If you’ve hunted turkeys long enough, you know that no two ornery gobblers are alike. The same probably holds true for most turkey hunters when it comes to their tactics, calling strategies, and even their clothing or gear. While some hunters view turkey vests as equally important as their calls, others opt for fanny packs or no vest at all out of minimalism or downright rebellion. With that in mind, I tested the best turkey vests (and non-turkey vests) to suit a wide range of hunters and hunting tactics. Regardless of your preference or hunting style, this review should help you find the best turkey vest or alternate option that best fits you for chasing longbeards this spring.
Turkey hunting continues to grow in popularity across North America According to recent surveys by the National Wild Turkey Federation, there are now over 230,000 active turkey hunters in the US. alone.
With this rise in participation, more and more hunters are looking for gear that will give them an edge in the turkey woods. One key piece of equipment for any turkey hunter is a quality turkey vest. But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which is the best turkey vest for your needs.
In this detailed guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to find the ideal turkey vest. including
- Key features to look for
- Reviews of the top models
- Buying considerations
- Frequently asked questions
Why Wear a Turkey Vest?
Before diving into specific products, it helps to understand the benefits of using a turkey vest compared to other gear options Here are some of the main advantages turkey vests provide
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Specialized storage: Turkey vests have pockets and pouches designed to hold calls, ammo, gloves, and other turkey hunting accessories. This keeps your gear organized and within easy reach.
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Comfort: Quality turkey vests have thick, padded seats or cushions. This allows you to sit for hours waiting for a gobbler without getting sore.
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Portability: Vest design keeps your hands free for calling, shooting, and carrying gear. You don’t have to juggle a backpack or bag.
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Safety: Vest includes features like blaze orange pull-out flaps for walking in or out. Some also have built-in game bags for safe transport of harvested birds.
For serious turkey hunters who run-and-gun or sit all day, a well-designed vest is an essential item. It takes the hassle out of carrying and accessing your gear, while letting you focus on tagging that longbeard.
Key Features to Look For
When researching your options, here are some of the most important features to consider in a turkey vest:
Storage and Pockets
- Ample room for calls, ammo, water, and other essentials
- Call-specific pockets for organization
- Box call silencers to reduce noise
- Zippered pouches prevent items falling out
Comfort
- Padded or removable seat
- Backrest on high-end models
- Adjustable fit
- Breathable, ventilated material
Mobility
- Lightweight design
- Unrestrictive when running and gunning
- Quick-access call pockets
Extras
- Effective camo pattern
- Removable game bag
- Safety pull-out flaps
- Water bottle holders
Paying attention to these features will ensure you choose a vest that meets your personal preferences and hunting style.
Reviews of the Top Turkey Vests
To further help narrow down the options, here are reviews of some of the best-rated and most popular turkey vests currently available:
Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest
The Sitka Equinox gets top honors as the best overall turkey vest. It’s designed for mobility, with a minimalist build perfect for run-and-gun hunting.
Despite its low profile, the Equinox still boasts 14 total pockets for excellent organization. The magnet-close call pouches are silent while providing quick access. A large backpack-style pocket holds extra layers or a water bladder.
The dual-density foam seat stays comfortable even after hours of sitting. For hot weather hunts, the vest is highly adjustable while remaining ventilated. The only downsides are the premium price tag and lack of a traditional game bag.
ALPS Outdoorz Grand Slam Turkey Vest
Serious turkey hunters who spend all day waiting for toms will appreciate the Grand Slam. The removable kickstand frame and padded seat with swivel feet provide superb comfort however you’re setup.
Storage is also impressive, with a huge blood-proof game bag and pockets galore for calls, shells, and other accessories. The size is ample for holding decoys as well. Two minor complaints are bulkiness when moving through thick brush, and noisy magnetic seat attachments.
Redhead Classic II Turkey Vest
As a top budget option, the Redhead Classic II gives you solid performance without breaking the bank. A large game bag and basic front storage pockets provide adequate room for calls and small extras.
The snap-on, padded seat allows all-day comfort. While it lacks some bells and whistles of premium models, the Classic II gets hunters started without overspending. Use the savings to buy more calls and ammo.
Nomad Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest
For superb versatility, check out the Pursuit Convertible from Nomad. It quickly converts from a traditional vest to a stripped-down fanny pack by removing attachments.
In vest form, storage and seating are ample. Pockets include a Thermacell holder and box call silencer. As a fanny pack, it still provides a padded seat and basic organization. The flexibility suits any hunting scenario or personal preference.
Tethrd M2 Modular Turkey Vest
Those wanting a totally customized setup should look at the M2 Modular Vest from Tethrd. The base vest comes with a frame, Molle straps, and belt. Then you add accessories like game bags, call pouches, water bladders, and more.
The result is a turkey vest you can set up however meets your needs. The kit is also lightweight, adjustable, and ideal for mobile hunting. Downsides are relatively high cost and some assembly required. But for customization, it can’t be beat.
Key Buying Considerations
To choose the best turkey vest for your needs, keep these key factors in mind while shopping:
Hunting Style
If you hunt more stationary from blinds, go for comfort with thick seats and backrests. Active run-and-gun hunters should look for lightweight, non-restrictive designs.
Features
Know what features are must-haves for you like water bottle pouches or a game bag. Also decide if you need every call pocket and pouch available.
Budget
Set a comfortable spending limit. While premium models offer more, you can still get excellent quality at moderate prices from trusted brands.
Fit
Try on vests (if possible) to ensure a comfortable fit. Look for adjustable straps and sizes if sharing with others.
Time Hunting
All-day hunters need maximum storage and seating comfort. Those on shorter trips can get by with less.
Camo Pattern
Make sure to match the vest camo to environments you’ll be hunting. Consider options for early season and late season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some common questions turkey hunters have when vest shopping:
What size turkey vest do I need?
Most quality turkey vests now come in a variety of adjustable sizes from XS through XXXL. Measure your chest and go up a size from what you’d normally wear to allow room for calling, shooting, and breathing.
How do I wash a turkey vest?
Hand wash using a mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and air dry. Use an old tooth brush to scrub stains gently. Remove game bags, seat cushions, and other detachable parts first.
When should I wear a turkey vest?
Wear your vest any time you’re turkey hunting, from early scouting trips to opening day and beyond. The key is getting familiar with your gear so it’s second nature come go-time.
What’s better a vest or backpack?
Vests allow faster, easier access to calls and other accessories. Backpacks can potentially muffle calls and require more digging. But backpacks may suit those who hike longer distances. It comes down personal preference.
How long do turkey vest last?
With proper care, most quality turkey vests will give 5 years or more of reliable service. Check for quality zippers, stitching, and materials when buying for longevity.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, turkey hunters now have a wide range of excellent vests to choose from. Models from trusted brands like Sitka, ALPS Outdoorz, and others offer the features and durability needed for success.
Determine your budget, how and where you hunt, must-have options, and then try some on to find your ideal fit. With the right turkey vest, you’ll stay comfortable, organized and ready to tag that early morning gobbler.
Best Turkey Vests: Reviews & Recommendations
- No wasted space
- Seat doesn’t deflate after long sits
- Silent
- Large back pocket for storage or water bladder
- Premium price
- No traditional game bag
- Water resistant
- Magnetic storage for calls
- Vest adjusts from S to XXL
- Hydration bladder compartment
While the SITKA Equinox was designed with running-n-gunning in mind, this is the best turkey vest for any style of hunting. This minimalist design ensures that there’s no wasted space, yet there are plenty of pockets and pouches to store every call in your arsenal. The magnetic pouches are one of the best features on this vest. Instead of snap buttons, Velcro, or zippers, these pouches open and close silently, so you can retrieve any of your calls without worrying about spooking a bird.
On the left side of the vest, I was able to store two slate calls and several mouth calls in the magnetic clamshell pouch and the right side has two slots to fit a small and large box call. I loaded the call pockets with a total of two slates and strikers, three mouth calls, a box, and a locator call, and I found the location and design of the pockets intuitive and easy to access.
A lot of vests have seats that tend to deflate after sitting for a few hours, or others try to overcompensate for this by using a bulky cushion. This isn’t the case with the Equinox vest. SITKA uses a dual-density foam in this seat that deflates minimally even after hours of sitting, and it’s compact so it doesn’t get in the way if you’re trying to slip through thick brush or trees. This is by far the best vest seat I’ve used, and you’ll be hard pressed to find one that works better without the bulk.
Sitka ditched the original game bag and went with a backpack instead. While other competitors offer similar options, SITKA’s includes a compartment to store a water bladder for the all-day or deep public hunts. The pack offers an adequate amount of storage but nothing like a traditional game bag that some hunters may use to store decoys or their kill. Still, the vest comes with a detachable turkey sling that clips into the shoulder strap if you’re lucky enough to pull the trigger on a longbeard.
Best Minimalist: SITKA Mountain Optics Harness
- Convenient access
- Minimal weight
- Plenty of call storage
- Dual use
- Lacks extra storage
- Price is higher than most vests
- Magnetic front flap
- One main and two side pockets
- MOLLE compatible
If you prefer a minimalist approach to the turkey woods, the SITKA Mountain Optics Harness is a great option. Most hunters carry a pair of binos, so the dual purpose is worth investing in anyway. The front main opening has a magnetic flap that makes it convenient to silently access your binos or turkey calls. Without my binos, I stored a Lynch’s Fool Proof box call in the main compartment and still had room to add mouth calls, and the lens cloth holder on the inside doubles as storage for your box chalk.
Even with my Leupold BX-4s in the main compartment, I still stored a slate call in each of the side pockets with room to stow multiple mouth calls. The side pockets, which you can detach for an even more minimalist approach, comfortably store most size glass or slate calls, and the side pouches on the main pocket work better than most turkey vests for holding strikers.
The natural position of the bino harness is way more convenient than the side pockets on most turkey vests, and you don’t have to fumble for your calls or other gear because everything is in front of you at chest level. The downsides, such as the lack of a game bag, seat, and back support are obvious, but if you’re the type of hunter who prefers minimal gear, you’re probably not worried about those anyway. You can also add other pieces like a pack or clip-on seat for a DIY vest approach.