The 2026 ATA Show delivered on multiple fronts. As usual, it was packed with innovation—but this year felt especially dangerous for our wallets. You know the drill: you walk in “just to look,” and somehow leave mentally budgeting for gear you’d never even considered before. Our wives probably hate this show for a reason.
We spent the week bouncing between booths, filming what caught our attention, and nerding out over design details that actually matter in the field. Several of these highlights were captured on video, but here’s a rundown of what stood out—no particular order, just what left an impression.
Bering Optic’s Thermal Bow Sight
Thermal tech continues creeping deeper into archery, and Bering’s bow-mounted option definitely turned heads. Whether you love or hate where technology is heading, it’s impossible not to appreciate the execution.
Latitude Outdoors
Latitude came in hot with their Carbon Synergy Climbing Sticks, along with the Flyer Pack and Praxis Frame Pack. Lightweight, modular, and purpose-built for mobile hunters. This lineup felt like the next evolution of their already dialed-in system.
Timber Ninja Boot Covers & Hand Warmer
Simple ideas done well. Timber Ninja continues to refine cold-weather accessories that actually make sense for late-season sits. Having used one of the typical alternatives this past year, this looks to be a lot warmer, and what I’m most excited about: A lot quieter.
Firenock
Firenock was loaded with new products and another patent. Some subtle improvements, some products borderline mad-scientist level. Love them or not, nobody is pushing boundaries in the accessory space quite like they are.
Transcend Archery – Sky Hook
A clever solution that solves a real problem. The Sky Hook is one of those products that makes you wonder why it didn’t exist years ago.
Lone Wolf Custom Gear
Their climbing sticks and platform integration continues to impress. The Ranger Hybrid platform and their more budget-friendly Patriot Series stands showed how thoughtful engineering can simplify a mobile setup without sacrificing quality and security.
Maxcam – Tactacam’s POV Revamp
The Tactacam POV line was re-released by MaxCam and finally got the refresh it needed. Better usability, cleaner design, and more in line with how hunters actually film today.
365 Archery – X-Series Target System
Modular, replaceable, and built to last, this target system stood out for backyard shooters and archery clubs alike. Several new target options for their already vast lineup.
Painted Arrow Camera Accessories
Painted Arrow continues to refine camera mounting and accessory systems that actually work in real hunting scenarios, not just on paper. We really liked the new Ready-Mag and Multi-Mag.
Spot Hogg
Spot Hogg revamped the Hogg Father with the Hogg Father Pro. The Hogg Father Pro along with their new ROTI scope system was a big win. Spot Hogg continues to make their bombproof sights more refined, modular, and customizable.
Easton
Easton rolled out a new arrow shaft along with their Pack Mule quiver, complete with the soon-to-be-famous PB&J pocket. This thing seemed comfortable, and secure.
Grim Reaper Broadheads
An enormous lineup, including multiple staples we’ve trusted for years. Grim Reaper continues to balance innovation while maintaining the designs that earned their reputation. We learned what the top 4 selling heads from Grim Reaper were and why they should be at the top of your list.
If you haven’t watched the videos on these yet, do yourself a favor—each one brings something unique to the table.
Arsenal’s Glyde system made tether adjustment ridiculously easy—seeing the demo was an “oh wow” moment.
Integrated TSA locks in SKB latches… how did we not know this was already a thing?
Oryx Apparel impressed enough that we bought lined shorts and a tee on the spot—comfort matters.
Barnett’s Demun Series mini break-action crossbows were impossible to ignore. Needless to say, one came home with us.
Firenock’s all-titanium pliers—unnecessarily tough and precise, insanely cool.
Arsenal’s RZR Sub2 platform had one of the most satisfying lock-ins we’ve felt—hard to stop clicking it in and out.
So. Many. Crossbows. Killer Instinct (now KI), Excalibur, TenPoint, and Barnett all brought impressive updates.
Bear Archery’s new traditional bows were a reminder that innovation doesn’t stop—even in a centuries-old hunting style.
Revolution Bows offered a… let’s call it “interesting” take on bow design. Not for us, but it definitely got attention.
LVL HED Sight Level Tool – An odd thing to get excited about, but my mistrust for my string-mounted bubble level made me leave with one of these. Hard to mess this one up!
SELFILMED’s Rich Peace brought along the Tilta Khronos camera system, and honestly—it might’ve been one of our favorite things all week. It makes you seriously question hauling a full camera rig when a modern phone can do almost everything you need with the right setup. We will be playing with this setup and seeing if it justifies revamping our self-filming setups this year. More to come on this. If interested, you can buy one here: https://amzn.to/4saoF5F
Perhaps the most encouraging part of ATA 2026 had nothing to do with gear. For the first time we can remember, the show invited the public and hosted a target archery competition. Seeing hundreds of shooters—young and old—lined up in their jerseys flinging arrows downrange was refreshing.
After years of smaller, quieter shows, this felt like a move in the right direction. If ATA continues building on this momentum, it might be the spark that brings back some of the larger bow and camo brands that have been missing in recent years.
All in all, ATA 2026 was a reminder of why we keep coming back: innovation, community, and that inevitable moment when you realize you now “need” something you didn’t even know existed yesterday.
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