Review: Chief Upland Vest

Spend enough time chasing birds, and at some point you'll start searching for a better upland vest. Even the most frugal hunter learns what works and what doesn't, and how little things make a big difference out there in the field—not only in the enjoyment of a hunt, but in its productivity.

That time came for me last season, as I fumbled—for the hundredth time—for the water bottle buried in my game pouch. I darn near dislocated my shoulder reaching for it, only to find it covered in dirt and bird blood. A dozen other inconveniences flashed through my mind: an equally feather-covered & blood-smeared rain shell, the fatigue & soreness in my shoulders and lower back, squished sandwiches, grabbing the wrong shells... the list went on. Stop being such a cheap bastard! I told myself. Get yourself a decent vest.

So at long last, I splurged, ordering an Over/Under Vest from Chief Upland, and boy am I glad I did. No buyer's remorse here—this sucker has everything I've been missing, and more. First off, it comes in various sizes, and so the one I bought is designed for my smaller frame, not for some six-foot-six giant with a 38-inch waist. On top of that, the numerous adjustments allow for a custom fit, eliminating all shoulder & back pain. Ample padding throughout further increases comfort. 

But here's where the Over/Under really sets itself apart: the entire waist has MOLLE slots—seven rows of them—so I can add the pockets I want, keeping them snug and secure on the waistbelt. For example, I don't use a bladder, so I threaded in two large bottle holders for my Nalgenes, one on each side. (On particularly hot days, I can add additional water in the bladder pouch.) There's adequate room for ammo pouches, a stock rest, and an electronics pouch—which, in my case, is for my GPS, as I typically don't use a shock collar. See how that customization works? The Over/Under lets me have it my way, not the way most hunters do it.

Lastly, the vest comes in various color schemes—once again, to accommodate hunter preference. I often combine my upland and deer hunts, so went with the Earth Tone color, to stay concealed on impromptu stalks. But there are three different blaze-orange options, too, for those seeking higher visibility. Ditto for all the available pouches—get 'em in the size and color you want.

All in all, the Over/Under has made my old vest seem like something from the sporting-goods section at Walmart—great for a boy or a first-timer, or even a weekend warrior, but insufficient for those who take their bird hunting seriously. Both I and my dog are better for the upgrade. Nice work, Chief Upland.

The Over/Under vest itself costs $199; most of the a la carte pouch options are in the $35 range. Loads of other accessories are available, too, at chiefupland.com.