Is it really an upgrade?

Hutcho

Hutcho

Active member
Good morning y'all.

Lets start this off with I have a Q5 rimfire. Used it for years, several states. It's served me well and still looks great, really nothing wrong with it.

That said, I've been looking really hard at the final rise. Ever since I messed with one a little at pheasantfest it's been in the back of my mind. Since I have the Q5 I usually just shrug all these new vests off but I finally opened up and went down a rabbit hole last night. There are several features I really like over what I have, looks like it might be a touch heavier but nore comfortable on the long hunts,not that the Q5 is bad. I think the biggest appeal is just the smaller form factor, my Q5 is just BIG. I'm not sure if it would work or not but it looks like if you take the little expander things out the final rise could be worn in the truck driving between field maybe? That's one of my few gripes is having to take it off between fields in Kansas. A small thing, but still.

Anyway. Now that I've rambled long enough, does anyone have experience with both? I know it's a lot of money, but since I got my first bird dog I gave up on ever being rich 😂
 
Hutcho said:
I have the Q5 rimfire and looking at the summit XT.
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First thing I noticed is that the Summit XT comes with two water bottles and holders. I couldn't find if you can add water bottle holders to the Q5 Rimfire. The Summit looks an awful lot like my WingWorks vest that I've had for nearly 20 years. I see WingWorks vests are back in stock but at the nice price of $399. I think I paid a little over $100 for mine at the time. The WingWorks is built like a tank. I like the ease of getting at and replacing the water bottles. I also like the ease of loading birds in the game pouch of the WW. Good luck with your decision.
 
Dakotazeb said:
First thing I noticed is that the Summit XT comes with two water bottles and holders. I couldn't find if you can add water bottle holders to the Q5 Rimfire. The Summit looks an awful lot like my WingWorks vest that I've had for nearly 20 years. I see WingWorks vests are back in stock but at the nice price of $399. I think I paid a little over $100 for mine at the time. The WingWorks is built like a tank. I like the ease of getting at and replacing the water bottles. I also like the ease of loading birds in the game pouch of the WW. Good luck with your decision.
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The Q5 does have 2 bottle holders, I carry my 48oz nalgene bottles in them, they are a little tricky to get the bottle in but not bad. I originally wanted a wing works, in fact I tried for quite a while to get one but they were always out of stock. I was more or less forced to go with Q5 and I loved it. Dan Preist is a great guy and I was happy to support him. I guess it's changed hands a couple times since then. Pretty sure I paid 350 back then, wish I could've got in when they were cheap.

dustin mudd said:
New final rise client last year , 4 bottle carry , plus dog rescue and carry out sealed the purchase. Easy to carry weight too
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Those are all huge advantages that I'm weighing in. It's technically heavier, but it sure looks like it carries better. How do you get 4 bottles in it? Would you be able to verify for me if you take the little Velcroed supports out on the sides of the bird bag that you could actually sit down in the truck with it for a short trip? I know they've mentioned it on a few videos but I'm skeptical on that part.
 
I have an old light weight Cabelas strap vest dad and I both got 15? Years ago. It’s getting fairly tattered up and I bit the bullet on a Final Rise this year. The boy will inherit the old strap vest with some patches sewn on to keep shells from leaking on the ground….

Will test the final rise in a few weeks on doves carrying 500 shells and decoys (kidding on shells).

I bought the drab colored Final Rise to use on doves. Then bought the blaze inserts to add some orange to it during bird season.
 
There are two sleeves inside the vest pocket to hold additional water bottles upright.4 total . I think , if you pulled. The back pair of bottles you could leave on during a move to a new spot. Might check a FR customer service for verification!
 
dustin mudd said:
There are two sleeves inside the vest pocket to hold additional water bottles upright.4 total . I think , if you pulled. The back pair of bottles you could leave on during a move to a new spot. Might check a FR customer service for verification!
Click to expand...
I actually saw that in a video last night. They are making a great case to make the swap!
 
Hutcho said:
Good morning y'all.

Lets start this off with I have a Q5 rimfire. Used it for years, several states. It's served me well and still looks great, really nothing wrong with it.

That said, I've been looking really hard at the final rise. Ever since I messed with one a little at pheasantfest it's been in the back of my mind. Since I have the Q5 I usually just shrug all these new vests off but I finally opened up and went down a rabbit hole last night. There are several features I really like over what I have, looks like it might be a touch heavier but nore comfortable on the long hunts,not that the Q5 is bad. I think the biggest appeal is just the smaller form factor, my Q5 is just BIG. I'm not sure if it would work or not but it looks like if you take the little expander things out the final rise could be worn in the truck driving between field maybe? That's one of my few gripes is having to take it off between fields in Kansas. A small thing, but still.

Anyway. Now that I've rambled long enough, does anyone have experience with both? I know it's a lot of money, but since I got my first bird dog I gave up on ever being rich 😂
Click to expand...
I wish you lived a little closer, you could stop by and look at a bunch of vests that I have and see if they’d work for you! I haven’t tried the Final Rise or the Pyke but I’ve got most of the others.
WingWorks is probably my favorite and it’s built like a tank! I can’t ever see wearing it out and I wore my 3 days a week for one hunting season and the only think different from when I started was a couple of stains. They are now available again.
Chief Upland. A big thumbs down! I could never get it to fit right and putting the birds in the bag and then getting the little clips hooked again is a PIA! The shell pouches have magnet (which seem to drive my Alpha crazy) and are difficult to get in.
Quilomene San Carlos. Minimalist vest that I used off and on for several years but wasn’t perfect. I just sold it.
Marsupial Upland Vest. Probably the most comfortable vest I own but the factory shell pockets suck! They are zippered on the top and if closed, they are hard to get into. Open they fill with weed seeds and other detritus. The good think is they are Molle compatible and I found one on Amazon that I think will work. Also the padded shoulder straps are too thick but the low profile straps work great. Hip belt is very comfortable.
Q5 Rimfire. Nice vest but I never got it adjusted like I wanted. Sold it.
ALPS Vest. Uncomfortable and pockets were difficult to access. Returned it.
Badlands. Just difficult to access and uncomfortable. Sold it.
Tenzing BV16. A really nice vest. It wasn’t as comfortable as the WingWorks and wasn’t as adjustable. Sold it.
I’ve got others and I should mention the ability or lack of ability to carry handheld electronics (Alpha and Pro 70 transmitter) fits into my decision. Some vests just don’t have a good place to put these things or a good way to attach them to the vest.
Other factors include lack of pockets that enable me to carry a small first aid kit for me and the dog, snare cutters, TP, and water. Some vests just don’t have that ability! I don’t usually hunt that far from my truck anymore but if you really need first aid supplies or TP you need them right away, not later when you get back to your truck!
 
I have a Wings works and a final rise, I never thought I would find a vest better than my Wings works. But I tried out the Final Rise at pheasant fest a few years ago and fell in love with it. Now the Wings works is my back up vest or spare if I ever bring someone with me that doesn't have a vest. I can tell you firsthand I have talked to the owner Matt of Final Rise, and they took the design of the Wings works and improved upon it. Like he said, every serious bird hunter 10-15 years ago had a Wings works because at the time they had a vest that was ahead of its time in terms of storage, shell pockets, ease of access, water storage. He said he still has his Wings Works vest and so do the guys he hunts with, because like everyone has said, they are bullet proof! I can tell you both are exceptional vests, if you have the chance try both on and see which fits you better.
 
I’ve spent a lot of money on guns ammo gear dogs and trips. The rest I just wasted. The Final Rise has such a great rep at this point, and if you don’t want/like it I firmly believe it won’t last more than 2 days in classifieds on here. At the same price you pay for it.
 
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