Badlands Upland Game Vest

[sisu]

I saw an ad for the Badlands Upland Game Vest aka pack last year and tried to buy it. I was told it needed more R&D and that they were not ready for the retail market. So being the pestering *censored* I am I kept a regular correspondence with them as to when it was going to be released. I finally got it in the mail today. Just in time for my trip to Yooperland for some Ruffled grouse hunting.
As I look at the vest and how its made I am very glad I waited for its release. Lighter material than the Stealth (roll top camo pack) I use for archery. Lots of pockets here and there for small items...compass, snacks, hydration pocket big enough for about 100 oz, blood proof clip in, clip out bag for light jacket, vest or fleece (sweater), shell holders on both sides of body with move room for loose shells in two zip pockets in the same area by your hips. Shoulder straps are wafer thin but made of that synthetic material Badlands used to reinforce stress points.

All in all the pack is nice but the color is not legal I believe. The orange is not the bright hunter orange but more of an off color orange. The shell holders (loops) do not work so well in lots of brush. I lost 5 rounds so I decided to keep them in the zippered pockets on the waist band. The pack is designed to fit people much larger than me. I'm about 5'8" or so and 180 pounds. I liked the way it moved when I was hunting woodcock in the thick tag alder; no hang ups or snagging. I've used it here in thistle and sticker bushes with good results. The hydration pocket holds my small tank real easy but have not been able to find my 100 oz tank which the pack is designed for.

Mother, Cabelas, Camelback and some others make similar packs. Each has it's features, pluses and minuses so all in all I believe each of us has to use the upland "pack-vest" which appeals to That individual.
I'll give ya a user report of the "vest" after my grouse hunting trip which will hopefully include pictures of the eastern fall foliage.

[sisu]

OK, I've used this pack over a month now in fairly hard conditions. Lots of thick brush that consisted of wild rose bushes, thistle bushes, heavy woodcock and pheasant cover, in Michigan I hunted several cedar and black spruce swamps that had me crawling on all 4s through cover to get into clearings quickly with no damage to the pack. All in all I am very satisfied with the product. Similarly I am 100% satisfied with the company's guarantee that basically says, IF YOU BREAK IT WE WILL FIX IT. They have no fine print to haggle over..

[high country]

I have the mothers and love it. glad you are happy

[Sportfury]

Sisu how is that pack holding up now you have a few years on it? I have the cabela's pack and it works great. The only thing I do not like about it is how thick the straps are, but I can still knock down a bird here and there. Been looking at the Badlands packs and was intrigued by this. I also like the Mothers design.

[Ironhead]

SportFury,
I have the badlands upland pack. I don't like the shoulder straps once you load it up with birds water and shells. Lots of weight on the shoulders.
I purchased a Pella bird-n-lite strap vest and really like it. It carries 3 roosters water and shells comfortably. I have also put a hydration pack in it. Best vest I have owned.

[Sportfury]

Ironhead I will have to check that out. My Cabelas pack is similar. I have a water bladder, can hold up to two boxes of shells (if I chose to), lunch or snacks, birds, extra water for the dogs, dog controllers, etc. At the end of the day my shoulders still feel like they are in place compared to wearing my Columbia jacket. The only thing I didn't really care for was the added shoulder portion in the shoulder, but when I am shooting at birds I never even think about it.

You should contact Badlands and give them some feedback. Maybe if they made a new design you could be one of their testers !