Topic: The Best Upland Hunting Vests of 2023 (Read 28 times)
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Even after four seasons of hard bird hunting with this Alps Outdoorz vest, I’m not planning on swapping it out anytime soon. This durable, over-built vest is perfect for the way I hunt, which is that I don’t mind carrying a little extra weight to have everything I need for a long day of hiking. The dedicated hydration pocket carries my water supply, while the two water bottle pockets are perfect for dog water. The game vest is big enough for a limit of roosters, a first-aid kit, and the outer layer I inevitably shed once I get moving. Extra pouches and a zippered pocket are perfect for stashing gloves, a spare beanie, snacks, cable cutters (for rescuing dogs), and my hunting license.
That’s a lot of stuff, which is where the padded and vented hip belt co*es in handy. It takes the weight off my back during long hours of hard hunting. The shoulder straps are supportive yet thin enough not to get in the way of my gun mount. They also have straps and pockets for clipping an e-collar remote and hydration hose. The vest is overkill for thick cover or carrying smaller birds like grouse, but it’s ideal for long days on the prairie.
I only have two gripes about this vest. The first is that if you don’t carefully Velcro the shell pocket each time you reload, you will lose shells whenever you jog. I’ve lost handfuls of them while running into position for the flush, which is both wasteful and a big bummer when you go to reload and realize you’re out of shells. (The shell pockets in the newer version of this vest feature magnetic closures and bigger side flaps to better secure shells.) The second co*plaint is my buddy’s: There is not enough blaze orange on the front and side of the vest. Apart from the shell-pocket closures, the only noticeable orange is on the back of the vest. It’s a problem easily solved with a 100 percent blaze orange hat, shirt, or jacket, but it is something to keep in mind. Considering that this is the most affordable modern vest in the field, those are small quibbles. —Natalie Krebs
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As Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” The Orvis vest is simple. It’s essentially a hip belt with a game bag, adjustable yoke and shoulder straps. But if you’re willing to slim down your gear—which a sophisticated bird hunter should have no problem with—it’s the perfect vest. Weighing 1 pound, 15 ounces, it’s almost 2-pounds lighter than the heaviest vest in this test (the Filson).
The game bag is big enough to carry three roosters if you stuff them in and cinch it down tight. The pockets on either hip are large enough for plenty of shells, snacks, and miscellaneous gear. The back pocket is big enough for a first-aid kit, and the two water bottle pockets will hold Nalgenes without issue. What else do you really need (unless you like to hunt like Natalie Krebs, that uncivilized executive editor of ours)?
When I had to pick one vest out of this test field to bring with me to Argentina, I selected Orvis Pro LT. It packed into my luggage easily enough but was plenty of vest for two days of upland hunting.
At $195, this is the second most affordable modern bird vest in the test.
The downside of this vest is that it’s not meant to carry a ton of gear, and it doesn’t have the obvious durability of some of the others in the field. The material and straps are a bit thinner. I did notice some early wear and tear along some seams and edges. But that’s the trade-off of going ultra-light. Even so, I still expect this vest to last several more seasons of hard hunting. If you like the style of this vest but want one made of more durable material, go with the Orvis Pro vest, which you can still find on Amazon. However, if you need a minimalist, affordable bird vest that is co*fortable and super light, then look no further. The Orvis Pro LT was made for you.
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Bird hunting guides must carry all their own gear, plus some extra items for their clients (extra shells, snacks, water, etc.). They often have to carry their clients’ birds, too. So it makes sense that Filson has named this heavy hauler the Guide Strap Vest. It has a hefty game bag, large hip pockets, a water bladder co*partment, and a generously sized back pocket. It also has a bit more padding and thicker straps than other vests in the test.
If you needed to load up with two water bottles, two boxes of shells, a lunch, a med kit, GPS unit, and a half-dozen birds in your game bag, this is the vest you’d want for the job. The downside is that the vest is a bit heavier and bulkier. But hey, if you want to hunt like a guide, you’ve got to be tough like a guide.
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Chief Upland offers a very cool build-your-own vest system. The sides of the vest are built with Molle-like webbing that each accessory attaches to with simple straps. When selecting accessories, you can go with a starter bundle, which includes a shell pouch, water bottle holder, and water bottle, or you can buy each accessory one at a time.
Chief Upland doesn’t have quite as many accessories as other co*panies in this test, but it wins the award for best shell pouch. Theirs is a water-resistant pouch if you zipper it closed. But there’s also a magnetized cover that flips closed (the magnets are strong enough to keep it closed even while running through the field). When I’m hunting, I leave the zipper open and rely on the magnetized top, so I can access shells quickly. The shell pouch also has outer shell loops for even faster reloads.
It’s fun adding accessories and customizing your vest. Just remember accessories jack up the price—a shell pouch costs about $35.
I’ve actually hunted with this vest for several seasons now, and it has held up admirably. It has a limited storage capacity, but it does carry weight quite well. I’ve had no problem hauling around three big roosters in it. I love that the game bag has a blood-resistant lining. After a successful hunt, I’ll wipe it clean with a paper towel and avoid that blood-stained game bag look.
A few small quibbles: I wish the water bottle holders were bigger (to fit Nalgene-sized bottles), and while the e-collar unit holder on the shoulder strap is great for right-handed shooters (like me), it might get in the way for lefties making a fast gun mount.
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This is a pricey vest with a ton of options and available customization. The game bag has firm sides, so it stays in a rectangular shape even when empty. It has a nice interior mesh pocket for securing items you don’t want sliding around as you hike. The vest is certainly built for hauling heavier loads. If you plan to hunt all day and want to store extra layers and lunch in your vest, The Hunt Redi would be a solid choice.
Like the Chief Upland vest, it’s covered in webbing and fully customizable. Hunt Redi has an even wider selection of pouches and water bottle holsters. The vest is perfect for hunters who like to tinker and aren’t afraid to watch a few Youtube videos in order to figure out all the features on their vest. On the downside, it is a bit bulky. I would not choose this vest for hunting grouse in heavy cover or for busting through cattail sloughs.
The other notable feature of this vest is its premium price point. Including the bundle of accessories, it’s about $70 more expensive than the next priciest vest. But it is American-made, and it has a ton of features that a diehard bird hunter will love. If you decide to invest in a Hunt Redi vest, you’ll be able to wear it with pride. At the time of publication, the blaze orange version of the vest was sold out, but the “green ranger” color was available.
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Maybe you just need a traditional, simple upland hunting vest? This Cabela’s model will suit you just fine. The most interesting thing about this vest is that it has mesh around the chest and back. On early-season hunts, this venting should keep you cool. On late-season hunts, all your other layers keep you warm, so it’s not like the mesh is a detriment.
This simple orange was built for bird hunters—it’s not just a big-game hunting vest with a game bag added on. It has shell loop holders on either side pocket that hold 12-gauge loads firmly. The game bag has a blood-resistant liner. The shoulder padding is minimal, so the vest shouldn’t hamper a good gun mount. The sizing runs a bit large. I’m 6 feet 2 inches, weigh 180 pounds, and am swimming in the size large, even while wearing mid-temp layers.
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Some necessities for to carry are your shells, snacks, dog first aid kit, hunting license, and water for you and the dog.
After testing a variety of vests we found the Final Rise Summit Vest to be the best overall upland hunting vest.
Once you find the perfect upland hunting vest, it will beco*e part of your bird-hunting ritual. You’ll keep your shells in the same pocket every hunt. You’ll have a system for securing and accessing your water bottles quickly. You’ll be able to reach back and grab a granola bar without having to take the vest off. You’ll know that the dog’s first-aid kit is stashed away in a back pocket (and hopefully, it will stay stashed away). Your car keys, license, and wallet will be secure in the same zippered pocket when you return from your hunt.
You’ll be able to simply throw your vest in the truck and go hunting. So, choose your own best upland hunting vest carefully. If you need extra space for extra gear, go with the Filson, Alps, or Hunt Redi vests. If you want to stay light and sleek, go with the Final Rise, Orvis, or Chief Upland vests.
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