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Beginner’s panning kit: I go with Garrett because too many of the others include pans you’ll eventually toss aside in favor of something better. Garrett makes a whole line of well designed, popular pans (I mention one below which isn’t in the kit but is a nice addition.) Check out the Garrett kit here. Side comment: here’s a great video from Dan Hurd on gold panning. Skip to the 5-minute mark to see him start the panning process if you are impatient lol! For your first sluice see my thoughts on Geo Sluice and Dream Mat products below. Either one is a great choice, but the affordability of the Geo Sluice often makes it a first choice for new folks.
Gold Pans: For use in the field, I like the Proline Professional pan, or the Garrett Supersluice pan. The Proline Professional 14” is lighter weight which is nice, but the green one is a bit too light green colored to see small gold easily, so I go with the black instead. Grab one direct from the manufacturers here. The wide smooth bottom of that big dark green Garrett 15″ pan does an impressive job letting you see the smallest gold, even out in the field. And it’s tough enough to take anything you throw at it…or throw it at! You can even sit on it…but don’t. You can buy the Garrett by clicking here: https://amzn.to/4nAy4BC
For finish panning, I classify into multiple pans at once, so I look for something fairly cheap. I use several inexpensive black 10” pans (see link to separate article on finish processing your cons below). These are also small enough that, in a pinch, you can finish pan with one into a Garrett Supersluice pan filled with water. Any smooth bottom black or dark green pan like this one or this one will do the job. Or maybe even better, this one includes a bunch of vials and a tweezers for just $0.26 more! (NOTE: Amazon availability and pricing varies, so try a different link if the first one you try doesn’t work.)
Classifiers: I hate classifying. There, I said it! But, sometimes, it’s the only practical way to prospect. When I have to bucket classify, I only use a Fasst Class Classifier. Dave Garner, the manufacturer makes a bulletproof product right here in the US which works faster and easier than anything else I have used! Contact him at davegarner2002@gmail.com for a link to his products on eBay. I recommend getting the one with the largest holes, for use in the field. His product sits IN the bucket which is much easier to use than the typical plastic classifiers that sit on top of a bucket. It also covers the rim of the bucket unlike the Arbor Classifier so no larger rocks can get down into the bucket. This means faster shoveling. Did I mention it is also a LOT less expensive than the Arbor while being sturdier than absolutely anything else out there? It’s truly just the best product available! When I am just running around sample panning without a bucket, I either use the classifier from the Garrett beginner kit above or one of these or for a deeper one these.
In-stream Sluices: I recommend sluice without metal riffles. After a bunch of sluice testing, I got a Dream Mat multi-sluice which I absolutely love. It seems to hold onto the gold better than many other sluices when water levels vary and is almost as quick to clean out. It can also be run with unclassified material without losing gold – which is the “holy grail” of sluices as far as I am concerned – you know I just HATE classifying! Making the switch to the Dream Mat sluice feeding unclassified material has increased my production by quite a bit. Here is the link to get a Dream Mat for yourself. The exact sluice I bought and now run regularly is the 10×38 Compact Combo Mat Sluice. Here’s a link to the slightly smaller version of the same thing which costs a bit less: 8×38 Compact Combo Mat Sluice If you want the exact sluice I use, just scroll to the bottom of that page to see the 10×38 version. Don’t feel compelled to buy the same one I have of course, they make lots of great sluices. For higher water-flow conditions, I favor I suggest getting a larger Dream Mat product, such as this one. But, whichever one you choose, use this discount code KS$5
By the way, I also use this Dream Mat in my Gold Cube along with the standard-issue vortex mats.
Another great Colorado-made option is the Geo Sluice product line. Very affordable for new prospectors, yet something experienced prospectors will continue to use because of the light weight and low water flow capability; these sluices find a place in any prospector’s truck. I recommend getting one no wider than 8 inches so it will fit into a 5-gallon bucket. Lengths around 2–3-foot work well in the stream. This size range makes carrying it easier and eases quick cleanouts too. Shop for them at Geo Sluice Mining
High bankers: There’s really only a couple standouts in the crowd – the Gold Cube is definitely one of them! Add the trommel
topper to it and you have the easiest operating, most efficient one-person mining operation around. Set it up right on the gold in the stream, use only 1200-2000 gallons per hour (trust me, that ain’t much, so your battery lasts a long time) and catch really fine gold. They say “cube it or lose it” for a reason. It’s what I use on my claim, and elsewhere regularly. On the Arkansas River I can’t imagine using anything else to catch that fine gold! Use this link to get one: https://goldcube.net/ or read more about the Gold Cube and its various accessories here: https://findinggoldincolorado.com/using-a-gold-cube-in-colorado/
If hauling a Gold Cube down to the dig site and back sounds like too much work, then check out the highbankers from the other standout: Crux Prospecting. A Crux is lightweight, easily fits in a full sized backpack or just carry it in the nylon mesh bag it comes with – it packs down to about 18” or so long. This makes the grade as an “standout” product because it only weighs 11 pounds but still handles a full shovelful of dirt at a time and sports a 3 foot sluice. Any time I have to trek down a hill or walk a decent ways, I take my Crux! Tip: When you order, be sure to get the clay claw accessory if you dig sticky material like I do on my claim.
Dry washers: In 2016 I switched from a big Keene 151 (worked fine but far too big for 1-2 people) to the very backpack-able Whippet Drywasher. At under 15 pounds (including the battery!) its exceptionally easy to get to the dig site, even if you have a long hike from the road. Being a battery operated, puffer-style machine its quiet and pleasant to work around for hours. With a hopper which holds almost 5 gallons of material, it’ll keep up with you as you dig! Finally, the precision design means it catches much more fine gold (-50 mesh and even the -100 mesh which almost all other dry washers miss) than the big Keene I used to run. Expensive, precision made, light weight, worth it…but no longer available unless you find a used one. Can’t find a used one? Then I recommend getting a small, lightweight, battery powered, puffer style machine. Dry washers eat a lot of dirt very quickly this means even the smaller units will keep up with you. Light weight means you can go over the hill to the next gully, that others are reluctant to trek to, with their heavier gear. Here’s an example https://www.keene.store/?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DW212V
Finish Processing Gear: Take a look at this post on what to use and how to do your finish processing of your concentrates without fancy equipment. https://findinggoldincolorado.com/finish-processing-your-concentrates-after-a-day-of-digging/
If you are running a high banker, a light weight, high-capacity lithium battery such this which is just as affordable as a deep cycle lead acid battery but at 1/3 the weight! That’s the one I use for all my battery powered gear. Most likely, it’ll have FAR more capacity than you ever need and its warrantied to last 5000 charging cycles.
Guidebooks: Check out all of our books to help you find gold in Colorado https://findinggoldincolorado.com/fgicbooks/. What else is worth buying and reading? This book: Fists Full of Gold by Chris Ralph. It’ll teach you so much about prospecting and gold! For metal detecting, great practical education is in Reese Towes book…The Nugget Shooter’s Field Guide.
What NOT to buy? Avoid the Falcon Guides book “Gold Panning Colorado” by Garret Romaine. Sadly, his book is full of errors. He tells you to dig on spots that are active mining claims, private property, and even a state nature preserve! Yikes. Also, all of the valid sites in his books are in my guidebooks, so just skip this one folks.
Crucial Clothing:
If you get cold feet in the river, put these on over your socks before you put your boots or waders on.
These socks are made of Polar Fleece and cut to fit over your boot socks, as shown in the picture. I love them so much; I bought two pair – they are amazing! Buy them on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TdyJfc
Want to be able to dig year-round without your hands going numb? Here are the gloves I wear 12 months a year! 
These beasts from ProMate are designed for professional divers. They are 3-mil neoprene (or 5-mil for a few bucks extra) to keep you warm. With Kevlar on the wear surfaces, they take a beating on the rocks on and tools but come back for more! I never wear anything else anymore.
Finally, consider joining the Facebook group ‘Finding Gold in Colorado’ to join the community of Colorado oriented gold prospectors and adventurers. Get your questions answered, advice found, and prospecting buddies arranged too!
This site costs money to keep up. The only way it pays for itself is shopping referrals. If you appreciate the info here, please click thru one of my Amazon ads the next time you want to shop online. It won’t cost you anything extra and it keeps the site going: www.findinggoldincolorado.com/shop-here/
What I suggest avoiding:
- Hungarian riffle-based sluices such as the Keene A52 (requires classifying, heavy, more difficult to run well – finicky). If you already have one of these, consider swapping out the guts with Gold Hog or Dream mats. I prefer Dream Mat since they work great and are easier to clean out.
- Estwing pans (nice shape but too flimsy)
- Pans with small bottoms (a wide bottom is easier to pan with)
- The poorly researched guidebook I mentioned above.
- Fancy gear meant to make finish processing of your concentrates easier. None of the fancy tools is as quick or effective as a good gold panner. Practice until you are good, watch some YouTube videos and use this link to read my article on finish processing your concentrates the cheap and easy way!
14 thoughts on “Specific Gold Prospecting Gear Recommendations”
I use my Le Trap in Cache Creek. Not enough water to use a Bazooka or Grizzly Gold Trap; certainly not in August.
Thanks for the gold prospecting equipment recommendations! I know now what type of gear suits my needs since a friend invited me to search for gold in a landmine he knows. I guess I’ll go with Gold Cube’s Highbankers since it’s one of the most efficient one-person mining operations, as you’ve said. I also like what you said about what to avoid, such as the Hungarian riffle based sluices.
Have you ever used the the Dream mat conversion for a Gold Cube. If so, what is your opinion?
Yes! And I love it. My new standard setup 👍
Grizzley gold trap, explorer! Where can I get those extra long glove shown in the picture?
Thx. Heavy Pans to you!
You can get those at Harbor Freight. Another option is “trapper’s gloves” on Amazon. I like those better actually.
I hope it’s not too late for you to see my comment and question, Kevin. First of all thank you for your book, “Finding Gold in Colorado” — it’s a great book! Now, I gave a question… What Classifier size do you recommend for Colorado? I see a lot of people using 1/4, but I am not sure that is the right size for Colorado — by the way, I am a beginner prospector. Is the 1/8 Classifier better for the type of gold in Colorado?
Most of the time I use a 2 mesh because it’s faster and I don’t have to worry about losing a nugget!
Hi Kevin, based on your recommendation and link above I bought the Combo Dream Mat. I’ve used it 4 times so far and it seems to be working well catching fine gold in lower flow situations. I’ve still been classifying down to 1/2 inch, but you mention above that classifying isn’t required with these. I know I could significantly increase my production if I skipped classifying, but I guess I’ve been too paranoid about losing gold! Is there something unique about the design that alleviates the usual concerns about larger materials creating flow issues and leading to lost gold?
Yes, there is something unique about the spiral design. From the testing I have seen and my own usage, a rock rolling through will only very, very rarely disturb the gold hiding in one of the spirals. I haven’t seen the blowouts that you see in more traditional designs. Try it for yourself ad see how the sluice behaves.
That said, I would still be sure to classify if your material has any stickiness to it or actual clay. The classification process with break that up for you. On my claim, the overburden has some gold and isn’t sticky. I run that stuff straight through the sluice. Then when I get down to the sticky layer, which has the best gold, I start classifying to dissolve the sticky clay coating on the material. So, as you can see, I vary my technique based on the material I am running. That is what I really advise doing.