Ive always wondered what people thought about their vests so I figured I would ask. I am very particular about my vest, I have a Super Tat'r 3 which cabelas doesnt make any more... Just wonder what everyone else is thinking/ using these days.
If you were going to create the PERFECT turkey vest what would it be? From the straps to the pockets, to the seat and the material, what would you want?
Do you carry a box call?
Do you carry more than one pot call?
Do you carry birds out with the pack in the back?
How important is a good cushion?
What vest are you running now and what do you like about it? What do you not like about it?
Let me know what you think!
In all reality I prefer a simple design without a crazy pocket layout. I am still using a super elite 3 that has been patched numerous times. I don't carry a ton of calls so I have more room than I need. I like a full vest here in the mountains where a typical morning is in the 40's. I hate the box call pockets on most vests so if I got a new vest that would be first to go. Another must is quiet material. Most vests are to noisy for my taste. A high cotten blend that is strong and silent.
Good topic for after season. Like most I've tried a lot of vests but none were perfect. So instead of waiting for the perfect vest to be made I took a decent vest an made what I wanted. I took a Super elite 2 vest in Green leaf camo an had a friend do the alterations.
First thing was to remove all the plastic buckles and replace with buttons. The only zippered pockets I kept were the two inside pockets but I removed the clanky metal tabs on the zippers replaced with boot string.
I removed the small( useless) front pockets and replaced them with larger button close pockets for slates and one with shell loops inside.
Removed box call pocket that was across the front? Perfect place to hit gun and make noise , moved it to the left side out of the way and made sure it was high enough not to be sat on.
What's with the noisy plastic like liner in all Turkey vests? Cut that out so only soft cotton in back pouch. I mean when's the last time anyone stuffed a gobbler in the back pouch? I use a lanyard to carry my Gobblers.
Had pockets sewed on inside front for strikers and trumpet calls and one for slate on other side.
The thermocell fits perfectly in the mesh water bottle pocket on the right side but I did add a paracord loop to tie a lanyard from the thermocell to the vest so it doesn't get left if I take it out and sit it on the ground. Kept the seat cushion but removed the plastic snaps and put buckles for the seat straps. Also added a 1/2 " thick pad right were your upper spine contacts the tree when setting up.
I hunted 30 some days in a row in various terrain and weather the new altered vest worked better than I expected. Most vests are made in China by people that have never seen a Turkey and marketed by people that know the more zippers and useless pouches a vest has the better it sells. But like most things in turkey hunting experience teaches us less is more most times. Having dedicated custom pockets for each item needed really cuts down on the fumbling in the dark for an item.
Original elite 2 and modified vest
When I use a vest it's a tactical tater from Cabela's.
Modified vest
Pockets
Slate
Strikers
Whenever you find a vest that really suites your needs buy a replacement or two for when the original wears out. If you dont it will almost be a guarantee to be discontinued.
I used a Tenzing TV18 this year and I really like the vest, it is built more like a backpack with space between your back and the material and that helps keep the heat out. Pockets are in the right places and more than enough of them. The only thing that I did, was take the seat off and carry my Fatboy cushion in the back of the vest. Very lightweight and made very tough.
I've used and tried a bunch of them and this is by far the best one that I have found for me.
I currently have a Cabela's Tat'r... One complaint is that it is a bit heavy, and another complaint is that I would prefer that the pockets do NOT unzip all the way around (so that my crap does not fall out when I unzip it too much). But, I would still purchase one given the same opportunity.
I am a small guy (and thin), and the main reason I made the purchase was the inability to find a vest that did not fit me like a turkey hunting dress... Apparently most turkey hunters are some big boys... Due to my size, I am generally restricted to strap-style vests.
I enjoy the padded seat while sitting in the wet grass in the morning, but if I plan to run & gun during an afternoon hunt, I simply remove the seat.
I want a vest with well laid out pockets, and easy access to my most used calls. I want it to be easily and quietly removable in case I want to make a short, quick, and quiet change of location.
I want the vest to be comfortable and quiet.
I want the game bag to be able to hold a bird, and carry it comfortably (I am often walking out a long ways uphill with a bird).
My personal evolution has brought me to the Alps little bear fanny pack / with turkey call front pouches. Most comfortable I have used. With the fanny pack belt & shoulder harness, it distributes weight - no heavy shoulders.
Using a chair, I no longer need or carry a cushion. I take off the Alps when I set up, and this has been an unbelievable comfort saver. I place it next to me, calls at the ready, but no "bulk" on my body as I sit. I can sit comfortably for hours like this. All morning, if necessary.
Might not be for everyone, but I love it. I'll never go back to a traditional vest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stXNJegwaS0
I too was thinking about modifying an existing vest. I'm pretty damn experienced with upland vest and I find there are different needs for a turkey vest.
I like a small pocket for a slate, slats for the strikers, box call pocket in front of the hip hanging or slightly angled, front pockets for gloves and hat, and a pair of small pruning shears. Inside zipper pocket on both sides for knife, small flashlight, a pack of hand warmers for early season frost, handi-wipes. For the game bag, big enough to hold a collapsible decoy, and stake blind which is used as a padded back support when not in use. For the seat, nice padded flip up with large magnet holder as a back up to the inner tube seat I carry that is clipped to the vest with a carabiner. In regards to pockets, I find deep pockets and ones with a pocket inside of a pocket to be a nuisance. I like to access gear quickly, not have to dig around to find something but yet be big enough to get your hand in.
I think the secrete to designing a vest is to incorporate function needs based on how it fits when standing, walking and sitting. I don't think a lot of designers take all three into consideration.
As long as there is room for a call, phone, gloves and mask and tp then it holds everything I need
I have never owned a vest because quite frankly I was to fat to find one to fit but I have lost over 200 lbs. and now I am debating weather I want to get a vest or a hip sack with hydration unit that was designed for turkey hunting. My backpack has started to have all the buckles break so I used a hip sack this year but was not satisfied with all I could bring and had to leave some stuff I wanted behind. The backpack had loops meant for shotgun shells but they doubled great for holding strikers and I never had any problems with it. The only problem I ever did have is now I carry a chair blind around and it is hard to carry a backpack/hip sack and a blind at the same time and that is why I am thinking of getting a vest. I want to be able to carry my longbox and box call and could do that with a backpack but not with the hip sack.
It was called the Super Elite 3. No clue why they stopped making them .
Quote from: SteelerFan on May 27, 2018, 08:09:45 PM
My personal evolution has brought me to the Alps little bear fanny pack / with turkey call front pouches. Most comfortable I have used. With the fanny pack belt & shoulder harness, it distributes weight - no heavy shoulders.
Using a chair, I no longer need or carry a cushion. I take off the Alps when I set up, and this has been an unbelievable comfort saver. I place it next to me, calls at the ready, but no "bulk" on my body as I sit. I can sit comfortably for hours like this. All morning, if necessary.
Might not be for everyone, but I love it. I'll never go back to a traditional vest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stXNJegwaS0
Would there be room for a long box and a box call? The long box is just over a foot long and box call is 9 inches long. Both are about 2 inches wide. Thanks for the help.
I have two vests, the first is the ALPS Grand Slam which is great for when you are on the move because you can set up anywhere. The down side is it is a little heavy. The other is Ol Toms Time and Motion vest which is much lighter and what I use if I am not moving. I usually have both vests with me and they are both set up to go depending on the circumstances.
Another vote for the Tenzing TV18 vest. I used it for the first time this season and absolutely loved it. I also removed the seat cushion as I carry a turkey lounger seat.
Used a Super Elite for years and had no complaints at all. Mine had the zip out sleeves which were great when hunting the Midwest and Dakotas. It had been patched and sown up several times over the years and last season several of the zippers began to fail so I go a new vest for this past season. I opted for the Alps Grand Slam (especially since I had a gift card that covered the cost). Absolutely love this vest. For hunting here in the South I take the metal frame out and when I go up to KS or NE I put it back in. Has a place for everything I need. Great vest!
I'm pretty partial to the Limbhanger vest, which is based on the Dixon vest. Like 1iagobblergetter said; if I knew it was going to be discontinued, I would have bought a few.
That Limbhanger vest hasn't needed many modifications, though the seat pad is pretty compressed after 10 years and I'll likely have a zipper added so the foam cushion can be easily replaced. It has enough storage without being overburdened by too many pockets. I don't care for the diaphragm call storage at all. It tends to crimp the tape around the frame, which doesn't straighten out quickly & can affect call performance. I bought one of those change purse storage deals from Tommy Walton at Tom Teasers and have been quite satisfied with it. The magnets on the striker pockets are kind of weak, though I haven't lost any strikers that wasn't my fault for leaving them behind, or jumping up to run ahead of a turkey.
I got a Nomad vest this year that I haven't hunted yet. The zippers appear to be lightly constructed and likely won't hold up to much serious use, but they're easy enough to have replaced. I also prefer to have built in shell loops inside a pocket, because i don't like loose ammo clicking & clanking around against other things in my pockets.
I haven't tried all that many different vests recently, but I was disappointed with the Ol' Tom I-Beam. The seat magnets wouldn't hold the seat in place and the slightest brush against a limb or tree would deploy it. Got too annoying too fast. The box call pockets were horizontal and when I leaned forward my box calls would slide out. I returned it after one day. Too much going wrong to spend that kind of money on and not get what I was hoping for. Maybe they have the bugs worked out by now, I'll never know because I'll be leaving that one alone.
Jim
I've seen a unicorn. I once had my hands on a Leprechaun but he got loose.
But I've never seen the perfect turkey vest. :TooFunny:
For those of you attaching a box call separately to a pack, which one box call "pouch" are you using? What are your thoughts on the one you have?
I use a leather Albert Paul holster. It works fine for carrying a Paddle call. I attach it to a D-ring on my Limbhanger vest with a piece of leather strap.
I love my super elite 3!!! However it does get hot wearing the vest in Florida. Used the RNG 200 this year. Defiantly not a perfect vest, but I do like it and will be wearing it next spring.
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I've been using a Mossy Oak Limbhanger for 4-5 years? I wanted a new vest this year, and with the late spring I decided to go with a Bottomland pattern vest. I got the Alps Grand Slam and am very happy with it. I used it with and without the kickstand frame and love the vest both ways. I like the pockets, the game bag also has a hydration pack pocket in it, and especially like the adjust-ability of it. I humped to turkeys to the truck in the game bag, and especially with the frame it was a comfortable tote. I may order one in Obsession to replace the Limbhanger...
Well I got a vest at Walmart around 1999. It's carried many a bird out of the woods. The camo is Advantage. What I didn't like about the vest is the BLACK shoulder straps.... Not really much that is BLACK in the woods.... So I camo'ed them.... Also upgraded a seat cushion.
I'd like to upgrade to one of those fancy one's that has a frame that you can set back in(without a tree)....
However I'll just keep my ole school one..... ;0