Favorite Upland Vest

RyanML

RyanML

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Joined
Jul 12, 2022
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Location
Thousand Oaks, CA
Looking for recommendations on what people like for an Upland Vest. I run one dog and liked the idea of the Final Rise with the emergency dog carrier but struggling with how expensive it is.

Let me know what you guys like!


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Took my hi viz safety vest from work with multiple pockets and cut off the hi viz strips. Zero $ 🤣
 
Wingworks or quilomene (q5). I really like my san carlos vest, but so far every other vest I've seen that's good has been a copy of these, and I havent seen anything that improves on them for the way I hunt. I overheat, so I particularly like strap vests and particularly dislike the strap-vests with foam straps (which dont breathe at all and if you arent careful are thick enough to get in the way of a good mount).
 
There are getting to be a lot more choices for a more technical, hip belt type vest (final rise, wingworks, pyke, chief upland, hunt redi, badlands, scheels and orvis have thier versions, quilomene). I've been running a Badlands for the last 2 seasons because I got one half off at $100. Worth it at that price, but it leaves me wanting a little more.

After having hands-on most of those noted above at pheasantfest this year, a Final Rise is in my future. (Two actually, I want a sidekick and a summit) All of those choices are $250-$350, some are made in America, most aren't. Final Rise seems like an honest, decent guy that stands behind his products, and thier vests felt like they were just more sturdy than the other options, and plenty versatile to accommodate my needs. (Aside from a brief conversation at pheasantfest, I have no connection to that company)
 
I’ve been watching wingworks for like 24 months and haven’t seen them open for orders. Has anyone seen or placed an order with them in the last two years?
 
Have burned through a handful of strap vests over the years.

Been a bit price averse since they came on the scene, but finally/recently bought a Final Rise Legacy vest. Lots to like about the vest in terms of design smarts/fit/comfort/adjustability/weight & material + the front pockets are the right depth/room/easy access/simple. I also appreciate and enjoy the biz approach incl owner/maker, website, content, D2C - cool stuff!

Would have owned a WW vest years ago but never available while I was willing.
 
Hill Difficulty said:
Have burned through a handful of strap vests over the years.

Been a bit price averse since they came on the scene, but finally/recently bought a Final Rise Legacy vest. Lots to like about the vest in terms of design smarts/fit/comfort/adjustability/weight & material + the front pockets are the right depth/room/easy access/simple. I also appreciate and enjoy the biz approach incl owner/maker, website, content, D2C - cool stuff!

Would have owned a WW vest years ago but never available while I was willing.
Click to expand...

Yeah looking like I’m about to order the Legacy as well. Any regret not getting the Summit?


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RyanML said:
Yeah looking like I’m about to order the Legacy as well. Any regret not getting the Summit?


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Click to expand...
Hi Ryan

I weighed the same question.

4 things:
  • The Summit was tempting.
  • The Summit is noticeably worth more - it offers more features that are sensical. For example, I would utilize the additional zip storage and molle attachment points.
  • Differentiator was pricing. Might have bought the Summit if $275ish.
  • The Legacy is enough.
The pricing challenged me, which is what smart pricing should do.

Anyway, very pleased with no regrets.
 
Hill Difficulty said:
Hi Ryan

I weighed the same question.

4 things:
  • The Summit was tempting.
  • The Summit is noticeably worth more - it offers more features that are sensical. For example, I would utilize the additional zip storage and molle attachment points.
  • Differentiator was pricing. Might have bought the Summit if $275ish.
  • The Legacy is enough.
The pricing challenged me, which is what smart pricing should do.

Anyway, very pleased with no regrets.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the thorough response. That’s really helped me narrow it down. Good luck this year!


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Those final rise vests look pretty nice, for the most part the design looks just like a WW vest. Are the shoulder straps padded? That's my main complaint with some of the others, the shoulder straps are padded with closed cell foam, which I find hot, sweaty and cumbersome. I prefer the plain web straps.
 
The shoulder straps are ideal (low profile/zero bulk to optimize gun fit) + note that the waist belt is designed to share the weight burden when loaded up with birds.
 
I used quite a few bird vests when I was guiding hunts with my last dog. I went on a buying spree looking for the best vest for me and it ended up being the final rise. I have sold all others and put on a lot of miles on the Final Rise with no issues. Seems like every pocket is in the right place, easily carry enough water for the dog, gear and snacks. The only downside as a guide was how many birds I could fit which was around 6-8 pheasants at a time comfortably. (I have had a dozen in there but it was not ideal) But it also gave me an excuse to rest the dog and unload them at the truck before going back out. Now that I am not guiding and just hunting for fun with my new dog I can say without a doubt I am happy I spent the money and got this one. The thing I like best about it is how easy I can reach to put birds in the back and move them around to get the load right so I don’t strain my hips or shoulders. Also, the shoulder straps don’t get hung up on my gun sling when covering ground. I could tighten up the hip straps and loses the shoulder straps and it was like having a Fanny pack on my back to give my shoulders a break. And the crap we walk thru to find birds out here destroyed a few other vests but this one is hanging in there.

The WW was a close second, it is a good vest. I liked the tenzing for all day trips to carry additional water and gear but it was not ideal for quick hunts. Try to stay away from a full vest without hip straps if you plan to take any weight over a distance, something you can put a bladder in if you plan to do long hunts. Also try to find something that has a removable washable bag where you put the birds, not necessary but nice when it starts stinking up the truck.
 
I bought a final rise about a year ago and really like it. My neighbor and hunting partner had been looking at wing works and at some point about 18 months ago called and reached someone and they said they'd put his name on a list. Late this spring he got a call and they walked through a few options and a few weeks later he had his ww vest! It is also very nice - I don't think I could say which I like better, they are both excellent. Looks like ww isn't taking orders again at the moment but if you are persistent who knows?
 
Have checked their (WW) web site repeatedly since 2020 and found it open for orders briefly late in the spring then closed. No information as to why there is such a ordering problem. FR gets my order. Have a Mother’s, shell pockets miniscule, shoulder straps are padded and interfere with gun mounting. Is an antique.
 
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