While Black Friday isn’t for a couple of days, you’d never know it judging by all the early sales. They didn’t start last week—they started the week before, with a few companies jumping in even earlier.
It’s clear that nearly every company is racing to lock up your Christmas and holiday purchases before you run out of disposable income. It’s been that kind of year for a lot of people.
While the unadulterated commercialization of the season isn’t ideal, it does make for an excellent time to shop for loved ones. And, let’s be honest, it’s the perfect time to send those same loved ones your wish list.
Here’s a list of items to consider, even if they aren’t subject to some kind of Black Friday discount.
Marsupial Gear’s Gear Pods
Not too long ago, Marsupial Gear—a local cut-and-sew manufacturer here in the Phoenix Valley specializing in Western hunting gear—announced their new Gear Pods. The system is designed to help backcountry hunters carry their photo or video gear while scouting or hunting.
Pricing ranges from $20 to $200 depending on which items you buy. The main item is the Gear Pod itself, available in two sizes and three colors. Built for durability and protection, the Pods feature a dual-layer foam system with a dense exterior and a soft inner layer for cushioning.
Pair it with their Pod Straps to secure the Gear Pod to your backpack. The quick-adjust auto-lock buckles mean your Gear Pod can double as a compression panel when needed. Or you can pair it with Marsupial Gear’s Modular Yoke and carry to Gear Pod as a backpack.
And if the Gear Pod is a bit too much to add to your hunt, take a look at their Camera Bag, which is sized for a camera body and lens and can easily be attached to any MOLLE panel.
Mission First Tactical’s Cube
Nobody ever said ‘Nah, I got enough bags and cases to keep my gear organized.’ So don’t even ask, just get one (or more) of the Storage Case - Cube from Mission First Tactical. It comes in Black, Coyote Brown and Wolf Grey, measures 4.75” x 4.5” x 4”, has a 1.5-liter capacity, and stores flat when empty.
This is ideal for range use—holding 250 rounds of 9mm—or for those of us traveling to SHOT Show cables, charges and spares batteries. Best of all, it’s only $19.99. Need something a bit larger? Check out their Storage Case, which measures 9.5" x 4.5" x 4” and has a 3-liter capacity, for $24.99.
TAPCO Keychain Bore Light
The Keychain Bore Light from TAPCO was on display in the TAPCO booth at NASGW and is such an obvious stocking stuffer for any shooter. In fact, get a couple so your favorite gun guy—or gal—has one in each range bag and gun case.
Costing under $5, this neon green gadget offers a quick way to check your barrel’s bore for wear or obstruction. Don’t underestimate how much use this little thing will get.
Point6 Socks
After my piece last week about Point6 merino wool socks, I got a text from Jodi Stemler—who also wrote about them—that one of her friends ordered some as stocking stuffers. When you were young, you probably didn’t like getting socks at Christmas; I know I didn’t. But, it seems we all got socks at some point in our youth.
Now that we're older—and know better—a good pair of socks is actually a great gift. If you have a hunter, backpacker, camper, or hiker in your family, you won’t go wrong with getting them a pair fo Pint6 socks. With seven styles, five cushioning levels, and numerous colors, you’ll find the ideal pair. Plus, you can search socks by activity—Cycling, Hiking, Running, Snow, Tactical—or just the broader Casual or Dress options.
First Tactical Crosshatch Sling Pack
I finally got one of the Crosshatch Sling Packs made by First Tactical, and couldn’t love it more. I managed to get it in time to use on my trip to the NASGW Expo, and this is definitely now my go-to trade show and media event EDC bag.
This is a well-built, well-designed 19-liter bag. It features four external and three internal pockets, YKK zippers, Duraflex hardware, and is made with 1000D nylon and 10mm closed-cell foam. It was extremely comfortable during my trip to Dallas, where I answered one important capacity question: the main internal compartment easily holds a 13” MacBook Air. This might only be important to me, but I really do need to leave the iPad behind for a better computing option.
The Crosshatch comes in Black, OD Green, Coyote, and Wolf Grey and retails for $129.99. However, for the next seven days, First Tactical is running a Black Friday sale on their website that saves you 25% and gets you a free Spear Multitool on orders over $150. Take advantage of it while you can.
Suppressor Covers
Newsflash, suppressors get hot. Hot enough to burn skin and melt portions of your rifle case. And with the recent removal of the $200 tax stamp, everybody is buying suppressors. If you’re shopping for a new suppressor owner, and they don’t have a suppressor cover, then put one on your shopping list.
Several companies make suppressor covers. Silencer Central is running a 50% off promotion right now, putting its covers at $49.99. GPS offers covers ranging from $39.99 to $44.99. Marsupial Gear offers covers for $90.00. Armageddon Gear’s Mirage suppressor cover goes for $89.95. And SilencerCo offers High Temp and Extreme Temp covers for $99.00 and $129.00.
Regardless of which of these or another brand you go with, be sure you order the correct length cover.
Real Avid Breech Plug Master Maintenance Kit
For the muzzleloader in your life, I suggest getting them the Breech Plug Master Maintenance Kit from Real Avid. This all-in-one kit works with most muzzleloaders and comes loaded with tools and cleaning accessories.
Real Avid has a full rundown of the kit on their YouTube channel, but the highlights include: a 4-in-1 scraper tool, 11mm, 12mm, slotted and oval breech sockets, breech-thread brushes, and more. All of this is designed and organized to help quickly and easily clean a muzzleloader’s breech.
The kit comes in a convenient weather-proof storage case and retails for $89.99.
— Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network