Turkey vests are a luxury that many hunters may not deem necessary. However, dedicated turkey hunters swear by them and use them every spring. After running around chasing gobblers over the last few years, our team has decided that a good vest is just as important as an old box call.

　　Our favorite turkey vests are more than just a vest. The best will give you quick access to the necessary items you may need when a Tom is closing in rapidly. Nothing is worse than having a silent gobbler magically appear and realizing you have to dig deep for your call. A good vest should also have plenty of storage, and even a seat for those long sits where the birds simply refuse to close the distance.

　　Our team worked tirelessly (yes, we call it work) this spring, hunting all across the country to find the best vests. Our favorite, the First Lite Treeline Turkey Vest, offers unmatched storage and customization, and the best budget vest, the RedHead Classic II Turkey Vest, is a great option for casual turkey hunters.

　　First Lite Treeline Turkey Vest check price at first litecheck price at amazon

　　9.2 How we rate products Specifications Material: Polyester Back panel: Vented back panel Storage: Zippered backpack pouch Hydration compatibility: Hydration bladder compatible Seat: Dual density foam seat Game bag: Expandable game bag Pros Backpack/game bag combo Super comfortable seat Quiet material Highly modular Cons Seat adjustments could be quicker Morgan Nowels Read Review: Comfortable, Streamlined, and Intuitive: First Lite Treeline Turkey Vest Review The First Lite Treeline Turkey Vest ($250) is all about adjustability and customization. Its supreme adjustability makes it perfect for run-and-gun hunters and those posting up for long sits.

　　Our tester used it this spring and found it had the perfect amount of storage. There werent so many pockets that the vest felt cumbersome, but rather just enough to organize everything exactly where it needed to be. There are elastic pockets on both the front pouches designed for hunters to slip mouth calls in and out with ease. On the interior of the main pockets, theres ample storage for a slate and two strikers.

　　One of the best features is the inclusion of a game bag and a backpack. The pack allows you to store rain gear, a hydration pack for long, hot spring days, and whatever else youll need for a day in the woods. When successful, you can put your bird in the game bag and use the compression straps to tighten the load down. It makes a long walk back to the truck with a heavy bird easy.

　　Hunters can further customize the vest with the attached MOLLE system and choose to hunt with the comfortable seat attached or without it. After years of chasing longbeards, weve settled on this pack being as close to perfect as you can get.

　　Best Budget Turkey Vest RedHead Classic II Turkey Vest Check Price at Bass Pro Shops

　　6.8 How we rate products Specifications Material: Polyester Back Panel: Soft Polyester Storage: 2 large accessory pockets, Box call pocket Hydration compatibility: None Seat: Removable thin pad Game bag: Built-in rear game bag Pros Price Highly adjustable straps Pockets keep things organized Orange flag for safety Cons Pad is very thin Not breathable Water storage can be a problem Morgan Nowels If you dont chase turkey across multiple states but instead spend the occasional weekend near home, the RedHead Classic II Turkey Vest ($39) will provide ample functionality. Its not of the same quality or as feature-rich as other vests in our test, but it is significantly less expensive.

　　While testing this vest, we found it provided some basic organization that kept calls at the ready in the front pockets. The left pocket specifically provided a great place for strikers and slates. There is a special pocket for a box call; however, due to the lack of hydration pack compatibility, we used that pocket to store a water bottle.

　　The vest does feature a removable seat. It functions fine; however, its not as thick and comfortable as that found on other vests. But again, this is a $40 vest, so that should be expected. We found it to provide passable service and enough comfort to keep us off moist grass for short, early morning sits.

　　We also loved how adjustable the strap system is. It will fit a wide range of people, and while you wont find any padding or breathable sections of the vest, you can get it set to be comfortable no matter how big or small you are. If youre new to the turkey woods and arent sure if its something you want to dedicate a large budget to, the Redhead will give you function without breaking the bank.

　　Best Minimalist Turkey Vest Sitka Turkey Tool Belt Check Price at BlackOvisCheck Price at Sitka

　　8.0 How we rate products Specifications Material: Not listed Back Panel: no back, waist belt is breathable mesh Storage: 6 pockets, including one large pouch Hydration compatibility: removable water bottle holder Seat: Thin, removable padded seat Game bag: none Pros Intuitive pockets Plenty of storage Silent box call compartment Not just for turkey season Cons Super expensive Morgan Nowels Read Review: Minimalist Pack at a Maximalist Price: Sitka Turkey Tool Belt Review The Sitka Turkey Tool Belt ($229) isn’t some half-baked fanny pack slapped with camo. It’s a full-blown turkey hunting system disguised as a minimalist lumbar rig.

　　We dragged it through wet woods, belly-crawled across fields, and hustled to cut off distant gobbles. It never shifted, bounced, or got in the way. You get 600 cubic inches of smart, accessible storage without looking or feeling like a walking gear closet. There’s a built-in foam seat for long sits, dual cargo pouches that come off if you want to slim down, and internal mesh pockets that keep your calls, shells, snacks, and whatever else exactly where you left them.

　　What we loved most is how much crap we crammed into this thing without ever noticing the weight. Pot calls, mouth calls, box calls, locators, tags, snacks, headlamp, bug spray, the works. It all fit. And when we needed something, it was right there without a single noisy zipper fight. The magnetic closures are quiet and slick, and the whole belt rides high enough to avoid rubbing your thighs raw on the move. Sitka built this for real turkey hunters, the ones who don’t sit still and don’t want to pack light. It’s not just smarter than a vest, it’s tougher, leaner, and flat-out better.

　　Most Comfortable Turkey Vest Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest Check Price at Black OvisCheck Price at Sitka

　　9.0 How we rate products Specifications Material: 75 Denier Polyester with DWR finish Back Panel: Padded breathable mesh Storage: Open top outside pocket, zippered shallow pocket, large zippered backpack pocket, internal zippered pockets Hydration compatibility: Hydration bladder compatible Seat: Removable dual-density seat Game Bag: External straps Pros Magnetic closure call pockets Comfortable seat Feels minimalist despite being a vest Deployable orange flags for safety Keeps important items ready Cons Price Morgan Nowels The Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest ($269) is for hunters who still want the feel of a traditional vest but aren’t willing to settle for outdated design. This isn’t your granddad’s floppy, oversized vest with one giant pocket and hopes for the best.

　　It is incredibly comfortable and fits our 58 tester like a glove. Its extremely adjustable shoulder straps make it easy to fit many body sizes.

　　Sitka brought its usual overbuilt precision to the table. The vest fits close, carries clean, and doesn’t make a sound when you move. With a built-in stadium-style seat, magnetic pocket closures, and a full lineup of purpose-built compartments, this vest handles it all without flapping, shifting, or giving you away.

　　We ran the Equinox through three years of early morning setups, long sits in soaked timber, and mid-day run-and-gun hustles. It stayed put, stayed quiet, and kept our gear right where we needed it. The mouth call storage is easy to reach, pot and box call pockets are padded and secure, and the external thermacell and locator call slots are exactly the kind of smart details you don’t appreciate until you’ve used them. Bonus, the box call pocket can fit a small YETI coffee mug perfectly.

　　The seat deploys and stows without needing a yoga move, and the whole setup wears more like a tailored pack than a clunky vest. If you’re not ready to let go of a vest but want something that actually works, this is it.

　　Best Turkey Vest Comparison Chart

　　(Photo/Rachelle Schrute) Turkey can be found all across the country, and so can our team of testers. Our crew took to the turkey woods all across the U.S. this spring, sporting a myriad of different vests to find which one was the best.

　　Our Expert Testers

　　(Photo/Adam Moore) Adam Moore is based out of Mississippi, where he hunts turkey and whitetail. Hes used a litany of turkey vests and belts and is always searching for the next best thing.

　　Morgan Nowels hunts in Nashville, TN. Hes fortunate enough to have a fantastic turkey hunting property only 24 minutes away from his front porch. That means he gets plenty of time in the woods and can sneak off and squeeze in an evening hunt most days in the spring. Hes an expert at roosting birds at night, only to wonder where they went the next morning. Despite his struggles this season, he spent many hours leaning against a tree.

　　Rachelle Schrute hunted turkey in both Texas and Montana. This provided her with valuable insights into the needs of turkey hunters in various regions. Many members on our team have hunted turkey in the mountains and on farm land, and we can attest that they are drastically different hunts. Rachelle was able to do both this year, and she knows what works best in a turkey vest for both situations.

　　Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Turkey Vest

　　While testing, we found the call pocket zippers could open wider for easier access, especially with gloved hands; (photo/Adam Moore) With turkey hunting gaining more and more popularity (thanks, instagram), hunters have more options than ever when selecting a turkey vest. Here are some of the top things to consider when picking out the best one for your spring hunts. And if youre new to long beards and are wondering what other gear our expert team uses, check out Turkey Hunting Gear 101: The Kit You Need to Tag Your Gobbler

　　Style of Turkey Vests There are a bunch of techniques you can use to seal the deal on an old Tom. From sitting on a food source, to the ever-controversial fanning and reaping tactics, hunters can find themselves hiking as much as an elk hunter, or testing their patience with long sits. Different hunts demand different equipment, and there are turkey vests designed for every hunter.

　　Traditional Vests

　　(Photo/Rachelle Schrute) These are the classic options and what most people think of when they hear the term turkey vest. Traditional vests are designed specifically for turkey hunters and will offer features and benefits designed for those obsessed with chasing gobblers.

　　They offer easily accessible pockets for calls on the front of the vest near the hunters hips. Box calls are particularly tough to put in a pocket, but traditional vests address this issue with large pockets. This ensures that everything you need to call in a Tom (or a Jake if youre desperate) is at the ready.

　　Most vests will also offer either a backpack portion or a game bag to carry a turkey out in on the back of the vest. The backpack is great, as it provides plenty of room to store rain gear or snacks for long sits.

　　A game bag is helpful after a successful hunt because it puts the weight of the bird on your back rather than having to sling it over your shoulder. If youve got a couple-mile walk back to the truck, a 16 lb bird can really start to become cumbersome. One of our favorite vests, the First Lite Treeline, provides both a backpack and a game bag, giving you the benefits of both.

　　However, turkey vests are bulky and cumbersome. Run-and-gun hunters often ditch the full-on vest, as it can get hot when moving around, especially in the South, where turkey season can be hot and humid.

　　Waist Packs and Chest Packs

　　The Turkey Tool belt is minimalist, but provides organized storage (Photo/Adam Moore) A favorite among mobile turkey hunters, waist packs and chest packs offer organization and quick access to frequently needed items while reducing unnecessary bulk. You lose out on the game bag and backpack features found on a vest, but eliminating the entire back panel of a vest keeps you from excessively sweating while on the move.

　　Waist packs are more common in the turkey woods because theyre the closest thing to an actual turkey vest. They are designed as if the bottom portion of a vest were cut off and put on a belt. Our favorite, the Sitka Turkey Tool Belt has front pockets for calls, a water bottle holder, and an additional pouch on the back.

　　Chest packs are great because they offer a minimalist design and can pull double duty during big game seasons. A chest pack may not be turkey specific, but they will give you a place to store your binoculars as well as diaphragm calls and a few extra shells.

　　Seats

　　The best turkey vests will have comfortable seats, like the one found on the Sitka Equinox (Photo/Rachelle Schrute) While turkey hunting videos make it seem like hunting is super action-packed and full of angry Toms fighting decoys, thats just not the case. Real hunters know that more often than not, youre sitting at the base of a tree, bored, fighting off the desire to call more.

　　Luckily, the people designing turkey vests know that. So they put a seat on them.

　　A seat makes sitting at the base of a tree much more bearable. Sitting on the ground causes sharp pains in your backside after about 30 minutes. And dont even get us started on ticks. Being in direct contact with the ground is just asking to have the little buggers crawl into your waistline.

　　For older hunters, or those who have odd body aches and pains, a good seat like the one found on the Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest is worth its weight in gold. Itll keep you in the field rather than packing it up early.

　　Other vests, like the RedHead Classic II have a very basic seat, keeping things lightweight and minimal. They provide a small pad to prevent you from sitting on dew-covered grass.

　　Seats on a vest can be annoying. When walking, they need to be able to fold up and stay out of the way. We also prefer seats that can be removed entirely.

　　Others have no seat at all, which is fine. It saves on weight and will make you more streamlined. It all depends on how important comfort is to you.

　　Water Storage on Turkey Vests Water storage is often overlooked in turkey vests, and we have no idea why. The purpose of a turkey vest is to carry everything you need for a day in the field, and water is essential. One of our testers hunted on days topping out at 85 degrees, and he needed gallons of water to stay hydrated.

　　Some vests and belts, like the Sitka Turkey Tool Belt, offer one water bottle holder. That may be fine if youre hunting a small parcel of land without the ability to move around a bunch. Its actually perfect, since water is heavy and carrying too much can slow you down.

　　However, for those hunting in the mountains of the West or belly crawling in on a Tom to close the distance, one bottle aint gonna cut it. If you find yourself leaving the truck in the dark and not returning until its dark again, you may want to consider a vest with more water capacity like the First Lite Treeline.

　　Breathability

　　(Photo/Adam Moore) Some vests are thick and made of a lot of material. Others consist of a few straps and pockets. Both have pros and cons.

　　Bulkier vests distribute weight more evenly and offer greater storage capacity. Bulky vests hold everything we could possibly need for a day of turkey hunting, but because of that, they cover more of your core area and run warmer. For some, this isnt a problem as springtime temperatures are low.

　　However, hunters in the South experience temperatures more typical of summertime during spring seasons. For them, minimalist designs are ideal. Having nothing but straps and pockets allows your chest and abdominal region to breathe in hot temperatures.

　　Vests like the Sitka Equinox try to split the difference, offering a minimal vest made of breathable mesh. Take into consideration the temperatures youll be hunting in before selecting the perfect vest. Excessive heat will lead you to remove your vest. Then, rather than having a nifty gadget to carry all of your gear, you have a cumbersome, heavy weight to pack around the woods.

　　Price and Value

　　The vest’s front pockets were packed with pot calls, strikers, and mouth calls for quick, quiet access in the field; (photo/Adam Moore) Some people are obsessed with turkey hunting, chasing birds all across the U.S. in the pursuit of the coveted grand slam. For them, price is no object when selecting turkey hunting gear. Others are more casual, viewing turkey season as an excuse to go hunting after a long winter stuck in the house. No matter your level of dedication, theres a turkey vest for you.

　　Free You dont have to go out and purchase a turkey vest if youre on a tight budget. You may be able to repurpose a piece of gear you already own.

　　For example, one of our testers used the Tenzing TZ BV16 for years in the turkey woods. It isnt a turkey vest, but rather is designed for upland hunting. He was a dedicated upland hunter, but had a fishing guide budget. He made it work for gobblers.

　　The vest featured a massive amount of storage, allowing him to pack a lunch, first aid kit, rain gear, box calls, mouth calls, and a hydration pack while hunting turkey in the mountains of Utah. There were noiseless pouches on the front for the calls, so he could silently reach in when a Tom approached.

　　These free solutions do have drawbacks and may require a bit of redneck engineering. That upland vest? Its blaze orange, and our tester had to use clothespins to attach drab material to cover it up. But once he did that, he pretty much had a turkey vest.

　　Take a look around your house and get creative. You may have an old backpack or upland vest that can serve you just fine.

　　Budget If youre looking to get a basic turkey vest, you should budget around $40-$60. These vests will provide basic organization and offer a game bag for successful hunts.

　　The better budget vests, like the Redhead Classic II Turkey Vest will also provide a seat. It may not be the most comfortable, but it should provide a small amount of comfort and keep you off the tick-infested dirt.

　　Vests in this price range wont offer any advanced materials or benefits found in modern hunting equipment. There are no breathable meshes or seats made out of something found in a memory foam mattress. They just get the job done.

　　Mid Tier Mid priced turkey vests ($75-$150) are tough to find, with most falling into a passable budget category or premium category. They do exist, but we didnt test any in this iteration of testing. If you have one in this category that should be included, let us know!

　　We recommend avoiding this category for one simple reason. Oftentimes, right after turkey season, you can find some premium vests and especially premium turkey belts discounted, bringing them into the mid-tier price range. If youre reading this article shortly after its released, you can click on our links and find great deals going on right now.

　　Premium If youre willing to spend $200 or more, youll get a turkey vest that the most discerning hunters will love. The First Lite Treeline was our absolute favorite because it had specialized call pockets, superior organization and great customization.

　　Vests in the premium category leave nothing to be desired, with breathable mesh backs, comfortable seats, and water storage. They also will offer large back pockets as well as a game bag, meaning you can have everything you need for a day in the woods on your back.

　　Frequently Asked Questions Do you need a vest to hunt turkey? No, you dont need a vest to hunt turkeys. All you really need is a shotgun, shells and maybe a call. However, many turkey hunters prefer using a vest because it provides quick access to frequently used items and keeps gear organized. They also offer seats, making long sits more comfortable.

　　Is a turkey vest or waist belt better? We dont think either is better. However, each has pros and cons. If you are on the move a lot, a waist belt wont weigh you down or get nearly as hot. However, those needing to carry a lot of gear or who want a game bag often opt for a vest.

　　How is a turkey vest different from other hunting packs and vests? The primary feature of turkey hunting vests is pockets specifically designed for calls. Box calls in particular are tough to store, and the best turkey vests have pockets near the front designed to hold those large calls. They also have areas to hold strikers, which are often misplaced and lost in the woods. They also have game bags for packing out a bird and seats to stay comfortable during long sits.