In Need of Field Testers for Hunter Orange Vest

[kevinlisa06]

Haven't worn a orange vest in years. Sorry not much help from me. But i have worn them in the past and most were garbage, good luck to ya.


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[Stickerbush]

Just got mine, looks good so far. I'll send in my review soon, first thoughts is that its quality stitching for sure. And I like that the fit is stretchy

[Karl Blanchard]

I think your on to something here!  I have NEVER had a vest that I liked!  They always fit like crap!  The sides are open and get twisted up and bunched up, etc.  I was actually just talking to my mom about sewing me the perfect vest (she is a pro seamstress). Here is what I wanted:

-lightweight poly pro but not mesh
-closed up on the sides
-zipper or snaps for the front
-zips or snaps up to at least sternum adding more material so a smaller guys vest can meet legal requirements, that way the gamies in CO will stop giving a guy grief
-MADE IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-did I mention MADE IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would pay north of $20 bucks for a vest like this without batting an eye!  Keep us all posted when when your vests become available, I will buy multiples.  FWIW, I have cheapo Bi-mart vests and yoursdont appear to be that, good work!

[Tbar]

I got one from whuppinstick yesterday.  I will give a quick review.  It is incredibly lightweight, I think backcountry guys will really appreciate this (although for weight the velcro might go). The fit was excellent I was wearing a medium rivers sweats coat (I'm a large but this coat is usually a layer). The vest fit like a glove and want cumbersome in the least.  I continuously switched sides with my rifle as I know many past vests catch the action, I could not get the bolt caught on the vest. As for disability, again I was impressed, other than one blackberry snag (which left a small bunching of the poly pro and a thread loop on the bottom edge), it was no worse for wear.  I was traversing the usual Westside jungle that is the norm. 
       The only thing I would think of changing, and that would be purely situational,  is the velcro closure.  The closure on this vest is very robust (as stated).  For daily hunts I feel it's an excellent design.  I am not a huge fan of velcro as it is guaranteed to fail eventually, but for lack of a better option, think it's the best fit for this product.  If I'm backpacking into the wilderness I would suggest an option with no closure at all (when shaving ounces). The fit and material would probably suffice as it seems to cling (which I really like) to your outer garment.
     Although this was a VERY limited test, 5 hours afield and about 10 miles,  I am impressed so far. I will give a final review after more punishing tests.  I've attached a couple pics to give an idea of terrain and weather conditions (it was nasty yesterday).

[baker5150]

In my experience, Velcro doesn't last in the field on an outer garment. Anything worn that is a mesh will get caught on brush/brambles. I have a 50/50cotton/poly/camo vest that is quite worn out. The elastic on the sides is tied in a knot and I've removed the Velcro front and sewn in two lengths of parachute cord to tie it closed. I have some 25 hunting seasons on this garment.

-Steve

Thanks for your thoughts, Steve!  I am still open to ideas on the Velcro closure on the front, but I would lean towards it being simple and able to be handled with gloves rather than something that needs to be tied.  Maybe I will allow special orders for those who prefer a tie?
And I agree that mesh can get caught on brush.  I actually purposely did an eight-mile canyon walk in Utah this fall with my vest to see what kind of damage I could make.  I did get one small hole during an especially strong plow through the brush, but it held up surprisingly well considering.  BUT, my hope after I get this mesh vest off the ground is to produce a softshell vest in the future.  That would probably be a better option for heavy brush hunters.

I would agree that Velcro is a weak link. 

I have tested a lot of backcountry ski/snowboard gear for a local company, and they switched all their Velcro stuff to magnets.

It works great,  two small magnets built into the garment that are reasonably high powered.   Easy on and off and quiet as can be.  Velcro was useless once it got full of snow or small bits of debris like moss and lycan, and loud.  Don't need to hear that rip of Velcro while in a tree stand.

[GurrCentral]

Received mine as well and I am impressed with the initial inspection. Looking forward to seeing how durable it is, but it seems to be fairly durable and doesn't easily rip. (the one thing I would be concerned with mesh) I think the magnet closure is a fantastic suggestion!

[Tbar]

Magnets would be a great sub for velcro and allow for gloved use.

[whuppinstick]

I would agree that Velcro is a weak link. 

I have tested a lot of backcountry ski/snowboard gear for a local company, and they switched all their Velcro stuff to magnets.

It works great,  two small magnets built into the garment that are reasonably high powered.   Easy on and off and quiet as can be.  Velcro was useless once it got full of snow or small bits of debris like moss and lycan, and loud.  Don't need to hear that rip of Velcro while in a tree stand.

Thanks for your thoughts, baker5150!  The magnet idea is a very interesting one.  I have seen that on bino harnesses but not yet clothing.  I will check with my supplier and see if we can do it!

[whuppinstick]

I think your on to something here!  I have NEVER had a vest that I liked!  They always fit like crap!  The sides are open and get twisted up and bunched up, etc.  I was actually just talking to my mom about sewing me the perfect vest (she is a pro seamstress). Here is what I wanted:

-lightweight poly pro but not mesh
-closed up on the sides
-zipper or snaps for the front
-zips or snaps up to at least sternum adding more material so a smaller guys vest can meet legal requirements, that way the gamies in CO will stop giving a guy grief
-MADE IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-did I mention MADE IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would pay north of $20 bucks for a vest like this without batting an eye!  Keep us all posted when when your vests become available, I will buy multiples.  FWIW, I have cheapo Bi-mart vests and yoursdont appear to be that, good work!

Your thoughts are noted, BLRman!  I don't think I am creating magic here, just trying to put a little effort into it and get something that complements all the expensive clothing we're buying these days.  Most of the vests I have seen are either junk or way too much vest (and made of materials that are not good when wet).

I am looking into doing a non-mesh version as soon as I get the mesh one sorted out.  I may do something stretchy like spandex (but not spandex)?  I do also want to do some softshell material at some point.

Can I ask why you prefer a zipper or snaps for the front? Or is it just a dislike for Velcro?  I have an aversion to ANYTHING that makes noise (my current bino harness makes a slight squeaking sound when I exhale and it drives me nuts) and I'm afraid zippers or snaps would tap against a rifle that is carried across the front.  Though I suppose if you use a traditional rifle strap this wouldn't be an issue.  What would your thoughts be on magnets?

[gaddy]

wouldn't magnets snap to your gun or anything else metallic that passed in front of it ? Say bino strap clips or adjusters etc... Just curious as I've never seen magnetic closures before.

[MtnMuley]

You've definitely got it figured out about absolutely nothing that makes noise, whuppinstick. The magnet might be the ticket. Velcro works good, but the attachment points (sew job) would have to be very well done. Most aren't.  Something to think about: once you put it on, how many times will the importance of taking it off and on be an issue? For me, it's basically never unless I'm swapping clothes or adding a coat, and by doing that I'm not worries about a velcro noise or a second longer to tie. Spandex might be nice, and things that stretch are usually nice, but I would worry about it creeping up, much like certain kinds of elastic banded sweatshirts do. Just thoughts.

[Karl Blanchard]

I think your on to something here!  I have NEVER had a vest that I liked!  They always fit like crap!  The sides are open and get twisted up and bunched up, etc.  I was actually just talking to my mom about sewing me the perfect vest (she is a pro seamstress). Here is what I wanted:

-lightweight poly pro but not mesh
-closed up on the sides
-zipper or snaps for the front
-zips or snaps up to at least sternum adding more material so a smaller guys vest can meet legal requirements, that way the gamies in CO will stop giving a guy grief
-MADE IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-did I mention MADE IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would pay north of $20 bucks for a vest like this without batting an eye!  Keep us all posted when when your vests become available, I will buy multiples.  FWIW, I have cheapo Bi-mart vests and yoursdont appear to be that, good work!

Your thoughts are noted, BLRman!  I don't think I am creating magic here, just trying to put a little effort into it and get something that complements all the expensive clothing we're buying these days.  Most of the vests I have seen are either junk or way too much vest (and made of materials that are not good when wet).

I am looking into doing a non-mesh version as soon as I get the mesh one sorted out.  I may do something stretchy like spandex (but not spandex)?  I do also want to do some softshell material at some point.

Can I ask why you prefer a zipper or snaps for the front? Or is it just a dislike for Velcro?  I have an aversion to ANYTHING that makes noise (my current bino harness makes a slight squeaking sound when I exhale and it drives me nuts) and I'm afraid zippers or snaps would tap against a rifle that is carried across the front.  Though I suppose if you use a traditional rifle strap this wouldn't be an issue.  What would your thoughts be on magnets?

I was thinking that if it was closed up more in front it would keep it from bunching and catching.  For me (personal hunting style) I'm not snapping or unzipping my vest during those critical moments when noise is an issue.  I'm taking my vest on and off only while stripping layers, but while this occures I'm also stripping a pack, undoing buckles on the pack to put the layers away, stripping bino's, etc.  A little zip or snap isn't gonna be an issue.  Gun could possibly clink on it but there is plenty of other stuff on my body that could do the same thing.  If i'm close enough for a deer to hear this, he is already dead.   I could see where timber hunting could be a different issue though.  When I"m in the timber its chasing elk with my bow so the vest would not be worn. 

If you could get magnets to work that would be cool.  I have had them on turkey vests in the past and they always worked well.  I don't know how they would work on an article of clothing that was loose and didn't "line up" like a pocket though.  On my turkey vest they were on the large front pockets.  The pocket flaps were a heavier material and of course sewn in place.  Pocket flap doesn't move left or right, it just goes up and down.  Let the flap go and the magnet falls right into place.  On a vest, you would have to line up the magnets manually, which could be a pain with gloves on.  Pretty small issue in my book.  Probably no more difficult than lining up a zipper, snapping a snap, or playing with Velcro.

I think material and quality of the product are most important.  Smaller stuff like the closure mechanism aren't as important (at least to me).  Every one of us is going to have a particular preference on what we like.  Velcro is def the most cost effective way to go. I have had my mom sew new velcro on some of my vests in the past even.  Cut off the old stuff and sew on some new.  Velcro wouldn't stop me from buying a vest that fit well, not for a second.

Like I said before, made in America is one of my biggest priorities anymore.  Its damn hard to find anything with the stars and stripes on the tag. 

[Karl Blanchard]

What about good old fashioned buttons?  Two big orange buttons?  Doesn't get any more quiet than that. 

[GurrCentral]

Drake waterfowl makes jackets with magnet closures on their front pockets, they are not intrusive, easy to use with gloves and do not clank ect...just a thought if you were trying to get ideas for examples......but as mentioned by BLRman, the closure would not be a make or break (as long as it held up), because the vest is not taken off or put on during stalks..ect..

[dmv9]

I like the design. Put me on the list when you sell them!