One essential piece of equipment for any serious turkey hunter is a quality turkey vest. If chosen correctly, a good turkey vest not only provides ample storage for turkey hunting essentials but also offers comfort and convenience in the field. With the variety of options available in the market, it can be overwhelming for hunters to choose the right one, but the good news is, the 2023 options are some of the best turkey vests ever made. In this article, I have researched and compiled a list of the best turkey vests of 2023, highlighting their features and benefits to help hunters make an informed decision. I also give you my pick for what turkey vest I would choose from the lot based on the points that are most important in a turkey vest. Whether you are a seasoned turkey hunter or a beginner, this article is your ultimate guide to finding the perfect turkey vest for your next hunt.
Table of Contents:
- Best Turkey Vests Comparison Chart
- The Best Turkey Vest in Production
- Turkey Hunting Vests With Kickstand or Sit Anywhere Seats
- Lightweight Run and Gun Turkey Vests
- Women’s and Youth Turkey Vests
- Points to Consider in Turkey Vests
- FAQS
- Additional Options for a Turkey Vest with Seat
Top 10 Turkey Vests (swipe left to view)
The Best Turkey Vest in Production – ALPS OutdoorZ Impact Vest
Why it’s the Best Turkey Vest in Production
The Alps Impact Turkey Vest is my pick for the best turkey vest in production today because it does everything well in all areas that matter for turkey hunting. If you are looking for a vest for long sits or running and gunning, the integrated stadium-style seat offers comfort while still being very lightweight and adaptable to any type of terrain, something that can’t be said for kickstand-style turkey vests. If you aren’t so sure about that stadium-style seat, I challenge you to try it. The design is self-supporting of your body weight and provides comfort without the need for a cushion. Pockets are ample and fully loaded I have plenty of room for everything I need and room to spare.
I love that they offer this vest in multiple camouflage options for the early and late seasons as well as sizes that will fully adjust for kids and women all the way up to really big guys. If you want a vest that truly does everything well and is lightweight to boot, this is it. Coming in at under $100, you can buy one in each color and always have one on hand for a guest and still pay less than other fully featured vests on the market.
Advantages
- Sit-anywhere, lightweight design
- Easily adjustable to accommodate a variety of body types
- Game bag on the back of the vest has plenty of room for decoys, extra layers, and the Tom you just bagged
- Silent box call pocket
- Slate call pocket for two slate calls and three strikers
- Five shotgun shell loops and three diaphragm call pockets
- Pocket on the inside of the game bag for decoy stakes
- Magnet included on standard size to hold the seat in place while not in use
Disadvantages
- The seat takes getting used to, but once you get it how you like it, it’s the best I’ve experienced. The key is to keep the front vest buckles undone when seated.
- No dedicated Thermacell pocket, but plenty of room for one in other pockets. I’d love to see ALPS make this upgrade.
- No water bottle pocket, but the pocket in the game bag is hydration-compatible and other pockets will easily hold a water bottle.
Top Picks For Turkey Hunting Vests With Kickstand or Sit Anywhere Seats
NOMAD Bull Lounger Turkey Vest
Advantages
- Aluminum Frame
- 23 total general and specialized pockets including dedicated space for your Thermacell, mouth pocket calls, box call, and more
- Removable seat cushion
- 14 points of adjustment
- Roomy adjustable rear game pouch with decoy stake pockets
- Dual water bottle pockets
Disadvantages
- Price
- Weight
The Bull Lounger Turkey Vest is built for supreme comfort in all terrain, upright and rigid without a tree while seated. The 14 points of adjustment allow for one size-fits-most customization. The external enlarged pockets create quick access to box calls, mouth calls, Thermacell, game, water bottles and shells. The seat features a double-padded high-density foam seat with magnetic attachments and a seated adjustment handle.
ALPS OutdoorZ Grand Slam Turkey Vest
Advantages
- Sit-anywhere removable kickstand frame
- Swivel feet prevent sinking
- Removable, memory foam fold-away seat
- Smartphone sleeve allows you to use phone while in pocket
- Silent, protective box call pocket
- Hydration compatible
- Two side/water bottle pockets
- Side compression straps adjust to different body types
Disadvantages
- Heavy
- Kickstand Style seats do not adjust well to all terrain types
- Costs as much as two Alps Impact Turkey Vest
With a memory foam seat that folds away and a removable kickstand frame with fast-locking adjustable legs and swivel feet to prevent sinking in mud, this vest will be very comfortable on flat to rolling terrain. If you are the type of hunter that wants one of every type of call and three of a few, this vest has a pocket for each. Improving upon the Impact design, this vest has water bottle holders as well as being hydration compatible. The side compression straps will allow for one-size fits most comfort.
NOMAD Killin Time Turkey Vest
Advantages
- Tons of Pockets
- Stadium Seat offers lightweight, sit anywhere comfort
- Cushion keeps you comfortable and able to sit still for longer
- Thermacell pocket
- Mesh Mouth Call Pockets
- Dual Water bottle pockets
Disadvantages
- Expensive – Nearly three times as much as the Alps Impact Vest with only a few added features.
- Sunglasses Pocket? Can’t see the usefulness of this on a turkey vest. Drop it and make this vest less expensive.
This turkey vest is engineered with tons of purpose-driven pockets for those hunters who love organization and one of everything. The stadium seat means this vest is built for not only comfort but for mobility as well. The foam seat is a nice feature, but I have found padding to be unnecessary in stadium-style seats.
TideWe Turkey Vest
Advantages
- variety of different accessory pockets.
- removable and adjustable frame
- Adjustable system for a custom fit
- hydration compatible
- Cheap compared to other kickstand vests
Disadvantages
- Kickstands do not allow for setups in every terrain easily
- Weight
With ample pockets, you’ll never run out of room for anything you (really) need. The removable and adjustable frame equips you to sit almost anywhere. Adjustability in the vest allows you to accommodate many different body sizes.
Tenzing TR18 Turkey Recliner Turkey Vest
Advantages
- Spring-loaded, adjustable aluminum legs
- Dual-layer foam seat provides soft cushioning and support
- Air-cooled, channeled/padded backrest
Disadvantages
- Kickstands do not allow for setups in every terrain easily
- Weight
- Feet on aluminum legs will sink into soft terrain
- Aluminum legs can be loud when walking in thick cover
Best Lightweight Turkey Vest / Run and Gun Turkey Vest
ALPS OutdoorZ Impact Turkey Vest
If you are looking for a vest for long sits or running and gunning, the integrated stadium-style seat offers comfort while still being very lightweight and adaptable to any type of terrain, something that can’t be said for kickstand-style turkey vests. I love that they offer this vest in multiple camouflage options for the early and late seasons as well as sizes that will fully adjust for kids and women all the way up to really big guys. If you want a vest that truly does everything well and is lightweight to boot, this is it. Coming in at under $100, it’s one of the most economical sit-anywhere style vests on the market.
Advantages
- Sit-anywhere, lightweight design
- Easily adjustable to accommodate a variety of sizes
- Game bag on the back of the vest
- Removable seat
- Silent box call pocket
- Slate call pocket for two slate calls and three strikers
- Five shotgun shell loops and three diaphragm call pockets
- Pocket on the inside of the game bag for decoy stakes
- Magnet included on standard size to hold the seat in place while not in use
Disadvantages
- The seat takes getting used to, but once you get it how you like it, it’s the best I’ve experienced. The key is to keep the front vest buckles undone when seated.
- A removable front pocket with a shoulder strap for run-n’ gun-style hunts is unnecessary. This vest is light enough for the longest, most fatiguing hunts.
- No dedicated Thermacell pocket, but plenty of room for one in other pockets. I’d love to see ALPS make this upgrade.
- No water bottle pocket, but the pocket in the game bag is hydration-compatible and other pockets will easily hold a water bottle.
The ALPS OutdoorZ Impact Turkey Vest has an integrated stadium-style seat that offers comfort while still being very lightweight and adaptable to any type of terrain, something that can’t be said for kickstand-style turkey vests. The Nomad Killin time Vest also offers a stadium style seat, but at almost three times the cost of the Alps, the choice is easy if you have an eye on your budget
Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest
Advantages
- Ample storage
- Magnetic closures for silence
- Adjustable pack strap system offers customizable fit in sizes XS-XXL
Disadvantages
- Cost
- The seat is not optimized to sit without a backrest, so you’ll need a tree for this one. A big disadvantage.
The untraditional approach to this turkey vest is interesting but ultimately comes up short. It is very lightweight and offers excellent materials and craftsmanship. While touted as a “run and gun” style turkey vest, it has a fatal flaw, the lack of a sit-anywhere style seat. The point of running and gunning is to cover a lot of ground so that you can find a turkey, but that doesn’t mean you are going to be able to find a tree to sit against when you do. It also doesn’t mean that the turkey isn’t going to take his sweet time coming close enough for a shot. If Sitka can improve its first design with a sit-anywhere style seat, it will be a real contender. Until then, there are more well-thought-out designs on the market.
Knight and Hale Turkey Vest
Advantages
- 10-point adjustment system
- Just over 1.5 pounds.
- Open design ideal for hot weather
- Available in Mossy Oak Obsession or Realtree Edge
Disadvantages
- Lacks sit-anywhere style seat
The Knight & Hale RNG-200 has a 10-point adjustment system from shoulders to chest and belly to lumbar. It is designed to offer a custom fit for man, woman, or child. Without the bagginess, you won’t get snagged as much and long walks will be more comfortable. Weighing just over 1.5 pounds, it’s one of the lightest options available. The hydration bladder compatibility is a nice feature, but ultimately, similar to the Sitka vest, this vest falls short due to the lack of a sit-anywhere style seat.
Tethrd Hunting Public M2 Turkey Vest
Advantages
- Made in the USA
- Modular design let’s you configure your organization
- Lightweight and sleek, preventing snags and keeping you cooler
- MOLLE compatible
- WisprTUFF fabric promises quiet toughness
- hydration compatible
Disadvantages
- Expensive – Nearly 4 times the cost of the Alps Impact.
- Lacks a sit-anywhere style seat
The M2 Turkey vest is designed for mobile turkey hunters who desire quiet function. It’s touted as being “everything a mobile turkey hunter needs and nothing they don’t.” Unfortunately, it falls short in that regard much like the Sitka and Knight and Hale vests by lacking a sit-anywhere seat. This mobile turkey hunter has to have that.
The Best Women’s and Youth Turkey Vests
ALPS OutdoorZ Impact Camo Turkey Vest Small Size
Advantages
- Sit-anywhere, lightweight design
- Sized smaller for women and children but still adjustable
- Silent box call pocket
- Slate call pocket for two slate calls and three strikers
- Pocket on the inside of the game bag for decoy stakes
- Magnet included on standard size to hold the seat in place while not in use
Disadvantages
- The seat takes getting used to, but once you get it how you like it, it’s the best I’ve experienced. The key is to keep the front vest buckles undone when seated.
- No dedicated Thermacell pocket, but plenty of room for one in other pockets. I’d love to see ALPS make this upgrade.
- No water bottle pocket, but the pocket in the game bag is hydration-compatible and other pockets will easily hold a water bottle.
The ALPS OutdoorZ Impact Turkey Vest is my pick for the best turkey vest in production today so why would it be any different for women and kids? The integrated stadium-style seat offers comfort while still being very lightweight and adaptable to any type of terrain, something that can’t be said for kickstand-style turkey vests. Coming in at under $100, it’s great as a kids vest when you know they’ll grow out of it.
She Outdoor Striker Elite Turkey Vest
Advantages
- Fully adjustable, fatigue-reducing, padded shoulder straps
- Expandable pockets for shells, slate call, and mouth calls
- Hydration-compatible
Disadvantages
- Lacks sit-anywhere style seat
- more expensive than more fully featured vests.
This is the only turkey vest designed specifically for women. It has many of the features of turkey vests designed for men but is cut for women. While this sounds good on paper, the infinite adjustability of many of the “male” designed vests will be comfortable for women as well. Also, the lack of the sit-anywhere style seat makes this vest lacking what turkey hunters, regardless of gender, really need.
Points to Consider in Turkey Vests
When choosing a turkey vest, there are several important factors to consider. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- The Seat: For me, the most important feature of a turkey vest is the seat, and here’s why. No other feature on the vest can directly contribute to you killing more birds, or messing your hunt up. I’ve killed more gobblers being patient than with fancy calling and “running and gunning”. That being said, a big part of being patient is being comfortable, so to me, put a preference on vests that have a seat that allows you to sit for long periods, on any terrain, whether you have a tree to lean up against or not. This one feature alone has helped me to have more success than any other piece of turkey hunting gear that I own. A stadium-style seat has an advantage over turkey vests with a kickstand in that there is no need to adjust legs on uneven terrain and they come in much lighter and quieter.
- Storage Capacity: It should have enough pockets and compartments to hold all your hunting essentials such as calls, shells, snacks, water, and more. I love that more and more vest manufacturers are designing a pocket for a Thermacell. Behind a comfortable seat, a Thermacell has become an essential piece of turkey hunting gear that will keep you motionless when the bugs are out. In addition to a dedicated Thermacell pouch, pay close attention to the bellow-style pouch in the back. Make sure that you can easily get things in and out without having to take the vest off in the field. You will constantly be putting layers, decoys, etc. in this bag. Look for a box call pocket that has a bungee system that will keep the call silent until you want to use it.
- Comfort: A turkey vest should fit comfortably and be adjustable to accommodate different body types. Look for vests with padded shoulder straps and plenty of adjustabilities so that it is snugged up to your body when you are on those long walking days in the Spring.
- Durability: A turkey vest should be made of durable materials that can withstand the wear and tear of the hunting season. Look for vests made of heavy-duty fabric, reinforced stitching, and water-resistant coating.
- Camouflage: Camouflage is essential in turkey hunting, and the vest should blend in with the environment to keep you hidden from the birds. Look for vests with patterns that match the terrain where you will be hunting.
- Weight: Turkey hunting requires a lot of walking and hiking, so the vest should not be too heavy to carry. Look for lightweight vests that won’t weigh you down unless your style of hunting doesn’t;t involve a lot of movement. there are some great vests out there that are fully featured and pack on the weight to get there.
- Accessibility: The vest should be designed for easy access to all your hunting essentials, with pockets and compartments placed in convenient locations.
FAQS
Do I Need a Turkey Vest?
What you really need on every turkey hunt is a comfortable place to sit as motionless as possible for as long as possible. You also need a way to carry all of your calls, decoys, and other gear that you might want for your day chasing birds. I have several friends that do not use a turkey vest, but I do. They choose to use a turkey hunting chair and a small bag or even a chest rig for their calls and other gear. I like the simplicity of having everything in my vest ready to go at a moment’s notice, but ultimately the choice is up to you.
How to Size a Turkey Vest
Sizing a turkey vest is an important step to ensure a comfortable and successful turkey hunting experience. Use a measuring tape to measure your chest and waist, and refer to the manufacturer’s sizing chart to determine the size that will fit you best. Whenever possible, try the vest on before purchasing it to make sure it fits comfortably and meets your needs. Lastly, look for adjustability. A turkey vest needs room to grow with you as the early season often begins with more layers than you’ll need in the late season. This isn’t a tailored suit.
What to Carry in a Turkey Vest
Some hunters prefer a minimalist approach. A comfortable chair, a mouth call, and their shotgun are all they want and I certainly understand this ideology. Personally, I take some things on every hunt that I don’t use on every hunt, but not much. I’ve gone in-depth on must-have turkey hunting gear before. Refer to this article for inspiration on everything you might need.
Additional Options for a Turkey Vest with Seat
There are many other options on the market that didn’t make the cut because they did not have the elements that I feel are most important in a turkey vest. If none of the above options worked for you are you want to explore even more turkey vest options on the market, here are some more options that were considered but ultimately, fall short, in my opinion.
Closing Thoughts
A turkey vest is not right for everyone, some people prefer to go with a turkey hunting chair and another style of pack to hold their must-have turkey hunting gear. But for those that choose to wear one, it is one of the more important decisions you can make. In my opinion, prioritize seat comfort in any position over all else, then focus on overall weight and organization afterward. Getting it right can take testing several options, but once you find the vest you love, consider buying a couple so that you always have what you want even if the manufacturer discontinues that model. Popular turkey vests (Like the Bob Dixon Turkey Vest and Mr. Fox Turkey Vest) can fetch big bucks when they are no longer available!
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