Need new vest

[HILBY72]

I was thinking about switching to a turkey bag or satchel. I have decided to stick with a vest, but I am drawn between two, the Alps Grand Slam and the Cabela's Tactical Tater 2.  For the hunters that use these vests which do you prefer? Thanks for any input!!

[bruce.smith0817]

I have a Cabela's tat vest the simpler one an really like it

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[Burney Mac]

If you could somehow combine the two vest together I believe you may be very close to what I would consider the perfect vest.

I ran the tatr 2 for 6 years with no complaints. Mine is the older style and the camo had started fading real bad. I picked up the Alps at the start of this past season and other than a few minor things I would tweak I really can't complain about much. The first thing I did was take that kick stand frame off the vest. Some people love it, I hate it. I'll sacrifice the one or two times I wish I had back support without a tree for the noise and weight reduction.

Both vest are pretty much the same design other than a few tweaks and different call pocket configurations. My biggest complaint on the Alps is the seat. Why in the world they couldn't use the speed seat technology from the tatr 2 and incorporate it into the Alps is beyond me. It's secured by two snap buckles on either side. I had a heck of a time snapping the seat back up if I had deployed it....I'm not Gumby. If you leave them unbuckled you can use the "magnet" attachment to "hold" your cushion up. Just be sure you walk though open woods or fields where there is no chance of anything hitting the cushion.

I carry two pots and a few mouth calls when I'm hunting. Other than that, my biggest concern is food and water and this is where the Alps shines IMO. With the Alps you have a pocket on either side of the vest that will both hold a one liter bottle. In the back of the vest there is a water bladder sleeve that can hold a two liter bladder. The bladder rides very well and you'll quickly realize how nice it is to be able to take a quick drink while walking of sitting against a tree, without having to reach around to grab a bottle of water. You can run the mouth piece from the bladder through the webbing on either shoulder strap to keep the mouth piece close to your chest for easy access. With the tatr, there is only one dedicated water bottle pocket and it will also hold a one liter bottle.

The adjustments for a custom fit are a little better on the Alps as well. You have both side and front adjustments as well as shoulder strap adjustments where with the tatr you only have adjustment at the shoulders and front of the vest. The Alps has some little quick release buckles on both shoulder straps. If you find yourself in a bind and need to make a quick but quiet adjustment by releasing the shoulder straps, these buckles can be undone with one hand silently. Hiking up mountains and steep terrain the Alps never got in my way. It rode very well and I never really noticed my knees or thighs hitting my vest as I was climbing or stepping over obstacles.

Hope this helps a little.

[Bolandstrutters]

I ran the Cabelas vest for years and switched only because I wanted to try something new.  The only real complaint I had with the Cabelas vest was that seat straps were tough to reach sometimes.  I loved the pocket layout and everything else about the vest.  I've since run the Alps Super Elite and Ol Tom Essentials.  The Alps was heavy, baggy, and loud, but well made.  Wasn't for me.  The Ol Tom is a nice light weight setup, but like the name states.  Only room for essentials.  And I constantly struggled with the pocket system.  Next season Ill likely try the grand slam or hopefully something new comes out.  If nomad changes the pot call pocket and adds a quieter closing system then I might try one of them.  There is definitely room for a new vest company if someone knew what they were doing.  I'd love to design a streamlined/form fitting vest with perfect pocket layout and a hydration reservoir.

[Big Jeremy]

I know you didn't mention this one, but the new Knight and Hale run and gun  (RNG 200 & 300) vests are awesome, in my opinion. I went with a 300 to get just a little more storage/pocket room. It's light weight, comfortable, best seat design on the market. I'd recommend giving it a look before making a decision.


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[PharmHunter]

Nomad is making some needed and what I think will be Great changes to their vest now that they've had a run at it.  I'd wait and check it out before next season.  Going to be NICE

[aaron]

You mention going away from a vest, but then your two options are 2 of the heaviest most cumbersome vests out there.   I encourage you to look at the knight rng vests.  It's what I went with when I wanted to downsize.  They are pretty slick and it's like you're not even wearing a vest

[PALongspur]

You mention going away from a vest, but then your two options are 2 of the heaviest most cumbersome vests out there.   I encourage you to look at the knight rng vests.  It's what I went with when I wanted to downsize.  They are pretty slick and it's like you're not even wearing a vest

Most cumbersome vests out there? Yeah, I think not.

[tha bugman]

tactical tat'r 2 best one I have used

[NCL]

I have the Alps Grand Slam and it is a little on the heavy side due to the metal folding back rest frame. The metal back rest frame can be removed, I have never, which would make it lighter. With that said the reason I bought the vest is for the back rest frame, which is only a little over 7 pounds for the XL. I really like the vest and if in the market today I would buy it again.

[TM]

I bought one from Midway USA last year, Midway name is on it.  Really like it.  L More storage than I need, great pot call and striker storage, good price, thick foam seat.  One of my friends bought one after he saw mine and likes his alot. 

[HILBY72]

Thanks for the input,,,,,In case anyone is looking for a vest, Amazon has the Grand Slam in Bottomland for 86 bucks in standard size.

[SKFOOTER]

Check out the Tenzing TV TS18 vest.

[mufishgrad]

I agree with the Knight and Hale Run and Gun vest. The dedicated pockets are awesome, but the issue I found that is picked up with the Hunters Speciaties Undertaker Vest. The pocket locations for the slate call may not work for you or other hunters, but the Undertaker allows you to move these pockets around. The problem I've found with this vest is that the snaps for the moveable pockets can come undone when you're hunting, and you could lose gear. Once you move them around where you want I've found you can solve this problem with some paracord and a few knots. The seat on the Undertaker isn't as comfortable as the Run and Gun vest though, so you'll want to break it in before the season. I've tried several vests from different manufacturers and have settled on these two. The Run and Gun 200 for quick morning hunts, and the Undertaker with more pocket space for longer half to full day hunts. It's all personal preference though.