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Recommend a turkey vest

This is where I have ended up after trying several different vests over the years: https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product ... ?a=2166015
I like it because it has two separate large compartments where I can organize stuff and know where it is, and has great straps across the top where I can strap down a raincoat or outer wear when I am moving fast and trying not to sweat. I probably carry more than most on here due to the fact that I am usually by myself and often in some pretty remote country that doesn't lend itself to getting help. Due to the Eagle Scout in me, I always have a basic survival kit in the bottom that should keep me safe if an overnight stay becomes a necessity for some reason. I keep some of my lesser used calls down in the bottom, with the "A list" in the top. Great side pouch for a quick grab at the striking paper. At less than $30, it is a great buy as well!

That pack and a lounger seat with a Claw sling have completed my explorations for the "right" system for me.
 
I use a Cabelas minimalist vest as my style is running and gunning. It's basically a nicely made vest with a few pockets and a seat. Before that, I used a Walmart vest made basically the same way but lost the seat. It works for me as I try to pack as little as possible.
 
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megalomaniac":2l50uks7 said:
Thanks for the responses guys!

I've decided to go with the ALPS lounger

https://www.mackspw.com/ALPS-Outdoorz-V ... gJX0_D_BwE

This will fold down small enough to fit/strap on top of my fanny pack, and I decided I wanted a mesh back, especially down here in the swamps.

I'll review it as the season progresses.


Figured I'd give my opinion at this point in case it might help others.

PROS- the chair is very well made, sturdy, adjusts to uneven ground, and the height is just about perfect for woods hunting to give you just a few more inches of elevation to see over the forest understory. It's extremely comfortable, easy to sit in for hours. Relatively compact. I toted it on my shoulder several hunts, and other hunts I strapped it onto my fanny pack.... which leads me to the cons...

CONS- it's just too heavy, and a little too bulky for my style of hunting. As a run and gun hunter, I go as light as possible, and I just found myself not wanting to tote it on days I was going to cover ground. I did carry it to my first spot of the morning on days I knew I would be going back to the truck before starting on my long treks... but that was about it.

If I were the type of hunter that only had access to a small parcel of land and was going to set in one spot for hours, I think this would be perfect.

So what did I end up with?...

The cheap $10 semi-hard foam cushion that straps to your belt loop in the back. It weighs nothing, and does a reasonable job of cushioning my backside on longer sits. No where near perfect, but probably the best compromise for me. Heck, as the season progressed, I found myself only carrying one pot, one striker, and one mouth call in addition to a cliff bar and bottle of water. I even started leaving the rangefinder in the truck. So I don't think I would care for a vest regardless.

Oh, the bad thing about the cheap foam cushion... It tore off somewhere here crawling in the thicker woods. Went back and looked for it, but couldn't find it. Oh well. was nice for a bit :)
 
I went with a backpack that has a hydration bladder. I took a foam pad from a old vest and it stuffs perfectly in the outside mesh. The hip belts are designed where you could attach your own pockets if you wanted, you would just have to DIY them.
Much easier to get around and may more durable.


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megalomaniac":3aiv77y6 said:
megalomaniac":3aiv77y6 said:
Thanks for the responses guys!

I've decided to go with the ALPS lounger

https://www.mackspw.com/ALPS-Outdoorz-V ... gJX0_D_BwE

This will fold down small enough to fit/strap on top of my fanny pack, and I decided I wanted a mesh back, especially down here in the swamps.

I'll review it as the season progresses.


Figured I'd give my opinion at this point in case it might help others.

PROS- the chair is very well made, sturdy, adjusts to uneven ground, and the height is just about perfect for woods hunting to give you just a few more inches of elevation to see over the forest understory. It's extremely comfortable, easy to sit in for hours. Relatively compact. I toted it on my shoulder several hunts, and other hunts I strapped it onto my fanny pack.... which leads me to the cons...

CONS- it's just too heavy, and a little too bulky for my style of hunting. As a run and gun hunter, I go as light as possible, and I just found myself not wanting to tote it on days I was going to cover ground. I did carry it to my first spot of the morning on days I knew I would be going back to the truck before starting on my long treks... but that was about it.

If I were the type of hunter that only had access to a small parcel of land and was going to set in one spot for hours, I think this would be perfect.

So what did I end up with?...

The cheap $10 semi-hard foam cushion that straps to your belt loop in the back. It weighs nothing, and does a reasonable job of cushioning my backside on longer sits. No where near perfect, but probably the best compromise for me. Heck, as the season progressed, I found myself only carrying one pot, one striker, and one mouth call in addition to a cliff bar and bottle of water. I even started leaving the rangefinder in the truck. So I don't think I would care for a vest regardless.

Oh, the bad thing about the cheap foam cushion... It tore off somewhere here crawling in the thicker woods. Went back and looked for it, but couldn't find it. Oh well. was nice for a bit :)

Look at the Ol' Tom EZ Rider. Great for your still. I've been using it for 2 years and love it.


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ol tom easy rider....

'Additional features include quick-draw slate call pouch, 3 quick-draw Magnattach pockets for quick and virtually silent access, multiple striker sleeves, a box call pouch, mesh mouth call pockets for instant access, 2 detachable locator call cords with adjustable springs for easy access, a mesh pot call tool pouch, vertical storage pockets, 3 zip mesh pockets, mesh owl hooter locator pocket, 2 internal zip storage pockets, side mesh pocket, and even a mesh flashlight pocket. The Ol' Tom Time and Motion Easy-Rider Turkey Vest adds Magnattach silent-removal padded rear seat; acclaimed T-Beam back pad for incredible comfort, balance, and stability. The neoprene easy rider shoulder straps provide custom comfort and help eliminate neck and shoulder fatigue when you're on a mission. Get some blood in the blood-proof game bag. '

I just don't need any pockets except for one cargo pocket on my leg for a pot, the other cargo pocket for my lightweight gloves and sometimes headlight, and one front pants pocket for mouth call, the other for a striker and the keys to my truck. And one back pocket for my wallet. On long treks, I wear a fanny pack to hold snacks, water. Keeps my back uncovered.

My back sweats a lot more than it should, and I don't know if I could handle the extra layer on my back during the second half of the season. There may be a spartan vest that is mesh, has only 2 pockets, and still has a thin drop down butt cushion. That's probably what I need. Or a cheaper vest that I can cut off and remove all the extra pockets.
 
megalomaniac":2hgcliev said:
ol tom easy rider....

'Additional features include quick-draw slate call pouch, 3 quick-draw Magnattach pockets for quick and virtually silent access, multiple striker sleeves, a box call pouch, mesh mouth call pockets for instant access, 2 detachable locator call cords with adjustable springs for easy access, a mesh pot call tool pouch, vertical storage pockets, 3 zip mesh pockets, mesh owl hooter locator pocket, 2 internal zip storage pockets, side mesh pocket, and even a mesh flashlight pocket. The Ol' Tom Time and Motion Easy-Rider Turkey Vest adds Magnattach silent-removal padded rear seat; acclaimed T-Beam back pad for incredible comfort, balance, and stability. The neoprene easy rider shoulder straps provide custom comfort and help eliminate neck and shoulder fatigue when you're on a mission. Get some blood in the blood-proof game bag. '

I just don't need any pockets except for one cargo pocket on my leg for a pot, the other cargo pocket for my lightweight gloves and sometimes headlight, and one front pants pocket for mouth call, the other for a striker and the keys to my truck. And one back pocket for my wallet. On long treks, I wear a fanny pack to hold snacks, water. Keeps my back uncovered.

My back sweats a lot more than it should, and I don't know if I could handle the extra layer on my back during the second half of the season. There may be a spartan vest that is mesh, has only 2 pockets, and still has a thin drop down butt cushion. That's probably what I need. Or a cheaper vest that I can cut off and remove all the extra pockets.
have you checked out the run and gun from knight and hale? Love mine and can barely tell it's there.


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Personally I run the Cabelas Tactical Tatr 2 vest and like it pretty well. I also carry a pack with me for my lunch, water and TP. Usually when I go out I try to stay until at least 2 or so. That being said I do carry a little bit more with me since I will be out for between 7 and 9 hours before I get back to my truck.
 

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