Upland hunting is a popular form of hunting. The hunter pursues upland birds like Dove, Quail, Prairie chicken and others. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t hunt game animals like deer. Like all other hunters, upland hunters need necessary gears. Appropriate gears make a hunting trip more prone to be successful. Having the best upland hunting vest is a priority to most of the upland hunters.
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While some hunting jackets look for blending with the environment and offer better camouflage, upland hunting vests look for convenience and security. Upland Vests come with nice orange blaze and offers better visibility. They tend to have big front and back pockets to keep extra shells. Not only that, they come with blood-proof deep pockets or game bags to keep the birds.
There are a lot of vests on the market ranging from low to medium prices. They offer different features and advantages. Obviously, as the price goes up, you’ll find better options. But the sellers won’t reveal to you that there are some good quality upland hunting vests which don’t have a high price tag.
Comparison Table of Best Upland Hunting Vest :
Gamehide Switchgrass Upland Field Bird Hunting Vest
Best Sellers Rank
Features: Extra large zippered slash pockets, Fabric gun protector
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
Tenzing BV16 Upland Vest
Best Sellers Rank
Features: H2O Compatible, 13 Total Pockets
Product Weight: 3lb 2oz
Men's Gamehide Upland Vest
Best Sellers Rank
Features: Blood-proof game bag
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
Best Upland Hunting Vest Buying Guide:
Whether you’re
a newbie or a seasoned hunter
, the attributes you want in your hunting vest are lightweight, comfortable padding, breathability. Since there are a lot of shiny and attractive hunting vests on the market, choosing the best upland hunting vest in an unbiased way might take a lot of effort, not to mention time.
Keeping some things in mind will save you that time and energy.
Color
That main thing you’ll notice about upland hunting vests is the lack of camo patterns. While some of the hunting jackets offer perfect blending into the woods, upland vests are not so keen to walk on that road.
Most of the upland vests come with nice orange color. One of their main jingles is better visibility. Now, don’t let that confuse you. Wearing a nice orange blaze is for your security so that you stay noticeable and visible and do not get targeted by other hunters accidentally.
When it comes to hunting, deer and birds have different eye vision. The eyesight of a deer is bad; I mean really bad. From a distance you’ll be targeting it, it will see you as a blurred tree stamp nothing to bother about. Anyway, the lack is fulfilled by their smelling ability, if you stay on the air flow towards them, they’ll find the presence of a human predator.
Birds are far more superior regarding eyesight. But still, you don’t have to bother as long as you have your hunting rifle, right?
Staying safe is the main priority. And you wouldn’t need to be completely invisible to bring food to your table. Rather, some of the states even require you to wear some amount of blaze orange.
Materials
The concept of upland vests is that it will be tougher than hunting jackets, ready to take quite some beatings. That’s why, waterproofness, insulation is not the main focus of the manufacturers. The thing the focus on is if the vest can withstand hostile tree branches or bushes in the woods.
The main material used to make upland hunting vests is nylon or polyester. While they offer toughness, they are also durable for several seasons. You should not focus on layers, special technology, focus on material that can endure hostile environment.
The stitching quality is as important as the materials, so check is the stitching is up to the mark.
Storage Capacity
One of the main features you should look for. Many sellers advertise about how much pockets the vests have, and unlike most of the other marketing bullshit, you should take that into consideration. Having extra pockets will help you to keep your gears organized. Whether it is a hunting knife, or shells or duck call, extra spaces will help you to keep them handy.
Another thing you should watch for is the quality of the pockets. While many manufacturers offer lots of pockets, sometimes they might not be deep enough or spacious enough to insert your hands. Good news is, the top brands take the matter seriously and manufacture the pockets deep enough.
Blood Proof Game Bag
It’s not a must, as there are plenty of alternatives to carry your birds. But, it’s always welcome and relieves you from carrying extra bag is having a game bag. Game bags are situated at the rear end. They protect other parts of the clothing by storing the bloody game birds. They are easily washable for later use.
Price
The price might come at the bottom of the list, but it’s really important for some people. Many people just want a basic vest and do not want to overspend on that. Cheap doesn’t necessarily mean low quality. Some good quality upland hunting vests came at a cheap price and known to sustain for several years.
For those who want some more added features, like a complete package, manufacturers like Badlands or Tenzing come up with hunting vests which are more like bags. With lots of pockets, game bag and extra spaces, you really won’t need anything else. On top of that, they’re quite affordable. You don’t have to break the bank to buy them.
We have gone through a vast list of best upland hunting vests. We took into consideration the features mentioned above and picked the top 5 for you.
Our Experts Researched Top 5 Best Upland Hunting Vest Reviews:
1/ Badlands Upland High-Visibility Lightweight Bird Hunter's Game Vest
The Badlands Upland Game Vest is called a vest but works better than most of the bags of the market. This a next generation vest, a perfect choice for our no. 1 spot.
It has a whopping 9 pockets for incredible storage, not to mention 3 extra compartments. The bag has a hydration bag, so you don’t have to worry about putting your guns down for taking a sip. It has a waterproof and detachable game bag for carrying your necessary goods.
Worth the price, this one is a clear all-rounder and going to serve you right for the next 10 seasons without any hassle.
Features:
- Made of durable polyester, made in the USA.
- The vest carries more than your average hunting pack, comes with 9 pockets to keep your gears securely and in order.
- Can carry up to 2 liters of water bag.
- It has a completely waterproof and removable game bag for easy transport.
- Shell loops at the waist.
- Lightweight, only 2 pounds 12 ounces, quick access storage and magnetic closures for absolute silence.
What We Like:
- Most versatile bag on the market.
- Multiple pockets with 3 compartments.
- Hydration storage.
- Mesh lining for proper ventilation.
- Waterproof and detachable game bag.
- Lightweight, made of polyester, sturdy, durable for many years.
What We Didn't Like:
- The elastic shell loops could be made tighter.
2/ Gamehide Switchgrass Upland Field Bird Hunting Vest
Looking for a starter vest at the right price and with the right features? Gamehide Switchgrass hunting vest is for you. It’s a very sturdy vest made from cotton. It has comfortable padding in the right places to facilitate tour hunting.
Comes with two 12 inch front pockets that are perfectly deep for keeping anything you might need. It has easily accessible storage space for up to 16 shells.
On the back, there is a blood proof Game bag which effectively protects your remaining dress from getting ruined.
Features:
- Extra-large pockets for keeping extra shells.
- It has quilted shoulders for added comfort while shooting.
- Cotton canvas fabrics used for durability.
- Lightweight. Minimalist design.
- Rear blood proof game bag which is easily detachable, and washable.
- 500 square inches of blaze orange which increases your visibility and security.
What We Like:
- Lightweight, simple but effective design.
- The price is reasonable.
- Front deep pockets, extra storage capacity.
- Comfortable padding.
- The blood proof game bag provides suitable storage for hunted birds.
- Storage for extra shells
What We Didn't Like:
- The vest runs a little large.
- Ordering one size smaller or describing your exact shape to the seller should solve the problem.
3/ Browning Upland Dove Vest
One of the most popular upland hunting vests on the market. Do you know why? While the price is incredibly low, the vest offers amazing features for your summer hunting.
Hunting in the immense heat of hummer will suck the energy out of you. In this time, you need a vest like Browning Upland Dove Vest that is lightweight, has breathable mesh design and allows ventilation to your body.
The vest has large front pockets. Comes with a rear game bag which is blood proof as well.
Features:
- It has 7 oz. 55% cotton and 45% poly twill fabric.
- Lightweight, especially comfortable in the hot summer weather.
- It has mesh front and back panels which provide great ventilation.
- Two bellow shell pockets for keeping shells.
- Blood-proof rear game bag, easily accessible.
- Zippered front, it’s a regular fit vest.
What We Like:
- The price is quite low.
- As for quality, one of the best summer vests.
- Mesh lining, breathable fabric.
- Front pockets for storage.
What We Didn't Like:
- The padding is somehow thinner compared to other vests.
4/ Tenzing BV16 Upland Vest
One of the best on the market. This might not look like a conventional bird hunting vest. It’s even better. Although it’s called a vest, the first look at it will remind you of hunting bags. It possesses the amazing features even traditional hunting bags don’t have.
Comes with a new blaze orange look, this bag has 13 pockets! If you’re a gear lover, this bag will provide you adequate space.
Lightweight, comfortable and well constructed from quality materials. 2 radio pockets, 2 load lifter straps to help you carry the load, this vest is a complete package and a bargain for its price.
Features:
- A total of 13 pockets, amazing storage capacity. A true all in one solution.
- Lightweight, weighing just over 3 lbs. despite providing multiple features.
- H2O Compartment. Dimension is 10" x 16" x 1.5"
- It has 14 shot shell loops.
- 2 radio pockets.
- It has 2 Load Lifter Straps to keep weight up.
- Game bag where you can keep the birds, easily accessible
What We Like:
- The vest comes with a nice orange color which helps you to stay visible and secured.
- A lot of pockets provide ample space to keep your gears organized.
- Lightweight, the bag is super adjustable for any physique with its belts and straps.
- Easily accessible game bag.
- It has a bungee system which is suitable for carrying a rain jacket or something like that.
What We Didn't Like:
- A slightly larger game bag would be good.
5/ Men's Gamehide Upland Vest
Are you fond of minimalist design? Want to keep it simple and light as a feather? Then Men’s Gamehide Upland Vest is for you. Made with tough twill fabric, do not let the weight deceive you.
Front loading game bag is an amazing add-on to keep you ready for the next hunt. Large front shell pockets give you the chance of quick loading.
Blood-proof game bag can be washed easily. Blaze orange at the back will give you visibility.
Features:
- It has large front dump pockets.
- The orange color on the back will add security.
- Made from durable fabric.
- Slightly oversized to wear over regular clothes.
- Rear blood proof game bag, easily washable.
What We Like:
- The slick design, lightweight.
- Two large front pockets.
- The zippers are sturdy.
- The game bag stores the birds, keeping other areas safe.
What We Didn't Like:
- If you want exact size as your body, order a size lower than your normal size.
Final Verdict:
Upland hunting is a popular activity which is carried out in groups. In the season, many people go out with their rifle to bring some variation on the table. In that case, using hunting vest is suggested to bring the mood and stay secured. In some states, it’s even mandatory to wear outfits with blaze orange.
The best upland hunting vest is the vest which suits your physique, fulfills your protection and storage needs. Hopefully, all of the vests mentioned above will satisfy your craving for a quality hunting vest. Happy Hunting!!
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