I'm looking at new turkey vests and I ran across this one. Does anyone have one or have any opinions on it.
You either love it or don't. It's definitely got a lot of high praise. Mine came earlier today and I sold it to a buddy within a couple hours. He loves it and I didn't like it at all except for the backrest padding and seat. As soon as I took it out I removed the frame cause they don't work here due to the steepness and to lighten it up. Pot call pockets were to small for mine and straps were to thin and short for my liking.
Edit: are you referring to the super elite or Grand slam? I was referring to the Grand slam.
Thanks
Alps vest is really well made , only down fall to me is the seat. I like the seat design on the Cabelas tactical tater 2. So i am going to modify mine like some members of the forum are currently doing.
Super elite or grand slam? I have an elite, haven't tried the grand slam.
Picked up an Alps GS last year after the season ended. Not used it yet, but has more pockets than I need (not a bad thing), like the kickstand (adds a bunch of weight though), and is the most comfortable vest back/seat that I've had.
Use to buy a new vest every year trying to find one I really loved and found that with the Alps GS.
Just got one to run this year. I have been running a cabelas tt2 for a couple of years and like it, but I wanted one I could put a hydropak in. So far I really like it. Pot call pockets are better than tt2, but the other pockets are a tad smaller. Theres 2 dedicated pot pockets, but two other pockets up top that hold a pot well. I can fit at least 5 strikers. I'll be doin the speed seat mod Gobble posted about. Feels and fits good.
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I took the kickstand off mine...other than that I like it.
Quote from: Mossyguy on February 09, 2019, 09:10:24 PM
I took the kickstand off mine...other than that I like it.
Me too, forgot to mention that. I have no use for kickstand where I hunt.
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I have had one for two seasons now and really like it until you start carrying your decoys or a dead turkey in the back pouch and then the magnets that hold the seat in place are of no use at all. I used the kick stand once but the back legs mired down into the dirt. I hunt in Ga so I have no problem finding a tree to set up on. Other than that it has so many compartments that I forget where I put things. One of my buckles broke and I called them up and had it sent to me within a day or two free of charge, no questions asked. I probably would buy it again.
I have trouble with a vest that has the seat sticking out like a sheet of plywood. They seem noisy when trying to sneak around. Maybe in a field hunting situation they are nice. Just my 2 cents.
I bought one before last Spring season and I have mixed feelings about it.
I LOVE the back rest. I mean, LOVE it!
The seat leaves something to be desired. It seems comfortable at first but a long sit will be painful. I modified mine and now it's like sitting on a cloud.
The pocket situation also leaves something to be desired. The pockets, although there are enough of them, aren't deep enough. I've lost two nice scratchers in the woods due to them falling out of the shallow pockets.
The vest does have enough shell holders and, although people say it's heavy, I don't really think it's heavy enough to matter that much to me.
The weigh distribution is good given the nice shoulder straps.
Nice sized pouch in the back to carry spare jacket, etc.
So, is it perfect? No...Is it a good vest? I'd say yes, in spite of it's drawbacks.
With a seat modification and some safety pins and small pouches to retain calls, I think it's a very serviceable vest. I don't know of a better one on the market at the moment...
I just recently got one....I have not yet hunted it, but just trying it on and wearing it around the house, I love it. I immediately took out the kickstand frame. In 6yrs of turkey hunting, I can think of exactly 1 time where I wish I'd had it. Just not worth the weight or awkward fit when it's in.
Quote from: sixbird on February 10, 2019, 04:27:13 PM
I bought one before last Spring season and I have mixed feelings about it.
I LOVE the back rest. I mean, LOVE it!
The seat leaves something to be desired. It seems comfortable at first but a long sit will be painful. I modified mine and now it's like sitting on a cloud.
The pocket situation also leaves something to be desired. The pockets, although there are enough of them, aren't deep enough. I've lost two nice scratchers in the woods due to them falling out of the shallow pockets.
The vest does have enough shell holders and, although people say it's heavy, I don't really think it's heavy enough to matter that much to me.
The weigh distribution is good given the nice shoulder straps.
Nice sized pouch in the back to carry spare jacket, etc.
So, is it perfect? No...Is it a good vest? I'd say yes, in spite of it's drawbacks.
With a seat modification and some safety pins and small pouches to retain calls, I think it's a very serviceable vest. I don't know of a better one on the market at the moment...
How did you modify the seat?
Quote from: GomerPyle on February 11, 2019, 12:49:37 PM
I just recently got one....I have not yet hunted it, but just trying it on and wearing it around the house, I love it. I immediately took out the kickstand frame. In 6yrs of turkey hunting, I can think of exactly 1 time where I wish I'd had it. Just not worth the weight or awkward fit when it's in.
I've used the frame on 2 hunts in the last 2 seasons. Mostly where I hunt you don't need it. I will say it would be great if you're self filming without a blind of any sort. You can get against fallen trees or up in a spruce tree comfortably leaning back.
I had one, but IMO I hated the frame/kickstand.
I have one and would highly recommend this vest to anybody Very well made and easy to get to pockets. Check it out for yourself.
I traded for one Sunday night and immediately took the frame out! Seems nice though. I like the way the seat comes down but I can see the magnets failing. We'll find out April 6 how it does in the woods!!!
Quote from: J.D. Shellnut on February 12, 2019, 11:12:42 AM
I traded for one Sunday night and immediately took the frame out! Seems nice though. I like the way the seat comes down but I can see the magnets failing. We'll find out April 6 how it does in the woods!!!
Try the seat mod on it. It's on a thread in here somewhere. Did it on mine and really negates the use of magnets.
Quote from: cuttinAR on February 11, 2019, 01:04:07 PM
Quote from: sixbird on February 10, 2019, 04:27:13 PM
I bought one before last Spring season and I have mixed feelings about it.
I LOVE the back rest. I mean, LOVE it!
The seat leaves something to be desired. It seems comfortable at first but a long sit will be painful. I modified mine and now it's like sitting on a cloud.
The pocket situation also leaves something to be desired. The pockets, although there are enough of them, aren't deep enough. I've lost two nice scratchers in the woods due to them falling out of the shallow pockets.
The vest does have enough shell holders and, although people say it's heavy, I don't really think it's heavy enough to matter that much to me.
The weigh distribution is good given the nice shoulder straps.
Nice sized pouch in the back to carry spare jacket, etc.
So, is it perfect? No...Is it a good vest? I'd say yes, in spite of it's drawbacks.
With a seat modification and some safety pins and small pouches to retain calls, I think it's a very serviceable vest. I don't know of a better one on the market at the moment...
How did you modify the seat?
I took it to a taylor and had him put a zipper on the seat cover. I put a small wheelbarrow inner tube in it and added a strong magnet between the existing ones to hold the increased weight of the inner tube. I pulled the original padding apart and used the hardboard to keep briars from poking through the cover. I've used it most of the Spring season and all of the Fall season. It's phenomenal!