Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game Strap Vests?

What happened to them?
Been shopping online for a strap vest. I last owned a Boyt vest back in the 1990's, back when they were built with quality and built here.

Filson's vest is now made in Thailand and Vietnam. The shoulder straps are now nylon instead of cotton webbing.

Boyt, Browning and even Orvis are all made overseas, and made more cheaply, although their prices don't reflect that. They all get pretty dismal reviews.

Any recommendations for a basic, well made strap vest that won't set me back $200?

It seems like most all of the upland vests are made overseas. Have you checked out the two strap vests that LL Bean sells? Here are the links:
LLB Technical Upland Pack Vest
LLB Pa'tridge Strap Vest

The Filson strap vest has cotton webbing shoulder straps. But you are correct that all of the vests, if not most of hunting clothing in general is made overseas now.

There are plenty of strap vests made in USA. However, they likely won't be under the OP's $200 criterion.

I have this Orvis one and love it.

https://www.orvis.com/waxed-cotton-strap-vest/6Y15.html

Think Harrell & Sons has a US made vest (that's under $200).

https://www.harrellandsons.com/product/strap-vest/

And the reason for placing the adjustment buckles right where you mount the shotgun butt?

Don’t know their present costs, but have both the Filson with the cotton straps and the bulkier Orvis. Both serve well and should last your hunting life-time.

Pyke are on sale for $249 right now. Not waxed cotton, but made in U.S.A.

https://www.pykegear.com/collections/vest

They surely could stand to add a few pictures of folks wearing the vest, or showing adjusted vests. From their Facebook page:

https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.ne...7yhzzo4CROMLkZGgsWko2AaA&oe=64258192

Main issue with the Harrell will likely be the same as the old McAlister strap vests—the D-ring/buckle hardware rubbing gunstocks; however, that can be remedied easily enough.

https://finalrise.com/products/vest-builder

FINAL RISE = best of the best!!!!

Seems as if one could carry a Colt .45 in each of those shell pockets. Do they bounce around on your upper thigh?

Used mine about 100 days in the field hunting chukar, quail, pheasants, huns. I carry 18 rounds of 20 ga in the right pocket and a 3 rounds of 20 in the left plus a couple of dog leashes. While a 1911 is nice I don't carry one in either pocket.

I would then say you are a happy user.

So, the question is the do or don't they bounce around very much. Not being completely attached to the main vest, and hanging down, it seems they would have the opportunity move around a good bit.
Any other user have any input.

NO the pockets do not bounce on my 5'9" 170 pound frame.

Thanks….I need a new vest and have been considering that one since last fall.

I got my final rise vest three years ago.

Best vest I have ever owned. I like the ability to distribute the weight with the waist strap. The across the chest strap helps keep the shoulder straps in place. The shoulder straps are thin and don't interfere with shouldering the shotgun.

I carry water bottles for the dogs in the rear, opting not to use the supplied bottles and holders. I also don't put many shells in my right front bag. Extra shells are in a baggie in rear. Left front pocket is used to hold the phone and Garmin dog tracking unit. The webbing and pockets allow storage of an extra jacket or pullover long sleeve shirt. Throughout the vest are small zippered pockets which come in handy for storing small items.

Just a small piece of moleskin camo tape over the buckle fixes the potential scratch problem on my Filson strap vest. I bought it for my bow rest on my compound and had some left over. It works great, been on the vest for over 5 years.

You can just see it in the left side of this picture. The buckle is actually lower than your shoulder by a bit. You have a bigger chance scratching your gun carrying it port arms and during the motion of shouldering it for a shot than actually shooting.

I don't know if they're still in business, but the best vest that I've
ever owned came from Wing Works out of Hailey, Idaho.

I have an old Columbia strap vest that has neoprene in the straps (had it for years). I really like it as it has a little give when walking. When you have a pheasant or two in the game bag, it does not cut into my shoulders near as bad.
I don't think they make it anymore (if they do, I have not seen one) as I would not mind having another one as the one I have is getting a little long in the tooth.

Out of business. Retired mine and went to the Final Rise.

Like the Final Rise better.

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I do not like the metal buckle because it scratches the shotgun when I carry it it cross body and in the crook of my arm.

I like Dan's hunting gear...I am using old Filson strap vests but when/if they wear out I will replace with Dan's gear.

Self-adhering bandage wrap works to protect gunstocks from buckles the same as inner tube or moleskin, pictures of which were previously posted in this thread.

I dislike them because your shoulders bear all the weight on those 2 inch straps when carrying dead pheasants. Buckles are another issue.

They're made with belts too.

Wow i like that product! thanks for sharing!

Anyone know anything about Ideal? I have one I bought in the early 1990s and have only worn it a few times, mostly just for carrying shells on sporting clays courses. It's virtually brand new. It's very well made. I can't find anything on the company, which must be out of business.

Has anyone tried the strap vest from Dove Gear? I'm thinking about it pretty hard.