Best Upland Hunting Vest 2025 (Top Picks and Review)
Getting into the realm of hunting without a good hunting vest is for the amateurs. So, if you have decided to invest in a good vest well ahead of going into your hunting practices, then you are on the right path.
To find the best upland hunting vest, please keep reading. We talk in detail about these protective suits, and about what makes them qualify as good protection wear for your ventures.
And no, all of these vests are not the same. You’ll understand the difference between them, learn to make a choice that will have you covered for many years based on their quality, features, and much more.
Table of Contents
The 5 Best Hunting Vest Reviews
All five of the vests under discussion here are of a quality that makes them stand out in the market. Whether you are looking for the best bird hunting vest for casual practice or the finest big game hunting vest for a big day, you will find it all here.
So, let’s dive in.
1. Gamehide Switchgrass Upland Field Bird Hunting Vest
This vest comes into a large size and is meant to go over other clothes. There are two big pockets with zippers attached to them to keep your items safe inside. The pockets are big enough to hold extra shells, strings, wax, and all other essential kit required for your hunting apparatus.
But the most important thing here is that the material used to make this vest is cotton canvas. The canvas is thick enough to protect you from thorns and other allergic substances that may come into contact with when you are in the woods.
A lot of firm stitching went into the construction of this vest to make it durable and long-lasting. And because of the pads on the shoulder, you are going to feel comfortable with this even if you keep wearing it for many long hours.
The pads will also provide support for when you are carrying the hunting bow on your shoulders.
On top of the convenience of wearing this vest, you are going to get a game bag that has a lot of pockets inside and is completely blood and waterproof.
It’s the perfect vest for wearing on your hunting trips.
2. ALPS OutdoorZ NWTF Grand Slam Turkey Vest
But that’s not the most exciting part of this vest. The most exciting part is that this vest comes with a built-in seating apparatus.
Yes, you have a small detachable kickstand and a 3-inch memory foam attached to the vest with the help of straps. Propping it up is no task at all, and it’s so convenient that you are going to fall in love with it right away.
The legs of this kickstand are adjustable by themselves as well. So, no matter what your height is, you can make a perfect seat out of this arrangement. The chair will be stable and comfortable as well.
Oh, and when you don’t need the chair, you can detach it and keep it aside as well. Without the kickstand and the cushion, this vest will weight about 4 pounds while with them, it will weigh about 7 pounds.
Now, moving on, you will see that there are numerous pockets stitched into this vest. The pockets are of different sizes, and they will help you to carry all your essentials with you as you travel.
You are also going to get a big game bag and a safety flag with the vest.
The bag comes in two colors. Choose any based on the surroundings that you are most likely to find yourself in.
3. SITKA Gear Men’s Water Repellent Hunting Vest
Most vests are made of very thick material, and once they get wet, it takes a long time to dry them again. But no such thing will happen to you when you wear this water-repelling suit.
Yes, made from a stretchable polyester and coated by a DWR finish, this is a vest that will really protect you against water and other allergenic plants in the bushes where you hide for the hunt.
There is a membrane stitched inside the inner layers of the vest which have a soft fleece with microscopic grids going all through it. This layer of fleece will keep you warm and cozy in the winter.
Also, the grids that we just mentioned will also promote air circulation between the vest and the skin. Thus, it won’t make you sweat when the wind stops flowing.
Also, we all love pockets, don’t we? This vest has many pockets in it – one in the chest and two for the hands, where you can keep all the small necessary items like Hunting GPS, telemeters, and so on.
The pockets come with zippers, and this is, of course, going to help in keeping all your items secure where they should be.
4. Wolverine Men’s Upland Sherpa Lined Vest
It is made of cotton, and it looks stylish. So, it is comfortable and fashionable – two things that will give you a boost in your hunting prowess.
There is a zipper that runs through the middle of the vest. You can keep this zipper open or closed depending on the weather. Let us tell you that the vest looks fantastic in both ways.
Also, let’s face it. No matter how pretty the vest is, you are going to get dirt on it. Now, as it turns out, cleaning this beautiful vest is a piece of cake – just throw into the washing machine, and your work will be done.
Easy, isn’t it?
When you peer in and look at it from the interior, you will find yourself become more impressed. There is a thin lining of the high-quality fleece made from special polyester that has the distinctive smooth feel and the rough look that is characteristic of a sheep’s soft wool.
It will keep you warm and cozy when you find the air getting chilly.
Moving on, you will be able to some kangaroo pockets on the vest. There are pockets on the inside as well. Keep the more precious items in the interior pockets because they have a Velcro attached to them, which will keep your items safe as you make rough turns to catch your prey.
5. Mountain Pass Extreme Big Game Blaze Orange Camo Hunting Vest
In case you get a kill, there will a lot of blood splattering near it. To get close to your kill right away, you need to wear something as bright as this, so that the blood gets camouflaged and doesn’t scare people away as you return home with your reward.
In terms of convenience, you will find that zippered pockets that we all love so much. The zippers are of very high-quality, and so will be easy to pull on and off as per requirement.
You will also find a zipper on the frontal part of your vest. This will also be a relief if suddenly the winds change, and you feel yourself working up a sweat as you wait for your prey.
There will be a pair of big kangaroo pockets on the vest as well. In these pockets, you will be able to keep extra shell holders, Hunting GPS tracker, and other essentials that will make your hunt go smoother.
You will find some vertical pockets on the sides as well. They are big pockets and can hold small water bottles that you may want to take with you.
At the backside of the vest, you will find a very large cargo storage unit to which you can attach foldable kickstands or keep insulated clothing in for back up.
There are grips provided on the shoulders, and they will come of great use to you if you have to take any slings along.
Also Read:
Buying Guide for The Best Orange Hunting Vest:
If you are still on the hunt for the best hunting vest, then have no woe. We’re still here to help you. Follow the pointers on this guide below, and judge vests all on your own.
The Structure or Fit:
Hunting is an activity that will need you to have free movement. You must be comfortable enough to run, stop, bend, grab, and move whenever you see an opportunity. Now, don’t wear vests that are too large because they will make it uncomfortable for you to keep your stance straight while moving, and even while staying stationary.
Try to get something that is not restrictive or too bulky.
Weather-Proof:
The weather is a big factor in the hunting scenario. Sometimes it rains, and sometimes the suns glow too bright. You need to find a material that is comfortable to wear but also gives some sort of protection.
Vests that have multiple layers in them are especially good. Look for ones that have a layer of cotton underneath, while the topcoat is of some polyester material that will deflect heat and moisture.
Stitching:
The stitching must be airtight. Many vests in the market have weather-proof fabric, but they let water in through the stitches. In order to avoid that, you need to find a vest that comes with in-lined double stitching to avoid water from getting inside the vest and soaking up your clothes from the inside.
Patterns:
To be camouflaged or to be not? Many beginners get confused by the difference in the two major types of hunting vests that are widely available. One-color is just very bright orange, and the other (more sensible one) is a camouflaged print.
Camouflaged is good because it hides you from the view of the animals, and this gives you an advantage when you’re trying to sneak up on them for the kill. The bright orange is meant more for people – so that you are easily detectable in case you get too deep into the wild and fall prey to some danger.
In some states, it is mandatory for hunters to wear orange. So, if you are not in a state with such hunting laws, it will be up to you to choose between the two.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
If you have questions that we haven’t answered below, please feel free to let us know.
What material should I choose if I have options between polyester and cotton?
If you are not sure about your commitment to the practice, get polyester because it’s cheaper. But if you want durability, get cotton.
Should the closing of the pockets matter?
Yes, if you have Velcro pockets, then you won’t be able to open them when prey is close because animals are very sensitive to sound, and the Velcro zap will alert the prey.
Can I get waterproof hunting vests?
Not recommended, because they will not be as durable in upland hunting.
How should I wash my hunting vests?
If they’re not labeled as machine-washable, you have to wash them by hand using a mild detergent.
Will these vests suit both genders?
Yes, they are unisex vests. Most of them come with straps that you can adjust to tweak the overall shape.
Conclusion:
Quality matters more than appearance. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a middle ground in between.
On that note, we’ll end this article here. I hope we could help you find the best bird hunting vest for yourself.
Best of luck with the hunting practices. Be careful, and have fun!
