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Blaze Orange Vest Recommendations for Whitetails?

TNbowhunter

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Mar 12, 2019
1,030
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Middle Tennessee
I hate using cheapo blaze orange vests when rifle or muzzleloader hunting (no upland game), and I'm looking to upgrade this year. Does anyone have one you just love (or hate) that might provide some guidance here? I've compiled a list of possibilities I've found, which includes:

High-end softshell vests:
  1. First Lite Catalyst Vest - $112 - On sale right now (down from $140). Probably a great vest, but carries the First Lite price tag...
  2. Orvis Upland Hunting Softshell Vest - $129 - Love every piece of Orvis clothing I own, but they price their stuff high...
  3. Kuiu Guide DCS Vest - $159 - Looks awesome, great features, but $159 for a blaze orange vest feels like madness.
Nice mid-range vests:
  1. King's Camo Men's Softshell Hunting Vest - $63 - This looks comparable to the high-end softshells but without the high-end price tag. Wonder if it's poorly made or just doesn't have the big-name-brand mark-up that First Lite, Orvis, and Kuiu all do...https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/cabelas-blaze-pro-guide-ii-vest-for-men
  2. Cabela's Blaze Pro Guide II Vest - $80 - Decent, probably overpriced for what it is.
Not really considering (overpriced):
  1. Sitka Ballistic Vest - $100 - Read a review about it holding stink, and it's also the smallest and least full-featured.
  2. Sitka Stratus Vest - $239 - Highest price, but probably not a great value.

What am I missing? Any thoughts/recommendations for or against on any of these?
 

Zero One Actual

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 8, 2020
2,179
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South Eastern United States


Check eBay for items like this. Not sure what size you are.
 
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Blacksmith

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SH Member
Dec 10, 2018
2,055
3,074
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69
Bucyrus OH
LOCATION
Bucyrus OH
I've used a cabelas vest for yrs w/front and inside pockets and game bag but I really like a $4 mesh cheap one, just enough to be legal and not so bulky and big.
 

woodsdog2

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jun 28, 2019
8,170
10,409
113
I’ve used a blaze camo Cabela’s guide vest for years. This was back when they made/sourced better clothing and gear. If I ever have to upgrade I’d look at a forester’s style vest from JimJem or something similar.
 

kbetts

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 13, 2015
1,873
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Delaware
LOCATION
Delaware
I have an old thick cotton one from LL Bean. I hope to take it to my grave.
 

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thedutchtouch

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 22, 2020
3,550
6,958
113
Maryland
I have a cheap Walmart vest I throw on over top when orange is needed. Hadn't out a lot of thought into actual orange clothing, but some of these options look nice...
 

Weldabeast

Well-Known Member
SH Member
May 23, 2019
12,569
26,190
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Northeast Florida
Since I switched from using a backpack to a vest that had pouches I needed to reach into regularly, wearing my normal mesh orange vest over the top wasn't gonna work for me anymore. I started using safety sleeves...they are same material as the lightweight neck gaiters. Just pull it on over the top of ur outer layer.....1 sleeve and a orange hat. We are required to wear 500sq inches....I don't know how many square inches that a sleeve and hat covers but no fwc officers has ever questioned me....3 pack for 15 bucks if I remember correctly
 
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