SHOT Show is a full-body experience: miles of carpet, a thousand “game-changer” claims, and enough new gear to make your wallet start hyperventilating. A handful of those releases cut through the noise. That’s the gear that feels like it was built for real hunters, shooters, and outdoorsy folks who rely on their equipment in real life.
While SHOT Show 2026 delivered plenty of flash, these are the products I’d actually trust in the field.
Garmin Xero L60i Rangefinder
The Xero L60i was a floor standout for many reasons. It is not only a high-performing rangefinder, but it also integrates onboard mapping and navigation. The rangefinder has the ability to allow users to drop pins, or in other words, mark ranged targets or locations. The user can then use the navigation system and move to those points intentionally. This is a huge advantage when tracking animals, navigating thick cover, or working in low-light conditions.
Hornady RAPiD Safes
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Hornady’s RAPiD line of safes utilizes touch-free entry using RFID technology. This allows quick access with tags that are programmed specifically for each safe. Tags include watchbands, key fobs, and decals. The decals look like stickers, and can be attached to nearly any object. Once programmed, safes can be opened with a simple swipe.
This Hornady RAPiD system provides ease of use and practical speed, especially in a true emergency. The drawback though is that these systems might actually make access too easy. The user should make sure that the watchband, key fab, or decal is stored in a safe and discreet location, especially in homes with children.
5.11 LVC Backpack
LVC, or “Low-vis carry” backpacks have become popular in recent years, and 5.11 has served up a great one. The entire thing is thoughtfully designed, from the discreet exterior to the functional interior. No inch is wasted. The 5.11 LVC backpack features an ambidextrous side-entry CCW compartment with loop panel and removable holster strap, a rear laptop sleeve with removable retention strap fits up to LG SAPI plate, a fleece-lined top pocket and hidden zippered pocket for secure quick-access, padded back panel with flex cuff channel and quick-release shoulder straps, and stretch water bottle pockets and retractable side webbing loops.
It has all the function of a tactical carry pack, but looks like a normal daypack, which is the goal here. 5.11 knocked it out fo the park with this one.
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Benchmade TAGGEDOUT Knife
The TAGGEDOUT lineup offers a knife made with hunters in mind. It is durable, lightweight, and easy to use, plus made with the trusted Benchmade reliability that has made this brand a staple for outdoorsmen. The line features a new camo-inspired colorway, including an Elmax forest green Cerakote clip-point blade, tan Grivory handle scales, black oxide hardware, and finished with orange anodized barrel spacers and thumb stud. It is a work knife that looks good both in the field and in regular life.
Savage Impulse Ultralite Pro
The straight-pull Impulse Ultralite Pro from Savage Arms is built to reduce weight without sacrificing durability. Aimed at hunters who want to cover serious ground, the Ultralite Pro is a straight-pull hunting rifle that’s built to keep ounces off your shoulder. The Impulse Ultralite Pro is loaded with features, including the ambidexterous bolt handle, interchangeale grip modules, exclusive LimbSaver recoil pad, blackout cerakoted barreled action, threaded barrel with omniport muzzlebrake, and comes in two finishes: Savage Woodland or Savage Western Camo Stock.
Pelican DayVenture Soft Cooler Backpack
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The DayVenture line brings Pelican’s durability to soft coolers, with backpack and sling options designed for day hunts, fishing trips, and general outdoor use. The soft cooler backpack has a dry compartment on top and a cooler section below. It comes in two colors: coyote and soft gray. Features include a lightweight design with padded shoulder straps, leak-resistant zipper with a waterproof seal, compression molded base for increased structure and durability, and an exterior pocket that keeps dry goods separate and secure.
Safariland HOLLE Belt
Safariland’s HOLLE system is pitched as an evolution of belt-mounted functionality, optimized to address some of the drawbacks to the brand’s MOLLE duty belts. The HOLLE (Hole Optimized Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) Duty Belt combines that traditional duty belt profile with a new hard-mounting system. This prevents accessories from pulling, sliding, or shifting during use.
Armasight Warden PRO 640 Thermal Monocular
Thermal continues to redefine how hunters scout, recover animals, and manage land. The Warden PRO 640 offers high-resolution imaging in a compact, rugged monocular format. Expected to be released in May of this year, it is best for predators, hog hunters, and those scouting for the hunt. Features include Full HD 1920×1080 OLED display, Full HD video output at 60Hz with HDR, improved H265 video compression for faster transfers, and dynamic audio capture. Additionally it includes multiple color palettes, USB streaming, and simple three-button control.
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The Warden PRO 640 delivers high-contrast, smooth imagery at 60Hz, which provides clarity in poor conditions. The lens detection system ranges up to 1,865 meters, even in total darkness, fog, smoke, or adverse weather.
Mossberg 500 Turkey .410
The .410 turkey conversation isn’t going away. Mossberg is leaning into it with a dedicated 500 Turkey in .410. This shotgun is light, compact, and designed for hunters who value mobility and reduced recoil. Finished in bottomland camo, it looks good, too. The Mossberg 500 Turkey .410 has quickly made its place among classic turkey guns because it packs enough punch to kill a bird while being approachable and user-friendly.
Hornady American Whitetail TIPPED
Hornady knows how to make a good thing better, as evidenced by the American Whitetail TIPPED ammunition line. They paired the existing Hornady SST and FTX bullets in weights that have been deer hunting staples for years with the modern tip technology, delivering an even better hunting bullet.
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Otis Technology ROSE by SIG SAUER Cleaning Kit
This one is for the girls, as Martina McBride would say. We say its for anyone who likes a pretty cleaning kit to maintain their ROSE by Sig Sauer. Made in the United States, this kit cleans 5.56mm Rose M400 Rifles as well as 9mm Luger and 380 Auto ROSE by Sig Sauer P365 and ROSE by Sig Sauer P365XL Pistols. It contains color-branded Ripcords, cotton patrches, bronze bore brushes, Memory-Flex cables for proper Breech-to-Muzzle cleaning, a nylon all purpose brush, a branded microfiber gun cloth, firearm lubricant, and more.
Muck Boots Muckster Clog
The Muckster Lite EVA Clog is an unglamourous, lightweight, slip-on shoe. It is perfect for wearing around camp or for leaving in your car to wear after you slip out of your waders. The Muckster Lite EVA Clog is 50% lighter than its predessesor, has slip-resistant traction and is easy to clean. It is also made from a material called BioLite, which is more eco-friendly than many other injection molded foams in the market
Hawke Vantage HD 34
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The Vantage HD 34 FFP line is a line of riflescopes that push Hawke’s existing boundaries. Designed for precision shooters, competitors, and advanced airgun users, all models in the Vantage HD range feature Hawke’s H2 optics, fully multi-coated with 11 layers for exceptional light transmission, and a stunning wide-angle field of view.
These feature-packed models are some of the most advanced optics in their price range. The Vantage HD 34 FFP is aimed at users who need reliable accuracy, the ability to make quick adjustments, and stellar optical performance.
Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Muffs
Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Muffs have become a staple for a reason: low-profile cups, electronic sound enhancement, and compression that protects hearing when it counts. Plus, they come in a variety of cute and fun patterns. Tried and true, these muffs deserve a spot in the range bag.
Garmin Xero C2 Chronograph
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The Garmin Xero C2 is the next generation of chronographs from Garmin. Building upon the success of its predecessor, Xero C2 adds faster processing capabilities that allow for new features like rapid-fire tracking and resume session, plus Garmin smartwatch integration and Applied Ballistics connectivity.
The device includes rapid-fire support, which lets users track up to 10 shots per second, a resume session function that lets users switch between different firearms or test multiple bows or arrows and view data for each dedicated session, and connectivity between compatible Garmin smartwatches, which means shooters can access session controls, view and import data.
Equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it can run up to six hours on a single charge.
Final Thoughts
SHOT Show 2026 delivered plenty of noise, but these picks delivered substance. From smarter optics and lighter rifles to everyday gear that actually improves time in the field, this year’s standouts weren’t about hype. They were about usability.
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