Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game Filson strap vest opinions?

I am thinking about buying a Filson strap vest to use next season. The vest I currently use is a traditional style upland vest from LL Bean and sometimes it is a little warm for early season.
I have been checking out the Filson mesh game bag but I haven't really been able to find any reviews on how well that mesh back panel holds up. Anyone have any opinions on either of these strap vests?
I have no Filson dealers near me so I would have to just order one without handling it first.
Thanks

http://www.filson.com/products/mesh...=activity/hunting&fmetaProduct=aa13/

This model seems a better/more durable design with the solid tin cloth on the back rather then the mesh.
http://www.filson.com/products/tin-...=activity/hunting&fmetaProduct=aa13/

I've been using a strap vest for probably more than 25 years. I like it for the following reasons, it is light in weight, adjustable, can be worn over coats for cold weather hunting, lots of pocket capacity, durable and is not hot in the warmer temps. I've bought them for friends.

I've had this one for years and doubt if I will ever be able to wear it out.
Tin cloth vest


I use it for birds,squirrels and bunnies. Not too hot in warmer weather and doesn't get in the way. Has enough pockets to carry everything I need too.

They're expensive to start with but they last forever.

I used a Filson strap vest for years but never liked how small the pockets and game bag were. I went to a McAlister Wing Shooter Guide waxed cotton strap vest about 10 years ago and I like it much better. The pockets and game bag are a little bigger. The McAlister fits a lot better as well. More adjustable and rides better when loaded with two or three roosters in the game bag. The Filson always rode up the front when loaded.

I'd personally stay away from mesh. I believe the brush I hunt in would tear it apart in short order. The McAlister strap vest doesn't have a back like the Filson. So if you're thinking about the mesh for ventilation on your back, it's not an issue with the McAlister. All around, it's a better vest.

Thanks for the input guys! It sounds like a strap vest is going to be the way to go for me. I just need to figure out which model I guess now.

mw406 I will take a look at the McAlister, that is a brand I am unfamiliar with.

Wow! I just looked at some of McAlisters clothing and some of their products are really nice looking. I also just read that they used to supply Filson with their waxed cotton.

I agree with mw about the vest riding up or slipping back when there is weight in the game bag. I have the basic model of strap vest and it has a leather belt in front which I slip under a loop from my pants and this takes care of the slipping. I also added a piece of suspender elastic strap with a clip on each end to keep the straps closer together across the chest

I bought the mesh Filson vest earlier this Fall and wore it a few times. Pretty nice.

I wear an almost identical strap vest to the Filson but it's a Redhead. Dad got it for me for Christmas about ten years ago and it's been excellent in every way. I don't know if they still make them,but if they do I'd wager it'll be cheaper than Filson if that matters to you.

I wore a Filson strap vest for years, then happened to try a synthetic Browning vest, which turned out to be a lot lighter and didn't make my back sweat as much underneath the waxed bag in warmer weather. It also has more room in both the bag and the various pockets.

Big capacity=heavier pack :-)

Anyone use the Pella Bird n' Light strap vest?

I have and use the Filson vest that Smoke linked. It's be very serviceable and I doubt I'll wear it out. If I wasn't so cheap, I would have gotten one from Buck's Bags. My pard has an older one and I like the size and layout better than what I have.
http://www.bucksbags.com/cm_cat.asp?id=27

Not to sound contradictory, but could you supply the link to that info? It sounds to me like a poor name dropping attempt in trying to steal some of Filson's reputation. AFAIK Filson waxed cotton comes from England, hence their "Made in USA of imported material" product description. Anything's possible, but I smell rotten fish..................and again not from you, but from McAlister or whoever was speaking for them.

To the original OP, I've got the original Filson Strap Vest and have no complaints whatsoever. As Muledeer mentioned, the back breathability can be an issue if hiking hard since Tin Cloth doesn't breath. But for ME to get the most from the upland experience, I will continue to wear it rather than something newer, synthetic, or mesh. But I'm a stubborn piece of work.

I've also got the Filson Strap Vest for flyfishing, and they're quite similar other than the front pockets have much more compartmentalization and the cotton is lighter. Either vest is very flexible with the gear being carried and the layers of clothing being worn. It can be a tempting slippery slope to buy larger more complicated vests for either pursuit, but these two do it all while also limiting the crap I carry which I'm ultimately thankful for. I'd buy a replacement for either vest in a heartbeat.

I've used my filson strap vest for over 20 years only thing I done was put electrical tape on the strap adjusters , have several others plus a custom made one but I use the filson.

222Rem- Here is the blog where I read about Filson getting their material from McAlister. After reading it a second time I think the poster meant McAlister bought there material from the same place Filson did. I misunderstood it the first time around.

http://archivalclothing.com/archival-news-mcalister-waxed-cotton-outerwear-and-accessories/

I think I may end going with the Mesh back Filson strap vest. I'm kind of worried the tin cloth backed model may be too warm for early season. The vest I currently use makes my back sweat a lot and I would rather not put out the coin for a Filson and end up with the same problem.

Thanks for the link C75, that makes more sense now.

I've bumped into McAlister stuff on a couple occasions (Sportsmans & Cabelas IIRC), and it struck me as Filson knock-offs designed to lure away some of their customers with a lower price point. The quality seemed OK, but never impressed me enough to stray from Filson------------kind of like buying tickets for a cover band rather than the real one. Not saying McAlister is the wrong decision for others, just me. But then I've also refused to buy anything from Filson's "imported" line in recent years, and I'm not alone either, because most of that stuff ended up on clearance after their little marketing experiment.

I've used a tin cloth vest for years. It's simple but very functional. I hunt in AZ and don't see this as being too warm. My only (minor) complaint would be that the buckle may rub on your buttstock depending on how you tote your gun, but you could put a piece of tape or something on it.

Depends what type of hunting you do. Sold both of my Filson's as IMO they were not very functional for me. They are a very basic vest and not many options. Very few vests have any contour if that makes sense. I hike a lot so wanted water bladder capacity along with extra carrying capacity. I don't know if the perfect vests exists but I went with the Badlands this year and so far I really like it.

Pete