Keith Lusher 04.18.25
Let me begin by saying I’m notoriously low-cost on the subject of looking gear. I hardly ever purchase something new, and once I do, I often search for one thing—something—fallacious with it so I can return it and preserve my cash. I’m most likely essentially the most important hunter you’ll meet on the subject of expensive tools. So once I inform you I not solely saved the Badlands Turkey Chest Rig in Strategy GT camo however truly consider it was price each penny, that’s saying one thing. For a naked minimal turkey hunter like myself, this may be the uncommon exception to my “make do with what you’ve received” rule.
Why I Purchased It
For years, one among my most irritating experiences whereas turkey looking has been fumbling round in a number of pockets trying to find calls or binoculars. I by no means had a devoted turkey rig till I witnessed my buddy Ben utilizing one final season. Ben’s received your entire Badlands turkey outfit – shirt, vest, rig, gloves, the works – and I’ll admit I felt a bit like a hillbilly subsequent to him with my hodgepodge of substances.
The second that bought me occurred once we noticed what seemed like two toms within the distance. We each dropped to our knees behind an enormous pine, and I began the acquainted pocket-patting routine – left vest pocket, proper vest pocket, pants pockets – desperately trying to find my field name. In the meantime, Ben merely opened the chest rig, which was proper above his abdomen, pulled out his name, and gave me a glance that mentioned all of it. I may virtually really feel him rolling his eyes as he whispered, “I received it.”
That was it. I ordered the Badlands Turkey Chest Rig that evening.
First Impressions
When it arrived, I used to be instantly struck by how mild it’s – simply 1.15 kilos. The size (10″x9″x3.5″) make it wider than a bino harness however with related depth. It occupies roughly the identical chest house with out feeling cumbersome.
The Strategy GT camo sample blends completely within the spring woods, and the general development is light-weight however robust. I’ve brushed the fabric towards a ton of timber and not using a snag.
Within the Area
The chest rig is meticulously designed to maintain solely the necessities at hand with fast and easy accessibility. As Badlands places it, it has “every part you want for a dance with Captain Hook,” and so they’re not fallacious. What I significantly recognize is the constant Strategy GT camo sample that Badlands makes use of throughout their complete turkey looking line. The sample incorporates a broken-up tan background with darkish brown and black sample specks that mix completely with ash, cottonwood, oak, and maple timber in my looking space. I’m slowly constructing my assortment with the purpose of ultimately having the entire outfit like my buddy Ben.
Probably the most spectacular options is the The Zip-No magnetic opening. It opens simply with one hand however closes silently, which is important once I’m making an attempt to arrange on a gobbler. The stay-open design enables you to entry what you want with out the lid flopping round or closing in your hand.
Inside, the group is ideal for the cell hunter. The inside is split lengthways, making a slim pocket towards your chest and a wider fundamental compartment in entrance. My 10×42 binoculars match standing in the primary compartment or mendacity sideways, which is useful relying on what else I’m carrying.
4 further pockets are dealing with inward to the primary compartment – two in entrance, two in again – which are perfect for slate calls. The inner pot and mouth name pockets preserve every part safe however accessible. Each inside and exterior striker loops guarantee I’m by no means digging round for a striker when a tom responds.
The shell loops accommodate varied shell sizes, which is good once I’m experimenting with totally different masses. The zippered pocket on the lid inside runs the complete size and provides me a safe spot for licenses and different objects I must preserve dry.
One function I significantly recognize is the included detachable field name accent pocket. It attaches securely however might be eliminated in the event you’re working mild or need to mount one thing else, like a bear spray holster, beneath.
The Badlands Guarantee
Like all Badlands gear, the Turkey Chest Rig comes with their Limitless Lifetime Guarantee, which they sum up as “If our identify is on it, it’s coated.” There’s no advantageous print or loopholes – if it breaks, they’ll repair or change it for all times. Having had to make use of their guarantee service earlier than, I can attest that they stand behind this promise.
Closing Ideas
For run-and-gun turkey hunters bored with being weighed down by grandpa’s turkey vest that “weighs half as a lot as you and hangs to your knees,” the Badlands Turkey Chest Rig is the reply. It retains solely the necessities at hand with fast entry, letting you keep cell and prepared. For somebody as notoriously tight with cash as I’m, that’s saying one thing. I’m already saving up for my subsequent piece of Badlands turkey gear, which must be some sort of miracle given how I often strategy looking tools purchases.
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