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Like everything else in the gear world, upland hunting vests continue to get lighter and more ergonomic. Many companies are also making classic-looking vests to keep up with the vintage trend in hunting apparel. In upland hunting, this means waxed canvas vests. But looks aren't as important as comfort, fit, and performance. And a great upland vest should check all three of those boxes.
Depending on what birds you hunt, some vest features will be more crucial than others. Hunters chasing chukar in the mountains will want hydration capabilities, while grouse and woodcock fanatics might want to go as light as possible. Either way, there are a number of vests on the market that will serve you well in the uplands. Over the last couple of seasons, we've had the chance to hunt in several different vests—chasing pheasants, chuckar, grouse, woodcock, and other birds. Here are our favorites.
Duck Camp Upland Strap Vest
Specs
Materials: Waxed Canvas
Sizes: One-Size
Accessories: Ammo storage compartments, oversized game bag, two water bottle holders, adjustable straps
Pros
Classic look
Spacious pockets for ammo
Spacious game bag
Lightweight design
Comfortable and easy to adjust for a perfect fit
Cons
Expensive
This Canvas Upland Strap Vest is part of Duck Camp's new fall 2025 drop. It is lightweight, well-designed, and looks great. I just took it on a week-long grouse and woodcock hunt where I was busting through thickets of dogwoods and prickly ash. The durable waxed canvas material held up to the abuse and was comfortable to wear all day in the field. The front of the vest features two big ammo storage pockets that snap closed. You can also secure the pockets open via a snap for easy access to shells.
I know looks aren't as important as performance, but let's face it, we all want to look good in the woods. And this vest features a classic design that old timers and youngsters alike will be happy to take afield. The game bag is big enough to hold a limit of birds and there are two water bottle slots on the side. There is also a zippered pocket for extra storage, and the straps are adjustable. —Ryan Chelius
LL Bean Upland Vest Pack II
Specs
Materials: 420D mini-ripstop nylon
Sizes: One-Size
Accessories: Ammo storage compartments, oversized game bag, two water bottle holders, adjustable straps
Pros
Comfortable
Durable material
Big game bag
Cons
Expensive
Recently redesigned to be 15 percent lighter, the Vest Pack II has adjustable, padded shoulder straps and a waist belt to help you carry the load in the uplands. Made of ripstop tan and blaze Cordura, the vest has two magnet-closed front ammo pockets and a transmitter pocket that can be attached to either shoulder strap on the front. The game bag in the back is expandable, and looks to me as if it will hold an entire limit of pheasants, which is not true of all game bags.
A large, a small, and a flat zipped pocket sit on the back of the game bag. The large one holds a light rain jacket with ease, or an extra warm layer with a little stuffing. Pockets inside that one have room for gloves and beanies. The next pocket holds snacks or a sandwich. The flat pocket on top of that is for key fobs and things. That pocket has molle straps in case you want to add more storage. Two water-bottle pouches on either side of the game bag complete the pocket array. While this all sounds like a lot of pockets and pouches, the entire vest isn’t bulky in the least. It’s made to cover miles while holding everything you need and nothing you don’t. —Phil Bourjaily
Orvis Pro LT Hunting Vest
Specs
Materials: Ballistic nylon
Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXXL
Accessories: Waist belt, adjustable shell pockets, rear zippered pocket for extra storage
Pros
Lightweight
Enough room for extra gear
Comfortable
Large game bag
Cons
Expensive
Upland hunters who walk long distances in the field or mountains will be happy with the Orvis Pro LT hunting vest. As the name implies, this vest is lightweight and well-designed for all-day hunts. It is made from durable ballistic nylon that won't rip or tear on brush. It has an adjustable hip belt for extra support and redesigned shoulder straps for improved shotgun mounting. The shell pockets are oversized for easy access and even include a small zippered pocket perfect for a wallet or keys.
I took my Pro LT vest on an Idaho chukar hunt where we climbed steep mountains and logged long miles. The vest was comfortable and held all of my gear, water bottles, and birds nicely. This updated version has a removable structured water bottle pouch for extra hydration storage. There are also web loops to secure GPS transmitters and electronics on. Hunters can choose between a solid cedar color or one with blaze orange accents.—R.C.
Filson Tin Cloth Game Bag
Specs
Construction: Cotton/tin cloth
Sizes: Regular or Super
Accessories: Rear-loading game bag, adjustable shoulder straps
Pros
Lightweight
Tin cloth is easy to maintain
Well-balanced
Extremely versatile
Cons
Small-ish game pouch; strictly rear-loading
Limited cargo space
No blaze orange
I’ve used one of Filson’s strap vests for years, chasing everything from Maine woodcock and grouse to Iowa ringnecks and Nebraska prairie chickens. Through all of those diverse species and habitats, I couldn’t be happier with its performance. A strap vest isn’t for everyone or every upland occasion; however, if you’re looking to travel light and with minimal gear—maybe a quick hunt before or after lunch, or when you know you’re not going all that far—then this tin cloth game bag could just be the ticket.
Okay, so it’s not a filing cabinet, but this minimalist strap vest is crafted to Filson’s exacting specifications and can do pretty much everything the bird/small game hunter needs a vest to do. The latest version has nylon straps, which users don’t find nearly as comfortable as the previous cotton straps. Still adjustable, but not as user-friendly. As for the tin cloth, it’s tough and easy to keep clean. What’s more, come late-season cold, the strap vest can be worn over a traditional coat, without being bulky. —M.D. Johnson
Shelterbelt Mid-Weight Vest
Specs
Construction: Mid-weight canvas
Sizes: Small – 4X
Accessories: Front- or rear-loading blood-proof game pouch, external (10 total) shotshell loops
Pros
Affordable
Canvas build makes it tough
Lightweight
Oversized slightly; can be worn in addition to a jacket or heavier hoodie
Cons
No zippered pockets on the upper chest
No specific hydration unit
At only $40, the Gamehide Shelterbelt Vest offers some savings without pushing quality to the curb. I’ve worn mine for years; my wife, Julie, has worn hers, and while, no, it’s not the proverbial Taj Mahal of outdoor clothing, the vests have more than served us well.
If you’re looking for gingerbread, you’re not going to find it here. This is a relatively elemental vest; not minimalistic, but simple. The Shelterbelt hits the marks—durable without being heavy, blaze orange presence, shotshell loops, front- and rear-loading pouch, and cargo pockets. I’d like an interior zippered pocket for stuff I don’t want to lose, but for the price of a dozen McDonald’s happy meals, well, you just can’t have everything.
FAQs
Q: How much does a good upland vest cost?
This really varies from vest to vest. While a good entry-level vest with just enough amenities can run $40, a top-of-the-line garment featuring all the proverbial bells and whistles, including hydration, padding, person-to-person adjustments, pockets, zippers, and more pockets, could set you back $300 or more. Good news? There is a lot of in-between here, with many good options from $80 to $125.
Q: Which is better – a vest, or an upland coat?
It depends on your needs and other variables, e.g., where you’re hunting, when you’re hunting, what you’re hunting, and how often you intend to use the garment. For early season wide open hunts, e.g. Nebraska sharptails or Oregon chukar, I’m going with a good lightweight vest that will allow me to carry plenty of water. Iowa pheasants in late December? You can bet I’ll be wearing a full coat, preferably canvas, to help block the inevitable wind.
Q: Is a game pouch really important?
Yes. Game bags are great for packing gear, aside from the obvious harvested game; items such as water, extra clothing, and an infinite number of Hostess fruit pies.
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