Spring is here and so is turkey hunting. Chasing wary gobblers through the woods can be a demanding but rewarding endeavor. The cat and mouse game between hunter and turkey brings us back season after season. In an effort to get the most out of our time in the woods, we rely on quality gear. This means gear that is built to the task and gear that will not fail us when the moment counts. We took the time to dissect our own kits and our favorite gear in this ultimate turkey hunting gear guide. Our picks will have you ready for the moment a gobbler shows himself.
Leafy 1/4 Zip
A good leafy is a valuable tool for any turkey hunter. For wary birds, the added concealment can bring toms within shooting distance. The Nomad Leafy 1/4 Zip is among the best we’ve used. It’s a lightweight outer shell that can be quickly taken on or off depending on the scenario. Unlike other leafy suits we’ve tested, the Nomad is also durable. This means walking through brush won’t tear your suit on branches and cause it to fall apart after a season. If you’re looking for any advantage you can get this spring, definitely consider the Nomad Leafy 1/4 Zip.
Storm Castle Gaiter
There are two types of turkey hunters: those who wear rubber boots and those who don’t. If you’re hunting mountain birds, chances are you fall into the latter. The Peax Boot Gaiters add an extra level of protection for hiking boots. They go through brush, thorns, and briers with ease. Additionally, a pair of hiking boots combined with these gaiters allows hunters to cross small streams and creeks while staying dry. For mountain hunters chasing toms, these are a must-have.
Floodline Velo Boot
For bottomland hunters, a good pair of rubber boots is essential for navigating swampy areas. The Floodline Velo Boot from Chêne is a lightweight rubber boot perfect for spring turkey hunting. It’s non-insulated and features an air mesh lining to aid in moisture wicking. Additionally, these boots come with full-length zippers for quick and easy removal. They also come in camo for maximal concealment.
Alitude GTX Boots
Mountain turkeys can live in some serious terrain, and getting to them can be a challenge. The Crispi Altitude boot is a lightweight, breathable boot perfect for spring turkey hunting. They are not insulated, so when spring temps are on the rise, you don’t have to worry about overly sweaty feet. In addition, these boots have ample ankle support for mountain terrain. They even come in a slick olive color to help blend in with your camo.
Tom Tote
The Tom Tote from Fowler Hide Supply allows hunters to comfortably carry their bird out of the woods. Built out of premium leather and handcrafted in the USA, this tote can easily be thrown in a vest or pack when hunting. If you do harvest a bird, it’s as simple as placing one loop around the bird’s feet and the other around the neck. Sling the bird over your shoulder, and you are good to go.
Turkey Tool Belt
Recently, the run-and-gun style of turkey hunting has grown in popularity. This style of hunting requires staying mobile and minimizing the amount of gear you bring. Sitka’s Turkey Tool Belt does just that. This well-thought-out fanny pack has ample storage for calls, shotshells, and water, as well as a foldable seat. While it may not offer the comfort of a vest for long sits, it does give you the ability to stay mobile in search of a gobbler.
Luke Combs Turkey Hunting Vest
This year, we saw the return of Columbia’s hunting gear, featuring its collaboration with Luke Combs. In this lineup is a turkey vest too good not to talk about. It’s reminiscent of the old school turkey vests, but with modern features we’ve come to expect. The seat has ample padding for long sits. Call and accessory pockets have room for all your gear, too. But best of all, this vest is not overly bulky, unlike many vests. It’s fairly slimmed down, perfect for comfortably navigating through the woods.
Single Gun Hard Case
Protecting your firearm is important, especially when going to and from hunts. A Negrini hard case offers ample protection and organization. The 16406LXP-UNI Hard Case can accommodate just about any shotgun, including autos. Best of all, it comes in Mossy Oak Bottomland for the truly obsessed turkey hunter. These cases are also ideal for traveling hunters who plan to fly out of state for turkeys. The three combination locks and compact design make it a breeze to check in and fly with.
Ethos Cordoba
One of Benelli’s newest offerings, the Ethos Cordoba, is just as at home in the turkey woods as it is in the duck marshes. It’s available in gauges 12 to 28, with the 20 being a sweet spot for turkey hunting. It also features Benelli’s recoil management system as well as a ported barrel to help reduce the recoil of magnum turkey shells. For other shotguns, check out our picks for the Best Turkey Guns of 2025.
HEVI-18
Reliable ammo that patterns well and can cover distance is a must in the turkey woods. The HEVI-Shot HEVI-18 checks all those boxes with impressive knockdown power. Packed with TSS, these shells are great in close but really start to perform at distance. The 7s have ample power to knock down birds that hang up out to 60 yards. For more ammo recommendations, check out our guide to turkey hunting ammo.
Field Pant
Chêne is a company known for premium waterfowl gear, but their patterns and gear transfer well to the turkey woods. One piece of gear we love is the Field Pant. Featuring 4-way stretch, these pants are comfortable for long hikes into the woods. They are also mid-weight pants, great for cold mornings and warmer afternoons. Chêne offers these pants in Mossy Oak Original Bottomland and Treestand, both at home in the turkey woods.
Approach Hoodie
Sometimes, turkey hunting can be hot, especially in the South. For those situations, a lightweight and breathable top is a must. The Approach Hoodie from GoHunt fits the bill just right. It is essentially a sun hoodie, but specific for hunting. Of all the colors, the Cambium Camo is the best for turkeys as the darker colors blend in well with hardwood forests.
HEVY-Hand
Box calls are a great tool for covering ground and locating gobblers. The new HEVY-Hand box call from Quaker Boys is built with a heavy lid. The reason for this is to create crisp and loud hen sounds with minimal effort. For beginners, this is great, but make no mistake, this call is just as at home in the hands of a seasoned caller.
Beau Brooks Signature Series
The Power Calls Beaus Brook Signature Series Pro Pack is a three-pack of mouth calls perfect for spring. Each call features a different cut, creating a different sound. The Batwing is an excellent do-it-all call, while Mockingbird is designed for front-end yelping, and the Cutter makes raspy cuts and yelps. For a diverse and great-sounding call system, give this three-pack of mouth calls a try.
Crystal Queen
Slayer Calls is an Idaho-based call company with a wide range of species-specific calls. Of those, the Crystal Queen stands out for turkey hunters. It’s sized properly to fit in most hands without feeling cumbersome. In addition, the crystal pot creates crisp cuts, purrs, yelps, and more. This call is fairly easy to learn, so both new and experienced callers can benefit from adding it to their call stash.
HM70R Headlamp
Every turkey hunter needs a good headlamp to get into the woods before sunrise. The Fenix HM70R is a great option for rugged dependability. It’s a rechargeable light that is capable of delivering up to 100 hours of runtime. The brightness is impressive, too, with a max output of 1600 lumens. This headlamp also features a red light mode, if that is your preference.