Field Armor V2 Upland Hunting Dog Vest
The orange chest protector Alan wears in most of our photos — American-made, and the vest that fit an English cocker without chafing.
Kuiu Attack Pant
Matt and Peter both hunt in Kuiu's Attack Pant and love it. Matt's advice, against Kuiu's lighter Tiburon: "Stick to the Attack pants for this area."
Kuiu Gila Boonie
Matt wears Kuiu's Gila boonie and loves it. The current version is the Gila PRO Airmesh Boonie: 3.2 ounces, UPF 50+, with a packable brim.
Russell Moccasin Joe's PH
Matt wore Russell Moccasin's Joe's PH his first season. Great on flat ground, he says, but not grippy enough for the hairy side hills of California quail country.
Schnee's Beartooth v3 0g
Matt's uninsulated mountain boot, in its second season: Schnee's Beartooth v3 0g, made in Italy for the Bozeman bootmaker, and rebuildable when the soles wear out.
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I
The 686 Silver Pigeon I is the over/under upland benchmark — Italian box-lock action, walnut stock, lifetime gun at a relatively sane price.
Browning Citori 12-Gauge (1980s)
Matt's over/under: a 1980s Browning Citori 12-gauge, 8 lb 3 oz empty, and what to check before you buy an old one in California.
Boss Warchief Shotshells
Peter shoots Boss Warchief and loves it. Boss now loads it with its CuProX copper shot instead of bismuth, in 12 and 20 gauge, and it's legal for hunting in California.
Azweilke Custom Kydex Sheath
Azweilke makes custom kydex sheaths fitted to your specific knife — the upgrade that turns a Busse or MKC into a strap-vest-integrated carry.
Busse Crab Trail Custom Shop — NorCal Upland Knife Review
Busse Combat's Crab Trail is the upland-shaped INFI-steel fixed blade — overbuilt in a way you appreciate the day something else would have failed.
Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X
Matt has Victorinox's Swiss Tool Spirit X and thinks it's the best multitool. The catch, in his words: it's a bit heavy, at 7.4 ounces.
Final Rise Summit XT Strap Vest
A weight-bearing waist belt, thin straps that stay out of the gun mount, and MOLLE webbing everywhere: the strap vest our editor has hunted in for three seasons.
Final Rise Field Gloves
Matt wears Final Rise's Field Gloves and likes how much feel they keep: goatskin palms, deerskin backs and touchscreen fingertips, for $95.
Blue Force Gear Micro Trauma Kit NOW!
The trauma kit Matt carries on his vest: Blue Force Gear's Micro Trauma Kit NOW!, what's in each fill, and why you still need a separate tourniquet and a class.
Darn Tough Hunter Mid-Calf Cushion Sock
Matt wears Darn Tough's Hunter Mid-Calf Cushion socks and loves them. Darn Tough no longer lists them; here's its current hunting sock, made in Vermont and guaranteed for life.
Filson Mackinaw Wool Vest
Peter has Filson's Mackinaw Wool Vest, and he's a big fan of vests in general. It's 24-ounce virgin wool, made in the USA, for $349.
Stormy Kromer Original Cap
Matt and Peter both own the Original Stormy Kromer Cap, the wool cap with the pull-down earband. It's $50, cut and sewn in the USA, and guaranteed for life.
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Beanie
Matt wears Icebreaker's Merino 200 Oasis Beanie when it's cold: 100% merino, 40 grams, with a double layer over the ears, for $30.
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe
Matt's base layer is Icebreaker's Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe: 100% merino in a slim fit, with the shoulder seams moved off the top of the shoulder, for $120.
Kuiu Tiburon Pant
Matt and Peter both own Kuiu's Tiburon. It's great in the heat, Matt says, "but you'll feel every thistle. Stick to the Attack pants for this area."