about the outdoors. That is still the point, errr, I hope?

The entire direction of this debate turned into almost political discussion.
If you think that hunting gear is expensive, then - do not buy it. Market will correct itself and manufacturers will produce cheap stuff. Not necessarily good one but cheap. Science is expensive. There are plenty of cheap products. How you expect F &S survive? I am almost sure that you guys complaining of expensive products do not buy subscription. How you manage smoking, eating out and continue to complain? Common, be honest at least with yourself.
Our American products are still very best and our hunting is outstanding compared to anywhere on this planet. I guess it could be better but we should make it better.

very nice bow little expensive though.

R u kidding me 300 bucks. i got one similar to that for half the price.

I agree with RES1956. Seems like some should hock their computers and get a day job instead of posting on the blog if they can't afford good gear. The title was Best of the Best, not Best of Bargain Basement. Get a grip!