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It is hunting season for us Downunder and a couple of trips out with my old vest has told me I need something new. I haven't found any recent posts on vests so I hope I can get some advice from the board.

What has become clear with some online research is that folks in different parts of the States (let alone in different countries!) require different things from their upland gear. My needs are quite specific for a low volume, warm weather vest.

I don't carry much gear - one box of shells, water for me and the dog, something for us both to munch on and maybe a light windfleece strapped on the back if the weather looks changeable. I'm hunting quail and normally wouldn't be carrying any more than 6 (and that would be on my way back to the car!).

I'm chasing quail in warm winter weather - for me that is 55-odd degrees - often through heavy cover that is pretty hard on clothes, often up steep gullies that gets you puffing!

In summary I want something fairly small, something that is not hot to wear and that will stand up to a bit of abuse. What I've seen so far online that I like are:
1. Quilomene San Carlos vest
2. Orvis waxed cotton cloth strap vest
3. The Wingworks vest

If any of you have suggestions or comments they would be gratefully received.

Many thanks
Ross

Member Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 602 Location: western pa

Kiwi, You might want to check Filson strap vest also. Fred

Hi Ross

I have the WingsWorks vest and am very satisfied with it. It really puts the bulk of the weight you carry on your hips. Also the optional sternum strap really helps keep the shoulder straps where they should be since most of the weight is riding on your hips and not your shoulders. I've only had mine one season but it seems to be made of heavy duty material and expect to wear mine for a long time.

Rick

Member Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 110

Filson...

Ross: I'll second Fred's suggestion of a Filson Strap Vest (which will look really cool with his new 28g DHE Parker Cool

the thought of which has flared my covets something terrible despite it being the Lord's day and all Wink

)
Anyway-the nice thing about strap vests is that they are light weight, cool, can carry most of what's needed in the field, and they'll fit over about anything you're wearing-rain gear or heavier clothing if needed.

Please let us know what you decide, and how it works out.

I have one of these I'm gonna break in this year - solidly built vest that is more af a carry system than clothing proper.

Good luck and enjoy you season

OK - here's the link:
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=patridge-strap-vest-ii&categoryId=46732&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4280&cat4=2104&shop_method=pp&feat=4280-tn&np=Y

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 184 Location: Dover-Foxcroft, ME

Another vote for the Filson strap vest in cover cloth. They make a tin cloth model, but that one has a metal buckle. I've had my Filson well over 10 years now, and there are no holes or tears. Dirty, yes. In the same period of time I could wear out two synthetic material vests.

I heard they're now making the same vest in shelter cloth (?). That's a slightly heavier material. I might go with that when/if this one dies.

But cover cloth is the lightest weight material in their line.

Sam

I have used the same Filson vests for over 25 years. The strap vest is very handy, but I also like the Original Hunting Vest. Both are made from "tin cloth" and I don't find the metal buckle too much of a problem, but that may be because I carry the gun broke over my shoulder until the dog starts to show game.

If you put too much in the back pocket of the strap vests they tend to pull down in back. I hunt grouse so having too much in the back pocket is a problem I would like to have more often.

Very Happy

How about one of these:
http://www.mothertech.net/products_hunting.html
I haven't tried one, but I met the owner of the company. He seems pretty serious about his gear, and the stuff looks like it will stand up to some use. It's also primarily geared toward "active" hunting.

Can't go wrong with Filson or Orvis stuff either.

Hey Sprocket:

That patridge vest looks pretty cool, but what does the back look like????

Member Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 129 Location: Alabama

Sierra Trading Post has the Mother on sale:
$69.95

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4361,48817_Mother-Technical-Bird-Hunting-Pack-Hydration-Compatible.html

Member Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 371 Location: mpls mn

I have a filson pro guide strap vest I love it -it has a nice waist belt that distibutes the load off your shoulders and onto your legs like a backpack. Last season I halled 16 pheasants 2 miles back to the truck with it- among other features it has plastic buckels that will not damage you gun totally worth the 165.00 imo

Bustin' - it has an orange band at the top where the shoulder material is and the pouch is typical scalloping at the sides and a dumpy-butt looking bottom.

The pockets have enough room for lose shells but loops are there too - the rear pouch is roomy and it's all waxed cotton.

I'm on the road right now but will try to get a pic posted somehow when I get home.

Cheers

Guest

I have the Filson Pro-Guide and the Quilomene. Both are outstanding vests and do exactly what they were designed to do. I tend to use the Quilomene more than the Filson, mainly due to the weather I hunt in, the integral water bladder (Not for me, for my dog. He hates hunting in warm weather and it allows me to hose him down and give him a drink), and the lighter weight. Cold weather, the Filson is hard to beat. I doubt the Quilomene will last as long as the Filson, which will probably still be hanging somewhere 100 years from now. Their stuff is virtually indestructible! I have the original Filson, but hate metal buckles scratching my guns (there is enough other stuff doing that already....), so switched to the Pro-Guide that has no metal exposed.

I'm a Filson Guy,

I use the Filson Vest (Old model 30 or is it 32), and I use the strap vest. Both in tin cloth. They last forever and I can really control my temps with vests, jackets, shirts, thermal choices.

As to the metal buckle, I've never had a problem, And for 10yrs I hunted with a grade III superlight Browning OU, Glossy Stock and White receiver. I don't think I can find a ding associated with my buckle. But my guns are tools not collectors, "handling" marks, and usage marks are badges of honor. Maybe that is why I like hunting with my old Fox Sterlingworth. A yoemans gun for a common guy.

I've tried other vests, jackets, strap vests, etc. I keep going back to the filson. I wish they made the vest (or somebody did) in a non waxed cloth. Just an honest buttoned hunting vest. built to work, w/o shell loops! Any suggestions to me (About the vest!) would be appreciated. Good luck in your vest hunt.

Ash