Best Vest?

[Tom007]

RNG 200 weighs 24 ounces, the RNG weighs 48 ounces, and the Sitka weighs 44 ounces respectively. Sitka gives you way more than a minimalist vest, and still managed to keep the dry weight down. I will be giving a review this season on the Sitka once I put it through the field test. The RNG's are nice vests, great for a minimalist approach....

[ScottTaulbee]

RNG 200 weighs 24 ounces, the RNG weighs 48 ounces, and the Sitka weighs 44 ounces respectively. Sitka gives you way more than a minimalist vest, and still managed to keep the dry weight down. I will be giving a review this season on the Sitka once I put it through the field test. The RNG's are nice vests, great for a minimalist approach....

I have no experience with the Sitka vest but I'd like to see more on it. The RNG 200 is a touch small for what I carry but I wouldn't consider the 300 a minimalist vest. It has the 2 outside pot call pockets, on the two large inner zipper pockets you can put another 2 pot calls each, plus a waterproof pocket on the front with shell holders on the outside, two smaller zipper pockets on the front both with shell holders in them, a box call pocket, a pocket for 4 strikers, a smaller storage pocket close to the shoulders in behind a small pocket for mouth calls. Then has 2 large outer pockets that can hold quite a bit, and then the backpack part has a hydration bladder pocket, and 4 or 5 smaller pockets that can hold pot calls or your odds and ends. Plus still have the backpack itself and then can strap extra layers to the outside of it. I wouldn't consider it a minimal vest at all, it has way more pockets than I would ever want to fill


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[Old Timer]

I just purchased the Sitka Turkey Vest. I got a good price on EBay for it brand new with tags. I got the Optifade Timber color. I did some research before I bought it. Here's the things I like most about it:

Very light weight at 44 ounces
Fully adjustable, real nice shoulder straps
Water bladder comparable
Fantastic pocket lay-out, quality zippers, a hard pot call pocket provides protection with magnetic catch
Solid "Speed seat" type cushion. Does not flatten out. Don't be deceived by thickness, it's solid so far.
Extra long padded long box call pocket. Real nice for pushpins too
Diaphragm and striker pockets
Mesh inside pockets for head nets,  gloves etc.
Rear cargo pack with solid cushioned back support that is the best I've seen
Not bulky, more than a minimalist but not cumbersome while sitting

In summary, this vest seems to be the real thing. Of course, this years field test will tell the story. I will add review after its field trial. And oh yea, it has all of Sitka quality and craftsmanship. Good luck in your search...

tom I read your reviews on the badland vest you seemed to really like it. Are you updating or is there something you did not like about it? thanks

[Duckdogdad]

Been using an Ol Tom for a number of years, bought a grounded bottom land vest last year which did not hold up. Called grounded and they were great. Wanted my old vest back to see how and what went wrong, then sent me a new vest. I checked my credit card statement the next month they had refunded my money. I called them to report the error and was told it was not an error. I gave new vest to my grandson and am buying two more for presents. Grounded folks are A plus people.

[Cottonmouth]

I got an Ol Tom gunslinger on clearance last summer. Haven't hunted with it yet but I really like the layout and quality. Very light and a ton of storage. Way more than I need.

[Mick2394]

For you guys who have the run and gun 200 how do you like the pot call pockets on the outside? Did they hold a pot pretty well? I have a halloran pot if that helps any. Have a tidewe vest now and looking for something different but wondering about how well they hold the pots in

[Glades]

I've been using the Alps Outdoorz Grand Slam for a couple of seasons and love it. The vest has legs, so it will allow you to lean comfortably when there is no tree to lean up against.

Last year I shot a Tom in Kansas, and had to set up on some Yucca bushes, and was nothing to lean up against. The vest's legs were the ticket. Sometimes here in Florida you need to set up under a Palmetto, which you cant really lean against comfortably, and this vest allows you to do that.

Downside is the vest is a little heavier than most because of the metal frame.

[Jordan121787]

For you guys who have the run and gun 200 how do you like the pot call pockets on the outside? Did they hold a pot pretty well? I have a halloran pot if that helps any. Have a tidewe vest now and looking for something different but wondering about how well they hold the pots in

I have the RNG 300 and the pot holders are the same as the 200. They work just fine. One of the shock cords on mine that latch over the front broke on mine, but it stays in just fine without. It's really stretchy material that holds them good enough without them falling out. I have a halloran pot call too.

[Mick2394]

For you guys who have the run and gun 200 how do you like the pot call pockets on the outside? Did they hold a pot pretty well? I have a halloran pot if that helps any. Have a tidewe vest now and looking for something different but wondering about how well they hold the pots in

I have the RNG 300 and the pot holders are the same as the 200. They work just fine. One of the shock cords on mine that latch over the front broke on mine, but it stays in just fine without. It's really stretchy material that holds them good enough without them falling out. I have a halloran pot call too.

Great, thank you! I was worried about it being an open pocket design that they would fall out, but that makes me feel better