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VEST

ALPS OutdoorZ Upland Game Vest X

Hunter

Ashley Chance, Hunting Heritage Program Manager for PF & QF

SPECIES HUNTED IN VEST

Woodcock and Pheasants

COMFORT / FIT

This vest is so comfortable! I hunted in it while pregnant, and its extensive adjustability features meant that I could find comfort around the baby bump. I’ve had other vests sit too far down on my back and bump me uncomfortably with every step. I also appreciated that this vest did not inhibit my ability to raise my legs up while walking. That seems like a simple thing, but in the past I’ve had vests that blocked some of the space right above my thigh, causing me to bump into the pouches with every step, making navigating tough landscapes that much more arduous. I’m not saying that hunting should always feel like a walk in the park, but when you’re already hunting for two these small things are appreciated!

QUALITY / DURABILITY

The quality of the vest seems great but honestly after only one season in it I can’t speak definitively to its durability. I did take it through briars and doghair thick saplings and nothing broke or ripped, so there is that.

VERSATILITY / FUNCTIONALITY

The user-friendliness of this vest was great. I loved that the pocket/compartments could be moved around, and removed when not needed. There are plenty of hydration options, with a water bottle pocket and space for a hydration pouch. I really liked that the tops of the shell pouched were rigid, because nobody wants to be dealing with flapping fabric when birds are exploding around you and you need to reload quickly. Similarly, the way that the pouch lids connect to the pouches was a neat little system: really easy to open and securely close them without looking down, eliminating lost/dropped shells.

TOP 3 FEATURES

1. Adjustability – resulted in a very comfortable fit.
2. Weight – light.
3. Design of shell pouches – rigid tops with reliable locking mechanisms.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

I would have appreciated a small pouch dedicated to storing hearing protection somewhere on the front of the vest. I use electronic hearing protection (relatively expensive) and often forget where exactly in the truck (or God forbid on the tailgate) I left them. A secure spot to stash them immediately after taking them out (before I take my vest off) would help with this ever- present conundrum many upland hunters have.

HUNTING IN THE ALPS OutdoorZ UPLAND GAME VEST X

I hunted in this vest in Tennessee and Minnesota while pregnant with my second child. All these hunts took place alongside my husband with our springer spaniel leading us. Since our first child was born it has been rare for us to get out into the field together with no kid in tow. During our time in Minnesota chasing pheasants, our daughter stayed with my parents and it was so wonderful to be in the uplands together with our complete focus on birds. The lightweight nature of this vest and its incredible adjustability allowed me to stay comfortable in a wide range of conditions during a time when my physical stamina was not at its peak.

MSRP: $199.00

alpsoutdoorz.com

VEST

Final Rise Summit XT

Hunter

Andrew Vavra, Vice President of Marketing for PF & QF

SPECIES HUNTED IN VEST

Ruffed Grouse, Pheasants

COMFORT / FIT

I am 6’4” and weigh 190 pounds. One-size-fits-all approaches rarely work for me. Even vests sized M/L or L/XL Leave me feeling pinched in some areas and swimming in others. Luckily, Final Rise offers 5 distinct waist sizes and two torso lengths in the Summit XT System that allow for a fit that feels customized. I purchased a medium-sized belt and regular torso length vest, and with a few quick pulls on the five different adjustment straps this vest rode on my hips like a dream and alleviated most shoulder strain associated with carrying multiple water bottles, e-collar transmitter, first aid kit, and the occasional full game bag.

QUALITY / DURABILITY

Made of 1000D Cordura and hand- sewn in the U.S.A., this vest is extremely rugged and lives up to the expectations that come with a somewhat hefty price tag. Even the unforgiving grouse woods have yet to leave much of a mark, which is a welcome change from losing shells due to pockets ripping on previous vests I’ve owned.

VERSATILITY / FUNCTIONALITY

This vest’s quality is the foundation on which Final Rise is built, but the versatility is what really stands out. The MOLLE (a military term for Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment) webbing on the padded waste belt allows you to shift and swap out your shell/accessory pockets while also creating anchor points for an external rear bag pocket for your bird dog first aid kit (a must-have addition in my opinion). The two zippered pockets on the inside of the structured game bag are wide enough to fit 32-ounce water bottles; this vest can haul four water bottles and a water bladder system if you wish.

TOP 3 FEATURES

1. Overall capacity — deep pockets, sizeable gamebag, obscene amount of water storage.
2. Zippered pockets on the shell bags and within the gamebag.
3. Custom tailored yet adjustable fit.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

A couple nitpicks. I wish there was another shoulder harness attachment point for transmitters placed between the two that already exist (one feels too low, and the other too high). Removing the magnet shell bag closure would add a bit of peace-of-mind since a Velcro closure will stay shut better and not potentially interfere with compasses (yes, some grouse hunters still use compasses), and the GPS signal of tracking collar transmitters.

HUNTING IN THE FINAL RISE SUMMIT XT

After putting my hands on a Final Rise Summit Vest at the 2023 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, I knew pulling the trigger was the right call. I am a penny pincher, and wanted to be sure the investment was going to pay off. It did. From the Canadian border to central Iowa, I ranged far and wide in all of the conditions you’d expect to encounter from mid-September to early January ... and I still feel like I’ve barely broken it in. The deep pockets kept my shells where they belong, the zippers kept my keys and wallet safe, and ample water storage and accessory pockets kept my dog and me well hydrated ... all without a single frayed stitch or ripped piece of Cordura to be found. My only twinge of buyer’s remorse: Selecting the blaze/tan version instead of olive/tan, because this thing would also make a great turkey vest when paired with Final Rise’s turkey conversion kit. Now that’s a lot of bang for your buck.

MSRP: $350.00

finalrise.com

VEST

Hunt Redi Deviate Upland Vest

Hunter

Tom Carpenter, PF Editor

SPECIES HUNTED IN VEST

Pheasants, Sharptails, Prairie Chickens, Woodcock, Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite Quail, Hungarian Partridge, Doves

COMFORT / FIT

I wouldn’t be entering my fourth fall in the Hunt Redi Deviate Upland Vest if it didn’t fit me like a glove. As with any really good hunting vest, you fiddle with shoulder straps and belt to get it riding right and comfortable for your shoulders, length, waist and hips. The Hunt Redi is well designed for “adjusting” to your body and preferences. I even change things up as the season goes from T-shirt days for September sharptails to bundle-up days for January roosters.

QUALITY / DURABILITY

Three hunting seasons in, with that fourth one coming up, speak for themselves. This vest is still going strong. I hunt upland birds upwards of 50 days every fall and winter, every one of them in the Hunt-Redi vest. It shows some wear. What vest wouldn’t? I’m proud of the battle scars and frays ... but four seasons going and no retirement in sight? Come on.

VERSATILITY / FUNCTIONALITY

“Deviate” means to change, to adjust. Meet the prime feature of the Hunt Redi Vest: You can customize it to your in-the-field needs. Through a nifty MOLLE system (a military term for Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment) you can select pouches, pockets, holsters and other accessories, put them where you where you wish them on the Hunt-Redi, and design your own custom vest.

I set up mine as follows. The right and left back sides balance out with a holster each for water bottles. A shell pouch rides on my right hip, and a nice pouch for my cell phone (onX anyone?) on my left. Straps on back of the game bag carry an extra jacket or other clothes after shedding (or to put on). That’s it, save for the base system mentioned next.

TOP 3 FEATURES

1. The base system comes with a good, multipurpose zipper/ pouch system built on the back of the game bag. A dedicated pouch within carries our doggy-triage accessories.
2. Add in the adjustability and customization possibilities, you’ve got a vest to fit you and your hunting style.
3. On my previous vest, a person could barely shove-and-stuff one balled-up rooster in there. I had to take the vest off to even do it by myself! The Hunt Redi folks expect you to get some birds. That’s nice. I hate messing up birds.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

A little thing, but I find it hard to squeeze all twelve 12-gauge shells into the shell pouch. It takes some real maneuvering, squeezing and effort. The vest material is a little loud — skritching and scratching and making more noise than I would like against bluestem, cattail, plumbrush and tag alder — but then again, I have it worked over pretty good now (wink).

HUNTING IN THE HUNT-REDI DEVIATE VEST

Last season I stepped off on a mild September North Dakota morning for sharptails in my Hunt Redi, and slipped it off after one last, cold January rooster hunt in Iowa. The Hunt Redi Deviate Upland Vest is a tough, customizable and versatile upland hunting solution that was with me every step of the way. See if you can wear one out. I am still working on it.

MSRP: $250.00

huntredi.com

VEST

SCHEELS Outfitters Endeavor Upland Vest

Hunter

Andy Fondrick, Digital Marketing Coordinator for PF & QF

SPECIES HUNTED IN VEST

Pheasants, Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock, Sharptails

COMFORT / FIT

The weight-bearing system makes this vest comfortable in all conditions, especially with a full game pouch. Built like a big game backpack, the SCHEELS Outfitters Endeavor vest is fully adjustable to fit any body while carrying any gear you might need while chasing your favorite upland birds. Take plenty of time to tune up the fit before hitting the field.

QUALITY / DURABILITY

The Endeavor Vest is built to last. The material is high-quality and every detail is built with purpose in mind. After a season hunting a wide variety of conditions from early-season grouse in the warm woods to late-season pheasants on the frozen prairie, I know this vest can take on any terrain.

VERSATILITY / FUNCTIONALITY

Versatility and functionality are the two biggest assets of this vest system. While some vests in the upland space require you to buy each additional pocket, water bottle holder and other accessory, this vest comes with everything you need. The use of MOLLE (a military term for Modular Lightweight Load- Carrying Equipment) webbing to attach these accessories anywhere on the vest means it can be fully customized for any hunter and any style of bird hunting.

TOP 3 FEATURES

1. One of the best features on this vest is the game pouch itself. It can be flexed in and out, keeping a lower profile when empty but still providing enough room for a limit of even the biggest roosters.
2. The pouch features a waterproof zipper at the bottom to allow for easy cleaning.
3. The price point on this vest is outstanding. Retailing at $249.99, with all of the MOLLE webbing accessories included, makes this vest a perfect fit for your budget.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

The weight of this vest makes it a bit warm in early season situations. The only other con: The vest can be a bit bulky when working thick cattails or brushy grouse woods, but that can be alleviated by shedding extra pockets or water bottle holders.

HUNTING IN THE SCHEEL’S ENDEAVOR UPLAND VEST

Spending a fall with the Endeavor Vest on my back provided many great memories while following my black Lab Kona in search of upland birds. But one early-season weekend in the woods stands out in particular.

On a hunt in Minnesota’s grouse woods with my wife Kelsey, my two brothers and their two dogs, we pushed dozens of ruffed grouse and multiple groups of woodcock. My favorite flush of the season cameas Kona broke off from the group with a drive like I had rarely seen from him in the grouse woods. At that moment, a grouse sprung from the cover only a few feet in front of his nose. It was a smooth swing in the Endeavour Vest, allowing me to knock down my first grouse of the season. The goofy black Lab kicked off the season right and proved he might be turning into an all-around upland dog after all.

MSRP: $250.00

scheels.com

VEST

Chief Upland Over/Under Vest

Hunter

Matt Kucharski, Chairman of the PF & QF National Board of Directors

SPECIES HUNTED IN VEST

Sharptails, Huns, Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock, Pheasant, Quail: Mearns’, Gambel’s and Scaled

COMFORT / FIT

You literally configure the vest to your unique body shape and size, and the clothing you are wearing. Shoulder straps adjust vertically to ride high or low on your back, based on the load. Four horizontal straps across the stomach and chest assure there’s no unnecessary shifting. The MOLLE (a military term for Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment) system for pouches, bottle holders and other accessories means they’re always at just the right position and level.

QUALITY / DURABILITY

The workmanship of the vest is among the best I’ve seen – so much so that it “feels” heavy when it actually weighs less than other vests that I have in the closet. I’ve hunted some tough stuff, including our famous “Raspberry Swirl” grouse and woodcock honey hole, and never once saw stress on the fabric or stitching.

VERSATILITY / FUNCTIONALITY

Utilizing the MOLLE system, there is smorgasbord of options and configurations including: different shell pouches, water bottles holders and game bag clips; a gun rest; equipment D-rings; waterproof electronics holster; and more. For a trip to Arizona I added an aftermarket “javelina and rattler holster” for my pistol. There are 3 vest sizes — S/M, L/XL and 2XL+. And you can get different color configurations including earth tone (for sneaking up on those sharpies on the open prairie), various orange and pink versions for visibility and a new all-camo version for chasing gobblers.

TOP 3 FEATURES

1. Infinitely customizable – you literally design your own vest with CHIEF and aftermarket MOLLE accessories.
2. Durability and craftsmanship – you’re not going to rip this to shreds in heavy cover.
3. Customer support – knowledgeable, responsive and friendly folks ... you don’t just get a vest, you get a team behind it.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

I’ve owned a CHIEF vest for years and have seen firsthand the continuous improvements the company has made along the way. I will note that the game compartment takes some getting used to, but that’s by design. Plastic clips keep the compartment close to your body for a slimmer profile, but you need to release the clip to add a bird to the bag. If you’re hunting little bitty birds like quail and woodcock, you can re-attach the clips afterward, but you’ll leave it open – and likely adjust one of the straps across your belly – when your dog brings you back that late-season rooster.

HUNTING IN THE CHIEF OVER/UNDER VEST

To me, the perfect hunting vest should have a large magnetic-closure shell pouch 6 inches to the right of my navel and a waterproof zip closure shell pouch 7 inches to the left of my navel. I prefer two water bottles – the primary one at the 3 o’clock position and the backup a cinch-top at the 8 o’clock position, plus the ability to add a hydration system. I wouldn’t mind having an electronics pouch to protect my phone, and a pistol holster because, well, I hate snakes and the only pig I want near me is on a Cuban sandwich.

If that makes me a diva then so be it: The fine folks at CHIEF Upland have me covered! They’ve produced a system that allows me to have the exact vest I need for whatever hunting conditions I’m in.

MSRP: $197.00

chiefupland.com

VEST

Pyke Gear Wingman Pro B2 Upland Strap Vest

Hunter

Bob St.Pierre, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for PF & QF

SPECIES HUNTED IN VEST

Sharptails, Huns, Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Woodcock, Prairie Chickens, Pheasants, Quail: Bobwhite, Mearns, Scaled and Gambel’s

COMFORT / FIT

This isn’t your grandpa’s strap vest. It is a very comfortable hunting vest overall, anchored by comfortable straps that don’t get in the way of mounting a shotgun.

QUALITY / DURABILITY

Made from real rugged material, this vest stood up to the briars of the ruffed grouse woods, the cattails of the pheasant sloughs, and the catclaw of desert quail country.

VERSATILITY / FUNCTIONALITY

First, this is a choose-your-own- adventure style vest. It allows you to add a variety of customizable options in the form of water bottle holders, shell pouches or gear bags to fit your ideal vest assembly. Second, it is a high-tech hunting vest with minimalist sensibilities for the traveling bird hunter, especially those folks who might fly-in now and again to a hunting destination. If you’re looking for a high-quality hunting vest that’s extremely packable, I believe this one is your straight ticket.

TOP 3 FEATURES

1. This is a comfortable-fitting and rugged hunting vest that will last for years right out of the UPS box onto your shoulders.
2. As mentioned above, this is a great vest for air travel.
3. No lost shells: The pockets are deep enough, the lid closure is secure enough, and the pockets are also durable enough, that no shells were lost this season. I can’t say that about other strap vests I’ve used over the years.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

For the next generation of this vest, I’d love to see a D-ring added somewhere around the chest for hooking an e-collar receiver without interfering with gun mount. I was able to clip my e-collar lanyard to the cross-strap, but I prefer a more secure D-ring.

HUNTING IN THE PYKE WINGMAN PRO B2 UPLAND STRAP VEST

When I think about a movie that sums up the spirit of the Pyke Wingman Pro B2 Upland Strap Vest, Steven Spielberg’s 2002 classic Catch Me if You Can comes to mind. Leonardo DiCaprio plays the charismatic criminal Frank Abagnale Jr., who is unsuccessfully pursued across the country for decades by FBI agent Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks. If I were the Abagnale Jr. of bird hunting travelers, the Pyke Wingman Pro B2 Upland would be the strap vest I’d want in my duffel. I took the Wingman Pro B2 from border-to-border last season. Literally. I hunted ruffed grouse, woodcock and spruce grouse in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters along the Canadian border, and pursued scaled, Gambel’s, and Mearns’ quail along dusty Mexican borderlands. Whether it was -17 below zero or 80 degrees and sunny, the versatility of the Pyke Wingman Pro B2 Upland Strap Vest allowed for proper layering to fit the climate, cover and speedy getaways.

MSRP: $299.95

pykegear.com

VEST

Marsupial Upland Vest

Hunter

Douglas Spale, PF & QF National Board of Directors member

SPECIES HUNTED IN VEST

Prairie Chickens, Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock, Pheasants, Bobwhite Quail

COMFORT / FIT

This vest has a sturdy build and feels comfortable in all the right places. There is padding throughout the waist and back, along with multiple points of adjustment that help you perfect an ideal fit to your body style.

QUALITY / DURABILITY

I really liked seeing the U.S. Flag adorning various parts of the vest. The quality feels authentic, superior and high-grade, period. The stitching, zips and straps all are tough and durable, and function in all weather conditions.

VERSATILITY / FUNCTIONALITY

While there are more features to this vest than I could ever use, that is a good thing. I like all the adjustment points. Whether it is T-shirt weather in the early season for prairie grouse, hunting quail in the South or Midwest, or layering up in the late season for roosters, you can adjust and make sure the vest will always fit comfortably.

TOP 3 FEATURES

1. Ability to fine tune and adjust each part of the vest for ideal fit for any conditions (what you are wearing underneath) and occasion (what and where you are hunting).
2. Multiple ways to accessorize the vest including the water pouches with an elastic strap to keep the bottle locked down when moving through various terrain.
3. Large game pouch with plenty of room for birds and, something also important for me, enough room for carrying camera gear.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

While both durable and sturdy, the vest tends to build up heat and sweat in the early season on the back and waist areas. In addition, the build is a bit large for my preference, but the ability to customize the entire vest outweighs this personal setback, for me anyway.

HUNTING IN THE ALPS OutdoorZ UPLAND GAME VEST X

From the prairies of Alberta to the pines of Georgia and everywhere in between, the Marsupial Upland Vest served me well in our hunting endeavors.

This vest was durable and comfortable in the Northwoods, through the quail thickets, and out on the prairies. It was a seamless transition from each location, and I would regularly change the fit of the vest to suit the climate and my wardrobe of the day. While I carry as little as possible when hunting, I think this vest would be great for the person who spends all day afield, because of the storage capacity.

MSRP: $350.00

marsupialgear.com

VEST

Browning Bird N’ Lite 2.0 Strap Vest

Hunter

Jared Wiklund, Director of Communications for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

SPECIES HUNTED IN VEST

Pheasants, Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock, Sharptails

COMFORT / FIT

The Browning Bird’n Lite 2.0 Strap Vest features a weight distribution system that I really like, especially as a hunter who tends to leave the truck for several hours at a time to find hidden upland coverts that are hard to access. The vest has six different adjustability points on the chest, sides and waistband which makes it quite comfortable. The wide shoulder straps are an added touch to avoid stress/digging into the tops of shoulder blades.

QUALITY / DURABILITY

The 2.0 is certainly a step-up from the previous version of the Bird’n Lite Strap Vest. Although I did witness some fraying on the shell pockets, the heavy-duty polyester held its own in a season which featured early season hunting in September to downright nasty conditions in late January.

VERSATILITY / FUNCTIONALITY

The blood-proof gamebag is effective and avoids staining all of your upland gear — it’s also easy to wash out. The rucksack, water bottle holders (with tighteners) and oversized shell pockets are also nice to have for long trips. For upland hunters, carrying capacity for a vest comes at a premium when water, snack, and first-aid gear are in tow too. The gamebag and shell pockets each extend with snap closures. As a hunter who deploys his hunting gear much like his poker hand — tight to the vest —- it’s not a feature that I care for, so I use superglue throughout the season to keep them closed.

TOP 3 FEATURES

1. Very comfortable.
2. Quiet in the field – good for sneaking up on shy birds!
3. Economical price point.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Fraying: Two pockets had to be repaired with thicker thread.

Shell pockets: the over-sized pockets with snap closures often come undone and can lead to dropping shells when bending down or hopping a fence.

Storage: Would love to see more O-rings on front of vest for connecting other gear.

HUNTING IN THE BROWNING BIRD’N LITE 2.0 STRAP VEST

I am a ruffed grouse hunterat heart and always have been. The 2023-2024 ruffed grouse season in northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin was about as good as it gets for bird hunters, so I spent as much time as I could in 8- to 12-year-old popple from September through December. Going off trail and exploring on every trip, my gear is abused by the terrain, but this vest pulled through.

When grouse season winds down, ring-necked pheasants consume my late-season wanderings including two different trips to South Dakota and a lot of public lands hunting in Minnesota. Cattails and ice also wreak havoc on hunting gear, and particularly vests, which are your first line of defense.

I was impressed with the Browning Bird’n Lite 2.0 Strap Vest. It was a much better experience than the original vest (1.0). Upgraded materials and features withstand the rigors of upland landscapes. I don’t babymy hunting gear, and tend to walk through upland cover like a bison, stopping for nothing. The Bird’n Lite survived a full season of hunting and will be worn again in the season ahead.

MSRP: $157.99

browning.com