Field Gear

With so many cool new products unveiled at the 2010 SHOT Show, where does one begin? Because I have yet to field test the best prospects, here are brief overviews of my Top 10 picks.

Galco Field Grade Shell Pouch
If you read my review of the stunning leather shotshell pouches from Galco Gunleather (March/April ’09) but have yet to pull the “buy” trigger, you might be glad you waited. This year the company rolled out a pair of Field Grade pouches that cost at least 50-percent less than their upscale counterparts. The new Canvas Pouch ($45) is made from khaki cotton duck with a front panel of rich, dark-brown leather with reddish undertones. The color is especially striking in the Leather Pouch ($90). Each shooting bag holds 50 shells and comes with a divider to separate live ammo from hulls. A pair of front-panel loops holds 12-gauge shells for quick access. The new pouches attach to the shooter’s belt and are roomy enough to stash gloves, choke tubes and other small items, especially if you’re not picking up empties or don’t need to tote 50 rounds at a time.
Galco also introduced its Field Grade Seven Hole Sport Belt in Medium (32 through 38), Large (36 through 42), XL (40 through 46) and XXL (44 through 50). At 1H" wide, the handsome belt is made from the same leather as the pouches, comes with a solid brass buckle and is attractively priced at $29.95.
    Galco International, 800-874-2526; www.usgalco.com.

Boyt Heritage Gun Cases
There’s something timeless about an all-leather gun case, which is why Boyt is reintroducing the line it first brought to market 60 years ago and then dropped in the 1970s. Three brown leather models make up the new Heritage Collection: a 48" Shotgun Case ($198), a 48" Gun Sleeve ($250) and a 30" Takedown Gun Case ($225). All models are made from heavy-duty leather naturally tanned without chemicals or salts to last a long time (the company offers a lifetime guarantee). All models feature adjustable leather carrying straps, brass hardware, and rounded hand-sewn end blocks to accommodate and protect “best” double guns.
    The synthetic-fleece-lined Gun Sleeve comes with a leather carrying handle, a side zipper and an end flap that buckles securely. The Takedown Case has a leather carrying handle and two end-flap buckles, and it can accommodate barrels to 30". The interior is upholstery-grade ultra suede—as is the interior of the Shotgun Case, which also has a full-length zipper. The Takedown and Shotgun cases contain protective, closed-cell foam padding between the ultra suede and leather.
    Boyt Harness Co., 800-550-2698; www.boytharness.com.

Filson Passage Luggage
With so many companies constantly launching new products, how can consumers know which ones will stand the test of time? Clue: Watch for the natural expansion of a new product line to satisfy customer demand. Such is the case with Filson, which only last year brought its Passage luggage line of 13 products to market as a lighter-weight alternative to its long-popular Rugged Twill cotton line. Lighter, more mobile travel is in vogue these days as airlines impose restrictions and increase fees for checked luggage. Four new Passage models with roller wheels will help travelers cope.
    The handsome new products with leather trim are made from 16.4-oz coated nylon twill with nylon ripstop interiors. At 22" (h) x 15H" (w) x 9G" (d), the Carry-On Bag ($295) offers plenty of storage options. Besides front and back zipper pockets outside, there are multiple storage pockets inside, and the main compartment on the bottom expands another 2H". Exterior storage straps allow you to attach an umbrella, fly rod case or rolled-up jacket and then remove the straps if you check the bag. At 28" (h) x 17H" (w) x 10H" (d), the Check-In Bag ($345) is similar in design. The Duffle Bag ($390) is bigger yet: a generous 31" (h) x 18H" (w) x 14H" (d). The Computer/Business Bag ($295) features a main front compartment with built-in computer sleeve and file organizers. The main back compartment has webbing straps to hold garments in place. Dimensions are 15" (h) x 17H" (w) x 10" (d); colors are black, brown or otter green.
    C.C. Filson, 800-624-0201; www.filson .com.

L.L. Bean Selection
The L.L. Bean design folks are in the field with boots on the ground, testing and developing, and I’m always impressed with their discoveries. No shortage this year; I could devote the whole column to Bean’s new Magnum Flyway Blind Bag, Ventilated Upland Shirt, Waterproof Duffle Bag, Casco Bay Waterfowl Parka and Technical Wool Jacket/Pant among others. I am keenly interested in the new Waterproof Pa’tridge Glove and Technical Upland Boot and, because I own and train my own bird dogs, I like the Transmitter E-Holster.
    It’s a simple shoulder harness with security pockets for toting an e-collar transmitter, cell phone, GPS and any other electronics you don’t trust to a coat pocket. Thanks to adjustable shoulder and torso straps, the E-Holster, which has a law enforcement look, fits over other clothing and buckles with a plastic sternum strap. Left- or right-handed shooters will find it doesn’t interfere with gun mount, and electronic devices don’t slide or bounce out, thanks to stretchable, hold-tight fabric. In fact, the two sturdy pockets attach to Velcro panels, which means you can move them around for personal fit and comfort. Light (.65 pound), breathable and fast drying, the E-Holster comes with a grommet and D-ring for a transmitter lanyard and a good price: $29.
    L.L. Bean, 800-221-4221; www.llbean.com.

Irish Setter ExoFlex Footwear
Why are rubber boots the least-used footwear in the closet of most serious upland bird and waterfowl hunters? Most brands are too heavy, too short and too hard to get on and off. Irish Setter is taking a big step toward solving these issues this fall with the rollout of its new ExoFlex hunting boots. The SwampGhost neoprene/rubber series is a 17" knee-high in men’s whole sizes 7 through 15 and half-sizes 8 through 14. The uppers are neoprene, which can be folded down to the rubber bottoms. The SwampGhost comes in non-insulated Realtree APG Camo ($139) and Realtree AP Camo with 1,000 grams of Thinsulate Ultra ($154.99). The Mud Claw sole design has serrated cleats in front for secure footing and for releasing mud, which aids in self-cleaning. If you also hunt deer, you’ll appreciate the scent-free feature. Weight is 4 pounds 3 ounces (4 pounds 8 ounces insulated) in Size 9.
    The ExoFlex technology—a back panel that expands for easy-on/easy-off and contracts for a snug fit—makes this boot a game changer. It may be the first serious design breakthrough in rubber footwear since the Ankle-Fit Technology advanced by LaCrosse some 20 years ago. A companion model, the RutMaster, comes in Mossy Oak Break Up. You also can buy the boot in black in both 12" and 17" sizes.
    Red Wing Shoe Co.; 888-738-8370; www.irishsetterboots.com.

BraeVal Vests
A few SHOT Shows ago I came across BraeVal, an upscale maker of sporting shirts. That year owner Gregor McClusky had only a handful of new patterns to introduce. Fast-forward to 2010: BraeVal unwrapped 39 new colors and patterns in the company’s now well-established line of shirts and Skye Boatman Boiled Australian wool sweaters for men and women. What really caught buyers’ eyes, though, was a pair of new luxurious, waistcoat-style (over the belt) vests made from buffalo hide and finished with soft, 1mm-thick Nubuck leather.
    The CrossOver Vest zips full-length and has a V-neck collar, a roomy rear game pouch with acetate liner, and oversized front pockets with zippered inside security pockets. The BraeVal logo is embroidered on the back. The diamond-quilted ExVenturer Vest sports brass button snaps, a stand-up collar and bellowed front pockets (allowing both side and top entry) with protective flaps to prevent shells from tumbling out. A small welt pocket is over the left breast. Both vests are a rich chocolate brown outside, come with BraeVal buffalo plaid Tierra fabric (cotton and Merino wool) on the inside lower panels, and are available in men’s sizes Medium through XXL. Cost is $199 each.
    BraeVal Sporting Apparel, LLC, 860-482-7260; www.braeval.net.

Columbia Sportswear Omni-Heat Technology
The proprietary Omni technologies introduced by Columbia Sportswear a few years ago are now synonymous with the company name itself. The original Omni-Tech waterproof and breathable membrane found in many of Columbia’s jackets and pants has evolved to include Omni-Dry (moisture evaporation), Omni-Freeze (rapid cooling), Omni-Shield (water repellency and stain release), Omni-Grip (advanced traction in footwear) and Omni-Shade (UV protection). New for this fall is Omni-Heat, which promises to deliver outerwear warmth and help regulate body temperature without taking on extra bulk and weight. How can this be?
    The answer lies in a near-weightless, dot-matrix liner that features reflective material over a base layer that both breathes and wicks away moisture. Under this liner is Columbia’s proprietary insulation, which is made from 50-percent recycled polyester filament and boosts heat retention by 20 percent on average. The company claims its insulation has the highest warmth-to-weight measure of any other industry brand. The insulation works in conjunction with the liner to retain body warmth while getting rid of excess heat.
    Omni-Heat could be a boon to waterfowl hunters who often grow too warm from strenuous activity and then grow cold when they are inactive for hours. Look for it in the Wader Widgeon Parka ($349.95), Horicon Marsh Jacket ($169.95), Hat ($45) and Glove ($55).
    Also new for 2010 is Omni-Shield Blood ’N Guts fabric, designed to repel stains and dry fast. In the future I will review the company’s new Upland Shirt, which incorporates this material.
    Columbia Sportswear, 800-547-8066; www.columbia.com.

Schnee’s Montana Mountain Boots
I’m always eager to see what Schnee’s, one of the world’s premiere boot makers, brings to market. The company’s last new bird hunting boot was the Bozeman, one of my all-time favorites, which I reviewed in July/August 2007. Now, after five years of designing and testing, comes the Montana Mountain Boot, a three-model series handcrafted in Italy. Upland gunners will like the 8" Beartooth and 9" Wilderness. The premium leather uppers are double- and triple-stitched in high-wear areas, and the bottoms are wrapped in reinforced rubber from heel to toe to protect against cuts and abrasions. There are plenty of eyelets and studs for speed lacing. The Vibram Tsavo outsoles are aggressive for better traction in rough, broken country, and the boots breathe and shed water thanks to eVent membranes.
    In the future I’ll evaluate the Wilderness ($269), which weighs only 3.1 pounds per pair. The Beartooth ($289) checks in at 3.6 pounds, and the 10" Granite ($379) weighs 4.5 pounds. The Granite, which contains 200 grams of PrimaLoft insulation, could be the ticket for high-country chukar hunting in the late season.
    Schnee’s, Inc., 800-922-1562; www.schnees.com.

Howard Leight Eyewear & Earplugs
A pair of new products from Howard Leight Shooting Sports ensures that you won’t have to redo the family budget. Youth Sharp-Shooter Eyewear is lighter and 30-percent slimmer than standard safety-glass eyewear, to fit the faces of young gunners as well as some women and smaller-boned men. The snug-fitting, protective eyewear features a black frame and clear, wrap-around lenses of shatterproof polycarbonate. The lenses have both UV protection and an anti-fog coating, value-added benefits you wouldn’t expect for only $9.99.
    The company’s Super Leight Earplugs for Women are also 30-percent slimmer for a custom fit. Made of polyurethane foam, the bell-shaped noise stoppers have a flange to aid in proper placement and safe removal. To insert, simply roll the plug between your fingers, place it in the ear canal and hold a finger over the flange for a few seconds until the foam expands. Designed for one-time use, the earplugs carry an impressive Noise Reduction Rating of 30 (by comparison, the company’s earmuffs check in with an NRR of 33). A 14-pair pack costs only $4.99 and comes with a two-pair carrying case. Now that’s a deal.
    Howard Leight, a Bacou-Dalloz Co., 866-786-2353; www.howardleightshootingsports.com.

Promatic All American Ranger Trap
If you liked Promatic’s Ranger Sporter automatic trap, you’ll love the new All American Ranger, which replaces the Sporter for club and commercial use. No longer will you need a wrench to adjust height and tilt. You also can easily adjust the trap to throw targets below horizontal and at a 70-degree angle (think springing teal). The UK company, whose durable, dependable products are well known among American clay-target shooters, has incorporated many popular features in the new Ranger. These include a steel mainframe with a hard blue polyester finish, a stainless-steel throwing surface, an aluminum throwing arm with a polyurethane strip, and the company’s patented “knife edge” cutting system for fail-safe operation when targets are wet or frozen.
    The six-carousel trap hurls clays to 300 feet, has a fast (1.5 seconds) re-cocking time and operates with a simple on/off toggle switch juiced by a 12-volt battery. Promatic can supply the trap as a mini, midi or left-handed machine to throw a different flight pattern. Options include a foot switch, a solar charger, a remote control, a two-wheel T-cart and more. The All American Ranger, which costs $2,495, comes with the company’s standard three-year warranty.
    Promatic, Inc., 888-767-2529; www.promatic.biz.