Vest/jacket preference

[Bmcox86]

Which ones do you prefer? I just returned a cabelas lite and load and a cabelas quick shooter vest yesterday. The lite and load just seemed cheap for what I paid and didn't hold much, the vest wasn't front loading so it made putting birds in horrible.

I have a Columbia ptarmigan 1 jacket that's pretty nice, holds the dogs water, holds birds well and shells don't fall out when I bend over. It's just a little warm for the early season.

Ordered a beretta vest yesterday and hoping that fits a need, also looking at the llbean vest, the mother lode and would like the tenzing if it came in orange.

What's everyone else using? Likes and dislikes?

[GrampasGuns]

Www.wingworks.biz, hands down the best upland vest available. I'll never go back.

[Stilly bay]

Random thoughts....
I like the wing works but its a bit much for quick pheasant release site hunts. and not enough blaze.

I mainly use a filson strap vest. I like all the features but HATE the waxed cotton.

I want to get away from waxed cotton, I hate that chit, but everything else is so flimsy looking.

cabelas seems to have taken a real nose dive in quality recently, many of their bird vests look more suitable for people that think they know how to fly fish.

I don't care for quilomenes, all that velcro is joke.

the LLbean vest looks promising.. but waxed cotton again.

I just want a durable, lightweight, breathable early season vest and I am striking out  does one exist?

Let me know about the beretta, I was looking at them online today.

[thinkingman]

I got a Bucks Bag strap vest a couple of years ago and love it.
The strap allows air circulation during warmer hunts and you can layer whatever you want under it for more warmth.
The belt really carries the load (like I really fill it with roosters!) and there is very little weight on your neck and shoulders.
It came with a hydration system, too.
Bmcox, let me know if you want to check it out.

[thinkingman]

These guys are great to deal with....http://www.uplanders.com/bucks-bags-upland-vest/

[deltaops]

Must be nice to afford those! I will stick to using my pockets and a gunny sack or game bag! 

[merkelman]

I love my mother tech packs!  They are no longer made, but llbean copied their design. Check out the upland technical pack. I just received my second one yesterday with some improvements over the prior. All the load is distributed properly and has tons of useable space especially if you hunt wild birds and generally don't see your truck for at least 4-7 hours. Hands down the only way to hunt chukar as i put a 3 liter bladder in it and can comfortably hold lunch, snacks, and enough shells for a long hunt.

This is also a better way to layer for the elements. If it is freezing in the morning I can wear a light  jacket and remove as the day warms up and store it.

[merkelman]

Which ones do you prefer? I just returned a cabelas lite and load and a cabelas quick shooter vest yesterday. The lite and load just seemed cheap for what I paid and didn't hold much, the vest wasn't front loading so it made putting birds in horrible.

I have a Columbia ptarmigan 1 jacket that's pretty nice, holds the dogs water, holds birds well and shells don't fall out when I bend over. It's just a little warm for the early season.

Ordered a beretta vest yesterday and hoping that fits a need, also looking at the llbean vest, the mother lode and would like the tenzing if it came in orange.

What's everyone else using? Likes and dislikes?

sent you a pm. Give me a call.

[Forks]

Thanks merkelman for the input. I had looked at that one but couldn't tell if it was bladder capable. Can you remove the silly pouches on the shoulder straps? Do you find your shells falling out of the pockets when you bend over?

[merkelman]

The new one is much better as far as the pouches are concerned. I never noticed shells falling out of my older one. But I never really bend over that far. Not to brag, but I also only carry about 15 shells with me as i have been shooting moving targets since I was 8 years old. I generally hit what I shoot at. The mother tech pouches are still the best , but the new design is better. Yes the shoulder pouches are removeable. Solid new design. Buy it. Good quality!  PM me for more...

[jackson7]

I use the wingworks vest when I am out for hours or all day. great vest.
for short trips I prefer the filson tin cloth shooting bag. Good luck.

[Hill]

I'm with Merkelman,  I have or have used most of the above vest talked about and they all have some great things about them.  My go to for the last few years has been the LLbean style he is talking about it will carry enough water/shells/and snacks for a full day hunt.  This being said 99% of my bird hunting is done on the chukar hills so most of the time I'm hunting for 4-6 hours or until the dogs or I cry for mercy but they are as stubborn as me

[bracer40]

I've loved my Mother's vest I've been using for the past few years. Comfortable loaded up with lunch, water, birds and shells. Hip strap takes distributes some of the weight away from my shoulders. It's a rear loader with a mesh pocket and a game bag (either will hold game). My only beef are the two pockets are a little small.

Oh and I don't get to wear it nearly as often as I'd like to.

[thinkingman]

I've loved my Mother's vest I've been using for the past few years. Comfortable loaded up with lunch, water, birds and shells. Hip strap takes distributes some of the weight away from my shoulders. It's a rear loader with a mesh pocket and a game bag (either will hold game). My only beef are the two pockets are a little small.

Oh and I don't get to wear it nearly as often as I'd like to.

I think Mothers is out of business.

[merkelman]

Noted earlier in the sting.  Marty Grabajas closed it down due to others infringing on his patents!

[AspenBud]

Random thoughts....
I like the wing works but its a bit much for quick pheasant release site hunts. and not enough blaze.

I mainly use a filson strap vest. I like all the features but HATE the waxed cotton.

I want to get away from waxed cotton, I hate that chit, but everything else is so flimsy looking.

cabelas seems to have taken a real nose dive in quality recently, many of their bird vests look more suitable for people that think they know how to fly fish.

I don't care for quilomenes, all that velcro is joke.

the LLbean vest looks promising.. but waxed cotton again.

I just want a durable, lightweight, breathable early season vest and I am striking out  does one exist?

Let me know about the beretta, I was looking at them online today.

The wingworks is great if you need to carry a lot of water and want a vest that won't shred easily. I love mine, but I've found myself going to my older Cabela's Dog Vest (not the new style) this season. I like lots of pockets and hooks and to be honest I hate carrying shells loose or in a box so the shell loops in the pockets are a plus too imo.

I also find that I like going lighter as time goes on. Need to be nimble to keep up with the track athletes.

[ribka]

I love my mother tech packs!  They are no longer made, but llbean copied their design. Check out the upland technical pack. I just received my second one yesterday with some improvements over the prior. All the load is distributed properly and has tons of useable space especially if you hunt wild birds and generally don't see your truck for at least 4-7 hours. Hands down the only way to hunt chukar as i put a 3 liter bladder in it and can comfortably hold lunch, snacks, and enough shells for a long hunt.

This is also a better way to layer for the elements. If it is freezing in the morning I can wear a light  jacket and remove as the day warms up and store it.

,
X2 on the mothers vest

[merkelman]

I love my mother tech packs!  They are no longer made, but llbean copied their design. Check out the upland technical pack. I just received my second one yesterday with some improvements over the prior. All the load is distributed properly and has tons of useable space especially if you hunt wild birds and generally don't see your truck for at least 4-7 hours. Hands down the only way to hunt chukar as i put a 3 liter bladder in it and can comfortably hold lunch, snacks, and enough shells for a long hunt.

This is also a better way to layer for the elements. If it is freezing in the morning I can wear a light  jacket and remove as the day warms up and store it.

,
X2 on the mothers vest

bring back the vest. Bring back the vest!

[bracer40]

We've covered vests pretty well so far. How about jackets? I was looking online at the Cabela offerings and thought the 8-1 had some promise. I like the ability to go from temps in the 20's to the 50's while not freezing or sweating my arse off.
So many of the upland jackets I've looked at would too warm for many of the hunts I do in E. WA (after things warm up in first few hours).

[Bmcox86]

Columbia ptarmigan jacket is excellent, vent-able, front loading pockets, water pockets in the back for the dogs water that keeps it secure. I have the first edition and am more than happy with it, I tired the 8 in 1 on at cabelas and was not impressed at all. Gimmicky

[merkelman]

We've covered vests pretty well so far. How about jackets? I was looking online at the Cabela offerings and thought the 8-1 had some promise. I like the ability to go from temps in the 20's to the 50's while not freezing or sweating my arse off.
So many of the upland jackets I've looked at would too warm for many of the hunts I do in E. WA (after things warm up in first few hours).

thats the beauty of the upland technical packs. You wear whatever layering you already have. Why buy another jacket. The pack goes over any jacket or laying you wear then shed off as you warn up. You have a pack that will hold both birds and layering. I have hunted in weather the likes of the teens with a simple under armor shirt, fleece and my pack. If I start sweating or getting too hot I remove the fleece and pack it if necessary. Having hunted wild birds for over 30 years and in all temps ranging from 100-single digits the packs are the only way to go. Jackets are too bulky and heavy.

[merkelman]

Columbia ptarmigan jacket is excellent, vent-able, front loading pockets, water pockets in the back for the dogs water that keeps it secure. I have the first edition and am more than happy with it, I tired the 8 in 1 on at cabelas and was not impressed at all. Gimmicky

But don't gimmicks sell, lol!

[huntingfool7]

+++ on the Mothers vests  I have two of them.  Mothers closed their doors when the big distributers copied their design.  Also really like my Pineo, it's very well built with lots of room. 
https://www.pineofalconry.com/product/dog-training-and-wing-shooter-vest/

[merkelman]

+++ on the Mothers vests  I have two of them.  Mothers closed their doors when the big distributers copied their design.  Also really like my Pineo, it's very well built with lots of room. 
https://www.pineofalconry.com/product/dog-training-and-wing-shooter-vest/

yep!  Marty got tired of filing law suits for patent infringements.   Maybe a bunch of us forum guys can get it going again!  Believe me I have thought about it. The company was based in GIG HARBOR WA.

[Blackjaw]

The Pineo Vests are nice. A lot of the people in my training group wear them (I am one of the few hold outs).

[JBar]

If anyone is interested I think I have a couple Mothers vests that I don't use and am willing to sell. If youre interested shoot me a PM and I'll see what size they are when I get home.

[merkelman]

If anyone is interested I think I have a couple Mothers vests that I don't use and am willing to sell. If youre interested shoot me a PM and I'll see what size they are when I get home.

PM SENT

[Stilly bay]

Also really like my Pineo, it's very well built with lots of room. 
https://www.pineofalconry.com/product/dog-training-and-wing-shooter-vest/

That pineo vest might be just what I am looking for.

[scottr]

I have a Pella Bird-n Lite vest that is nice but sometimes can be a little warm.

http://www.pellaproducts.com/list_products/

Last weekend I used my Filson Strap Vest for the first time. It is  light weight and keeps me cool but doesn't carry much. Works well for hunting coverts out of the truck but would not be a good all day choice.

The Wing Works are bad ass and worth the money. This would be my choice if I was investing in a do-all vest.

As for jackets, I rarely wear a hunting coat unless it is really cold and/or snowing. Otherwise I layer under my vest with a windstopper jacket or light shell.

[merkelman]

I have a Pella Bird-n Lite vest that is nice but sometimes can be a little warm.

http://www.pellaproducts.com/list_products/

Last weekend I used my Filson Strap Vest for the first time. It is  light weight and keeps me cool but doesn't carry much. Works well for hunting coverts out of the truck but would not be a good all day choice.

The Wing Works are bad ass and worth the money. This would be my choice if I was investing in a do-all vest.

As for jackets, I rarely wear a hunting coat unless it is really cold and/or snowing. Otherwise I layer under my vest with a windstopper jacket or light shell.

water bottles in layme spot don't you think!

[scottr]

I have a Pella Bird-n Lite vest that is nice but sometimes can be a little warm.

http://www.pellaproducts.com/list_products/

Last weekend I used my Filson Strap Vest for the first time. It is  light weight and keeps me cool but doesn't carry much. Works well for hunting coverts out of the truck but would not be a good all day choice.

The Wing Works are bad ass and worth the money. This would be my choice if I was investing in a do-all vest.

As for jackets, I rarely wear a hunting coat unless it is really cold and/or snowing. Otherwise I layer under my vest with a windstopper jacket or light shell.

water bottles in layme spot don't you think!

Which one has lame water bottle placement?

The Wing Works seems fine when you see someone wearing it.

[scottr]

double post

[merkelman]

I have a Pella Bird-n Lite vest that is nice but sometimes can be a little warm.

http://www.pellaproducts.com/list_products/

Last weekend I used my Filson Strap Vest for the first time. It is  light weight and keeps me cool but doesn't carry much. Works well for hunting coverts out of the truck but would not be a good all day choice.

The Wing Works are bad ass and worth the money. This would be my choice if I was investing in a do-all vest.

As for jackets, I rarely wear a hunting coat unless it is really cold and/or snowing. Otherwise I layer under my vest with a windstopper jacket or light shell.

water bottles in layme spot don't you think!

Which one has lame water bottle placement?

The Wing Works seems fine when you see someone wearing it.

that looks good! I saw a guy with one of those vests but looks lik he had bottles in the front.

[aaronoto]

water bottles in layme spot don't you think!

The way the Pella fits me it is - too high and too far back. 

[Bmcox86]

I now have a llbean, mothers, Columbia jacket and got my beretta vest in the mail today, plan to do a test of each of them and do a write up, if anyone has a suggestion let me know, I plan on testing the amount of weight they can hold, ease of water access for the dogs, doing a handstand with shells in the shell pockets and seeing how well they stay put among others, should be done by christmas