Equinox Turkey Vest Reviews

libertyroadoutlaw

Jan 19, 2024

5/5

Outstanding turkey vest

I've owned just about every turkey vest under the sun looking for the perfect vest and there have been a couple good ones, but nothing that I considered great....until I bought this Sitka vest. I've had it for a year now and ran it through multiple states last season and it is just fantastic. I like it so much that I just might buy a backup in earth color. The only vest that I would consider replacing this with is whatever Sitka releases next.

Height: 6' - 6'2'' · Weight: 221 lbs - 250lbs

Fit: True to size

Milan

Sep 18, 2023

5/5

Light weight and great design

Tan this through Turkey season in a run and gun style. Loved the lightweight and versatility. The magnetic pockets are great for being quiet and quick grab of calls. The seat is convenient and easy to swing down in a quick stop and sit. Great product.

Height: 6'3'' - 6'5'' · Weight: 221 lbs - 250lbs

Fit: True to size

Dawie H.

Sep 9, 2023

5/5

Also pretty great for whitetail

I hunt predominantly whitetails, and this vest/pack is great for early season. I tend to take the vest off once I’m in position, and I really like how easily I can access the pack while still sitting on the pad. The box call pouch fits a narrow 750ml yeti plastic water bottle excellently. Striker pocket fits a deer call or knife. I can even toss my rangefinder in the pot call case. The turkey carry fits around my shooting sticks, which can be tucked through the arm hole for hands free transport. The seat gets the right comfort/thickness balance. Clasps don’t get in the way of binocular chest harness. My usual vest load: 2 large water bottles, 3 blades, ziplock bags/rubber gloves/paper towels, sandwich, snacks, rangefinder, 2 Phelps deer calls, extra shirt, orange vest, clamshell ear protection, ammo wallet, hunting gloves, headlamp, shooting sticks, keys, wallet, phone. And I find I have a decent amount of room left. I’ll certainly be using this for my fall and winter setup. With everything in the right place, I trim off time leaving my car and have greatly reduced my setup time in the field.

Height: 6' - 6'2'' · Weight: 191 lbs - 220lbs

Fit: True to size

William

May 21, 2023

5/5

I purposefully waited to write

I purposefully waited to write this review after Turkey season. I Turkey hunted 4 different states, each with their own unique environment. I truly put this vest through the ringer. Let us look at the good, bad and ugly. The good: very light, durable, but most importantly very well thought out. Plenty of space for slates, strikers and box calls. I personally enjoyed and used the little diaphragm pouch the most. I nice spot to hide your keys in the top zipper. Let’s look at the bad: well there isn’t much. The only thing I would like to see added is a hydration bladder. The ugly : the only ugly thing about this piece is the amount of blood that got on it when hauling the birds out. Well done Sitka

AnonymousUser

James

May 17, 2023

4/5

This pack is light and

This pack is light and very comfortable. Storage is decent but could use another pocket for slate calls. Would prefer this to be compatible with the optics harness. Seat cushion is comfortable and really easy to adjust to and from storage mode. It is a very good vest for 1st edition run but I expect a better version is coming in the next year or two.

AnonymousUser

Bill

Apr 29, 2023

4/5

Exceptionally light. Very easy to

Exceptionally light. Very easy to get on and off. I am new to turkey hunting (2nd year) and shopped around a lot for good “run and gun” gear after a cumbersome set up last season. Worth the price. Would have given 5 stars but my box call is a bit loose in the preformed pocket (could be that I need a better quality box call).

AnonymousUser

John F.

Apr 27, 2023

5/5

Amazing very well made super

Amazing very well made super lightweight and comfortable! Best Turkey vest I’ve had and last one I’ll need.

AnonymousUser

Brandon D.

Apr 16, 2023

3/5

Great vest, everything is where

Great vest, everything is where it needs to be. Con: Buckles are horrible and constantly come undone. I currently have to put tape around them to keep it closed while I hunt. Sitka needs to fix this.

AnonymousUser

Bryan L.

Apr 15, 2023

5/5

Great product!

AnonymousUser

Jared M.

Apr 15, 2023

3/5

Vest looks cool but definitely

Vest looks cool but definitely isn’t practical for anyone that carries decoys or has had to carry a dead Turkey out. Needs slightly more back storage.

AnonymousUser

Jack G.

Apr 13, 2023

3/5

Vest itself is great. Lots

Vest itself is great. Lots of storage, fits snug. But the buckles are awful. They don’t stay buckled during your hunt. This needs to change to either a buckle or loops.

AnonymousUser

Megen

Apr 10, 2023

5/5

It's so hard to find

It's so hard to find a turkey vest that will fit a woman and this one is great! It's not bulky and can be tightened for a good fit. Lots of pockets and the seat cushion is nice but not for really long sits.

AnonymousUser

V C.

Apr 5, 2023

5/5

Loads of storage while being

Loads of storage while being low profile! Great vest!

AnonymousUser

Jaymie

Apr 4, 2023

4/5

Man it is so close

Man it is so close to being close to perfect. Overall it is a very good vest and SUPER lightweight, however IMO to be used as a true turkey vest its missing 2 pockets and a mesh water bottle holder on the side. Not sure why in the world Sitka didnt add a water bottle holder to it as an option on the side of the back pack. yes there is a bladder holder but other then that there is no good way to carry water. You cant really carry it in the back pack part because it gets in the way if you try and lean against a tree. IF you are not going to add a water bottle holder then add straps on the side or back you can use to clip one too. That leads to my 2nd issue. It doesnt have a lot of storage which I get is the purpose to reduce weight, however adding some molle type straps on the sides and back would not add much weight to it and would fix part of the issue of the lack of pockets. If you carry more then 2 strikers you are gonna have to store them in 2 different places. Good news is if you dont carry a box call you can use that pocket for other things. If you want to carry more then 2 pot calls you are gonna have issues or have to give up space on the inside pockets you will need for gloves, TP, facemask or other things you generally will need. Just wish they would have made the striker pocket a little bigger and added one more pocket somewhere to use on the outside. The back bag is small but fine for rain gear or other items you wont need in a pinch. I dont generally carry a ton of gear so the vest overall is really nice for me but I will have to figure out ways to strap an extra small storage bag to it for some of the items mentioned above. There is just a few spots that are wasted space that something could have been added and not really add to the weight. Seat is fine and the up and down system is pretty cool IMO. Could easily be a 5* vest if in the 2.0 version that just added some straps or updated the pocket layout slightly!

AnonymousUser

Drake B.

Apr 1, 2023

5/5

Best in the market hands

Best in the market hands down!

AnonymousUser

Nathaniel L.

Apr 1, 2023

4/5

Everything about the vest is

Everything about the vest is awesome, EXCEPT the seat. Hard to put down and your ass will be numb after 30 minutes of sitting. Like I said, other than the seat it’s awesome.

AnonymousUser

Michael B.

Mar 29, 2023

5/5

As with all Sitka gear,

As with all Sitka gear, everything is well thought out, even with a minimalist design. In other words if you need it, it’s there - if you don’t it’s not. Appreciate the thought around allowing the turkey hunter to stay quiet and move the least, even while changing tactics

AnonymousUser

Jesse D.

Mar 28, 2023

5/5

Just got back from my

Just got back from my first trip with this vest. If you’re like me and carry camera gear the straps on the backpack hold your tripod perfect and plenty of storage for battery and lenses in the pack. A water bottle fits perfect in the box call pocket if you don’t carry a box call. 10/10. This has been my favorite vest.

AnonymousUser

Mar 27, 2023

5/5

Very lightweight, you don’t even

Very lightweight, you don’t even realize you are wearing a vest yet it as enough room for all your gear. The magnets on the pouches make getting to calls very easy and more important very quiet!

AnonymousUser

Kimberly C.

Mar 25, 2023

5/5

My husband loves me he

My husband loves me he just bought me the new turkey vest yesterday. I’m so excited and cannot wait to go turkey hunting. Good luck everyone!! I love all my Sika ware. I have killed several turkey and killed one of my biggest Buck’s last year in November ‘22 I would love to send In pictures if I could. Thanks, again for great design. Mrs.Cook

AnonymousUser

Jamie P.

Mar 25, 2023

5/5

More than enough room for

More than enough room for all your gear. Lightweight and comfortable. Once you get the seat adjusted, it’s makes a very comfortable sit

AnonymousUser

Shelby

Mar 19, 2023

5/5

I’m 5’6 and usually wear

I’m 5’6 and usually wear a size XS in tops. I worried this wouldn’t fit me since it’s a one size fits all but it does fit with the straps tightened all the way. Lots of pockets which will be perfect during upcoming turkey season!

AnonymousUser

Jacob B.

Mar 17, 2023

4/5

Almost perfect. It’s streamlined, lite

Almost perfect. It’s streamlined, lite weight, and all the pockets are perfect. If you’re a water bladder guy it’s great but I’m not. I wish it had one water bottle pocket, they could fit it on the left side and also an easy accessible phone pocket on the outside. The buckles that hold the vest together are ok but sometimes come undone by themselves. These are all small inconveniences it’s still the best turkey vest I’ve found.

AnonymousUser

Mike F.

Mar 13, 2023

4/5

Just received my new vest.

Just received my new vest. Didn’t get to hunt with it yet, but have done some day hikes. Fits and feels great, love the hydration bladder and like the seat. Can’t wait to try it in a hunting application.

AnonymousUser

Vance S.

Mar 4, 2023

3/5

I have had this vest

I have had this vest for about a year now and it’s gone through one season with me. I love a lot about it, mainly its run and gun capabilities. The big problem I have with it is its turkey strapping system does not work well. If you get a bird of any size it’ll hang too low and the two cynching straps won’t fit around the bird. I mainly hunt for merriams up in the mountains and hiking with a bird in tow was/is brutal.

AnonymousUser

Chris

Mar 3, 2023

4/5

Close guys, real close. I

Close guys, real close. I like it and hunt it, but we could work on the following. Two striker pockets are good because they are tight. The vertical box should be angled because if you slouch down without having your box out, it hurts. The two 'fasteners' for the vest suck and often slip up and come undone. The turkey tote is an odd but necessary touch since there is no room elsewhere. The multipurpose pocket narrows at the top and therefore doesn't fit anything other than a pair of gloves or facemask. The seat bottom is water resistant (yay) and is slick (boo). It stays fastened to the vest more securely than most but you will slide (i hunt mountains). The seat is camo on the portion that is hidden when up and the top is gray and sticks out like a sore thumb.... ummmmm, backwards much? Nit picks, I know, but hopefully v2 will improve. Right now I'd settle for a pair of old fashioned buckles up front if I had to just pick one improvement. Otherwise, decent job fellas but lets not rest just yet. Fwiw thanks for the hydration bladder compatibility. Toss a tougher 2l hydropak force in it so you dont bust it against a tree. Your welcome.

AnonymousUser

Matthew

Feb 25, 2023

3/5

It has its issues that

It has its issues that should be mentioned. The elastic strapping on shoulders used to hold bladder hose is very weak, overly stretchy material that will become clapped out easily. The general purpose pouch is oddly shaped and unfit for anything I think of. The vertical positioning of the box call pocket causes problems when slouched, pressed between my thigh and shouldered gun. The left side of the vest is highly underutilized with just the pot call pocket one one large internal (gloves?) pocket. Why not put the box call over there, most shooters being right handed? Turkey tote is awkward. All that said, it’s nice to get some love from western big game companies, even if it’s with recycled waterfowl camo patterns. Looking forward to taking it out in the woods!

AnonymousUser

James

Feb 14, 2023

5/5

Received my turkey Equinox in

Received my turkey Equinox in Sub Alpine pattern vest today, was reluctant to purchase this vest as I have been hunting turkeys for 50 plus years and I like to carry a bunch of gear and accessories. Well, I was pleasantly surprised with how much you are able to carry and the amount of adjustments / pockets on this product. The main reason I purchased was to lighten the load of the weight of most vests on the market today ( which I probably have 6 of them). It is definitely lighter but will still carry all my gear. Looks to be a great run and gun as advertised but also believe if your going to sit that it will work just fine. The seat is a little thin however and if I planned on long sits I carry in a ground chair anyway (there are plenty on the market to choose from). I am looking forward to spring turkey hunting in four different states this spring and this vest should make it very comfortable. By the way I also have the subalpine camo gear for turkey and the Sitka Elevated II whitetail gear for deer.

AnonymousUser

Matt

Feb 14, 2023

5/5

Talk about attention to detail,

Talk about attention to detail, foreward thinking, and ease of use. The shoulder strap adjustments are very easy to adjust based on your gear. Pockets hold everything you need. Open with a lot of area for breathability for those spring birds. Very quiet, no 'swishing' around. Glad to have it. An absolute upgrade co pared to anything I've seen on the market

AnonymousUser

Paul

Feb 13, 2023

5/5

Went back and forth on

Went back and forth on this piece. Wasn’t sure I would like it because the vest I have been using for years has pockets galore. But the minute I got it and transferred my calls and stuff from old to new, I realized I had been carrying stuff I seldom used if used at all. Now I’m packing over half the weight and not clanging and constantly adjusting my vest. The ability to adjust the fit makes a great difference. Plenty of pockets for the must haves. A little thinking and tinkering and decoys can be carried on it . All in all it’s the best vest in 45 years of chasing thunder chickens I have used.

AnonymousUser

Aaron

Dec 6, 2022

4/5

Solid vest that holds a

Solid vest that holds a lot of gear/equipment right where you need it. Just wish this vest could support an Alaskan Gear Bino holder. The chest straps are really cheap and are a pain in the butt to secure when you are doing it under a bino holder. As others have stated, the seat is a great idea although it does take a lot of practice getting used to dropping it and getting it secured under a full load. The seat is so frustrating at times I just decided not to use it at all. A full water bladder will take up 50% of the back storage. If you hunt out west in the snow/cold during turkey season, do not plan on stuffing too much in the back part, its big enough for water, lunch, a few items, compressed puffy jacket or compressed puffy pants (not both). Overall, I am glad I got this vest before the turkey season started and it fits very well with all the adjustments you can make.

Verified Buyer

H. B.

Dec 3, 2022

4/5

Love this vest. Very light

Love this vest. Very light and not nearly as bulky as other vests I have owned. The only reason it does not get 5 stars is because it does not have elastic shell loops to hold a couple extra rounds. Or, if it does, I haven't found them yet; it does have plenty pockets. Great product just like the rest of the Sitka lineup.

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C.H.

Oct 12, 2022

5/5

I have hunted with this

I have hunted with this vest for the the last spring and now fall season and, I gotta say, it is a quality product. I'm especially impressed with how well the box call pouch keeps the calls SILENT. This vest is far superior to any other vest I've found, but there are a few things Sitka could change to make it even better. First, and not that this is necessary a bad thing, but the pack is pretty darn small. I can fit a hydration bag and a fold-up decoy, along with my binos and a snack, but thats about it. Any layers I want to bring have to be tied around my waist. I can see this being a nuisance to guys who like to bring a ton of gear. I am a huge fan of the seat pad; it's the perfect size and folds away neatly, but I don't understand why, when it is folded up (for walking), the camo part is facing in, and not out. The grey part faces out. In addition to the plain grey slate call holder, I feel that making these things more camouflaged would just make the vest a little better. Lastly, a more secure closure for the miscellaneous side-pocket would increase my confidence that the calls I keep there won't fall out. Other than that, it is fantastic. I have used in the rain and heat, both of which it withstood well. I wish Sitka would come up with a spring turkey-specific pattern, incorporating the grays and browns of the waterfowl timber pattern with more bright greens seen in the spring woods. The subalpine is just a little too yellow for the woods I hunt in the spring. Either way, the vest definitely has my stamp of approval!

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William H.

Oct 8, 2022

5/5

Firstly, I am a gear

Firstly, I am a gear head. I love gear and gadgets and quality products. I am also relatively new to hunting turkeys, maybe 6 or 7 years. I have had tried three turkey vests in that time and none fit great, carried the load well, or was convenient to use. I won't mention the brands, but they were all well known names. I was not fond of this vest due to its size, because I like having 'stuff'. For longer hunts, I will still use a Bino harness that has the basic survival gear in it (I hunt in remote areas), but this pack swallowed up my gear and when I needed it it was right there. The seat was comfortable, the pockets are quiet, and the pack is super comfortable to wear; almost like I am not wearing it. The large rear pocket is a little small for decoys, but I could get one that folds up to fit. That might be the only improvement I would make; allow that rear pocket to expand more, perhaps with some cinches. Overall best turkey vest I have used and highly recommend it. One of hunting partners just bought one as he found it in stock. Happy hunting!

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Kevin

Sep 5, 2022

4/5

As stated in other reviews,

As stated in other reviews, this vest is phenomenal for what it's intended to be used for. I have no fear of my homemade slate calls and strikers of being damaged due to the padded call pockets. I have a thermacell, slate call, striker, hydration bladder, few snacks, and a box of 5 shells in this thing with no issue. The only issue I have with it is the seat. The design is great for quickly deploying, but it is NOT good for long sits. If you plan on sitting longer than 30 minutes to an hour, your tailbone will thank you if you bring a chair.

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Ethan S.

Apr 27, 2022

5/5

Bought this for my first

Bought this for my first bow turkey hunt and absolutely no complaints! Plenty of room in the backpack and pockets, as well as being quiet!

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Tim M.

Apr 26, 2022

4/5

Really nice vest and overall

Really nice vest and overall best vest I've used. Pros are all the front call pockets. I was able to get to all my calls with no issues. Pack is a very appropriate size for what i bring with in the woods.Cons are the seat. I had issues with the straps twisting. I just finished a trip in the blackhills and recieved a bunch of snow while hunting. I found the seat would collect a lot of snow and would melt on my back.

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Mitch M.

Apr 23, 2022

5/5

I usually use a competitors

I usually use a competitors brand for camo but they do not make a turkey vest so I decided to give it a try.... man I am glad I did. It adjusts super well so I can make it fit tight to me. Everything is thought out super well from call placement, no rattling, seat is super quick and comfortable, plenty of storage. I’m able to carry 3 slate calls, a box cal, a crow call, owl call, two decoys, down jacket, water bladder, gloves/mask, knife, and the list continues. Will not be looking back! This thing rocks! The game warden stopped me to check my license and drove off. 5 minutes later he came back and asked what vest I had on and tried it on. He also loved it and ordered one right in front of me.

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Chris W.

Apr 13, 2022

5/5

So this vest replaced a

So this vest replaced a different brand vest that I thought was perfect. Boy was I wrong. This Sitka vest improves on almost everything. I love the fact that most of the pockets are magnets. Strong enough to not pop open yet super quiet. Also the speed seat functions beautifully. Camo pattern is perfect as it matches all my clothing. Would definitely recommend. A+

Verified Buyer

M. S.

Apr 5, 2022

4/5

With the exception of the

With the exception of the seat, a very well thought out vest. Great size adjustments. All the pockets you need for a day’s hunt. Call pockets are padded and easily accessible. Seat cushion is not comfortable for a long sit but probably fine for “run and gun” hunting.

Verified Buyer

Bob G.

Apr 5, 2022

4/5

This is a top notch

This is a top notch turkey vest. I have owned a lot of top of the line turkey vests (Old Tom, Tenzig, ALPS) and this on is the best I've used. It is extremely, comfortable, light weight, and well laid out. It weighs less fully loaded with my gear than some of my other vests completely loaded. I have not worn a more comfortable vest. This is minimalist style vest, but I was still able to haul 3 pot calls 4 strikers, an owl hooter, crow call, and coyote howler,1 box call, 5 diaphragm calls, license, small thermos, and pair of snips. And there was still room in the back to carry an extra layer or rain gear. Pros: Adjustable torso feature, pot call holder is water proof and operates quietly, seat set up is super comfortable and self stowable without having to take the vest off, best box call holder I've seen (super quiet). Very high build quality. Cons: These are the things that prevented me from giving this 5 stars. A turkey vest without shell loops to secure your ammo? Seriously Sitka...you designed a vest with some of the most innovative features I've seen, but not including some type of system to hold shells is a major omission in my opinion. The other issue is the color of the pot call holder. Its light gray and really stands out. As I said above, it's well made and functions great, but why would you make a pocket on a turkey vest in such light color? You could have make it in camo, or tan or olive drab and it would have blended much better. It's not a deal breaker... the 4 turkeys that I either killed or called in for a friend this spring didn't seem to be bothered by it. But a drabber color would make the vest much more concealable.

Verified Buyer

Scott P.

Mar 19, 2022

5/5

I’ve never written a review

I’ve never written a review on here before, but this piece of equipment is worth reviewing! When I first saw it, I said to myself, there isn’t much to that! Where would I put everything? But after receiving it, the ability to strap decoys to the back and even a bird to the shoulder and then to the back (which I did this morning and it was the most comfortable mile and a half walk I’ve ever done) is invaluable! I bought this along with the rest of the Equinox Guard collection in timber (I hunt in MS in mostly pines mixed with some hardwoods) and I had a gobbler strutting and looking for me for nearly 30 minutes while he worked his hens who also couldn’t find me! The pattern, the functionality, the lightweight mobility of this vest…..I just can’t say enough! If you’re on the fence, buy now and thank yourself later!

Verified Buyer

Ben H.

Mar 17, 2022

5/5

This is the standard for

This is the standard for a turkey vest. Sitka took the normal vest we are used to and stomped it into the ground. The fit, comfort, light weight are unparalleled. This is the Tesla of turkey vests. My one complaint is us Merriam hunters are packing in a long ways in open country. Most of us use a decoy. I would have liked to seen an option to carry a decoy and using a decoy bag is not an option. I might have something sewn on if my DSD doesn’t fit.

Verified Buyer

Tim N.

Mar 3, 2022

5/5

Another great piece of gear

Another great piece of gear from Sitka. The vest is well thought out and adaptable to a variety of hunting situations. I love that the size of the vest can be adjusted to the clothing being worn. This is extremely helpful when hunting early vs late season turkeys when weather turns from cold to warm. The seat is a huge plus too. It is easy to deploy and comfortable to sit on. When you are ready to move the seat easily retracts and is held tightly in place so it doesn’t flop around while walking. As with most Sitka gear, the pockets are well thought out and placed strategically to allow for easy access to all your calls and gear. Quite simply a great product.

Verified Buyer

Ricky H.

Feb 24, 2022

5/5

A very lightweight and form

A very lightweight and form fitting vest that adjusts better than any other vest on the market. The seat provides comfort for long sits and has great functionality for quick deployment, not bulky either. The pouches are great as they hold multiple diaphragm calls, a box call, and a slate call pouch that’s magnetic making it very quiet for quick access. The game strap makes carrying the bird out effortless and hands free.

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Jd O.

Feb 24, 2022

5/5

The vest was a perfect

The vest was a perfect fit for my active style of hunting turkeys. Lightweight for long hauls. Cool for our muggy Mississippi mornings. Adjustable for too many in-season trips to Waffle House OR when your son takes it and adjusts to fit him. I really love the fit; stays so close to your torso you forget you're wearing a turkey vest - until you need a call or extra ammo. Gone are the heavy, hot, horse-blanket vests of the old days -and I'm an old guy!

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Cory L.

Feb 24, 2022

5/5

The retractable seat in the

The retractable seat in the vest worked great for run and gun style hunts. It tucks up against your lower back and doesn't flop around and wack you in the back of the legs when you are on the move. The seat deploys in a just a couple seconds and adds comfort and a thermal layer when you have to wait out that long beard. I had ample storage for everything I needed, even for all day hunts. It has custom pockets for multiple strikers, pot calls, and diaphragm calls, along with a dedicated box call pouch. All of the call pockets are virtually silent.

Verified Buyer

Clay H.

Feb 24, 2022

5/5

I give the Equinox Turkey

I give the Equinox Turkey Vest 5 Stars!!! This lightweight, compact turkey vest is perfect for my run & gun style of turkey hunting, while still holding all of the essential tools I need for a hunt. The sleek design allows me to be stealthy while slipping through the woods, and the tuck away cushion is the perfect combination of size and comfort if I need to wait out a bird.

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Beau M.

Feb 24, 2022

5/5

The Equinox Turkey Vest is

The Equinox Turkey Vest is a piece that I've been waiting for way too long. Every turkey vest I've ever used has been baggy, heavy, and has more pockets than I can count. This vest has a streamlined fit that doesn't bounce while moving quickly and just enough pockets. In addition, the small backpack attached to it is perfect for a water bladder, extra clothing layers, and snacks for the day.

Verified Buyer

Christi

Jan 8, 2022

5/5

Just received this in the

Just received this in the mail (so I haven’t used it yet) but I’m very excited with how not bulky it is! It’s hard to find a vest that fits women but this is perfect for me. The shoulder straps are adjustable from small to XL.

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