New upland vest

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Duluthian

New member
I’m in need to finally replace my 10 year old orvis upland vest. I definitely got my money’s worth out of the old vest – its really close to falling apart in a few different spots. I estimate I’ve had a couple hundred grouse/pheasant in that game pouch over the years. I was hoping to be able to wait until pheasant fest this winter to try a bunch on in person but with the condition of my current vest barely surviving my first SD trip, I need to get a new one before my Dec trip.

I’ve done a lot of research and have narrowed it down to 1) the pyke gear wingman pro B2 vest and 2) the final rise summit (not sure on XT vs regular). Does anyone have any first hand experiences with either of these vests? What did you like or not like about them?

The pyke gear vest has been out of stock for weeks now. They were supposed to get stock in last week (according to customer service) but if they don’t get anything in by end of this week, I guess my decision will be made for me and I’ll go with the final rise vest.
If you aren’t running either of those vests – what do you use? how long have you had it and what do you like/not like about it?
 
Your Orvis vest should be covered under warranty. I took my 8-10 year old vest in this summer as it was falling apart and they gave me a gift card for full retail price since they didn’t have a replacement in stock. Went with the new pro model and after 13 days in SD with it I am happy with it.
 
I just use an "old school" Boyt vest with a mesh back--it has a large game bag and I've had it for probably 8-10 years. I have a studied indifference to these $100-300 game vests with all the bells and whistles; they aren't really necessary, for me anyway, to shoot some gamebirds in the fall. Likewise on the $250-$450 boots and $200-$300 coats on the market....really? Each to his/her own but taken all together, that adds up to enough money to buy something that goes "bang" and kills pheasants---much more to my liking. But again, everyone is entitled to spend their money anyway they see fit.
 
Duluthian said:
I’m in need to finally replace my 10 year old orvis upland vest. I definitely got my money’s worth out of the old vest – its really close to falling apart in a few different spots. I estimate I’ve had a couple hundred grouse/pheasant in that game pouch over the years. I was hoping to be able to wait until pheasant fest this winter to try a bunch on in person but with the condition of my current vest barely surviving my first SD trip, I need to get a new one before my Dec trip.

I’ve done a lot of research and have narrowed it down to 1) the pyke gear wingman pro B2 vest and 2) the final rise summit (not sure on XT vs regular). Does anyone have any first hand experiences with either of these vests? What did you like or not like about them?

The pyke gear vest has been out of stock for weeks now. They were supposed to get stock in last week (according to customer service) but if they don’t get anything in by end of this week, I guess my decision will be made for me and I’ll go with the final rise vest.
If you aren’t running either of those vests – what do you use? how long have you had it and what do you like/not like about it?
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I’ve been running the Final Rise Summit since they were released and it has been a great vest! One of the advantages is being able to carry a lot of water comfortably. I carry 4-5 32oz bottles early in the season and having the weight on my hips makes a big difference. I will never switch back to a more traditional vest.
 
OKhunter88 said:
I’ve been running the Final Rise Summit since they were released and it has been a great vest! One of the advantages is being able to carry a lot of water comfortably. I carry 4-5 32oz bottles early in the season and having the weight on my hips makes a big difference. I will never switch back to a more traditional vest.
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I had used Orvis is for 7-8 years. Good design. Final rise xt has easier to carry water, easier entry pockets, weight on hips, dog emergency carrying design. Sold! Second year in use!
 
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OKhunter88 said:
I’ve been running the Final Rise Summit since they were released and it has been a great vest! One of the advantages is being able to carry a lot of water comfortably. I carry 4-5 32oz bottles early in the season and having the weight on my hips makes a big difference. I will never switch back to a more traditional vest.
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Totally agree, I have had mine for a couple years and love it. I hunt with a bunch of guys and we all switched to Final Rise from our Wings Works and not one of us has a single complaint!
 
My son got the PYKE wingmen ultralight and really likes it, ample storage and can carry alot of water and has the ability to add more components if you want. Not sure of the difference between the pro and ultralight, both seem very nice. If you had success with Orvis why not go with their pro or see if you can get it rebuilt? I have a hard time justifying the cost of these new vest, I have a cabelas strap vest that is close to 30 years old and still going strong, down fall is lack of additional are to add waterbottles so I have to carry everything in my gamebag. I was resistent to buying a GPS collar but really like it know that I own one, so will probably give in and update my vest.
 
When I wear a vest it is a 15-20 year of Cabelas traditional. I have few requirements, 1st requirement is an easy front loading game pouch, secondly it needs to have 2 large bellowed shell pockets. After that, several misc pockets for phone, bell, face mask, etc. The front loader pouch work perfect to hold a cap, a length of rope and on a rare occasion, a bit of water. I need to be able to stow the bird quickly and be ready for the next one, without jacking around trying to get the bird situated. I might carry 15 shells, loose in those big pockets, I don't like or use the shell loops, just a good way to lose shells. I don't do walks of miles. Here we have enough birds around, if you just walked road ditches, it most likely wouldn't take many of those miles of marching and needing to carry water to just shoot 3. Where the bird numbers are low and the parcels are multiple miles in size, you might want something to carry a lunch and water for you and your dog in a $200 vest. I am just lucky to be where the birds are.
 
There’s so many vests out now that you can’t hardly keep track of them all. I think all of them are great.Final rise has an ad that says something like for when you leave the truck behind. That’s great marketing. I’m at the age where I just wish someone would go get the truck and come back and pick me up.
I have too many vests. I have a peregrine front loader that’s really nice has a ton of orange that I wear when I’m hunting with family and don’t want to stand out and look like a knob.
I also have a marsupial vest with a small game bag that you can walk for days in. I just got another vest recently. It’s made by T&K . It’s priced reasonably as just the vest you have to add the bottle and shell pockets. I had the bottle pockets. And alps outdoors outfitter shell pockets are perfect fit. Magnetic pockets that I don’t think would mess with electronics.
I’m really impressed with this vest as a pheasant vest. It has a huge game bag on it I think it’s wider than some of the others . For those of us with no flexibility it loads easy. Pictures on social media make it look like you’re carrying a Stanley toolbox on your back. But when wearing it empty it’s not like that it hinges and wants to hug up against your back. Pull your bottle and unsnap the waist belt and you could drive in it no problem but if I’m spot hopping I have an old holy game hide I still do that in.
 
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I’ve used Gamehide for many years…got a new model of theirs a few years ago that’s made for warm conditions, more mesh and a hole in the back the size of a small pancake. About $50, as are their other models I’ve used, I fill the game bag with bottled water, 4-7 16 oz bottles most days, and away I go…dry conditions where I hunt usually. I’m not a high tech guy, nor a gear guy. My hunting pants are nylon athletic pants from Walmart….$15. I’m pear shaped, stuff doesn’t fit me like it might for Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers. I should cut arm and leg holes in a Coleman sleeping bag…blaze orange.
 
I have an old Filson that works well for me. I had to send it back a few years back to be fixed up, and they did a great job. Easy loading, hydro pack compatible, great shell pockets and plenty of other pockets for storage.
 
I bought a Filson waxed cotton last year on ebay, never had a bird in it. Very well made, looked like it would last a lifetime. But it was way too heavy for me. Gave it to my grandson and bought the Filson Armadillo. Very satisfied with it. Got plenty of room in the game bag, very comfortable straps, two zipper enclosers on the back. One big enough for a sweatshirt or rain jacket. Pretty light. That's the most I've ever given for one but not disappointed!
 
benelli-banger said:
I’ve used Gamehide for many years…got a new model of theirs a few years ago that’s made for warm conditions, more mesh and a hole in the back the size of a small pancake. About $50, as are their other models I’ve used, I fill the game bag with bottled water, 4-7 16 oz bottles most days, and away I go…dry conditions where I hunt usually. I’m not a high tech guy, nor a gear guy. My hunting pants are nylon athletic pants from Walmart….$15. I’m pear shaped, stuff doesn’t fit me like it might for Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers. I should cut arm and leg holes in a Coleman sleeping bag…blaze orange.
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I'll 2nd the game hide stuff. Pretty good and priced wright. I have the pullover with the game bag. They run big. I've also had the pants and chaps. no complaints.
 
Lots of good vest out there, focus on the storage you want and reviews that it’s comfortable to shoot in. I dont do well with a vest with thick shoulder straps, changes the shoulder mount with the gun.
 
I have the Final Rise Summit XT and It's a great vest when you know you'll be walking tons of miles and need water but I only do that occasionally on out of state hunts. Here in Iowa, like Remy said I'm constantly in and out of the truck driving to different pieces of land and only walking at most 1/2 mile at a time.

With that said, I prefer a front load vest and find myself wearing the Final Rise less and less. It's just more comfortable for me to load birds and get in and out of the truck with a vest style.
 
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