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In the market for a new vest this year. Been using the ALPZ GRAND SLAM the past couple years. I like the storage but its just too big/heavy.

What do you like/use? Anything new hit the market this year?

Quote from: MCturkey on March 02, 2021, 07:36:07 AM
In the market for a new vest this year. Been using the ALPZ GRAND SLAM the past couple years. I like the storage but its just too big/heavy.

What do you like/use? Anything new hit the market this year?

I know what you mean about heavy vests. I do a lot of mountain walking, after a few hours, all vests get heavy.   Look at the Badlands, O'l Tom, and Grounded(new Vest developed by a forum member). They are all fairly light and hold enough for a comfortable hunt. Great seats on all 3. There are tons of options out there. They all work great, it's all a function of how much we put in them. The strap type that have padded straps work well for me, when sitting against a tree, they are out of the way maneuvering to get a shot. I leave the vest unbuckled (open) will sitting. It's all preference, your size, and how much you want to carry. Hope this helped, best of luck. You will get a lot of advice from others on this that will help you out.

Check out the Grounded Impact vest. Designed by a member in here, made in America, and a quality vest. I got one in the mail yesterday and i was very impressed. The layout of the pockets are very nice, it's light weight, and quality built. Most of all it's made in the USA. I'll be carrying one to the woods this year. I told my Grand Slam.


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If you want light weight look at the Knight and Hale RNG, I use the 200. The grounded vest looks really nice, but 4.6 lbs is hardly light.

I do like the looks of the grounded impact. But seems its sold out in bottomland. Ill contact them and see when it'll be available. Thanks

I just got a new version Ol' Tom T&M Easy Rider and I think it will be my ultimate choice over the Nomad MG for the very concerns stated by the OP. It is lighter and very comfortable wearing. I purchased both but may not remove the tags from the Nomad for return. Nomad's a great vest no doubt, and it was a hard choice just looking at them. But when I loaded both up and wore them around for a while, the difference became obvious. Ol' Tom is simply more comfortable. Unless the first couple hunts reveals hidden flaws, it's the clear winner for me.


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Quote from: Dtrkyman on March 02, 2021, 09:38:14 AM
If you want light weight look at the Knight and Hale RNG, I use the 200. The grounded vest looks really nice, but 4.6 lbs is hardly light.

How do you like that vest? Thats what I'm looking into getting but haven't seen one in person to see how much stuff I could actually carry in one.

Quote from: MCturkey on March 02, 2021, 10:10:21 AM
I do like the looks of the grounded impact. But seems its sold out in bottomland. Ill contact them and see when it'll be available. Thanks

$180 for a turkey vest?


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Quote from: cknpro1 on March 02, 2021, 10:34:27 AM
I just got a new version Ol' Tom T&M Easy Rider and I think it will be my ultimate choice over the Nomad MG for the very concerns stated by the OP. It is lighter and very comfortable wearing. I purchased both but may not remove the tags from the Nomad for return. Nomad's a great vest no doubt, and it was a hard choice just looking at them. But when I loaded both up and wore them around for a while, the difference became obvious. Ol' Tom is simply more comfortable. Unless the first couple hunts reveals hidden flaws, it's the clear winner for me.


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Did they redesign the Easy Rider for this year?

Ol Tom Easy Rider for me.. light and carries just the right amount of gear

Quote from: PALongspur on March 02, 2021, 08:11:13 PM

Quote from: cknpro1 on March 02, 2021, 10:34:27 AM
I just got a new version Ol' Tom T&M Easy Rider and I think it will be my ultimate choice over the Nomad MG for the very concerns stated by the OP. It is lighter and very comfortable wearing. I purchased both but may not remove the tags from the Nomad for return. Nomad's a great vest no doubt, and it was a hard choice just looking at them. But when I loaded both up and wore them around for a while, the difference became obvious. Ol' Tom is simply more comfortable. Unless the first couple hunts reveals hidden flaws, it's the clear winner for me.


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Did they redesign the Easy Rider for this year?

I don't know. I don't think so. I picked up a used one, but it is exactly like the new one I saw at BPS. I wasn't sure I'd like it until I loaded it up and was surprised how it well it wore. Feels significantly lighter than he Nomad.


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The knight and hale 200 is awesome in my opinion. Just enough room, highly adjustable, and super light.

The new Nomad Pursuit vest just hit their site finally!  More of a minimalist setup than their other vests.  Reasonably priced too.  I'd check it out.

Quote from: Goodtimekiller on March 02, 2021, 02:20:38 PM

Quote from: MCturkey on March 02, 2021, 10:10:21 AM
I do like the looks of the grounded impact. But seems its sold out in bottomland. Ill contact them and see when it'll be available. Thanks

$180 for a turkey vest?

Plus $30 for shipping

I picked up a RnG 300 to try this season and think it will work, just not crazy about the pot calls being so exposed. 

I'm keeping my Tactical Tat'r 2 handy just incase. 

Guys with the OL Tom easy rider and RNG 200 or 300..

How does the seat connect and disconnect? Magnets? Buckles?

The ALPZ buckle system is very aggravating bending around trying to buckle/unbuckle.

Quote from: MCturkey on March 05, 2021, 08:19:10 AM
Guys with the OL Tom easy rider and RNG 200 or 300..

How does the seat connect and disconnect? Magnets? Buckles?

The ALPZ buckle system is very aggravating bending around trying to buckle/unbuckle.

Not sure on the RNG 200 but on the easy rider it's a magnet


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Quote from: MCturkey on March 05, 2021, 08:19:10 AM
Guys with the OL Tom easy rider and RNG 200 or 300..

How does the seat connect and disconnect? Magnets? Buckles?

The ALPZ buckle system is very aggravating bending around trying to buckle/unbuckle.

My alps has a magnet too to when running and gunning i just use the magnet, when going to be walking a ways i just hook 1 buckle and use the magnet, i never use both buckles, i have really short arms


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Rng has buckles and it stays in deployed position. I did NOT think I would like this until I tried it on but love it. Don't even know it's there and can adjust it to your liking. No fumbling for it to deploy or stow. It's always ready.

I have an older Russell Super Elite 3 that has a fantastic layout, but it's old and a true vest style and hot, so I decided to upgrade this year even though I still favor my Russell's layout.   I bought the Alps Grand Slam, and honestly I'm not a huge fan.  It's okay.  I like the frame concept as I often find places I want to be with no good trees, but have yet to test it.  Most people I know with this vest hate the frame, or have said it's broken.  I considered sending it back, but may just keep it for the few times I know I'll like having the frame, or just remove the frame and do the speed-seat mod and keep it as a backup.  The layout is ok but I could use a few more pockets.  My wife paid for it anyway, so I'll keep it around, LOL.
Yesterday I picked up the Cabelas Tac Tat'r and really like it so far.  Similar layout (but better) as the Alps but more pockets, speed seat, pretty lightweight, and seems perfect for me.   So, now I have 3 vests, lol. 
I think you'll just need to go look at and try on a few to see what suits you.   3 of my buddies have the Alps and removed the frame and love it.   The frame was really the only actual appeal to me of the Alps, because the layout wasn't the greatest, so if I'm removing the frame, then it's just another average vest.  My phone doesn't fit in the phone holder, nothing else will fit in the shell holder pocket if you put shells in there, and there really wasn't anywhere to put locator calls, headlamp, and just the other "stuff" I carry.  The Cabelas vest did have all of that plus the speed seat and a couple deep big pockets, and was only $100 bucks. 
I'll end up keeping all 3 around like I said.  There are days and places where I might just go sit for the whole morning and have to wait out the turkeys, and I'll carry my Russell and my gobbler chair.  There are places where I know there aren't great trees or unfamiliar places when I may carry the Alps for the frame-chair option and just to have a backup, but I see me using the Tac Tat'r the most.   Vests are such a personal preference item that it's hard to decide based on other people's opinion because everyone hunts different and carry's different things.  I'm not a minimalist, but I also don't carry the kitchen sink, and for the way I hunt, I prefer the Cabelas, and I've looked at most vests available.

Quote from: bushwhacker on March 05, 2021, 10:15:59 AM
Rng has buckles and it stays in deployed position. I did NOT think I would like this until I tried it on but love it. Don't even know it's there and can adjust it to your liking. No fumbling for it to deploy or stow. It's always ready.

The RNG will stow by unbuckling the front bottom buckle (at your waist above belt buckle), allowing you to flip the seat up or down.  Much like the Tactical Tat'r system without the elastic.  I hate magnets and having to fumble behind me for a buckle, which is why I am trying the RNG this year.

Quote from: twyatt on March 05, 2021, 10:37:25 AM
I have an older Russell Super Elite 3 that has a fantastic layout, but it's old and a true vest style and hot, so I decided to upgrade this year even though I still favor my Russell's layout.   I bought the Alps Grand Slam, and honestly I'm not a huge fan.  It's okay.  I like the frame concept as I often find places I want to be with no good trees, but have yet to test it.  Most people I know with this vest hate the frame, or have said it's broken.  I considered sending it back, but may just keep it for the few times I know I'll like having the frame, or just remove the frame and do the speed-seat mod and keep it as a backup.  The layout is ok but I could use a few more pockets.  My wife paid for it anyway, so I'll keep it around, LOL.
Yesterday I picked up the Cabelas Tac Tat'r and really like it so far.  Similar layout (but better) as the Alps but more pockets, speed seat, pretty lightweight, and seems perfect for me.   So, now I have 3 vests, lol. 
I think you'll just need to go look at and try on a few to see what suits you.   3 of my buddies have the Alps and removed the frame and love it.   The frame was really the only actual appeal to me of the Alps, because the layout wasn't the greatest, so if I'm removing the frame, then it's just another average vest.  My phone doesn't fit in the phone holder, nothing else will fit in the shell holder pocket if you put shells in there, and there really wasn't anywhere to put locator calls, headlamp, and just the other "stuff" I carry.  The Cabelas vest did have all of that plus the speed seat and a couple deep big pockets, and was only $100 bucks. 
I'll end up keeping all 3 around like I said.  There are days and places where I might just go sit for the whole morning and have to wait out the turkeys, and I'll carry my Russell and my gobbler chair.  There are places where I know there aren't great trees or unfamiliar places when I may carry the Alps for the frame-chair option and just to have a backup, but I see me using the Tac Tat'r the most.   Vests are such a personal preference item that it's hard to decide based on other people's opinion because everyone hunts different and carry's different things.  I'm not a minimalist, but I also don't carry the kitchen sink, and for the way I hunt, I prefer the Cabelas, and I've looked at most vests available.

3 vests, i wish i only had 3. I have not had the frame on my alps since the first day i hunted with it. The cabelas vests always intrigued me but i can't get away from the russell limbhanger. I know it's gonna fall apart one day but until then i'm keeping my fingers crossed.


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I got the Mossy oak long beard elite this year in original bottomland. The layout is nice I believe I will like it. It has A built in thermacell pocket too. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210306/0959b59f99183ec515f10b064cb78a66.jpg)


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Quote from: justin.arps on March 05, 2021, 08:52:28 PM
I got the Mossy oak long beard elite this year in original bottomland. The layout is nice I believe I will like it. It has A built in thermacell pocket too. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210306/0959b59f99183ec515f10b064cb78a66.jpg)


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That looks like New Bottomland, not the old. Are you just using stock photo to show off what the vest layout is?

I considered that Mossy Oak Elite vest. It was between that or the Alps 4.0. About a week ago I tried on all the vests... The Grand Slam, all the Ol' Toms, the Primos, etc... I found that the ones with adjustable straps, even in M/L, were just way too big and loose, and the fron would always ride up. I put on the Alps 4.0 M/L and it fit pretty much great, maybe slightly larger for me but nothing serious. And its only a little over 3lbs. The only thing I didn't care for was that it didnt come in Original Bottomland. And Im and Original Bottomland snob. Thats why I considered that Mossy Oak vest. Its basically the same vest. The only reason that I went with the Alps is that the alps chest size is 2" smaller than the Mossy Oak Elite vest, so it would be slightly bigger on me, and the Alps already ran slightly large for me. Ill let yall know how I like it. It just came in the mail today.

Quote from: PharmHunter on March 04, 2021, 03:23:43 PM
The new Nomad Pursuit vest just hit their site finally!  More of a minimalist setup than their other vests.  Reasonably priced too.  I'd check it out.

is that the convertible one?  I'm waiting for reviews but looks promising.  They also have another one called killin' time that i think is new.  wish they had it in bottomland.

Quote from: Sir-diealot on March 06, 2021, 03:12:52 PM

Quote from: justin.arps on March 05, 2021, 08:52:28 PM
I got the Mossy oak long beard elite this year in original bottomland. The layout is nice I believe I will like it. It has A built in thermacell pocket too. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210306/0959b59f99183ec515f10b064cb78a66.jpg)


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That looks like New Bottomland, not the old. Are you just using stock photo to show off what the vest layout is?

Yes sir,


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