The new TideWe Turkey Hunting Vest with adjustable seat and game pouch is one of the best values in turkey hunting vests that I have seen. What you get for the money is really impressive. When my old turkey vest broke, I began the search for a replacement. I looked at some really expensive options and then came to TideWe and when I saw the price and the features, I felt I should give it a try.
Now having hunted spring gobblers with this vest, I am all the more certain that my initial impression was accurate. But being less expensive than the competition only matters if the gear is good. So, what makes this vest so good? In short, this thing is rugged, very strong, comfortable, has more pockets than anyone should ever need, and has a very sturdy seat that is the most comfortable of any vest I’ve used. This review goes in way more depth on all these points, but I have become a big fan of this turkey hunting vest, though I did not feel that way at the beginning. More on that in a moment.
The cost for the TideWe Turkey Hunting Vest shipped is usually about $90, but with the 18% off discount code TideWe gave me, you can get it for about $74. And sometimes it goes on sale for even cheaper than that. Just enter the code GK18 at checkout to get the extra discount.
Turkey hunting season is right around the corner, which means it’s time to gear up with the essentials. One of the most important pieces of gear for any turkey hunter is a quality vest. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky to determine which turkey vest is right for your needs and hunting style. In this article, I’ll break down the best turkey vests of 2024 to help you bag more longbeards this spring.
How to Choose the Best Turkey Vest
When shopping for a turkey vest, there are a few key factors to consider:
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Comfort You’ll likely be wearing your vest for hours on end so comfort is paramount. Look for vests with padded shoulder straps, breathable fabrics and a comfortable seat.
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Storage: A good turkey vest should have ample storage for all your calls, shells, and other gear. Magnetic call pockets, shell loops, zippered pockets, and a game bag are useful features.
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Purpose Think about when and how you hunt. For run-and-gun hunters a lightweight vest is ideal. For stationary hunting, storage and extra comfort are more important.
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Camouflage: Match your vest to your hunting environment. Consider subtler patterns if hunting pressured public lands.
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Price: Turkey vests range from $50 to $300+. Consider how often you’ll realistically use a vest to determine if premium features are worth the price.
With those factors in mind, here are my picks for the best turkey vests of 2024:
Best Overall: Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest
The Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest tops my list thanks to its unmatched comfort and storage. This premium vest features a minimalist design optimized for mobile hunting. Magnetic silent call pockets and a spacious rear backpack compartment provide ample, intuitive storage.
The dual-density foam seat remains comfortable even after hours of sitting. At $279, it’s a substantial investment, but worth it for serious turkey hunters chasing gobblers near and far.
Best Budget: RedHead Classic II Turkey Vest
For hunters looking to keep costs low, the RedHead Classic II is the best budget turkey vest available. It includes all the essential features – breathable fabric, call and shell storage, a game bag – for around $50. The zippered slate and box call pockets are a nice touch not always found on lower-priced vests.
Comfort and durability take a hit compared to premium options, but occasional turkey hunters should get multiple seasons out of this affordable vest.
Best for Long Sits: ALPS Outdoorz Grand Slam Turkey Vest
Hunting a bird all day requires next-level comfort, which the ALPS Outdoorz Grand Slam delivers. The removable kickstand frame allows you to sit anywhere hands-free. Adjustable padded legs, fold-out seat, and swivel feet provide customizable all-day comfort on public land.
At 7+ pounds, it’s heavier than some vests but the extra weight is worth it if you frequently set up in one spot for hours waiting for a gobbler to commit. A great choice for patient hunters chasing wary public land birds.
Most Versatile: Nomad Convertible Turkey Vest
For hunters who chase turkeys in multiple terrains, the Nomad Convertible is the most versatile option. The vest easily detaches from the backpack harness frame for mobile run-and-gun hunts. Reattach the frame to use the fold-down seat and carry heavier loads on longer walks into the woods.
At around $200, it sits at a nice midpoint price, delivering useful features without breaking the bank. The convertible design suits any hunting scenario a savvy turkey hunter might encounter.
Most Convenient: ALPS Outdoorz Ambush Sling Pack
Vests aren’t for everyone – some prefer a sling pack for greater mobility. The ALPS Ambush Sling Pack provides an excellent hands-free alternative that’s ideal for run-and-gun hunting. The unique horizontal design keeps your calls and other gear easily accessible at all times. Two pockets fit box calls, while others organize diaphragms, strikers, shells and more.
Priced under $100, this sling pack streamlines your turkey hunting kit without restricting movement or comfort, perfect for covering ground in search of vocal gobblers.
Best Value Fanny Pack: Cabela’s Speed Seat Turkey Pack
Another vest alternative worth considering is the humble fanny pack. The Cabela’s Speed Seat Turkey Pack is a great value at around $40. The pack comes with an attached cushion seat for quick rests between locations. A slate call pocket, shell loops, and bloodproof game bag provide just enough storage for minimalist turkey hunters.
While it lacks some of the storage and features of bulkier vests, the hands-free design and comforting seat are perfect for mobile hunters chasing spring gobblers on a budget.
Best Minimalist: SITKA Mountain Optics Harness
For hardcore turkey hunters determined to travel light, the SITKA Mountain Optics Harness is the top choice. At a featherlight 1.5 pounds, you’ll forget you’re even wearing it. The low-profile harness provides just enough storage for essentials like calls, shells, and small accessories.
Minimalists who are highly familiar with theircalls and strikers will appreciate this streamlined, no-frills design. Despite the lightweight feel, premium quality and attention to detail are apparent. Just don’t expect much extra room beyond the basics.
Key Takeaways: Selecting the Right Turkey Vest
When it comes to choosing the best turkey vest this spring, comfort, storage design and hunting approach should drive your decision. The most feature-packed vests may seem appealing, but think critically about which capabilities you’ll truly use and need out in the field.
Try out different vest styles during the off season to determine your personal preferences. And don’t limit yourself to vests – chest packs and other designs can also be great options depending on your hunting style and local terrain.
By selecting the turkey vest or pack that best matches your goals and tactics, you’ll be set up for hunting success when opening day finally arrives. With a quiet, comfortable vest and your go-to calls on hand, you’ll be ready to fill your tag and enjoy a successful spring turkey season.
How I Went From Hater To Fan In One Hunt
When I first got this vest I have to admit I was very disappointed. My old vest was very light weight, trim, sleek, and minimalist. When I tried the TideWe vest on in my living room it felt bulky, cumbersome, and I hated how the seat cushion deployed. I was so close to sending it back before ever using it. BUT I figured I had to try it in the woods first, after all it was not designed to excel in the living room, it was made for the woods.
So I loaded the vest up with my calls and gear and headed out on a big day of public land hunting. By the end of that first day my opinion on the turkey vest had totally changed. It didn’t feel bulky at all. The way the pockets were designed and how the material folded, provided no hinderance to me at all in the woods. In fact, after awhile I preferred it to my old vest in alot of ways.
In my old vest I could feel the box calls in the pockets jabbing into me, I could feel the range finder and strikers for the slate calls. This vest was thicker, had more substance, more material, better and smarter curves. Almost all of the gear was stowed without hindering me or reminding me every moment I was carrying it.
And this vest was rugged, I was not afraid to break brush with it, not concerned it might break like my weak old vest did. This thing was impressive. And after a few hours I got used to how the seat deployed and it didn’t bother me at all. I went from hater to fan in one hunt. This is why you should take unboxing videos and “reviews” with a grain of salt. If people haven’t hunted with a piece of gear, their opinion is only worth so much. For more information on turkey vests, check out my podcast episode: All About Turkey Vests.
The TideWe Turkey Hunting Vest comes loaded with features, even more than the website advertises really.
- The first thing you notice about this vest is that it’s strong, rugged, and well made. It is a turkey hunting vest that is made to be a workhorse.
- The next big feature is the padding. There is very nice padding along the back, enabling you comfortably lean up against even the most knurled tree trunk.
- The back also has a nice breathable mesh which helps you from getting too sweaty on days when you are covering alot of ground.
- The seat cushion is very thick, sturdy, and comfortable. You really couldn’t ask for more in the seat, and one side is waterresistant and stiff while the other camouflaged and soft.
- The seat folds up and secures to the back of the vest via a strong magnet. This enables you to easily pull it loose and fold it down to sit on without having to look at it. You can easily get used to this, but one downside is the magnet is not as strong as I’d like and it can be a little challenging to secure it on the fly.
- Next you have the pockets, lots of pockets, somewhere around 12-15 pockets depending on what you count. There are pockets made for all your turkey hunting gear, box calls, slate calls, mouth calls, other calls, shells, phones, snacks, turkeys… you name it.
- There is a large game pouch in the back that will certainly fit a large gobbler. I am not a fan of putting turkeys in game pouches because I don’t want to damage the feathers, but I also do not hunt turkeys deep in the mountains either. The pouch might get more use if you used this vest hunting other game, more on that in a bit.
- There is also a large back pocket that gives you the space of a small backpack, but I wouldn’t put a lot back that if you plan to lean up against trees.
- There are two nice camo patterns, both look great, and overall the material is relatively quiet and the pockets that have zippers are fairly quiet as well.
TideWe really has been making some high-quality gear in recent years. Check out my TideWe See Through Hunting Blind Review, its great for turkey hunting as well, and my TideWe Hunting Range Finder Review.
Best Turkey Vest 2024 | Top 10 Best Turkey Hunting Vest On The Market
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