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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
When choosing a turkey vest, there are several important factors to consider. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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