What should I be looking for in a bino harness? What brands do you like or dislike, and why?

i really like the AGC. mine holds my bino, a wind checker, lens cleanerand a few spare rounds of ammo. the mesh pocket in the back is a great spot to keep my license, tags, pen and zip tie in a zip lock bag

I use a simple Rick Young shock cord harness. The simplicity is nice.

Rick Young shock cord harness

Same here. I use his Neoprene Bino cover with them. Like gsganzer said, very simple, with lots of ways the harness can be used.

TIDEWE

I really like the Kuiu pro harness as the lid flips away from you, not towards you like most (possibly every??) others I have seen. It’s simplistic and slim and provides great protection for your binos. You can get accessories to attach to it if wanted.

There is an AGC bino pack waiting for me at home when I get back there. I’ll give it a try.

Remington,

I only have a standard Allen brand with no bells or whistles. It's plenty for my 8-15X mini zooms that probably are around a pound. I keep going back to these since they are light and versatile.
If or when I upgrade binos, I will fabricate my own case and harness. I'm blessed with my custom camo, hardware and foams for any project.

That said, I am considering some options like you are.
So far, I checked out Nashville's recommendation.
Since I like features of both, but especially the pro KUIU, I'll post the two of three vids I watched.
More than likely, I'll borrow from one design and add my customizations when the time comes.

Here's the better review from a user not affiliated with the company.

That sounds pretty good too.
Would be nice for day hikes and hunts when it won't rain.

I have two

Marsupial and Kuiu Pro

No complaints with either

Rick Young if you just want a harness. I like the Marsupial/Outdoor Vision because they offer some protection but are still on the compact side

For a few years I used a Crooked Horn but after 3 or 4 seasons the elastic stretched so bad it was getting useless. Then I switched to a Rick Young and was VERY glad I did. I've had it maybe 5 years now and it's as good as new.

Alaska Guide Creations Kodiak Cub w/ M.A.X.X pocket. Lid has full top and side coverage to protect against dirt and weather.

Back home and just tried out the Alaska Guide Creations Kodiak Cub w/ M.A.X.X pocket around the house. I’ll be headed out looking for bears for a few days and will be leaving the Kuiu harness at home so I’m not tempted… First impressions on the AGC so far, I will most likely stick to the Kuiu. It’s not feeling as comfortable at this point but it needs further (fair) testing.

So people probably just push my views under the bridge because they want to be a "bro hunter". Tidewe is a chinese company that makes knockoffs. For 30.00 you get a very well designed harness with a rf pouch. Just look it up. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Yes, let's patronize Chinese companies as much as possible. Wow...

On Memorial Day weekend, no less.

Yeah. You might be surprised and pay Gore for a Sikta harness made by Tidewe or get a Kuiu or Vortex made in Vietnam. You are paying for a name. Sure there are some that are made in US like the Alaska Guide Creations. I love that harness but its Yuge. Tidewe basically is a direct company that manufactures harnesses for companies like Vortex or Sitka and then doesn't charge you for that sitka or Kuiu emblem.

I've been using the marsupial for years and have been very happy with it.

Personally, I’d rather buy a Kuiu made in Vietnam than anything made in China.

Bino harnesses are not popular around me in upstate NY. Went to visit my son in Wyoming. Hiking, shed hunting, prairie dog shooting. Just a lot of fun. After day one of carrying my binoculars around my neck I decided I needed a bino harness. Bought the AGC. Absolutely love it. I especially like the elastic pouch on the top. I take a lot of pictures with my phone and it's a great place to carry that as well.

Really like my AGC. Simple. Works.

We've got a few AGC and they have been first rate. I like using stuff made by Americans though when possible.

Gear sure is not "one size or one style works for all".... I used the old crooked horn style for years. Finally decided I had to upgrade. After a week on a wilderness horseback hunt I learned these are not for me. BTW I used a AGC classic. I switched back to just another version of the Crooked horn style. I do want to try another harness that affords some optic protection but I want a minimalist foot print on my chest. What about the old S4 Gear Lockdown X? Is the KUIU the smallest/ slimmest on the market? The Cabela's Teck-Lite Binoculars Harness seems slim...I just don't want a huge wad of gadgets on my chest... just not for me

I have used them all from the first elastic type harnesses that stretch out hang down around your waste and drag in the dirt if your belly crawling, to some of the new designs the look and feel like your carrying a freaking tool box on your chest and make your shoulders sore. I have found that the Marsupial bino harness is the most streamlined and the magnet flap open/closure system is the easiest to operate without all the extra closures and straps. if you need to carry more [bleep] you can add extra pouches for ammo, range finder, etc. Give them a try they make a good product!

That's why I use Marsupial.....

For longer trips I really like the ACG which handles everything I need for the stalk and kill. It is a bit much for shorter trips though; the unneeded bulk is substantial if just tree-siting or working closer to a vehicle.

Rick Young!

For a minimalist setup, the Rick Young harness with neoprene cover is hard to beat.

Picked up a Kuiu. Should have done so sooner...

Jordan,
I've used a Rick Young shock cord harness for years and really like the minimalist approach. However, I'm taking an interest in the neoprene cover as that next little step for getting in and out of the truck and throwing them up on the dashboard or console. Is it handy enough to just store your bino's in them all the time, yet still be simple when you don them and go for a walk-about?

Where do you find the neoprene covers? Thanks

Yep, they are plenty handy in use. My bino stays in the cover when I’m hunting, and is easily accessible.

https://rickyoungoutdoors.com/neoprene-binocular-cover/

There’s also this for an even more minimalist option:

https://rickyoungoutdoors.com/ultra-light-bino-cover/

I've had the AGC for a long time, works well.

Lately I've been using the Further Faster Designs on archery hunts, it carries my binos and hand gun for easy access even with a full pack on.

Kent

I just received my Rick Young neoprene cover this week. Combined with the Rick Young shock cord harness and it's about as perfect as it gets.

Marsupial Brand users...

Do you think that any of the cases would work well for a Bible case when not in the field using binos?
I visit the convalescent and share the gospel more than carry binoculars. I need some kind of way to carry a large print Bible and keep the light rain off. It gets heavy after a while. The smaller pouches like the Joey just aren't quite big enough.

HC

The Rick Young harness is fine as long as you're not worried about getting caught up while crossing fences or about a hundred other ways the stupid cord dangling off your back may become stuck in things. The Rick Young Harness is the Butt Out of bino harnesses.

Keep in mind who you are hearing the glowing reviews from here. One guy used two different bullets for hunting, switching out from long to short range. Ridiculous.

not mentioned yet, but be sure to peek at FHF's lineup as well (made in the good ol' USA if that matters)

I've had mine for 4-5 seasons thus far and very happy with it. If you even carry a sidearm to the field, the Razco's holsters are purpose made to use with the FHF's harness (also made in the good ol' USA)

Hopefully MeatEater continues that.

I did not know that Meat Eater purchased FHF, yeah hopefully still produced in Bozeman!

LOL, different strokes for different folks, but the RY harness works great for me. I also really like the Kuiu Pro harness, but it's a bit of a different animal from the RY. Using two loads for hunting also happens to work great for me. Nothing ridiculous about it.

It's really not that hard to tuck it under your outer layer if needed. Much of the time I've got a pack on so the cord is way down the list on things that's going to get caught. Use the bino harness you want with the features you want but the Rick Young is a great, functional, simple piece of gear.

Yes

Thanks. I'll look into it. Their latest version sounds like a good candidate.

I like my AGC, I’m basic though, I just keep my rant finding swaros, bug spray, and a few bullets in it.

Another vote for the Rick Young shock cord harness and for Marsupial packs. With the RY harness I’ve used my Marsupial rain cover to keep out water and dust. The RY neoprene cover looks like a winner too.

RYO…

Rick Young
Have it.
Use it.
Like it.
Recommend it.

Rick young and a bino slicker for my 8x30s. Marsupial for my 8x42 meostars and 12x50 swaros.

Went away from the original Kuiu harness...much happier with marsupial.

I also tried a stone glacier. Was super nice, just not large enough for my 12x50s....now that I have a set of 8x42 meostars I'd like to give one a shot again.

I've tried most of them and keep going back to using a comfortable wide strap around my neck and tucking them into the front of my vest when I'm walking, running, or crawling. Sounds weird but I really like the accessibility and ease of them hanging there when I need them.

Rick Young is the best straight up harness I have found. I think it is a great setup for lighter weight binos and might be ideal for 8x32's or similar. With my heavy-ish Bushnell Legend M's, it gets pretty uncomfortable. That's just my experience.

I do not find any bino pack to be especially comfortable, but the AGC was been the best I have tried. Marsupial looks nice, but I would like to avoid magnets as I still use a compass sometimes.

I have a Rick Young. It sucks. Try using that one while riding horses in really rough country. It will beat hell out of you.

So put it inside your coat in rough country.....

Yeah. Or tucking the bino back up and into the harness bungees works pretty well. I like the RYO for what it is. Still, I prefer my Kuiu Pro for most stuff, and especially on horseback.

FHF, even on a horse! Even has a spot for my range finder!

Extra pockets, and still Compact enough to be out of the Way!

Love it!

I have a Rick Young that never gets used. Tried several others sold most of them. FHF is compact & well built now used by my son. Elk hunting I want to drop my backpack & run over the next ridge with whatever I need so that is my AGC. Holds 10x42 EL’s, Leica range finder, tags, pen, knife, extra bullets wind checker. Yes it’s bulkier than I prefer but keeps the binoculars clean, is quiet and holds everything I need except water to be independent from the large pack for a while.

I used to use an HPG recon but It did pistol carry better than binos and hunting equipment.

Currently I'm really liking the Sitka mountain optics "chest rig" reminds me of the ol battle racks. For me the best part is all the little extra slot pockets built in.

Main bino pocket has a Bungie and magnet management system I like and has a slot for a lens cloth. On the outside of the pocket there's slots on either side one for my Leatherman charge which does a fair amount of work breaking down deer and pigs and lighter/chapstick in the other slot.

To each side is a Bungie lid pocket and a slot pocket on front of those pockets which holds my RF and archery release in one and the other has my Garmin, wind check, mouth reeds and headlamp.

Chest side zipper pocket holds my license and tags securely. I really dig the level or organization on this set up

I use the FHF with a range finder pouch. Very happy with the setup, it’s comfortable and well built. The side pouch is a little tight for my wind checker bottle

I use an Badlands XR with range finder pocket, Thinks it great when i couple it with backpack, othervise the Rick Young seems faboulus

I use an Badlands XR with range finder pocket, Thinks it great when i couple it with backpack, othervise the Rick Young seems faboulus

I would guess that Meat Eater is Smart enough to keep it the way it is!

They strike me as a group, if it's "not Broke don't fix" it type of Team!

Don't know Steve Rinella, but he sure seems to see the whole picture, or at least try to!

Love their Programing, and their approach to things!

Another vote for the Kuiu Pro from me.

Rick young

FHF

AGC or K&T. Both are great.

Badlands! With the lower rangefinder pocket. Two side pockets for calls. Magnetic closures open DOWN, out of your way not UP in your face and falling closed all the time. Elastic cords for binos and rangefinders so if the flap were to open the optics can't get lost. Very well designed and built. BADLANDS all the way!