I've never owned or hunted a vest because I've never found one that fits what I carry, so I've always just run a backpack and chest rig. When the Grounded vest came out this year it really interested me because of that left hand main pocket that holds four pot calls and four strikers (I mainly run pots and trumpets). Like always, though, the other side, designed for a box call and extra shells, isn't made for anything I carry. This morning I got to thinking, why hasn't anyone made a MOLLE style vest with aftermarket pockets and pouches? Have a standard vest that you buy and it comes one way—back doesn't change (water bladder, seat, etc.)—but then the entire front set up be MOLLE webbed where a customer could remove what came on it and replace with aftermarket pockets and pouches to fit their specific individual needs. For instance, I love that left hand pocket design on the Grounded vest, and if I could put another one just like that on the right hand side I'd be all in. Eight pots and eight strikers. But if it was designed like that you could have locator call pouches, striker pouches, pushpin pouches, whatever a person wanted. Some folks might want to double the box call pockets. Fully customizable. Why doesn't this exist?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on March 28, 2021, 10:18:09 AM
I've never owned or hunted a vest because I've never found one that fits what I carry, so I've always just run a backpack and chest rig. When the Grounded vest came out this year it really interested me because of that left hand main pocket that holds four pot calls and four strikers (I mainly run pots and trumpets). Like always, though, the other side, designed for a box call and extra shells, isn't made for anything I carry. This morning I got to thinking, why hasn't anyone made a MOLLE style vest with aftermarket pockets and pouches? Have a standard vest that you buy and it comes one way—back doesn't change (water bladder, seat, etc.)—but then the entire front set up be MOLLE webbed where a customer could remove what came on it and replace with aftermarket pockets and pouches to fit their specific individual needs. For instance, I love that left hand pocket design on the Grounded vest, and if I could put another one just like that on the right hand side I'd be all in. Eight pots and eight strikers. But if it was designed like that you could have locator call pouches, striker pouches, pushpin pouches, whatever a person wanted. Some folks might want to double the box call pockets. Fully customizable. Why doesn't this exist?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You just hit on a potential patent. A convertible vest with interchangeable pocket/holders/pouches. Kinda of a "Matrix" vest that caters to the type of calls you carry. I think it's a score my friend. You develop that, you will score. Everyone in the turkey woods is always searching for the perfect vest.
Didn't the under armour vest have a similar setup?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There are Molle loops on the RNG vests
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Dazzler on March 28, 2021, 10:37:12 AM
Didn't the under armour vest have a similar setup?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Never seen that vest! Does look like it employed MOLLE webbing on the front. Do you know if the pockets were available aftermarket where they were interchangeable? And overall the rest of that vest design is garbage. To really get it right I think you'd have to have each section strapped together so that you could adjust for width and height like some of the really popular designs nowadays. Then you'd need pockets/pouches designed to fit the narrow shoulder strap sections, and larger pouches to fit the abdominal section, all available aftermarket where a customer could customize the setup. A company I could see doing it really right would be someone like Mystery Ranch.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Dtrkyman on March 28, 2021, 10:56:46 AM
There are Molle loops on the RNG vests
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There are loops available but the main compartments aren't attached by webbing, available aftermarket, or interchangeable. They could make those changes, though, pretty easily and likely have the best vest ever made.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hunt Redi makes a uplands vest that is fully customizable. Not sure why they or someone else hasn't done the same thing for turkey.
Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on March 28, 2021, 11:04:46 AM
Quote from: Dtrkyman on March 28, 2021, 10:56:46 AM
There are Molle loops on the RNG vests
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There are loops available but the main compartments aren't attached by webbing, available aftermarket, or interchangeable. They could make those changes, though, pretty easily and likely have the best vest ever made.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have the RNG 300, and immediately wished it had the molle loops on both the left and right side instead of the silly elastic pocket intended for a water bottle. Better having the molle and connect a holster specifically designed to hold a water bottle tight.
Think you are onto a clever idea here. Keep it low profile like a RNG with zipper pockets then just molle on your pot, box, thermacell, water bottle, etc. to customize the way you hunt - make it exactly how you want it to be.
Chief Upland makes a vest like this they're calling their turkey edition
Quote from: Ranger on March 28, 2021, 01:03:39 PM
Chief Upland makes a vest like this they're calling their turkey edition
I just looked those up..I'd love to try one of those on!!
I bought the UA vest specifically because it had molle and I could move the pouches exactly where I wanted and add my own pockets and pouches as well.
Several upland hunting vest makers are about to tap into this market. They've been using USA made materials and craftsmanship and make vests for men who cover miles a day, makes sense. I forget the one that was out 2 years ago but the Chief Upland looks sweet as far as quality and durability. If I was going to spend around $200 for any vest, USA made would be the first requirement
I have the UA vest and never used it. I'd sell it if someone is interested.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Ranger on March 28, 2021, 01:03:39 PM
Chief Upland makes a vest like this they're calling their turkey edition
Man that's getting real close to what I'm envisioning. Needs a better seat, and needs better pouch options, pouch options specifically designed for turkey calls. Ultimately needs a sit down with a turkey hunter to say this is what we're looking for. But that's the right frame for sure! They get that right and they'll really have something.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Does anyone have the Chief Turkey vest? Is it made in USA? I bought a RNG300 this spring and was not very impressed with the Chinese material and craftsmanship. 1000 Cordura is tough stuff! And should hold up to many years of service.
Quote from: Sungrazer on May 07, 2021, 01:09:48 AM
Does anyone have the Chief Turkey vest? Is it made in USA? I bought a RNG300 this spring and was not very impressed with the Chinese material and craftsmanship. 1000 Cordura is tough stuff! And should hold up to many years of service.
I've been waiting for it to come back in stock. Still not completely sold on it. I mean with no seat, I can accomplish the same thing with an molle compatible belt (battle belt). Just put pouches on it and call it a day. Game bag is handy but is not a deal breaker.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I know this is an older thread but I ran across it and wanted to comment. I actually made my own MOLLE vest. I am a retired Green Beret (not saying that to brag it does pertain) and all we ever wore were chest rigs. Luckily we were very well funded and companies outside of the DOD supply chain would send us their chest rigs to use in hopes we would order them. Special Operations are allowed to order aftermarket gear outside of the typical military supply lines. So I had the same thought a few years ago and started using one of my chest rigs has a vest for run and gun hunting. These are my two favorite they both have their upside and downside. The modular one you can carry a little more and have more options for rigging it up. But it is also bigger.
The recon is more lightweight you barely notice it is there but a little less room for gear. But you can make up for lack of room if you carry a small assault pack.
I turned my radio pouch into a box call holder, first aid pouch into an accessories/mouth call holder, additional first aid pouches can carry pot calls, magazine pouches can carry strikers then you can attach a dump pouch to your belt or to the rig for water snacks etc.
https://condoroutdoor.com/all-products/vests-and-platforms/chest-rigs/mcr5-recon-chest-rig-with-scorpion-ocp.html
https://condoroutdoor.com/all-products/vests-and-platforms/chest-rigs/modular-chest-set-with-scorpion-ocp.html
Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk
https://finalrise.com/collections/turkey-systems/products/summit-turkey-system
I ordered one of these yesterday. Matt the owner of Final Rise is onto something and is super responsive for ideas. I've pitched a couple different ideas for pockets. He stitches these vests in his house. Not cheap, but seem to be really well made. For those us who upland bird hunt you can convert them for that use as well and get dual functionality out of it.
The problem with this idea is I'll end up losing the whole attachment with ALL my my strikers in it instead of the usual one or two, lol!
I have a Nomad vest which I like but I also would like to add some Mollie pouches but nobody makes additional pouches for our turkey hunting needs. I found pouches i.e. an old military radio pouch, first aid pouches or various magazine pouches that one would need to convert which is okay if i want to tinker around, but wouldn't it be nice if somebody made pouches to fit all our needs. If anybody knows where I could find a pouch to hold a long box (not leather) or other pouches I would greatly appreciate it.
Check out the modular pack system from Marsupial Gear. Same concept but a fanny pack version
https://www.marsupialgear.com/collections/modular-belt-system
Thanks Bottomland
My son gave me a Marsupial Bino and range finder pack for archery hunting and I am impressed with their products. I'll check out what else they might have to offer.