Strap Vest suggestions <$100

Its like 140, but check out also the Orvis waxed cotton strap vest. I have one, and man its sweet. Love that the spring pockets open up like a shooting bag at the range, the water bottle holder etc. I have the same exact frame of mind as you. I'm not going on a all day safari anywhere I have or will hunt. 1, I like to rest. 2, I like to change dogs. 3, 99% of the time I have my 2 birds before noon. 4, the sections around here and pretty much the entire upper Midwest, are mile sections. So I just have no need for a "pack" style vest with bladders ect all that. The concept is great and for those that go all day in big vast lands,its the ticket. A water bottle for the dog, and a bottle of Aquafina in for me, and 12 bullets I'm good. If its cold which 90% of my hunting is, and snow. I never take a water bottle, the dogs eat the snow all the time anyway and are just fine. I got lucky and found one at a warehouse store for 50 bucks. So ya never know, craigs etc.
 
strap vest companies need to start taking alot closer look at what the average midwestern bird hunter really needs, the current trend of the all week 20 plus pokets that hold 5 gallons of water and a suit case is flooded. hey how about a nice half mesh game bag with a couple water bottle holders and the front shell pockets that have dividers and a good load bearing hip belt is all ya really need,,,if that. im just sayin:rolleyes:
 
Currently using a Bird "N" Lite and like it. No complaints but would be willing to try something else out when it wears out.
 
I've been looking for something new as well...am ready to pull the trigger on Bird n Lite.....my old strap vest is an Orvis model that I LOVED...it's almost 15 years old and it's in shambles
 
You won't regret it. I couldn't resist the $80 closeout price on the original Pella version, so I bought another one. I'll probably end up giving it away, but I'm a slave to the maxim that if you like something, buy two in case they stop making it. Mine barely shows wear after half a dozen seasons -- including 3 with many days of hunting since I retired. It does show quite a bit of color fade from the sun, compared to the new one.

Jay
 
Last edited:
gunflint charlie said:
You won't regret it. I couldn't resist the $80 closeout price on the original Pella version, so I bought another one. I'll probably end up giving it away, but I'm a slave to the maxim that if you like something, buy two in case they stop making it. Mine barely shows wear after half a dozen seasons -- including 3 with many days of hunting since I retired. It does shows quite a bit of color fade from the sun, compared to the new one.

Jay
Click to expand...
\

I was about to pull the trigger on the discounted Pella vest, but found a Browning version for $5 more. I like the additional orange on the browning and "my understanding" was that the pella version has velcro pocket covers and the browning has snaps, but not 100% sure on that....
 
Yes, the original Pella has velcro -- and more than needed. I cover about 2/3 of the surfaces to make access to the pockets easier. You did good at that price for the Browning -- still well within your target price range.
 
anybody see the new orvis bird pack that just came out? go to orvis web page and check it out, you can configure it any way you want, two straps, one sling type strap and so on. it uses military molle type for any type of attachments, pretty fricking sweet, you can make it an all day pack or a two hour loop type pack. i may give it a shot.
 
Guys that have WW vests, cant you strip the water bottle holders of for short hunts, and have more of a streamlined vest? I am going to pull the trigger on one once they are up and running again. The way I read it is that if you want to strip it down then you can. I like the idea of having the versatility to carry a bunch of water for longer hunts, or take them off for hunts where you are in and out of the truck switching fields all day. What do you like and not like about them? Damn I want, or as I tell my wife, I need a WW vest!
 
smizell said:
Guys that have WW vests, cant you strip the water bottle holders of for short hunts, and have more of a streamlined vest? I am going to pull the trigger on one once they are up and running again. The way I read it is that if you want to strip it down then you can. I like the idea of having the versatility to carry a bunch of water for longer hunts, or take them off for hunts where you are in and out of the truck switching fields all day. What do you like and not like about them? Damn I want, or as I tell my wife, I need a WW vest!
Click to expand...

I think you can but its going to be a pain!. I would just not take the water bottles with me on a short hunt. I don't really think the holders are going to get in the way. They have not for me. Also even with them filled you cant really tell they are there. The weight distribution is really well thought out on the WW vest.
 
I just hunted a pheasant farm this weekend with my daughter. It was hot so I carried both big 32 oz I believe water bottles and had 8 roosters in my WW and rode so nice on my shoulders, I never knew it was there. I am not a rich man and my advice is save till you can get a WW. You will never need another one. I love mine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top