Rated 4 out of 5 by WhitefootLabd Functional & fits!
Pursuing wild quail in often steep, brushy terrain where footing can be extremely variable highlights this garment's superiority. It adjusts ala quality internal frame pack to optimize center of gravity for exceptional comfort. The "LONG" size especially praiseworthy for me (6'4" - 210 lbs) Plenty of room for necessary gear regardless of conditions. My loving wife Christmas gifted this to me 2012. I've used it on only four hunts and I'm bound to discover more about it. Shell box pockets work fine, readily surpassing shell loops. Water bottle holders are convenient which my black lab appreciates. However, I'm searching for a different hydration system to fit this vest's pocket. It must be left wide open to hold the one I have. Branches catch on the open pouch which collects debris. I have no use for the small removable pouches that fasten to the straps. As for the dog's e-collar transmitter, it lives in my jeans' tool pocket. This garment will surely outlast me. It's very well made from tough materials. The hydration system pocket is the sole shortcoming. So I'm withholding a fifth star.
February 27, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by SammyIamToday Comfortable, well built upland vest.
I've used this vest pack on several upland hunts now and I couldn't be happier with it. It comfortably stores a good quantity of water, a collapsible dog bowl, 2 extra boxes of shells (carry my wife's for her), a box of shells in the front pouches, 2 sets of choke tubes, earplugs, licenses/permits, snacks, and birds.
The shoulder straps and waist belt really help to distribute the weight of the vest and keep your comfortable for lots of all day walking.
The front shell pouches are easy to get into for reloading and they close automatically after you pull shells out.
The shoulder strap pouches are adjustable to move so you can more comfortably shoulder your shotgun. As a left handed person, this is a great feature.
After many miles of walking through prairie, briars, etc, the pack is holding up very well to brush and use.
November 27, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by CBBatt Great Hunting Vest
I purchased this product several weeks ago to use for the upcoming pheasant hunting season in MA. So far, I used it five times this season and it's worked out terriffic each time. Plenty of room for essential - bird knife, shot shells, first aid kit, etc..and non-essential - cell phone, electronics, water, dog treats, items. Doesn't weigh you down and distributes the extra weight really well, so you don't feel it two or three hours later. Hunting with our new dog is a breeze with this. I highly recommend this product!
November 10, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Wallman Great Addition to My Bean Hunting Gear
Look forward to use the Vest Pack in November in Maine woods. Very pleased with the pack and its design. It fits well and will accomodate all the necesseties I will need for a day long hunt in easy to reach locations. Having all your essental gear in the pack will make the morning early start a breez. With sefety in mind, the organge pack matches my warm Bean hunting jacket. Very pleased with the Vest and ready to test it out soon.
October 19, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by
DrOutdoors Used it today - first time - loved it.
Functionally this product is great. It fit me perfect (5'10" 240lbs), and was extremely comfortable. Plenty of space for water/ammo and I didn't even use the extra storage compartments in the back of the pack. I carried out 6 good sized pheasants and didn't even feel them with the waist belt. If I change my mind in the long run on this item I will post here, but so far this item is worth the $$ Good hunting!
October 17, 2012
Rated 2 out of 5 by Ohiobirdhunter Mens Upland Vest Pack
Pro's - Quality of overall build. Nice seams, durable construction.
Con's - Shell pockets are awful. They do not secure shells well at all. Everytime I bend over I lose shells.
This pack is advertised as hydration compatible. There is a pocket for a bladder but its a square pocket and I can't find a water bladder that fits.
October 11, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Falconer Upland Vest
I used this vest pack for the first time this weekend and I love it! The vest pack is comfortable and it fits well during long walks or in a crouching position. The quality is first rate and it has more than enough storage space for hunting accessories. At first, I didn't like the "Game Pouches" on the front of the vest, but once I was in the field they worked great. This is my favorite piece of hunting gear. A must have item!
September 9, 2012
Rated 1 out of 5 by fredUnder300lbs Is every hunter out there 300lbs. overwieght?
I have a 31" waist and the waist-belt of this pack is basically useless to me. I think it would only snug down starting at about a 34" waist. Do you mean to tell me that you guys can't cater to someone in that range? The expansion is massive for this waist-belt... so why not give us thinner guys a chance to be able to use you products??
That being said, I love the pack, but then again I haven't weighted it yet. I'm sure when I do I'll be ticked that all of the weight will be on my shoulders.
If anyone knows a company that doesn't just cater to the ++ sizes out there please let me know, I will gladly give them my business.
August 30, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by macabra11 ALMOST Perfect... just one major flaw
I love bird hunting and have tried many different types of bird vests. This is by far the closest to perfect as it gets! It is VERY sturdy and made of quality materials. I like the strap style, as it is much cooler to wear during these warm Idaho bird seasons. The storage space is incredible. I can easily fit enough ammo, food, emergency kit, dog gear, extra layers, etc. It fits wonderfully and adjusts with ease. I am 6'3" 255lbs and the Long version is perfect for me (I wear XLT shirts). The buckles are plastic, but are of good sturdy thickness, so no issues there. The zippers are as beefy as I've ever seen. The water bottle pouches fit Nalgene sized bottles perfectly, but if you have a skinnier water bottle (like a disposable water bottle), they will fall out if you bend over. The netted zipper pouch is really cool! I keep my gloves in there to dry them out if it was a wet hunt, and it does the job wonderfully.
Now for my couple little gripes...
I wish there were a couple clips/retainers for the excess waist belt material. When I put the vest on and cinch up the belt, the tag ends just kind of flop around and annoy me. A strip of velcro would secure the loose ends nicely after the belt is secure. Another thing that I would prefer is some sort of buckles/cinch straps on the bottom of the vest. With my other backpacks, this is there to secure a rolled up jacket or blanket etc to. But my BIGGEST gripe is the shell box pockets. They irritate me to no end! First, the shape of the flaps are not right. They don't do a good job of closing all around the "box" portion of the pocket, thus allowing shells to fall out when you bend over or take off the vest. It also allows all sorts of debris to collect in those shell box pockets (cheat grass, seeds, dust, moisture, sand). The other thing about them I hate is that they use a little piece of velcro to secure the pockets. I would have preferred a large magnet. Easier to operate with fabric gloves (always sticking to the velcro), quieter, and in my opinion, a better method of closure.
Overall, I don't know what I would do without this vest. I have had mine for 3 years now and haven't taken out any of my other vests since I got this one. It really is ALMOST perfect! (fix those pockets LL Bean!)
January 23, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by altaskibum overall good
Just finishing my first season in the field with this vest. Have hunted several long days carying 2 boxes of shells and gear for myself and dog. I hunt in maine for grouse and so the covers are thick! So far this pack has held up remarkably well. No signs of wear yet. The waistbelt does a fantastic job of distributing weight. After a long day afield I am always suprised how heavy it is when I take it off because I can hardly feel it on my back. The only issue I have is that the shoulder straps do interfere with gunmount and I haven't figured out how to consistantly accomadate for that yet. Also the ammo pouches are the perfect size for a box of shells but they don't close all that easily. Other than that a great product.
December 29, 2011
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