Joe,
You are SO right on about Cabelas!
Today is not like the Cabelas of old.
Complete garbage in my opinion.
The last thing I bought there were some very expensive
GORETEX boots. Every time I wore them, my feet got soaking wet.
They took them back and replaced them 3 times.
Finally just took a refund! Chinese Goretex, what a joke! "LOL"
Try Northland Dog Supply, www.flushandpoint.com
Very high quality and extremely functional upland vests.
Check out the Q5 vest, that's what I have.
MG

 

WingWorks Cordura Upland Vests $185.00 - WingWorks

Expensive - but worth it. Made in USA - carries a ton of water and gear, rides well on hips and shoulders. Hope this helps -

 

WingWorks is the top of the heap, no question.

If you want something damn good but not quite as expensive, Quilomene fits that bill.

 

+1 to this.

I know it's an older thread, but I've not been impressed with Filson's tradition style vest.

I find myself gravitating to the Browning PF vests more often than not. I'd like some better fabric on it, but it's been holding up rather well after several seasons, and frankly, it has room enough for everything I use in the field save for hydration (and I use a pouch from thewilderness.com for that, radio, etc.).

 

Didn't Bass Pro buy Cabala's?

 

Not yet, the word on the street for over a year now, is that Goldman Sachs / Bass Pro is trying to buy Cabelas.
MG

 

Filson products made in the wonderful USA (Seattle, Washington)

 

+1 for the Filson stuff. Expensive but very durable.

 

Filson.

 

I think you have to try it on and look at the Quality. Me hat Filson vest Columbia and strap vest Cabela's. All items are great you have to judge everything one at a time and look it over.

 

Thanks for the help guy's I really appreciate it!!! I am looking into the Filson for it's affordability. Seems everyone is out of stock on the mesh back.

 

+1 for Quilomene if you are caring for your dog an walking a long ways. Bill

 

I have had good luck with columbia vests.

 

If you get more than 5 years out of a Filson vest you're doing better than I ever did. The waxed cotton gets holes in it rather fast and your shells will end up on the ground sooner than later. But depends on how much you use it too. The strap vest also has a habit of pushing stuff out of the back pouch when going uphill. Not a fan. Do own a fair amount Filson but will never get another vest from them.

McAlister went out of business a few years ago which is a shame. Really like their upland pants they are just the right weight IMO. And now can't replace my McAlister hat if I never need to

I love my Wing Works vests, and don't think anyone could wear one out. I have 2 one with blaze and another without for training in the summer. There is a pouch in the back center for a large water bottle. When it is warm I fill it 3/4 full with water then freeze it, keeps me cool through the day. The side water bottle pouches hold the large poweraide bottles perfectly although I also have sports water bottles with caps on them. One for the dog and one for me, if I'm not watering the dog out of the hat I just take off the lid and flip it over and use the lid as a water bowl with no waste. I mark that one dog on it so I don't drink out of it LOL. They also make a leather holster for the Garmin Alpha that is pretty decent.

Only downside to the WW vest that I can think of is they are stiff and the game pouch does stick up in the back. Crawling under barbed wire fences can be a challenge on the prairie.

 

Quilomenes are nice but they sometimes don't meet all the blaze orange regulations in some states. I got tired of ordering just to send them back. My wife custom sewed me one to all of my specifications and whims. She said she would never do it again . Perhaps you can find someone to do the same for you. A ccustom alteration , sewing shop.

 

It's to late now I have already placed an order for the Filson strap vest. I have worn out plenty of jackets and vests but the stuff that Cabelas sells is pretty much all made in China and it falls apart rather quickly. . Quilomene and Wing Works look good but the order is in. I got some extra waxing agent to keep the vest doctored up. It will only be used for Dove and Quail so it should hold up for a few years. I suppose if one were to go to a custom upholstery shop you could have the Military Weapons grade vest made that would last forever but at least I am buying something Made in the USA.

 

The only downside IMO of the standard Waxed cotton Filson strap vest that they've sold for years is the game pouch is too small to load/unload a large bird like ringneck pheasant by the person wearing the vest. I can attest to Filson as standing behind their products though. I wore out a pair of their waxed cotton chaps after only 1 five day pheasant hunt in Iowa. The leg cuff areas riddled by cattails. There slogan was/is "Might as well have the best". Well I sent the chaps to Filson and a letter reminding them of their slogan and stated that they should supply their chaps when purchased with a ample amount of cloth fabric for patching material. They returned my wore out chaps, a pair of new replacement chaps and about 3 yds. of waxed cotton fabric. They have since modified these chaps with the cuffs being hemmed with bridle style leather.

 

Cabela's has great service but 95% of the product's sold are made in China, Bass Pro has terrible service and 99.9% of their product is made in China.

 

Thanks mg1polo for your reply.

 

I got the vest in the mail today and I like it so far. Now we will see how long the shell pockets hold out. These always seem to be the first to wear out. The material is a little lighter than I expected but the best part is that it is Made IN The USA from" Imported Materials " !! I guess there's a little bit of China in everything. lol

 

Just wondering what you think of the vest after using it for a season?

 

A guide buddy of mine swears by the Tenzing vest. I got the new ALPS vest to try out this year... no feedback yet. FWIW, I've hunted birds for 30+ years wearing only the cheap sh!t offered by WalMart, Bass Pro and the like, and it never seemed to make any difference to the birds. The only difference now is that I can afford nicer things.

 

I have a LL bean upland vest and like it and it has held up well even though it's imported.
Most of my hunting buddies use the Cabellas or Guide gear vests.

 

In my hunting room, there is every bird vest anyone could want. Watch the obituaries.

 

Second on the LL Bean. Not where I expected to find the vest of choice, but ordered many and its the one I kept. Hunted with it for four days and really liked it. The internal waist belt takes a little weight off the shoulders.

 

I have used a Filson for over 10 years. Only complaint would be the narrow shoulder straps are hard on my shoulders when loaded down with birds. On the other hand the straps never get in the way of a good gun mount. He was today's photo of the season closer.

 

Nitro, I SECOND THAT!! FILSON!! I have 6 dogs, 2 setters,2pointers,2 labs, I'm at it full time and so are my FILSONS!!
You get what you pay for,plus it's AMERICAN!!

 

Has anyone used Orvis upland jackets before? I know of Filson and know they are quite expensive. I'm not sure if their stuff is US made, but it looks extremely durable and nice. I've used their stuff fly fishing and never had issues. I found one solid review of them, Best Upland Hunting Jacket of 2018 | The Upland Hunter but wanted to check and see if anyone had used the toughshell before I bought one. Thanks.