Time for an upgrade!

[Dtrkyman]

Grounded vest 4.5lbs empty!  Hard pass for me!

I have an RNG200 and sticking with it until I get to handle a Sitka vest myself.  Hate buying stuff online!


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[WV Flopper]

 Depends on what you want, and what you need.

I have for three months been working on a light weight, warm weather rig. I settled on an Alaska Guide Denali case, with two range finder accessory poaches. Not enough room.

I have since bought the light pack and water bladder that will transform this into a more usable, sizable rig.

Now, it ain't cheap. So, if you can get a light weight rig that will do what "YOU" want, buy it.

To date, I have no seat on my light weight warm weather rig. We shall see.

[Archivist13]

I went totally against my normal practices and ended up ordering the Sitka. I've never owned anything Sitka as I think they are too expensive, but I've decided to double dip on the purchase and use it for archery deer as well. A friend of mine had a friend that has one and he let me come over. I took all my stuff and loaded it up and it had just the right number of pockets and features. It ends up being a couple pounds lighter than the Grounded so that is an added benefit. I don't like that it doesn't have a water bottle pocket, but I have a water bladder that I will just use more. My main pot call and box call are both David Halloran and they fit in the Sitka perfectly. Yes, the Sitka is about $70 more than the Grounded, but I'm gambling that the Sitka lasts longer, and I won't have to deal with the strap issue that is affecting the first version of the Grounded vest. I don't like Sitka's subalpine pattern, but I found one in the waterfowl timber that I do like. Honestly if the Grounded didn't have the strap issue and I had to settle for the subalpine I would have probably gone with the Grounded, but I don't want to wait til the next generation where it is fixed. I tend to hold onto things for longer than most (last turkey vest lasted me 25 years!), so I guess it's ok to splurge every so often. Figure If I end up hating Equinox after this season, it won't be hard to offload anyways, and will grab the Grounded if they fix the shoulder strap issue.

[Timmer]

I LOVE my Tactial Tat'r vest.  From a storage and pocket perspective it most certainly checks everything off your list and more.  The only complaint I have is that with the new ones the pockets are now a solid color where they used to be camo (Bass Pro strikes again).  https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-tactical-tatr-pro-turkey-vest-for-men?searchTerm=tat%27r

[Bern_pine]

I've got an ol' tom vest that gets the job done but I had to make several modifications. I don't like the seat cushion, have had to patch and modify the box calls pockets, add some fabric to hold water bladder in place, and adjust the magnet set-up for the seat cushion. Still I don't regret buying it for under $100 on ebay.

On another note, I thought it was hysterical when my buddy told me he was getting a $250 turkey vest made by Sitka... until I actually held it and tried it on. There was some serious thought that went into that vest, it's impressive. Low profile, good adjustment and well built. I'm not jumping on the bandwagon just yet, but it's got my attention. I'm going to wait and see how they hold-up after a season but I don't anticipate there being any problems with them. If you can get your hands on one and check it out I definitely would. It's hard for me to support their company with some of their marketing strategies and who they support, I hope some other companies see it and try to make an equal competitor.....

[Archivist13]

On another note, I thought it was hysterical when my buddy told me he was getting a $250 turkey vest made by Sitka... until I actually held it and tried it on. There was some serious thought that went into that vest, it's impressive. Low profile, good adjustment and well built. I'm not jumping on the bandwagon just yet, but it's got my attention. I'm going to wait and see how they hold-up after a season but I don't anticipate there being any problems with them. If you can get your hands on one and check it out I definitely would. It's hard for me to support their company with some of their marketing strategies and who they support, I hope some other companies see it and try to make an equal competitor.....

That's how it went with me. I never considered Sitka until I had the opportunity to actually put it on with the gear I take. Like you said, I'm not on the bandwagon, I don't own anything else by them, but we'll see how this vest holds up and I might have to check some other stuff out.

[Bern_pine]

I'm not completely innocent, I purchased a set of their warm weather gear for deer hunting a few years ago and they are still my go to when it gets below 20. They've got good stuff, but the companies actions over the last 2 years have really left me with a bad taste... That's a whole different discussion though.

Sorry OP for hijacking the thread.

[Cottonmouth]

I'd check out the Ol Tom gunslinger. I'd seriously consider it if Maryland  is as hot as you say. I'm in Mississippi and it gets truly hot and I wouldn't have 90% of the turkey vests on the market. Maybe look at the RNG 200 or 300 also