Editorial
Top 10 Lists
Independent picks for gear that earns its place and country worth planning around.
How the Wild10 lists are built
Every ranking below starts with a shortlist of 40–80 candidates that our editors have actually used, tested, or repeatedly seen win in the field — most notably on the Alone TV show, on long paddling and backpacking trips, and in year-round bushcraft camps. We score each candidate on real-world criteria (durability, weight-to-utility, repairability, cold-and-wet performance, and cost per season), cross-check against the Alone winners' gear database, and cut the list to ten. No affiliate weighting, no sponsor picks — the same knives, packs, and destinations that appear here are the ones our writers carry into the woods.
Below: 117 gear rankings, 16 place rankings, updated as new equipment and trip reports come in.
Gear
The 10 Best Predator Calls
Electronic and hand calls ranked on volume in wind, remote range across a section, cold-weather battery life, and how they sound at low volume.
Read the list
The 10 Best Upland Hunting Vests
Strap vests and packs ranked on how they carry water and birds over twelve miles, blaze visibility, and game bags that actually wash clean.
Read the list
The 10 Best Turkey Decoys
Hens, jakes and strutters ranked on paint that doesn't shine, how they pack into a vest, and whether they pull gobblers or flare pressured birds.
Read the list
The 10 Best Waterfowl Waders
Breathable and neoprene waders ranked on boot warmth, seam durability after a season of barbed wire, and how they walk on a mile-long marsh hike.
Read the list
The 10 Best Layout Blinds for Field Hunting
Field coffins ranked on profile height, flap speed, stubble straps that hold, and whether you can actually sit up and swing a gun.
Read the list
The 10 Best Goose Calls
Short reeds and flutes ranked on how they run a soft cluck, hail across a section, and survive a frozen morning in a stubble field.
Read the list
The 10 Best Goose Decoys
Fullbodies, shells, silhouettes and socks ranked on visibility from altitude, trailer space, and whether they finish geese or just turn them.
Read the list
The 10 Best Duck Calls
Single and double reeds ranked on how easily they run soft, how far they carry on a windy marsh, and how they handle cold and spit.
Read the list
The 10 Best Duck Decoys
Floaters ranked on how they ride chop, hold paint after a season of shot and mud, and finish birds in the last thirty yards.
Read the list
The 10 Best Hunting Vests
Upland strap vests, blaze safety vests, and insulated hunting vests ranked on game-bag capacity, shell access, and all-day comfort.
Read the list
The 10 Best Hiking Vests
Running-style and insulated hiking vests ranked on bounce-free carry, bottle access, and warmth without restricting arms.
Read the list
The 10 Best Fly Fishing Waders
Stockingfoot waders ranked on seam durability, breathability on long hikes, and how the gravel guards and booties hold up over seasons.
Read the listPlaces
Public Land Elk Units in Montana: High-Percentage Archery and Rifle
We've sifted through Montana's vast hunting districts to bring you ten units with excellent public access and robust elk populations, favoring DIY hunters.
Read the list
Steelhead Rivers in the Pacific Northwest
From rainforest-fed coastal gems to vast inland waterways, these rivers offer the region's best chances at encountering wild summer and winter steelhead.
Read the listHigh-Country Mule Deer Backpacking Units in Wyoming
For those willing to earn it, these Wyoming wilderness units offer solitude and the chance at a mature mule deer buck deep in the backcountry, far from road hunters.
Read the listFly Fishing Flat Spots for Redfish on the Texas Middle Coast
Discover the best wadeable flats for sight-casting to redfish on the Texas Middle Coast, focusing on structure, wind protection, and tidal influence.
Read the list
Ice Climbing Destinations in the Canadian Rockies
Challenge yourself on frozen waterfalls and majestic peaks across Alberta and British Columbia's premier ice climbing locales.
Read the list
Public-Land Bowhunting Units for Whitetails in the Driftless Area
Navigating the rugged coulees and oak flats of the Driftless for trophy whitetails on public land. We break down the best units, focusing on pressure, access, and prime bedding.
Read the list
Whitewater Rafting Trips in the Pacific Northwest
From raging glacial rivers to scenic multi-day floats, the PNW delivers world-class whitewater for every skill level. We've paddled them all, here's our honest take.
Read the listFlatwater Canoe Routes: Boundary Waters Multi-day
For those seeking the tranquility of the Boundary Waters without the grind of long portages or crowded campsites, these routes offer prime multi-day flatwater canoeing with low-density camping.
Read the listPublic Land Elk Units in Montana: High-Percentage Districts
For serious elk hunters targeting Montana's public lands, these units offer strong bull-to-cow ratios and high-percentage opportunities.
Read the listPublic Land Elk Units in Montana: High-Percentage Bull Hunting
We’ve scoured the data and boots-on-the-ground reports to identify Montana’s best public land elk units where a bull tag isn't just a dream, it's a real possibility.
Read the listFly-Fishing Destinations
Trout, salmon, and saltwater country with real access and real fish.
Read the list
US National Parks for Backcountry Travel
Parks with real wilderness, honest permit systems, and country worth a week or more.
Read the listEditorial only — no affiliate links, no paid placements. Brand mentions reflect what independent field users actually reach for, not sponsorships.