I prefer a traditional turkey vest. I don't want backpacks, I don't want satchels, I don't want hip packs, I don't want minimalist Sitka Vests, I don't want modular vests endorsed by YouTube, and it doesn't need to look like I'm part of a swat team. Give me a good solid pad to sit on, a little bit of back cushion, and plenty of pockets.
I currently have an older Cabela's but after handling a new one at the store, I think quality has tanked since basspro took the reigns.
Before the Cabela's, I used a Mossy Oak Elite for years and just kept sewing things up as I wore them out. I still use it occasionally now. It was probably a little hotter vest than the Cabela's with straps.
Alps has a couple vests that look like good vests to me, the Grand Slam, and Super Elite. I would remove the kickstand in the Grand Slam because it's too heavy and Its rare that I'd use it.
I'm disappointed in a lot of new vests because they have too many specific pockets. I don't want to have 4 specific spots for pot calls and 6 strikers. I want the pockets,I just don't want them specific. I also don't need a ThermaCELL specific pocket. I want one pot call, a couple strikers, one box call, a lanyard for a diaphragm pouch, and the rest to be an assortment of standard pockets for me to carry all the other crap I carry, gloves, masks, phone, license, maps, snacks, ammo, locator calls, water bottles, etc.
Apparently the market tells these companies that a lot of folks want something different than I do.
Granted my expertise in turkey vests is minimal having only chased then a few years now and it's the only one I've ever owned. Plenty of organized storage.
