Full Coverage Minimal Size Harness

[Wirrex]

I have tried the AGC KISS harness for my viper hd 10x and the thing was huge in my opinion. Last season I ran the rick young neoprene cover and a cheap vortex harness. It was annoying unfolding the thing all the time but the size of it was great.

I’m thinking I would like something like the kuiu, out door vision, or maybe the new ADAK. It’s hard to tell how big they are from pictures.

Does anybody have one they like that provides full coverage and takes up minimal chest real estate?

 

[MidGAHunter]

I have an Outdoor Vision and AGC KISS and i much prefer the Outdoor Vision. It is a little smaller but fits my binos great and also just feels less bulky than the AGC.

 

[PredatorX]

Before getting an AGC, I used an IPI Bino manager. It was a really nice design. Minimal storage though...enough for windchecker, wipes and matches. Full coverage and deploys fast and easy. Its more like a soft shell with thick padded straps. I do miss using the IPI sometimes.

 

[OutdoorAg]

Where does the Marsupial fit on this list? Medium sized?

 

[Trial153]

Sitka newest harness is pretty minimal, not finding anything lighter or simpler in full harness. I keep coming back to it.

 

[247247]

The kuiu is as small as I can see one being made, I have the large for my 8.5x42's. Used 4 years no problems

 

[wannakillabigbull]

I've owned a number of different harnesses. I like a lot of them but IMO if you want full coverage and lightweight/small the Outdoor Vision is perhaps the best option. The Sitka has similar size and is lightweight but I'm not personally a fan of how it opens. The Kuiu harness is similar in size to the OV harness but isn't quite full coverage, and the lack of a separate tether to the harness bag is annoying. The Marsupial is a little bigger than the OV height wise; good harness but not quite full coverage either and more bulky than some others. Lots of good choices out there. Mostly going to come down to personal preference.

 

[OutdoorAg]

So looking at Outdoor Vision...

Something I can’t get past is the top lid having a structure to it and not folding under the bino pouch. Does this not bother anyone?

I can see when the weather is good and your activley glassing that you keep the top lid open. With OV, that means you have the lid sticking out from your chest.

And if the weather is crappy, the lid could become a rain/snow/dust catch basin.

Am I missing something here?

 

[wannakillabigbull]

And if the weather is crappy, the lid could become a rain/snow/dust catch basin.

If you're going to be glassing with your harness open then the entire pouch is a rain/snow/dust catch basin. IME the lid isn't going to make much of a difference.

 

[OutdoorAg]

If you're going to be glassing with your harness open then the entire pouch is a rain/snow/dust catch basin. IME the lid isn't going to make much of a difference.

That’s true.

Guess this is probably just a place where I’d give a nudge to Marsupial for getting the lid to tuck under.

 

[Sterlingsilva]

Might want to check out the S4 Gear Lockdown. Somewhat minimalist with no extra pockets but fits 10x42's perfectly and still protects from weather.
Been using one for a few years now with no complaints.

 

[MidGAHunter]

So looking at Outdoor Vision...

Something I can’t get past is the top lid having a structure to it and not folding under the bino pouch. Does this not bother anyone?

I can see when the weather is good and your activley glassing that you keep the top lid open. With OV, that means you have the lid sticking out from your chest.

And if the weather is crappy, the lid could become a rain/snow/dust catch basin.

Am I missing something here?

The way the OV harness opens with the structure to it doesnt bother me at all. In fact i used it as a shelf to temporarily rest other small items on when i stopped to glass. I doubt it will be an issue but really comes down to personal preference.

 

[BluMtn]

Might want to check out the S4 Gear Lockdown. Somewhat minimalist with no extra pockets but fits 10x42's perfectly and still protects from weather.
Been using one for a few years now with no complaints.

This is what I use when I am hunting. I wear my binos under my coat, because I very rarely have it zipped up and if I want to take my coat off all I have to do is take my pack off which you are going to do anyhow so you can store it.

 

[Benjaminwill80]

Really like the Sitka harness. Have tried a couple others but always end up back with the Sitka. Very slim profile and comfortable straps. Wear it all day and don’t notice it’s there.

 

[Boudreaux]

The new ADAK harness is one of the best functioning bino harnesses there is. Easy one hand operation and the lid lays flat against the harness when opened. I like the ADAK functions but I like pockets, they missed the mark by a long shot with the lack of pockets and the ones that are on it are not good.
I like my outdoor vision, pocket lay out is good, not to big and just enough of them, I am not a big fan of the lid folding out, but that doens’t bother me to much. If ADAKwould have take a pocket approach like the outdoor vision harness they would have had the best harness out there no doubt.

So, if you are looking for only bino protection and no pockets check out the ADAK.

Thanks,
Boswell

 

[Wirrex]

I've owned a number of different harnesses. I like a lot of them but IMO if you want full coverage and lightweight/small the Outdoor Vision is perhaps the best option. The Sitka has similar size and is lightweight but I'm not personally a fan of how it opens. The Kuiu harness is similar in size to the OV harness but isn't quite full coverage, and the lack of a separate tether to the harness bag is annoying. The Marsupial is a little bigger than the OV height wise; good harness but not quite full coverage either and more bulky than some others. Lots of good choices out there. Mostly going to come down to personal preference.

I have read your post several times over. Thanks! The kuiu is the only one I have seen in person. And I’m not sure about it’s operation but it’s size is perfect. Is the outdoor vision bigger? The Sitka is out of the question with its zippers.

 

[Wirrex]

The new ADAK harness is one of the best functioning bino harnesses there is. Easy one hand operation and the lid lays flat against the harness when opened. I like the ADAK functions but I like pockets, they missed the mark by a long shot with the lack of pockets and the ones that are on it are not good.
I like my outdoor vision, pocket lay out is good, not to big and just enough of them, I am not a big fan of the lid folding out, but that doens’t bother me to much. If ADAKwould have take a pocket approach like the outdoor vision harness they would have had the best harness out there no doubt.

So, if you are looking for only bino protection and no pockets check out the ADAK.

Thanks,
Boswell

Thanks Boswell,

How do these two compare in size and obstruction of your view to the ground? Which is more quiet? The ADAK seems like it would be hotter with its wings covering more of your chest. Am I right?

 

[wannakillabigbull]

The kuiu is the only one I have seen in person. And I’m not sure about it’s operation but it’s size is perfect. Is the outdoor vision bigger?

The Kuiu and the OV harness are pretty much the same size, at the least versions made for 10x42 binoculars. I've never seen anyone else say it, but I kind of think of the OV as an improved Kuiu harness. Very similar harnesses functionally but the OV has some different features that are better, at least for my uses.

 

[Andrew11]

I like the kuiu for how small it feels when i wear it. Doesnt feel as bulky, and it seems to be quieter to open than some other on the market.

 

[Boudreaux]

Thanks Boswell,

How do these two compare in size and obstruction of your view to the ground? Which is more quiet? The ADAK seems like it would be hotter with its wings covering more of your chest. Am I right?

They are about the same distance from your body when closed, when open the ADAK will stay extremely tight to your chest. The wings do cover more of your chest, so they will me a little hotter, but I don't think you would notice a difference. I will try to toss together a video on the ADAK this weekend.

Thanks,
Boswell