Lighter vest or alternative....

[wkyhunter]

So this time of year has me thinking about my vests and/or maybe a lighter alternative.
My favorite vest is my old super elite 3, it's about wore out/faded out and its a full vest not a strap vest.It's fairly hot.
This spring I bought a strap vest from Midway. While I like the layout fairly well the vest is hotter than my old one.
I'm considering a bag instead of a vest as a next purchase.
So what are you using and how's it working for you?

 

[PalsPal]

I've never used a vest because I am extremely hot natured. I just use a game belt with game bags that I got from Walmart a few years ago. Works perfectly for me.

 

[scn]

I gave up my vest for this pack a couple of years ago and like my current system a lot better:

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product ... k?a=829199

The pack has some straps on top where you can strap down a raincoat or jacket if you need to. It is a lightweight pack, but has more room than you need. I'm using a gobbler lounger carried on a Claw Sling, and my current system is a lot cooler and more comfortable than a turkey vest.

At $25 for the pack, it doesn't break the bank, either.

 

[fairchaser]

I gave up my vest for this pack a couple of years ago and like my current system a lot better:

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product ... k?a=829199

The pack has some straps on top where you can strap down a raincoat or jacket if you need to. It is a lightweight pack, but has more room than you need. I'm using a gobbler lounger carried on a Claw Sling, and my current system is a lot cooler and more comfortable than a turkey vest.

At $25 for the pack, it doesn't break the bank, either.

Very nice recommendation scn!

 

[catman529]

I'd get a waist pack if anything but I usually don't have any pack at all just pockets in my pants


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[Roost 1]

I'm gonna let whiskey answer this one....

 

[whiskey]

Ignore the nay-sayer and jump on the Turkey Purse bandwagon! There are a couple of options out there. I am using the Tom Teasers bag this year and it's convinced me I never need another vest. It's lighter, can be kept dry under my rain coat, and carries everything I've needed this season. I added a couple upgrades, and have plans for more alterations after season, but I love the turkey purse concept.

Moving to a lightweight gun and bag have made the season a lot more enjoyable for me. Here are a few pics of the bag.

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[Setterman]

I'm not opposed to the purse or fanny pack but I have to wear a vest due to the distances I am from the truck. A large game bag that holds a bird and a supportive enough pack to handle the weight is a must for me. Cabelas tactical tatr 2 does great but is hot on days like the last few. However naked is still hot when it's 90 in the woods

 

[2in1shot]

Setterman is right. Only reason to wear a vest is to carry a turkey out. There is nothing worse than carrying a turkey 2-3 miles back to the truck. Even a mile can be pretty tough. If I could drive to where I hunt, I wouldnt ever wear a vest. I am a minimalist when I can be.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

I like my tactical tater 2 with kickstand. I've contemplated putting my vest up and just carrying gun, trumpet, box call. The seat is what keep a me toting it I have to have a comfy seat

 

[Andy S.]

Only reason to wear a vest is to carry a turkey out.

I still wear a vest from time to time, especially early season, but it has been years since I packed a turkey out in the back of it. If I have a long haul out, which happens from time to time, my turkey tote is invaluable. I have provided a link to a gentleman in Maryland who makes them. Furthermore, he's an avid turkey hunter and he packs out several every spring. I say that because I would rather purchase a tried and true product from someone who uses their product, versus someone who does not.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/514433433/ ... oCzhTw_wcB

 

[Boll Weevil]

I don't carry alot of stuff so got an Ol'Tom Essentials a few years ago. Light, cool, enough pockets for me, and a nice flip down cushion for me'bum. Only complaint is the magnets holding the cushion in the up position could be a bit stronger but other than that, it's been a great addition.

 

[Tennessee Lead]

I've used the Ol Tom Essentials for several years. It's great and light.
I switched to a full style vest this year in the Super Elite 2. I like the layout of it but it's falling apart and started on the 2nd hunt. I'm having to do some repair stitching and need to replace a broken zipper.
I've since switched back to my Ol Tom Essentials to finish the year out.
I wouldn't mind getting a Brossie bag at some point.



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[TN Larry]

Only reason to wear a vest is to carry a turkey out.

I still wear a vest from time to time, especially early season, but it has been years since I packed a turkey out in the back of it. If I have a long haul out, which happens from time to time, my turkey tote is invaluable. I have provided a link to a gentleman in Maryland who makes them. Furthermore, he's an avid turkey hunter and he packs out several every spring. I say that because I would rather purchase a tried and true product from someone who uses their product, versus someone who does not.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/514433433/ ... oCzhTw_wcB

Thanks Andy! I have been looking for something like this and just placed an order. He is listed on ebay as well under pcough76 or at least I am pretty sure it is the same seller.

 

[TN Larry]

I switched to a Cabelas minimalist vest this year and liked it when I got to use it. I don't carry a lot of stuff in the woods but just like to be able to grab my vest and go without worrying about forgetting something. I am good heading to the woods with loaded gun, a mouth call, face mask, and gloves. I don't carry a whole lot extra in my vest as a mouth call is what I always start with. I think that this year my vest consisted of 4 mouth calls, Dawkins Aluminum pot call, Crystal Mistress pot call, 3 strikers, Primos pot call conditioner, face mask, gloves, and a couple extra shells.

 

[TLRanger]

I don't like to wear a vest......I use a belt pack/fanny pack/waist pack or whatever you call them.......On carrying a turkey out on a long hike, I use a mesh laundry bag with a shoulder strap......It only weighs a few ounces and when you put a turkey inside it, the wings don't flop around and all the weight is on your shoulder strap. Works great for me. :tu:

 

[Setterman]

As cool as that tote is it would wreck your shoulders in this area. A long walk is one thing but a long walk and giant mountains change the dynamics

 

[PalsPal]

I don't like to wear a vest......I use a belt pack/fanny pack/waist pack or whatever you call them.......On carrying a turkey out on a long hike, I use a mesh laundry bag with a shoulder strap......It only weighs a few ounces and when you put a turkey inside it, the wings don't flop around and all the weight is on your shoulder strap. Works great for me. :tu:

Bingo. I found a orange colored mesh turkey carry bag several years ago and have it stuffed in one of my pockets. This one has the two shoulder straps, and another strap that comes across your chest and you can tighten to keep the bird/bag from beating against your bag as you walk. I keep a plastic Walmart bag in there to cover the head to minimize the blood. I've probably used this system for 25 years.

 

[Andy S.]

As cool as that tote is it would wreck your shoulders in this area.

It can be done with 18-21 pound birds, I've managed a few times in the Ozarks. With that said, shoulder switching is a must for me on a lot of the long walks to the truck. If I could design/build a tote, I would get the load bearing portion twice as wide and maybe cushion it to some degree. But as with all things, at what point does it become more of a burden than it's worth when the goal is to go lightweight as possible, and your turkey tote, that you occasionally use, weighs 1+ pounds. I do like the mesh laundry bag idea, that is thinking out of the box and simple enough, yet very effective.

 

[muddyboots]

I use a scent blocker vest. I don't know why scentlok makes a vest but they do and it was the lightest and coolest I could find. I would love to try the purses but I hate spend what they cost and not like it. I love that seat hanging behind me at all times. As far as carrying a turkey my wife got me a thing that goes around the head and feet of the turkey and you carry it on ur shoulder. I would not sell it for anything.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

As cool as that tote is it would wreck your shoulders in this area.

It can be done with 18-21 pound birds, I've managed a few times in the Ozarks. With that said, shoulder switching is a must for me on a lot of the long walks to the truck. If I could design/build a tote, I would get the load bearing portion twice as wide and maybe cushion it to some degree. But as with all things, at what point does it become more of a burden than it's worth when the goal is to go lightweight as possible, and your turkey tote, that you occasionally use, weighs 1+ pounds. I do like the mesh laundry bag idea, that is thinking out of the box and simple enough, yet very effective.

http://www.realavid.com/turkey-sling.html

This thing is the stugg

 

[wkyhunter]

Thanks for all the replies!!
Lots to think about!

 

[whiskey]

When I switched to the turkey purse, I switched from a cushion to a turkey lounger. Let's me sit a lot longer in comfort. Old knees and old back are happy for the change.

If I had to hunt 2-3 miles from the truck, I'd probably want a vest too.


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[FARMTOFIELD]

When I switched to the turkey purse, I switched from a cushion to a turkey lounger. Let's me sit a lot longer in comfort. Old knees and old back are happy for the change.

If I had to hunt 2-3 miles from the truck, I'd probably want a vest too.


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I love the idea of the lounger, but I've yet to find a way to comfortably pack it in. Some days I may be 2-3 miles from the truck

 

[whiskey]

When I switched to the turkey purse, I switched from a cushion to a turkey lounger. Let's me sit a lot longer in comfort. Old knees and old back are happy for the change.

If I had to hunt 2-3 miles from the truck, I'd probably want a vest too.


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I love the idea of the lounger, but I've yet to find a way to comfortably pack it in. Some days I may be 2-3 miles from the truck

I have the cabelas model and I added a claw sling and a compression strap to pull everything tight so it wouldn't rattle.


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[TheLBLman]

I love the idea of the lounger, but I've yet to find a way to comfortably pack it in.

I have the cabelas model and I added a claw sling and a compression strap to pull everything tight so it wouldn't rattle.

I've also been doing this for years with the Cabela's "turkey lounger".
It's the most comfortable "seat" I've used.

My big complaint with the turkey lounger is its weight:
No reason they couldn't have made this from aluminum instead of steel.

 

[Tennessee Lead]

When I switched to the turkey purse, I switched from a cushion to a turkey lounger. Let's me sit a lot longer in comfort. Old knees and old back are happy for the change.

If I had to hunt 2-3 miles from the truck, I'd probably want a vest too.


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I love the idea of the lounger, but I've yet to find a way to comfortably pack it in. Some days I may be 2-3 miles from the truck

I took a set of Summit viper backpack straps and attached to mine
It carries like a pack now


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[TheLBLman]

I took a set of Summit viper backpack straps and attached to mine
It carries like a pack now

That would work well.

One thing I want is the ability to quickly (and quietly) deploy the lounger, then be able to quickly pick it up and move on. For this, I've found a single strap works best.

When I'm planning to walk longer distances, especially pre-dawn, the best way I've found for carrying is to simply place it vertically in my turkey vest back-pouch, snapping the two upper vest straps onto either side the lounger. This keeps it very tight against my back, vertical, easiest way I've found to carry, as the weight is born by the heavily padded & wide straps of my turkey vest. It's just not as quick to deploy, or put back this way.
And "this way" certainly isn't an option when that particular vest isn't worn.

Others have mentioned the Cabela's "kick-stand" feature on the vest I'm using. It's redeeming feature is light weight.
But it doesn't even approach the comfort level of the turkey "lounger".
Also, deploying or putting back that kick-stand takes me just as long as doing same with the lounger.
I leave the kick stand OFF my vest most of the time because it cannot be on the vest while sitting in the lounger.

 

[TheLBLman]

However, best "lightweight" solution I've found to a "lightweight" vest is that Cabela's "kick-stand" vest,
since it eliminates the need for the heavy lounger, simply cutting the weight of the seat rather than the vest.
But if it's really hot weather, I plan to walk more than sit, I just use my pockets and/or a fanny pack
---- then typically end up sitting more and being pissed I didn't take something comfortable to sit on. :D

 

[Shooter77]

I've used the Ol Tom Essentials for several years. It's great and light. I switched to a full style vest this year in the Super Elite 2. I like the layout of it but it's falling apart and started on the 2nd hunt. I'm having to do some repair stitching and need to replace a broken zipper. I've since switched back to my Ol Tom Essentials to finish the year out. I wouldn't mind getting a Brossie bag at some point.

I've got a Super Elite 3 that I've used for 7 years. Great vest but it's wearing out some. I bought one of the new elite 2 from Mossy Oak in Greenleaf last year before season started. Love the layout and pockets except it's missing the shell holder that 3 has. Used it 3 times last season then this year opening day I've had the same problems you had Tennessee Lead. My zipper that the pocket I keep shells in broke when I tried to open it on opening day and I only had 2 shells in my gun case. thought I would be ok, ended up missing both times at a bird. The 3rd shell would have been great as it walks by me at 6 yards...lol Very disappointed in the quality.