Am I the only one that prefers a vest?

[Sabot]

A couple of years ago, I adopted the idea of replacing my day pack with my pheasant vest for many situations. The vest is mostly orange. I love all of the pockets on the front, the large bird compartment is where my rain gear goes, and it has built in pockets for water bottles. Fully loaded I'm guessing she's about 7-10 Lbs, but I feel way less restricted than with a day pack an it's more comfortable.

I wear my binos on a chest strap and keep my gps and range finder in front pockets.

Obviously, there times when you need more capacity, but if I'm hiking in, I have to keep it light on my bad knees as much as possible.

Anybody else a vest guy? The turkey vests have even more capacity and pockets.

 

[roadhunter]

That actually sounds like a pretty neat idea for certain situations.

 

[smarandr]

I tried my bird vest once, but it fits very loose. So, running around the mountains, climbing over logs, and jumping over streams everything kept flopping around. In my daypack everything can be cinched down and it rides a lot nicer. But, if I had a vest that fit a lot tighter I'd be open to giving it another try.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

Basically what you are replicating is the way a soldier carries their load. Take a look at trying to find an army surplus MOLLE Vest and pouches. They would help you accomplish what you are looking for in a little more secure fashion.

 

[Frenchy]

I've big game hunted in my pheasant vest on more than a few occasions. Works pretty good for packing that first load out too when you have to. I've hauled a few quarters in mine. Not the most confortable way, but it gets it done in a pinch.

 

[JohnCushman]

Basically what you are replicating is the way a soldier carries their load. Take a look at trying to find an army surplus MOLLE Vest and pouches. They would help you accomplish what you are looking for in a little more secure fashion.
View attachment 40367

The 80's called and they want your TA-50 gear back

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

The 80's called and they want your TA-50 gear back

They can't have it. I still have my ALICE pack and woobee too.

The more I think about this you could probably attach some sort of lightweight load sling to the back of these vests too. Wheels turning...

 

[JohnCushman]

I use my alice pack to haul meat...lol

 

[WyOpitz]

I'm a vest guy, I can wear a down vest and be perfectly warm in Laramie on a 0 degree day. Thank god I don't live in Laramie anymore! I think my body can regulate its temperature better too while out hiking, at least I don't get as overheated.

 

[Sabot]

Basically what you are replicating is the way a soldier carries their load. Take a look at trying to find an army surplus MOLLE Vest and pouches. They would help you accomplish what you are looking for in a little more secure fashion.
View attachment 40367

This is exactly where my idea originated. Former Marine, and I always liked how balanced the LBV gear was. Canteens, mags, first aid kit, E tool, K Bar, mags, etc without the bulky pack throwing off your center of gravity.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I have to look back and try and find some pictures, but I remember my soldiers rigging up some sort of load sling for their vests that they used to carry radios, cans of mortar and MG ammo, etc in AFG. I think this would be slick for taking out deer/goat quarters. An elk quarter might be pushing it.