Buying a gift for Dad can be tough because a lot of gear looks cool but doesn’t hold up. Here in The Gear Bunker, we know what gear we want.
Gear Reviews
Designed for the Hunt, Built for Hard Men: Reviewing Kifaru’s New Apparel Line
From my time in infantry training and various outdoor pursuits, I’ve learned to value clothing that can take abuse while still performing across changing environments. That experience tends to make it easy to separate marketing claims from gear that holds up in the field. This year, Kifaru International expanded beyond its well-known packs, load-bearing systems, […]
Planning and Preparing an Emergency Drinking Water Supply
A practical guide to emergency water storage, filtration, rain collection, and household preparedness using the PACE framework.
The Pecos Table | Pecos Bill Would Brag About This Table
Having a durable table that breaks down is useful in many contexts. Over the past several years, I have been upping my meat-smoking game. I have lost count of how many times I have kicked myself for not having a nearby table to hold the food and supplies. But I have never found a sturdy […]
Plano GoNow Storage Box: A Smart, Modular Solution for Organized Gear
I was my dad’s first child, and a girl. This naturally meant that my early fishing experiences included a hot-pink Barbie fishing rod that frequently got knotted on all manner of things, likely due to user error. I don’t remember much from that day, but I certainly remember the sound of my dad’s grumbling as […]
5.11 Tactical MVR 35L Backpack | First Look
For years, my go-to packs for EDC and travel have been the RUSH 12 and RUSH 24 from 5.11 Tactical. As much as I enjoy the features on the RUSH 12 and 24, I have always looked for something in the same size range but a little less tactical looking. Enter the MVR series of […]
Could the Savior Equipment Obscura Be the CCW Pack to Beat in 2026?
The Savior Obscura sling takes a new approach to off-body carry, focusing on one problem: balancing speed and security.
Range Bag Showdown: 5.11 Range Ready Pro vs. Savior Equipment Specialist
The 5.11 and Savior range bags take two very different approaches—compact efficiency vs maximum capacity.
Iranian Sleeper Cells in America: How Prepared Do You Really Need to Be?
Iranian sleeper cells are a real threat—but most preparedness advice fails. Here’s what actually matters when things go bad close to home.
EDC Done Right: Stop Gear Shopping and Start Thinking
Your EDC isn’t failing because of your gear—it’s failing because of how you think about it.
Deluxe Bino Harness and Mesa Harness | Kifaru’s Combination Bino Harness
Carrying binoculars while hunting or scouting presents its challenges, from weight distribution to how to open the bucket quietly. Different companies look to solve those challenges with their own twists. Kifaru created their Deluxe Bino Harness to solve those problems. They were also kind enough to send us their Deluxe Bino Harness with their Mesa […]
Return of the Original 5.11 Tactical Covert 18 Backpack
For years, I’ve used different backpacks and sling bags as concealed carry, travel, and professional use backpacks, but there’s always been something about them that kept me looking. A few years ago, the 5.11 Covert 18 backpacks came out to fill a niche in the low-profile backpack market. I took a look at them, but […]
Endure | Sitka’s Newest Multi-Season Pant
Where I hunt, the fall weather tends to go from sunny high fifties to low thirties, with rain or snow. To mitigate the changing weather, having a pair of solid pants is helpful for a good hunt. When Sitka offered to send me their new Endure Pants, I gladly agreed to try them out. “Engineered […]
Sitka Jetstream Jacket | A Sitka Staple
Dealing with the elements, including cold winds, can drain both body heat and morale, making for miserable experiences. Back in my Army days, there were times on ranges where a solid windproof layer would have helped. When I was asked to try Sitka’s Jetstream jacket, I gladly accepted, especially with an upcoming hunt at high […]