Athlon's 2026 Hunting Gear Awards: Crossbow Testing Underway
Gear talk is easy. Gear that actually holds up when a shot opportunity finally shows itself is another matter entirely. That's the premise behind Athlon Outdoors' newly announced 2026 Ballistic's Best Hunting Edition, a testing and awards program built around real-world evaluation rather than spec sheets and marketing copy.
For archery and crossbow hunters specifically, this year's lineup is worth paying close attention to. Athlon Untamed's panel of experienced testers is putting equipment through hands-on trials in seven groups that span crossbows, rifles and handguns built for hunting, shotguns for turkey and for ducks and geese, suppressors, and laser rangefinders. Every entry is being judged on the same core standards — accuracy, durability, performance, and value — with winners earning their place through field-relevant testing rather than reputation alone.
Why a Crossbow Category Matters
Crossbows have become a staple of modern hunting camps, whether as a primary weapon during archery season or a backup option when conditions call for it. Including a dedicated Crossbows category in Ballistic's Best signals that Athlon Untamed recognizes how much lethality, consistency, and handling matter to the hunters relying on this gear in the field. A crossbow that shoots well off a bench is one thing; one that performs under field pressure, in cold hands, at awkward angles, is another. That's precisely the kind of distinction this program is designed to surface.
The other categories matter too, even for bow hunters. A reliable Laser Rangefinder, for instance, can be just as critical to a treestand archery setup as it is to a long-range rifle hunt. Knowing exact yardage in the seconds before a shot is often the difference between a clean harvest and a missed opportunity — and Athlon's coverage of that category promises to dig into usability details like display clarity and control layout, not just maximum range claims.
What Comes Next
According to the source article, winners in each category will be revealed individually through dedicated feature coverage in the weeks ahead. No scores or results have been published yet, and we won't speculate on outcomes here — the point of programs like this is the rigor behind the testing, not early guesses.
ArcheryWinner readers who care about crossbow performance, rangefinder reliability, or how hunting gear holds up beyond the showroom should keep an eye on Athlon Untamed as these results roll out. For the full rundown of categories and the reasoning behind this year's program, read the original announcement from Athlon Outdoors.