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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!
Field & Stream Epoch Twill Jacket
In 2025, I treated myself to many items in Field & Stream’s growing collection of clothing and gear. As much as I love the Line Burner Shirt and the Slinger Pants, my favorite item has to be the Epoch Lightweight Twill Jacket. This thing is functional, looks cool, and is comfortable as hell. And just like a good Field & Stream story, I have a feeling that this jacket will only get better with age. —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
Premium 1871 Club Membership
Am I a little biased in recommending you give someone (or yourself) a premium 1871 Membership? Of course I am. But hear me out. This is kind of the perfect gift, because it’s one that keeps giving all year. In spring 2026, you’ll get the first issue of the F&S Journal—and a members-only hat. Later on in early fall, you’ll get the second issue of the Journal—and a second, all-new members-only hat. You’ll also get a $15 merch store reward, access to other members-only products and discounts, and more. See what I mean? Best. Gift. Ever! —C.K.
Duck Camp Airflow Insulated Hoodie
The Airflow Hoodie quickly became my go-to fall fishing jacket. It is super comfortable and warm, making a perfect outer layer for mild to chilly days and a great mid-layer for when it's freezing. Plus, it's stylish enough to wear around town. It comes in two solid colors and Duck Camp's Woodland camo pattern for those who want to wear this in the woods. —R.C.
Sig Sauer Zulu 6 Binoculars
I started using the Sig’s Zulu 6 in 16X42 well over a year ago, and they’ve been a mainstay in my bino harness ever since. What makes the Zulu 6s incredible is the built-in image stabilization technology, which the company calls Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). With the flip of a toggle switch on top of the unit, the field of view on the Zulu6s steadies and locks in on game, providing the user with a perfectly stable image with no shakiness whatsoever. For a pair of binos with a 16X magnification capability, that’s a game changer, completely eliminating the need for a tripod and even allowing the user to deploy and use the binos effectively with just one hand. —Travis Hall, Associate Editor
Turtlebox Speaker
The Turtlebox Gen 3 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. —A.O.
Huk Leeward Fleece Hoodie
This product was included as a sponsored placement from the brand.
Base layer, midlayer, outer layer—this Huk hoodie can function as all of the above, making it one of the most versatile gifts for any angler. The super soft double-brushed fleece combined with the slight stretch is the perfect combo to wear under waders or on its own while you're on the water.
Swiss Champ Pocket Knife
About five years ago, my mom made my Christmas by giving me a Swiss Champ pocket knife. It’s still one of the best holiday gifts I’ve ever been given—and still one of my favorite knives in my (vast) collection. Packed with 33 “functions,” there isn’t much the Champ can’t do. And, like all Victorinox products, the design of this knife is beautiful and iconic. Years from now, when my son is old enough, I’ll follow in my mom’s footsteps and give him a Champ of his own to unwrap on Christmas morning. —C.K.
Danner Recurve Hunting Boots
These are the best do-it-all hunting boots I've ever worn. I like them so much that I'm on my second pair. What makes these boots so great is their versatility. I wear mine turkey hunting, big game hunting, bird hunting, and even summer hiking. They are comfortable and offer enough ankle support to hike through rough terrain without feeling like your foot and ankle are in a split. I have the non-insulated boots, but Danner offers these with 400g of insulation for hunters who hunt in cold weather. —R.C.
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. —T.H.
Give’r Classic Gloves
If you’re a hunter, someone is going to give you gloves this year. It’s just a fact of life. They’ll be a yawner of a gift, and you won’t be able to hide the fact. Doesn’t matter. You’ll get gloves again next year, maybe even from the same person.There’s nothing you can do to break the cycle, but you can fix the problem with monogrammed Classic Give’r Gloves. How do I know? As someone who comes from large family of mostly nonhunters, I have been gifted more gloves than any person alive. But this year, someone got me these rugged leather gloves with 40 grams of Thinsulate insulation and my initials on them, and for the first time ever, I didn’t say “Oh, a pair of gloves. Thanks.” I said, “Oh my god! These are awesome!” —D.H.
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. —T.H.
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. —C.K.
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. —A.O.
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. —D.H.
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. —R.C.
Cabela’s Commercial Grade 3/4HP Carnivore Meat Grinder
For anyone who processes more than one big-game critter a year, a commercial-grade meat grinder is…well, not a must exactly, but definitely a would love to have. Cabela’s 3/4-horse Carnivore makes the job of turning game meat into burger and sausage a breeze, and when you’ve got 30, 40, 50 or more pounds of meat to grind, it makes a huge difference. (I’m not going to say that the Carnivore will “eat it up,” but, then, it sort of will.) Even if your giftee doesn’t typically get more than one big-game critter a year, maybe get them the Carnivore anyway, for inspiration. —D.H.
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 of 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. —D.H.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
