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Just thinking my vest has a lack of pockets.  I love the magnetic catches on seat pad, get up, flip it up, and go...But maybe these are catching on with a lot of new vests. I dont like lack of storage though and maybe water pocket for hydration would be nice....comments?

I bought a new Cabella's Tactical Tat'r vest in MO camo to hunt in this year.  I've hunted in my old vest for over 10 yrs but wanted a new vest for this year. I bought the Cabella's vest because of the great reviews I've read on it here and some other forums. But the real reason I bought it is because it was on a clearance table marked way down in price at Bass Pro's Shop.

Now that I have this vest I really like it and I'm glad I got it. I think it is a well laid out design with plenty of pockets and storage for me. I also love the flip down seat on this vest.

I have a lot of them but will say that the Cabelas Tatr is the most versatile I have. The speed seat is great. Plenty of room but not terribly heavy or hot. Magnets on vests can be a pain, IMO. Your always knocking your seat loose catching on brush. That's not an issue with the Cabelas.

Tactical Tat'r here.  Haven't found one I like better is why I use it.
I took the kickstand out after first trip with it and haven't used it since.
It is only lacking shell holders, but it has enough pockets to put a couple of extras in there somewhere.

knight and hale run n gun 300

thick seat flips up and stays up without using magnets. just straps and gravity
shell holders
fits nice and tight. not a big baggy vest
plenty of nice pockets
nifty mouth call holder
pot call holders easily accessible.
backpack that you can put a hydration bladder as well as other things

Still searching for the perfect one, might have to have someone make a Frankin vest at some point.

I have a Cabela's tac tatr, knight&hale 200, primos rocker, alps impact

I imagine the RG200 will get the most use by me and my wife will wear the impact.

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My main thing with a vest is I want it to be treeless. I use the old redhead vest.

Vests are very important for all of us. I have tried them all. The best one I had was the Under Armour TRAx vest. That is until now. I just got the new Badlands vest. I love it. It incorporates everything that I look for. It has the same version of the Cabelas Speed Seat, real thick, comfortable seat. It has 12 pockets, well thought out. Made from the quality materials found in their famous packs. Real comfortable shoulder straps, and a great back cushion. The vest is light, less than 4 pounds. And yes, there are she'll loops. One last thing, hydration bag compatible. The best I have seen yet. It's filled, and ready to go.... be safe my friends.

What kind of hunting are you doing (more stationary or more "run & gun" hunting?)
Are you a minimalist or a maximalist?  (I think most of us turkey hunters carry a lot more than we need)

I went with the Cabela's Tat'r vest, due to the fact that it was one of the few vests that fits a smaller person well...  However I like the vest.

The seat design pulls down and goes back into place very easily.
The pockets are well-designed for organization and storage of gear.
The vest seems to be rugged and is holding up well to my going through brush and over/under fences, etc.
It is a relatively quiet vest.
It is priced reasonably.

I like the designs of a lot of other vests, but they all fit me like a dress...    O'l Tom makes a number of vests reasonably priced that are organized and designed well...  But they do not fit me....

Quote from: bigriverbum on March 11, 2020, 02:50:58 PM
knight and hale run n gun 300

thick seat flips up and stays up without using magnets. just straps and gravity
shell holders
fits nice and tight. not a big baggy vest
plenty of nice pockets
nifty mouth call holder
pot call holders easily accessible.
backpack that you can put a hydration bladder as well as other things

This has been the best vest for me by far. I've been wearing it out shed hunting lately.  I had almost went to a backpack cause I've always used a bladder outside of Turkey hunting.  Another nice thing about the bladder is it acts as comfy back rest.  Also has a place to strap a jacket or can even fit it in the backpack if not to bulky. Seat design is another plus.

Knights Hunting Products hands free vest. I do not use mouthcalls, only pots and trumpets. This vest allows me to lock the gun to my shooting shoulder and keep both hands free to manipulate the calls I use as needed.

X 2      Knights Hunting Products vest

I like the Nomad. Thermocell pocket, magnetic seat, lots of pot call and striker room. Id run a knight and hale but I need more room in back to carry stuff.

I have an old Hunters Specialties strap vest I've used since 1995, works great for me.  I prefer to slip my vest off when I set up so I just carry a closed cell foam pad I bought at Wally World close to 20 years ago and just keep it in the game bag part and slip it out when I set up. 


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Not too many mention this vest anymore these days. I like the ol Tom ibeam 2.0. They don't make it anymore, but you can still get them. There were a couple in the classifieds here last time I looked


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I purchased the Nomad. The second generation with the loops on the call pockets. Lots of space for calls, thermocell which is a big plus, etc. Very nice thick seat with 2 magnetic closures. The problems they had when they were first introduced seem to be corrected.

Alps super elite 4.0 w/ speed seat mod. Love it.


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Quote from: StruttinGobbler3 on March 12, 2020, 04:48:09 PM
Not too many mention this vest anymore these days. I like the ol Tom ibeam 2.0. They don't make it anymore, but you can still get them. There were a couple in the classifieds here last time I looked


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The past 2-3 years I've used the Ol Tom essentials 2.0 vest, similar setup to the I beam.  It has been a great light weight vest.  The only downsides to I've experienced were the week seat magnets, and small amount of back padding.  This year I'm excited to try the alps grand slam.  Gonna do the seat mod so it has the elastic like the cabelas vest.

Quote from: Marc on March 11, 2020, 03:53:30 PM
What kind of hunting are you doing (more stationary or more "run & gun" hunting?)
Are you a minimalist or a maximalist?  (I think most of us turkey hunters carry a lot more than we need)

I went with the Cabela's Tat'r vest, due to the fact that it was one of the few vests that fits a smaller person well...  However I like the vest.

The seat design pulls down and goes back into place very easily.
The pockets are well-designed for organization and storage of gear.
The vest seems to be rugged and is holding up well to my going through brush and over/under fences, etc.
It is a relatively quiet vest.
It is priced reasonably.

I like the designs of a lot of other vests, but they all fit me like a dress...    O'l Tom makes a number of vests reasonably priced that are organized and designed well...  But they do not fit me....

Marc, when did you pick up your tat'r? Is it the one size fits most model they are making now? Or an actual size? I've been thinking about ordering one but I am concerned this new sizing will be huge for a smaller framed person.

Tat'r 2

My son in law bought the Tenzing turkey vest last year and loves it.  I put it on and liked it as well.  I was thinking about getting a new vest and based on the opinions here and also having more than enough Cabelas points to pay for it, I pulled the trigger on the tat'r.  I should have it Monday and will fill it up and see what I think.  I hate retiring the old vest, it has toted a lot of birds out and been worn many a mile, but it was starting to fall apart.  I'll report back after a few trips. 

Cabela's Tat'r here as well

I just bought an alps outdoorz diamondback vest in mossy oak bottomland..

I purchased the Alpz Longspur Deluxe to use this year.
I have no hunting experience in it yet but I'm really liking the design of it while wearing it at home.


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As promised, I field tested the Badlands turkey vest. It functioned great, the seat is fantastic, speed seat, comfortable, out of the way. Pockets well layer out, great zipper quality. One concern the forum had was the camo pattern. It passed the test, the birds I shot in the big woods did not see me, no concerns. I give it an A. Thanks......

My worn out Super Elete 3. All I have.

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Our season is about done and I give the Tatr two thumbs up.  Love the organization and it is very comfortable. If you use the seat a lot (I carry a lounger) it is not the easiest to deploy unless you are young and thin (I am neither).  I think the no noise box call pocket is aces and the Thermacell fits perfectly in one of the front pockets.  Love the straps.  I started keeping a rough count of miles and I have to be over 20 at this point and still loving it. 

Big fan of the Cabela's vests. They are comfortable, durable, and the spead seat is great. Tat'r II and Minimalist are my favorites. Unfortunately, I believe the new sizing of the Tat'r II (OSFM) is closer to the old L/XL than the S/M size (which I prefer). The OSFM in the Tat'r II still fits me (I'm 5'6", 165 lbs.) better than many other vests out there that swallow me, however.

How about no vest at all? 

I have found that a sling pack is, for me, the ideal tool for the job.  It might be for you as well.

My progression from when i started doing this turkey thing about 5 years ago:

Tac Tater 2
V
Tenzing
V
Long Spur
V
Avian x sling pack (for the last 2 seasons, never going back to a vest.)

Everything you need, nothing you don't. Light and fast.  I was a noisy bulky bloated turtle with my vests.  Now i am quieter and lighter and faster without all that stuff hanging on me.

Experiment, find your own truth.

I love the Cabelas Tat'r.  Hate the new camo, but was fortunate to see someone on here found one in his local Cabelas in mossy oak so got him to send me one.   Back up just in case something happens to my current one, but I don't anticipate that happening help up really well over 5 or so seasons.

The speed seat is a game changer. Will never go back to something with a magnet again


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I don't use a vest. I use an Alaska guide creations bino harness that hold my Binos and  calls. I also carry a wingman style chair with me. Super fast, quiet, and comfortable when it's time to set up. Thinking about experimenting with the Avian X Cross shoulder rig next season.


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ALPS Grand Slam, I take the metal back rest frame out of mine most of the time. I'm not a run and gun guy, so it serves me well.

I ditch the vest after Glenda Green started making the satchels , i haven't miss a vest at all ...

Quote from: turkey_picker on April 23, 2020, 10:01:58 PM
ALPS Grand Slam, I take the metal back rest frame out of mine most of the time. I'm not a run and gun guy, so it serves me well.

Same here.  Alps Grand Slam with the frame taken out.

I wonder if anyone ever tried the snow boarders butt pad underneath their turkey pants. Instant seat, never have to touch it. That with the Satchel might be a killer combo? Interesting thought.....

Just ordered an Alps Grandslam. It came in today, I'll let ya know what I think.


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Dang. Does nobody run the woods with no vest or pack at all? I can fit a few calls, snacks and TP in cargo pockets. I'm not saying it's better, just wondering if I'm the only one here who does it like that.


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For all day and not moving a lot I use the 2nd generation Nomad. The thermacell pocket, seat and of it are perfect but it is a little heavy and hot if I am constantly moving. For all day moving a lot I use the academy sports Magellan deluxe vest.  I love it.  It has a metal x frame that keeps the back very breathable. It is missing the Thermacell pocket and the material isn't that nice otherwise it would be perfect for me. I may modify it some to address those issues.  If I am riding around glassing different properties and am getting in and out of the truck either the turkey thugs fanny pack or the HS strut chest pack.  I keep all four of them fully stocked and ready to go in the back seat all season long.

Quote from: catman529 on April 24, 2020, 11:14:47 PM
Dang. Does nobody run the woods with no vest or pack at all? I can fit a few calls, snacks and TP in cargo pockets. I'm not saying it's better, just wondering if I'm the only one here who does it like that.


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I only need a mouth call but I can't fit enough water in my pants

well, I gotta say this thread just killed about three hours of my time!  I started reading all the posts, researching turkey vests, etc etc and now three hours later. . .

I had an ol' tom that I used for years, but hated the magnetic seat pad because it was always getting knocked off the magnet.  The vest finally got tore up to heck, so about five or six years ago I got a cabela's tactical tat'r 2.  The reason I chose that one is because I got it on sale, but also because I'd read a ton of good reviews and liked how it fit when I tried it on in the store, and it seemed to be of pretty good quality.

I actually love my tat'r 2 vest, I'd recommend one to anybody.  I like it so much that when I found another one on sale a couple of years ago I got that one for when the first gets too tore up.  But the quality has been so good, that I'm pretty sure it'll last a good while.