• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Turkey Vest recommendations

I

iamcorey

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
2,716
I’ve got an older Russell Brothers Super Elite 3. Been looking and resisting getting another vest this season. Can’t find anything I really like. Nomad has some new ones coming soon, but I’m going to wait for reviews.

For now I think I’m just going to take my Turkey stool and a chest rig to see what I can make happen.

Anyone have vest recommendations? Had a Knight and Hale RNG that I traded away. Liked it alright but it felt kinda cheap like it wouldn’t last long. Stitching was a bit iffy on the one I had.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
1st time ever for me turkey hunting this year. I got a ALPS OutdoorZ Grand Slam. Tried it on today and found it uncomfortable. I think its the built in frame making it uncomfortable and you can remove it but its why I bought it why it costs what it costs. So Im going to push through with it.

Had I known about it I think I would have went with this

Hands Free Hunting Vest | Knight's Hunting Products

Knight's Hunting Products, home of the Hands Free Hunting Vest
www.knightshuntingproducts.com www.knightshuntingproducts.com
 
I have tried about everything made so far and they all have their faults. I'm going on a 2 week trip to the Black Hills in SD, NE, and KS, in April/May, and bought a Readhead Bucklick Creek vest just for this trip because I wanted something easy to pack in carry-on luggage and have one light enough to use everyday, but also have a back rest when a tree is not available. I plan to carry a 16"x8' innertube as an extra cushion. The innertube is the best kept secret to making any ground sit extremely comfortable (only fill about 50%) and blows all other cushions out if the water.

My local goto vest is an 10 year old Ol Tom ultralight vest that is as light and breathable as anything made. I either use the innertube or a Lowdown Hammock seat with it, or carry a turkey chair if I know I'm hunting a field where there are no trees available.
 
Ditch the vest go with a chest rig! They are more convenient, less bulky, and prevent you from carrying more then you need. I've been using a chest rig, with montana decoys for 3 seasons now, best move I've made. I'm not the sit and call type, i have no patience for it. I call and get a bird talking, if he doesnt commit im moving on. So im typically moving alot through the PA and WV seasons. Chest rigs are the way to go IMHO.
 
ThePennsylvanian said:
Ditch the vest go with a chest rig! They are more convenient, less bulky, and prevent you from carrying more then you need. I've been using a chest rig, with montana decoys for 3 seasons now, best move I've made. I'm not the sit and call type, i have no patience for it. I call and get a bird talking, if he doesnt commit im moving on. So im typically moving alot through the PA and WV seasons. Chest rigs are the way to go IMHO.
Click to expand...

What chest rig are you using? I have one from Hill People Gear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have two. i started out with the hs chest pack, but i didnt like the magnets that held the call pouch closed, other than that it was a solid piece. now my go to is the fhfgear "chest rig". this one is high dollar like the hpg kit bags, the only real difference between them is the back straps and the variability of the hpg kit bags, the fhfgear is a one size fits all, on model, one choice.......
 
I bought an Alps Impact Turkey vest off WOOT! last year for $34.99 just to give it a whirl. To my surprise, it is perfect for my needs. I it has a chairback with pad that works great. Just unbuckle the vest and plop down anywhere, even without a tree to lean against. There is also a "run-and-gun" component to the vest. The front right call pouches unbuckle from the rest of the vest and you can use it as a sling pouch to grab your calls and get moving on birds. Having one season's worth of heavy use, I couldn't be happier (especially for the bargain deal!).

 
ThePennsylvanian said:
I have two. i started out with the hs chest pack, but i didnt like the magnets that held the call pouch closed, other than that it was a solid piece. now my go to is the fhfgear "chest rig". this one is high dollar like the hpg kit bags, the only real difference between them is the back straps and the variability of the hpg kit bags, the fhfgear is a one size fits all, on model, one choice.......
Click to expand...

I looked at the HS and the Allen one, but decided to roll with what I already had. I did pick up this sweet pot call holster one Friday night after a couple of cans. One of the nicest things I’ve bought in a while. Gonna pick one up for my box call when they come back in stock.
771abb80eba97722a3fddd935a842ced.jpg

28d65a7bbec0d223d7a896779a0d9379.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have used a lot of vests over the years. Most of the ones on the market nowadays will work fine. I still have my original Duxbac vest made popular back in the day by **** Kirby of Quaker Boy game calls in the early 1980's. I believe between **** and Ben Conger out of Vermont, they were the first Turkey Vest dudes. Anyway, I'm actually thinking about going to a chest rig of some kind instead of a vest this year. Since I have started to really hunt turkeys almost exclusively with archery tackle, I need something much lighter and cooler so I will be able to carry my blind, decoys, chair and maybe even my bow on my back. I purchased a Pack Rabbit hauler from a member on here for that very purpose and for coyote hunting too but haven't gotten around to my load out for it yet. The Packrabbit incorporates an integrated seat/frame as well but you would not be able to use it in a typical blind as it would be too low... for run and gunning though, it would be great. I was thinking about Pack Rabbitt's chest rig too but not sure its worth the $$$$ but the game hauler is well built.
 
iamcorey said:
I looked at the HS and the Allen one, but decided to roll with what I already had. I did pick up this sweet pot call holster one Friday night after a couple of cans. One of the nicest things I’ve bought in a while. Gonna pick one up for my box call when they come back in stock.
771abb80eba97722a3fddd935a842ced.jpg

28d65a7bbec0d223d7a896779a0d9379.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I like leather anything, I'm trying to learn how to work with it more and make my own gear. It's much more durable, IMHO, easy to make waterproof, and can be easily refurbished. That's a sweet holster there, where did you find that and how much?
 
Tried 1/2 dozen or so different vests and went with Knight and Hale run and gun 200. By far my favorite. Fits tight to me not floppy like most I've tried on. 2 seasons so far no quality issues.
 
Cotehex said:
Tried 1/2 dozen or so different vests and went with Knight and Hale run and gun 200. By far my favorite. Fits tight to me not floppy like most I've tried on. 2 seasons so far no quality issues.
Click to expand...

I kinda regret trading my K&H. I think I had the 300. Hard to find at a good price these days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Used a vest for a long time but for the last 7 years Ive used a backpack. Not going back to a vest. The last 3-4 years used a Badlands Recon backpack. It's big enough to hold my gear, decoy, seat, jacket, and enough room to put a 20 + pound gobbler inside. Badlands discontinued it but they have several that would work well. I'm tempted to go even lighter and use a eastern day. I keep a garbage bag for the turkey to keep blood out of my pack. I mainly use mouth calls, and keep either a slate type or box call holster clipped onto the chest cross strap. It works for my style of hunting, but realize that the overwhelming majority will want a vest. I like the compactness of a backpack.
 
I've got an ol' tom tactical vest that I have been using for 10 years or so. Really durable vest that can carry anything you might need and has a spot for everything. Haven't even considered getting something different or even needed to as it looks brand new. Not sure if their quality is the same but I would consider ol' tom if I were going the vest route. I sometimes use a low down hammock seat and sometimes just use the cushion it comes with. Both are plenty comfortable but the hammock seat can make it hard to stay awake! lol
 
Badlands bino harness for me. I forget which model I have but it has pockets inside. I can carry everything I need in there. I don’t use decoys in the hardwoods of Pa so it’s as light as it gets. Used a vest for years and I carried too much in it and was too heavy for my liking

downfall is not having a padded seat for wet ground and or a long sit

license, a few mouth calls, slate call, 2 extra shells, crow call, gloves and a mask. I will strap my thermocell to it as well if needed
 
TTT - who can recommend a great vest? Who can recommend a vest that’s awesome for turkey AS WELL as an early season vest for deer season?

I’ve got money to burn and critters to kill - please advise!
 
Cotehex said:
Tried 1/2 dozen or so different vests and went with Knight and Hale run and gun 200. By far my favorite. Fits tight to me not floppy like most I've tried on. 2 seasons so far no quality issues.
Click to expand...
I ordered one of these after seeing your post, and I’m thrilled with it! It was just delivered yesterday, so I can’t speak to its durability yet, but I love the way it fits and how well thought out all the pockets and pouches are. Can’t wait to get in the woods with it soon!
 
TNbowhunter said:
I ordered one of these after seeing your post, and I’m thrilled with it! It was just delivered yesterday, so I can’t speak to its durability yet, but I love the way it fits and how well thought out all the pockets and pouches are. Can’t wait to get in the woods with it soon!
Click to expand...

Where did you order from and did they have any MOBL?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top