Our Favorite Turkey Vests for Keeping Gear Organized

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Dedicated outerwear for hunting specific game is usually an optional luxury. However, since turkey hunting involves such specialized gear and a particular style of hunting, turkey vests have become de rigueur for most serious turkey hunters. You can use backpacks or slings, but the relatively low cost of a turkey vest makes it a no-brainer if you turkey hunt a lot since a vest provides tailored features that make your hunts more comfortable and efficient.

One unique aspect of turkey hunting is that it usually involves long sits on cold ground. As a result, most vests incorporate some kind of padded seat which often detaches to streamline things if you won’t be using it. Technical pockets in front keep your calls, strikers, and extra shells front and center to minimize your movements to maintain concealment and increase your odds of bagging a bird.

Best Turkey Vests

What to Consider When Choosing a Turkey Vest

How technical does it need to be?

A lightweight and minimalist turkey vest is ideal for run-and-gun hunters who want to be more mobile in the field, while a more technical vest with larger pockets and a thicker, padded seat is better for hunters who plan to sit for hours on end.

For those who have a long hike out after a successful day of hunting, an extra-large game pouch or harvest strap comes in handy for hauling out a 20-plus pound bird with a 16-inch tail and sharp spurs on its legs. If you plan to spot and stalk, or if you hunt in western states where you may be traversing vast expanses of land, make sure your vest/pack combo isn’t so heavy that it becomes a burden.

How much storage do you need?

Depending on what you carry with you, you may want larger or fewer pockets. To prevent calls, strikers, shells, and other items from falling out when belly crawling or maneuvering through brambles and briars, look for pockets with a magnetic or zipper closure. If you use a box call, get a vest with a box call pouch. Hunters who spend a long time in the field may want to look for a vest with pockets big enough for a water bottle, decoy, insect repeller, and food.

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How should a turkey vest fit?

A turkey vest should fit close to the body and snug at the midsection. If it’s too large, it can hang loose and catch branches, vines, and limbs, and even hinder shooting. It may also cause excess noise when you’re traversing the woods, especially if you’re moving quickly to head off a bird at the pass. Keep in mind that most products listed as “one size fits most” can have their limitations, and every product fit varies. Check the manufacturer’s size chart.

Do I need a vest with an incorporated seat?

With the popularity of turkey stools, chairs, and loungers, many turkey hunters no longer use the attached padded seat on turkey vests. Most, if not all, turkey vests include detachable padded seats. If you plan to use a vest with an incorporated seat, look for one with ample room to comfortably sit on the ground for long periods of time. Also look for a multilayer cushion with a water-resistant bottom to keep dew and wet ground from soaking through and ruining your day.

Choose the right pattern for your area

If you are hunting in southern states, for example, where pines are abundant and the woods are already green in early spring, you will want to choose patterns that include a variety of green. Some brands use Gore Optifade Concealment, a camo technology designed to fool the eyes of wild game (rather than from the perspective of the hunter) and that can be used in various terrain.

How We Evaluated These Turkey Vests

I'm a Colorado-based hunter of deer, elk, pronghorn waterfowl, and moose in the Rocky Mountains. I've been hunting since I was a teen, so I've had experience with what apparel and gear works and what doesn't.

Each Spring and Fall I try to take my limit (of one!) of Merriam's turkeys in the Rockies. I also hunt back home in Upstate New York’s Eastern hardwood forests, so I understand the challenges of chasing turkey in several different regions, seasons, and for different types of hunters.

For this article update, I counted on not only my familiarity with the top brands and types of vests that work best, but also relied on the research and testing previously done by writer and expert Nancy Jo Adams, the original author of this article.

Nancy Jo Adams is an avid turkey hunter. Her reviews have appeared in numerous print and digital outlets, including Hunting Life Magazine and Southern Outdoors Magazine. Over the last 15 years, she has hunted turkey in more than a dozen states in various conditions on different terrain, from the sweltering sandy flatlands of Florida to the snowy mountains of Montana.

Nancy owns most of the turkey vests included in this roundup, and one of her all-time favorites, the Tenzing TR18 Turkey Vest, is no longer available. However, knowing what she loved about that vest helped guide the recommendations made here.

A turkey vest is going to be personal to each hunter’s needs, wants, and budget. With our combined efforts, evaluation, and experience, this article will help you to determine which options below best meet your needs. and which turkey vests are worth your investment.

Equinox Turkey Vest

Sitka Gear is well-known for its technical hunting gear, and it doesn't disappoint with its newest release, the Equinox Turkey Vest. This high-quality vest’s one-size-fits-most sizing can accommodate XS through XXL hunters thanks to a slide shoulder system that allows for a formfitting torso adjustment.

It's a game-changing feature if you often have a hard time finding vests that aren’t too long in the torso or aren't adjustable beyond what the shoulder straps allow.

Instead of a rear game bag, the Equinox employs that backpack space for more storage and includes a fowl slip noose on the shoulder strap to carry harvested game. Its dual-density foam seat isn’t as bulky as traditional foam, making it less cumbersome while walking yet still comfortable for sitting.

The magnetic closure on the water-resistant clamshell pocket will make it easy to get to your pot and mouth calls, while an additional elastic hook and loop closure adds extra security. This high-quality vest has plenty of pockets for keeping gear organized for a full day in the field, including interior mesh pockets, an exterior box call pocket, one for a striker, and one for accessories.

There’s also a water bladder pocket with stem flap that makes it easy to stay hydrated while on the hunt.

Grand Slam Turkey Vest

The Grand Slam includes a removable and adjustable kickstand-style frame that lets you lounge even when there’s nothing to lean against. A fold-away memory foam seat and detachable shoulder straps let you sit in comfort, and the vest’s heavy fabric is durable enough for just about any hunting condition.

There are numerous secured pockets, including a smartphone sleeve that lets you use the phone without removing it, and places for mouth and box calls. Interior mesh pockets are convenient for seeing what’s inside without having to dig around every pocket to locate something. The vest holds two water bottles but is also hydration-bladder compatible.

Will Primos Signature Series Turkey Vest

This turkey vest incorporates the design ideas of one of the best-known turkey hunters in the industry. The Will Primos Signature Series features a pocket for everything related to turkey hunting, including dedicated spots for clippers or a folding hand saw, a Thermacell, and pot calls.

It also has a box call pocket with a built-in chalk pocket and tension strap to keep the call quiet, as well as interior mesh pockets that make finding things easier. The vest has adjustable shoulder straps and dual front buckles and is available in five sizes, from M to 3XL.

Run-N-Gun 200-Turkey Vest Frame

The 1.5-pound, minimalist Run-N-Gun may look like it doesn’t have much to offer, but this turkey vest packs in all the necessary features you need for a turkey hunt.

Its 10-point adjustment system lets you fine-tune the fit no matter your size, and its 198-cubic-inch backpack provides storage beyond the dedicated mouth, pot, and box call pockets, striker slots, and zippered pouches.

There’s even room for a hydration bladder. The six-layer cushion flips up and cinches out of the way and can be removed when not in use.

Upland Turkey Hunting Vest

This waterproof turkey vest is perfect for those who are organized and particular. Its streamlined design— for hunters who carry only what they need—has dedicated pockets for mouth calls, box calls, pot calls, and strikers.

The expandable harvest bag has a built-in pocket for a hydration bladder that can be fastened out of the way when not in use. The vest falls right at the waist, and the detachable five-layer foam seat flips up and securely out of the way at the small of the back for a no-bulk design.

NWTF Pursuit Convertible Turkey Vest

The NWTF (National Wild Turkey Federation) Pursuit is unique in that it can be worn as a vest with all the necessary features you need for a turkey hunt or as a fanny pack that doesn’t make you sacrifice the most essential features.

Four clips release the top (the vest) from the bottom (the fanny pack). If you choose to use the Pursuit as a fanny pack, the only features you’ll have to sacrifice are the shell loops, mouth call pouches, and phone/rangefinder pocket on the shoulder strap, and the hydration bladder pocket and roll-top game bag on the backpack portion.

You’ll still have the large main compartment of the fanny pack, the dedicated box and slate call pockets, a place for a water bottle and Thermacell, and the detachable high-density foam seat.

TZ TV18

For hunters with back issues or anyone that wants added comfort for long sits in the woods, the Tenzin TV18 uses a spring-loaded leg system to create a sort of “lean-to” back rest.

There is also a layered foam seat that folds out to keep your bottom cushioned and insulated against the cold ground. Beyond the seating system, there are 11 compartments in total for turkey calls and gear plus a game pouch and hand warmer pockets.

Because the aluminum frame and legs add quite a bit of weight (total of 3 pounds), this isn’t a great fit if you have long slogs into your turkey hunting zone, but it’s a great option for shorter hikes that lead to long sits.

Outdoors Deluxe Turkey Hunting Vest

Maybe you're not sure yet if you want to invest in a dedicated turkey hunting vest. If you fall in this category, the low cost of the Deluxe Turkey Hunting Vest from Academy Outdoor’s house brand, Magellan, makes it easy to give one a shot. While it’s a cheaper option, you still get all the essentials from padded seat cushion to dedicated pockets for calls.

The front of the vest is essentially two oversized zippered pockets with internal slots for calls. This helps protect your turkey gear, but it’s not as quick or quiet to access since the outer pockets are zippered.

The rear pouch provides extra storage, or can be used as a hydration bladder holder or game pouch if left open. The seat cushion is thick and comfortable for long sits, but sticks out and can be bulky if walking in tight brush.

While it’s not the lightest vest on the market, the ample open mesh on the front of the shoulder straps helps make it more breathable.

Ol’ Tom Time & Motion Turkey Vest

Drake is a big name in the waterfowl hunting space, but their Ol’ Tom turkey gear takes the same quarry-specific specialization and brings it to turkey gear.

The Time & Motion vest stands out for its simple, streamlined design that minimizes bulk and focuses on giving you what you need front and center. Your climate and the vagaries of spring weather can mean anything from snow to summer-like temperatures.

If you struggle with vests that leave you sweating in your favorite spot, the Time & Motion vest is worth a look for it’s streamlined build and lighter fabric. And you can always use layers underneath for when it’s chilly.

Despite being fairly minimalist, this vest still offers all the essentials, including a quick-deploy Magnattach seat cushion that pairs with a T-Beam backpad structure for an anywhere seat. Slates, strikers, and even mouth calls all have dedicated, easy-access sleeves and tethers and there’s even a dedicated flashlight pocket if that’s part of your kit.

This vest lacks some of the oversized storage of larger vests, but there are still zippered inner mesh pockets for miscellany.

Our Experts Nancy Jo Adams and Justin Park on What Makes a Great Turkey Vest—and What Doesn’t

PM: What features are most important to you in a turkey vest?

N.J.A.: I am a big proponent of “a place for everything and everything in its place.” I want to be able to find things predawn with little effort and without a light source. So my first requirement in any vest is that it has a variety of pockets, including one that’s large enough to store my Thermacell (without one, it ends up floating around in the large game pocket, where I have to dig around to find it).

Secondly, I want my pockets to be secure so I don’t lose things when I’m crawling on my hands and knees or belly crawling to cut off a bird. I also prefer pockets with zippers and double magnets, as Velcro closures are too noisy in the woods.

PM: Any other features to look for?

J.P.: Brands have gotten pretty ingenious with what they've built into their vests, and features range from must-have to nice-to-have to superfluous. Many vests incorporate some kind of hydration system compatibility.

Having easy access to your water without having to reach for a stashed water bottle helps minimize movement, so you may want to look for a vest that’s compatible with a hydration bladder rather than a simple water bottle holster.

Some vests, like the Alps OutdoorZ model offer more structure than just a pad so you don’t have to lean against a tree for back support, allowing you to find more diverse setup spots for your sit. Many hunters already own a binocular harness or holster, but some vests come with one integrated into the vest, which helps minimize the number of straps and buckles around your shoulders and chest.

PM: Worst turkey vest fail?

N.J.A.: In the spring of 2009, during an afternoon hunt in Clay Center, Kansas, I learned the importance of having a quality turkey vest with well-designed and practical features. We saw a rafter (aka a group) of turkeys at the end of a hayfield. It was a reasonable distance away, so we had to crawl on all fours in tall grass to shield us at the edge of the field.

When we finally got within reach of the birds and set up, I found that all my spare shotgun shells, my ratchet clippers, and a few calls were no longer in my vest.

The vest I was wearing used a single center coin magnet on the sizable loose cargo pocket flaps, and as I was crawling and sneaking through the weeds, items dropped out of my pockets. Fortunately, I had three shells in my shotgun. But this was a good reminder why quality and design are crucial when shopping for a turkey vest.

PM: What are some unique things you carry with you on a hunt that other hunters might not think of?

N.J.A.: I pack a crumpled brown or black plastic bag in a pocket and use it to mimic the sound of a turkey scratching the ground when feeding in the fallen leaves and underbrush. It makes the ideal call for bringing curious toms closer in search of a feeding hen and when you don’t want to get busted using a call.

I also pack a quart-sized Ziplock bag and a rubber band to secure the tom’s bloody head and neck when carrying it out and to protect my pants and game pouch from getting messy.

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