Opening day and new FA LITE vest review

[Old Timer]

A friend wants  to take a bird with his bow and I agreed to call for him on his property. We set up at dawn and I sat using the new vest and my old tire seat. About 7:30 we walked and called. We struck our 1st bird on the edge of a swamp. I called soft and sparingly. About 20 minutes later he came in quiet and1/2 strut. He couldn't  get a shot the bird was 35-40 yards. We moved around and worked birds till noon. Very thick swamp. Any time you work birds is a good day.
When we started moving I left the tire seat at our 1st set up. A couple times I sat up to 45 minutes  to an hour with no discomfort. Very firm and comfortable  seat. I carried a box call, 2 pot calls and couple strikers. The striker sleeve is heavy maganet and cinch same as double  pot call pouch. I carried everything I need for hunt including snacks. Vest loaded weight was 5 lbs. No noise or rattling . For a 100 bucks I got the minimalist vest I have been looking for. Thanks for listening and good day.

[mountainhunter1]

A friend wants  to take a bird with his bow and I agreed to call for him on his property. We set up at dawn and I sat using the new vest and my old tire seat. About 7:30 we walked and called. We struck our 1st bird on the edge of a swamp. I called soft and sparingly. About 20 minutes later he came in quiet and1/2 strut. He couldn't  get a shot the bird was 35-40 yards. We moved around and worked birds till noon. Very thick swamp. Any time you work birds is a good day.
When we started moving I left the tire seat at our 1st set up. A couple times I sat up to 45 minutes  to an hour with no discomfort. Very firm and comfortable  seat. I carried a box call, 2 pot calls and couple strikers. The striker sleeve is heavy maganet and cinch same as double  pot call pouch. I carried everything I need for hunt including snacks. Vest loaded weight was 5 lbs. No noise or rattling . For a 100 bucks I got the minimalist vest I have been looking for. Thanks for listening and good day.

Nice review - Thanks for sharing. Could you please give us a weight on the vest with it empty? Also, is the vest stout enough to carry a bird in the back of it? I too love the OT essentials and have been running one for a long time, but that is the only real draw back to it - it is not stout enough to handle a 20-23 pound bird in the back without the top of that mesh rear beginning to separate, so I never put one in that back compartment.

[Old Timer]

3 lbs empty. Not enough room in back for bird its  more of a pocket. I solved that issue using a turkey strap. Carrying a bird in the back of vest always put a lot of pressure on my low back so I thought I would try another route.

[Deere92]

Awesome to hear you liked the vest. I have absolutely loved mine so far. I am 16 hunts into this year, and besides a little blood (which is a good thing, right?) the vest looks and functions as if it were brand new!

[Old Timer]

FA lite. By the end of season stitching is coming off zipper on shell pocket. I guess another China product. Single stitching. Really hate that cause the vest suits my purpose. Might send it back but I know a seamstress that could possibly repair it.