Turkey hunting is fun with the right accessories to help you in your quest for the elusive gobbler. With the incessant flood of products on the market, it is easy to get confused. To make your job easier, we take a look at 6 of the best turkey vests that money can buy, to give you a head start over the rest, when you set out for your next turkey hunting experience.
Summary of Best Turkey Vests
- Comfortably sit anywhere in the woods with a removable kickstand frame paired with a 3" memory...
- Adjustable legs and large swivel feet helps with stability and prevents you from sinking into...
- Organize your calls and strikers in a variety of different sized pockets strategically placed...
- Structured internal aluminum frame
- Spring loaded, adjustable aluminum legs
- Fold down padded seat with magnetic fasteners
- Multiple pockets for Calls, shells and accessories
- Large rear access pocket to carry decoys or a harvested turkey
- Big cheeks foam seat attached in the rear for comfort
- Tree Hide shoulder pads reduce the felt recoil produced by heavy turkey loads
- Pockets are designed for specific calls to keep you organized
- Molded foam striker organizer secures striker tips with 6 slots hold strikers, shells and call...
- Zippered pocket with 6" expandable mesh pockets located on the inside that are ideal for the...
- Comfortable and lightweight; cinch strap holds vest tight to body and adjustable straps to give...
- Pockets for camera, snacks, bug spray, blind material, locator calls and flashlight
- Pockets for calls
- 10 compartments
- Mono strap design
**Below, you find more detailed reviews but you can also click links above to see current prices and read customer’s reviews on Amazon.
Turkey Hunting Vests: How They Help You
When you are out in the woods, you will be surprised at the amount of stuff that you need to carry around in terms of direct accessories required for actual hunting, and then other general stuff. If you are a seasoned turkey hunter, you will gradually accumulate these items over the years and suddenly, one fine day you realize just how much you do carry.
You can carry quite a few things in your vest like turkey calls, conditioners for the calls, strikers, and a range finder and so on. You can even carry a few decoys in your turkey vest. It is not advisable to have these stacked in different bags or boxes, as firstly, they would be difficult to find quickly, and secondly, if your calls are stacked on top of each other, they might make noise which you definitely do not want. A turkey vest usually contains a pad at the back upon which you can use for support to avoid getting sore after hours of sitting immobile in one place. These are just some of the benefits of turkey vests.
What To Look For In A Turkey Hunting Vest
So, what do we really need to check while selecting a suitable turkey hunting vest? Here are a few pointers which should put you on the right track:
1. Pockets in Turkey Hunting Vests
This is the first thing you need to look for is pockets – lots and lots of pockets. You may not see the use of each and every pocket at first glance, but once you actually get your turkey hunting vest and start putting your gear into them, you will be able to allocate particular pockets for specific items.
The pockets need to be different sizes, so that you can have place to store bulky items like binoculars or decoys, but smaller sized pockets will come in handy for small, fiddly things like a call striker, which you certainly wouldn’t want to have in a bulky pocket where you would have to delve around for it.
Look for pockets with fasteners like zippers and Velcro, but having elasticized pockets is an additional bonus, because then, your stuff won’t be knocking around and creating unwanted noise. Make sure that you have a few mesh pockets as well, to allow your mouth calls to dry out after use.
Once you start using your turkey hunting vest, you will get familiarized with the different pockets, compartments, and loops, to give you easy and instant access to any given item in the blink of an eye.
2. Look for Comfort
You also need to look for comfort in a turkey vest. Although size is not a critical factor, you should consider temperature variation, for example, some vests have detachable sleeves, for removing when the weather turns warm.
You should also realize that you are likely to have to sit for long hours at a stretch. A good turkey vest will be fitted with a pad at the back, to offer some comfort during a long waiting period. Some vests have a padded seat as well, which not only gives you something to sit on but also keeps you warm while you sit during cold weather.
3. The Camouflage Factor
While camouflage is absolutely necessary, care should be taken to use the right shades of camouflage. Your turkey hunting vest should blend into the background, so the shade of the vest may vary from gray to brown and different shades of green. You need to consider two things here – the region, and the time of the year, as these are the two main factors that determine the shades of the background foliage. That is why a lot of turkey hunters use two or three different turkey hunting vests with different camouflage patterns.
4. Safety Considerations
Last but definitely not the least, be safe. If you are carrying a dead turkey, you don’t want to be shot at by some enthusiastic hunter who saw the turkey but missed you in the camouflage. Orange is the safe color in turkey hunting, and so you should make sure that your turkey vest is fitted with a few bright orange pieces of fabric on the back or sides which can be removed and made visible on such an occasion.
Another useful option is having a pouch for actually storing your trophy out of sight, which can avoid unpleasant encounters with other hunters in the vicinity.
Finding The Best Turkey Vests
Now you know how a good turkey hunting vest can help you during a turkey hunting. You also know what to look for in a turkey vest. To make your job easier, here are 6 of the best turkey vests on the market:
1. Primos Gobbler Turkey Vest Review
Great products come with great ideas, and one of the niftiest ideas about this turkey vest is that it has a holster for carrying your calls. There is also a molded striker organizer which helps you to keep all your striker tips and strikers in such a way that they can be accessed in an instant. There are loads of pockets of different sizes and you even get a cushion to sit on.
You will find that you are able to carry most of what you need in the vest from calls, gloves masks and clippers to water bottles and decoys, and there is even a pouch to carry your gobbler when you bag him. Get access to your stuff when you need it, without fumbling around. Well-designed Tree Hide shoulder pads make for added comfort. The color of the turkey vest is created to blend into different foliage and with the rest of your accessories.
PROS
- Comfortable fit
- Sufficient pockets and pouches
- Good camouflage colors
- High quality zipper fasteners
- Magnetic attachment for the seat engages silently
CONS
- Large size a bit too large, and small a bit too small
- Some customers found issues with the straps
- Tree Hide shoulder pads reduce the felt recoil produced by heavy turkey loads
- Pockets are designed for specific calls to keep you organized
- Molded foam striker organizer secures striker tips with 6 slots hold strikers, shells and call...
2. Tenzing TZ TP14 Turkey Hunting Pack with Seat Review
Here is a vest that has the unique features of a backpack as well, which converts into a really useful accessory that you will love to wear on your next turkey hunting expedition. It has a robust structure, reinforced with an internal aluminum frame, and the vest also has adjustable aluminum legs. This vest is specially designed for the special requirements of turkey hunting, with several innovations which make it a unique product, such as the spring-loaded legs which can convert the vest-cum-backpack into a padded chair in a trice.
It is designed to create an easy hunting experience, as you can store all your accessories in the pouches and pockets to remove quietly whenever you need them. There are a couple of hand-warming pockets so that you can maintain a steady shot even in chilly weather. Mesh pockets are also provided, which gives you visibility of what you need to remove, and they also help to dry out your mouth calls after use. An orange pullover gives you the facility of maximum safety when you are leaving the hunting ground with game.
PROS
- Lots of pouches and pockets provided
- Positions of pouches and pockets well-placed
- Comfortable seat
- Good for hunting from a stationary position
CONS
- Need to tape or stick the removable rubber feet
- Magnets on the cushion are weak
- Structured internal aluminum frame
- Spring loaded, adjustable aluminum legs
- Fold down padded seat with magnetic fasteners
3. Hunters Specialties H.S. Strut Turkey Vest Review
This unique turkey hunting vest is one among a few that really meets the expectations of what a turkey vest is supposed to do. It is not advertised extensively, and the company does not have much to say about their product, so you probably will have a bit of an issue finding it online. But it has received some good feedback from customers who used the product, and it is indeed a worthwhile investment.
The H.S. Strut Turkey vest comes with an abundant supply of pockets and pouches of all shapes and sizes, to help you store all the accessories that you may need when you go on a turkey hunt. There are a couple of large pouches which could come in useful for carrying a couple of turkey decoys. It is also comfortable to wear, offering sufficient room for body movements, especially while being holed up in a restricted space. It has a robust finish, and the camouflage print is very authentic, which helps you to blend into any kind of forest background.
PROS
- Comfortable fit with the option of different sizes
- Prompt delivery
- Sufficient pockets and pouches
- Reasonably priced
- Great camouflage prints
- Good substitute for a backpack
CONS
- Insufficient sectioning of the pockets
- Tends to get uncomfortable after wearing while sitting for long periods
- Multiple pockets for Calls, shells and accessories
- Large rear access pocket to carry decoys or a harvested turkey
- Big cheeks foam seat attached in the rear for comfort
4. ALPS Outdoorz Grand Slam Turkey Vest Review
This turkey hunting vest really gets you into the thick of the turkey hunting experience. It has a ‘sit anywhere’ kickstand frame which gives you the ultimate comfortable wearing experience. A thick padded foldable seat is also provided. A sleeve holds your cell phone in such a way that you can use it without even removing it from the pack. Some of the pockets are removable, giving you more flexibility in the way you use them.
Various other pockets help you to store all your other accessories with ease. The shoulder straps are detachable which enable you to have the maximum comfort while shooting. A separate game bag is also provided, fully equipped with a bright orange flag, which will ensure your safety when you leave the field armed with your trophy.
PROS
- Unique kickstand frame for a comfortable sit
- Smartphone pouch lets you use your phone without removing it
- Abundant pockets
- Adjustable shoulder straps for added comfort
CONS
- The vest is a bit on the bulky side
- Some of the pockets are a bit too tight
- Comfortably sit anywhere in the woods with a removable kickstand frame paired with a 3" memory...
- Adjustable legs and large swivel feet helps with stability and prevents you from sinking into...
- Organize your calls and strikers in a variety of different sized pockets strategically placed...
5. Primos Strap Turkey Vest Review
Here is yet another useful product that is worthwhile trying out. You will be able to carry all you need and more, and you will see that a lot of thought has been put into providing extra comfort for wearing the vest continuously for long periods of time. The straps are conveniently adjustable, which makes it adaptable for different sizes. The vest is comfortable and lightweight and lets you carry around all your required accessories such as turkey calls, and loads of other stuff. The zippered, expandable mesh pockets make it a good vest in which to stuff extra, last-minute additions.
This turkey vest also allows freedom of movement, even in the most constricted of areas. A clinch strap secures the vest closely to the body, to provide a snug fit. A seat pad is also provided, to help you endure all those hours of endless waiting for the elusive gobbler.
PROS
- Reasonably priced
- Comfortable fit with added comfort from the straps
- A wide range of pockets to fit all accessories
- Separate pouch for storing a gobbler or decoys
- Tasteful and intricate camouflage design
- Seat pad for sitting during long wait periods
- Strong and robust straps
CONS
- Tends to be a bit oversized
- The seat pad is a bit too thin
- Needs a few more Velcro straps
- Zippered pocket with 6" expandable mesh pockets located on the inside that are ideal for the...
- Comfortable and lightweight; cinch strap holds vest tight to body and adjustable straps to give...
- Pockets for camera, snacks, bug spray, blind material, locator calls and flashlight
6. Beard Buster Sling Shot Review
This is a turkey hunting vest that gives you all you need while turkey hunting. It is a comfortable fit and easy to put on and take off. Sufficiently spacious, it has plenty of pockets and pouches to store all your accessories. The zippers and fasteners are of good quality and keep all the contents secure. However, some of the compartments at the back do not have any zippers which is a bit inconvenient.
It has a good, thick cushion on the back, which gives excellent support while leaning on a tree, but the back pad tends to trap heat, so it could get a bit uncomfortable wearing this vest during hot summers. A blaze orange flag is provided, which enables you to leave the woods safely without the risk of getting shot at by other hunters in the area. Robust, well-padded adjustable shoulder straps give added support, especially the strap around the front.
PROS
- Comfortable fit and easy to wear
- Convenient back pad
- Sufficient storage in pouches and pockets
- Adjustable shoulder straps for a better fit
CONS
- Stitching is not of the best quality and tends to come open
- Back pad traps heat
- Some of the sections, especially in the back need to be zippered
- Sometimes the orders get mixed up and need to be exchanged
- Pockets for calls
- 10 compartments
- Mono strap design
Now you have a good idea about how using a turkey vest can be beneficial to you. You also now known what goes into a good turkey hunting vest, and what to look for while choosing one. Out of the 6 products described below, we took the time to go through the features of each one, finally concluding which one is the clear winner.
Well, undoubtedly, it is the Tenzing TZ TP14 Turkey Hunting Backpack Vest with Seat. What is clearly the most expensive turkey hunting vest listed is also the one that is of the best quality, and which offers the maximum features.
The first consideration is that a good turkey hunting vest should have adequate space and this one does. Secondly, it is definitely the most comfortable. It has added features like a smartphone sleeve, which puts it way above the rest. So finally, it boils down to the fact that you get what you pay for when you want to get yourself the best turkey vest that money can buy.
