KUIU Rival Turkey Vest Evaluation

As my buddy and I crested the highest of a steep ridge, we stopped for a fast breather. The noon warmth had arrived, and after ripping ourselves to shreds within the dense vegetation of center Tennessee bluff nation, issues had been getting sweaty. My buddy pointed on the KUIU Rival Turkey Vest I used to be carrying and mentioned, “I must get one thing like that. My stinkin’ vest is simply too dang heavy for the sort of factor.”

The “sort of factor” we had been doing was one of many extra brutal methods I’ve chased gobblers. We had been in his boat on a neighborhood lake, calling and listening for birds, which in itself was very enjoyable. Each time we heard one, we’d seaside the boat and go chase them. Sadly, the banks of the lake rise vertically like skyscrapers. That half wasn’t as enjoyable.

Over the course of the day, I actually got here to understand the vest. It’s one of many higher turkey vests I’ve used for running-and-gunning hunts in steep, nasty nation.

In brief: The KUIU Rival Turkey Vest ($249) is the right mix of performance and minimalism. There’s simply sufficient room for every part you want for a protracted hunt, and an ingenious seat and again help system. Whereas different minimalist choices might depart you wanting extra creature comforts, and different full vests really feel clunky and cumbersome, this one is glossy and light-weight.

KUIU Rival Turkey Vest Evaluation

Ingenious Seat System

My absolute favourite function on this turkey vest is the seat system. Most different turkey vests I’ve used have seat programs that don’t stow simply, not often keep put, and find yourself clapping towards my legs and catching each little bit of brush within the woods. They’re usually obnoxious. This one is fairly slick.

Seat Storage

It begins with KUIU’s patent-pending “BackTrack” system. There’s a protracted strap operating down the center of the vest, with the seat hooked up by a plastic slider. When it’s good to stow the seat, you merely slide it up your again on the strap and safe it to 2 Velcro strips on the underside of the vest. To deploy the seat, you peel it from the Velcro and slide it down the strap.

It sounds sophisticated, but it surely’s actually not. I can simply retailer and deploy it with one hand, and when stowed, I neglect the padded seat even exists. I don’t must take the vest off to retailer the seat correctly, and it’s the best, most safe seat system I’ve used. It’s gone and out of the way in which when saved.

The seat can be solely faraway from the vest in case you don’t want it. There’s a spot on the bottom of the plastic slider which you could pull the strap by means of to drag the seat off. It really works nicely, although on one event I by accident eliminated the seat from the system whereas making an attempt to stow it. It was a one-off, although, and I haven’t skilled that downside once more.

Again Assist System of the KUIU Rival Turkey Vest

To additional enhance the seat system, KUIU included its “LeanLock” again help system within the Rival Turkey Vest. At first, I believed it was gimmicky, however after giving it a good shake within the woods, I’ve began to make use of it a bunch.

The LeanLock system is 2 straps that stow in small hip pockets on both sides of the vest. On the finish of every adjustable strap is a loop for hunters to place their toes in. You possibly can then tighten the straps to just about any place. That means that you can push ahead together with your toes, which presses your again into the vest itself. It turns your turkey vest into a transportable chair with a again, just like a Loopy Creek chair.

On lengthy sits, my decrease again may be very grateful for the help. I’ve spent many, a few years rowing drift boats for a residing, and infrequently have to maneuver round greater than I’d like whereas turkey searching on account of a throbbing again. The help provided by the KUIU Rival Turkey vest retains me comfortably planted in my spots, fidget-free, for longer durations.

Moreover, it eliminates the necessity for a tree to lean towards. Usually within the Tennessee woods, all of the bushes round are surrounded by impenetrable brush. Sitting on a tree would end in having completely no taking pictures lanes. It additionally works nice on area edges the place there aren’t any bushes of considerable measurement to lean on. With LeanLock, I can pop a squat wherever and have full again help.

Modern Storage on the KUIU Rival Turkey Vest

On the face of it, this vest appears to be like like there isn’t a lot to it. It weighs solely 2 kilos, 16 ounces, and lacks all of the “junk” you see on different vests. However regardless of its unassuming look, this vest gives a fairly good quantity of storage. It’s nicely thought out and gained’t depart you wanting for extra, like different minimalist choices similar to a turkey belt or chest rig.

Name Storage

It doesn’t matter what sort of turkey name you utilize, there’s a purposeful pocket for it on this vest. That’s not very unusual with a turkey vest, so I’ll solely spend a short time right here highlighting among the aspects of it.

The field name holder has an inner divider that stops it from rubbing towards itself and making noise whilst you stroll. I’ve discovered the sleeve is a contact smaller than I’d like, which makes placing the decision in it a contact extra time-consuming than I’d like, but it surely features as marketed. My field name stays quiet once I want it to.

The slate name holder is on the opposite aspect of the vest, and I can simply match two slate calls in it. In that very same pocket, there are three slots for diaphragm calls. As much as three strikers will be saved within the pocket proper above that which has no closure, however tabs just like shell holders that hold issues in place. They’re on the prepared, always.

All the name pockets function magnetic closures, protecting the complete system quiet. I’ve discovered the magnets to be fairly robust, and I haven’t as soon as had the pockets open by accident.

Different Storage

There’s an honest quantity of different storage within the vest. On the entrance of every aspect of the vest is zippered storage, with one aspect sporting three shell holders, and the opposite aspect sporting two divided pockets inside the big pocket.

The again portion of the vest is hydration-bladder–appropriate and contains a medium-sized backpack-style zippered pocket. There’s additionally a small pocket on the again of the vest with a key ring and two zippered mesh pockets on the inside of the entrance of the vest

Included Decoy Bag With the KUIU Rival Turkey Vest

The ultimate function I’ve grown keen on with the KUIU Rival Turkey Vest is the included sport/decoy bag. It has backpack-style straps, fairly than one single strap, like many decoy baggage.

Given how skinny the vest is, I can throw my totally loaded decoy bag onto my again, buckle the chest strap, and hold my fingers free. It doesn’t slide off my shoulders as I hike, and it goes with me on each turkey hunt, whether or not I’m utilizing this vest or not. It’s nifty as all get out.

KUIU claims it might probably maintain three full-sized decoys, however I feel that’s a little bit of a stretch. I can simply stuff two in there with out a lot effort, however a 3rd could be close to not possible. Nonetheless, that’s higher than most, and it’s a incredible inclusion to the vest that makes the worth tag sting a bit much less.

How the KUIU Rival Turkey Vest Might Be Improved

So, what’s the give? This vest is skinny and glossy sufficient to place within the minimalist class. As with something within the minimalist class, there are some trade-offs.

Seat Padding

Firstly, the seat isn’t as comfy as the large, soft ones you see on different vests. With the way it stows, it might probably’t be. It’s not terrible, and I’m advantageous with it, simply don’t count on La-Z-Boy–stage padding.

Storage for Lengthy Days

I’ve additionally run into one specific storage concern: carrying further layers. The backpack pocket on the again is simply large enough to carry a softshell searching jacket and a fleece, however that’s pushing it to the max.

Once I’ve completed that, it bows the pocket into my again the place the seat is saved. With that further stress on my again, the seat tends to pop off the Velcro straps when stowed. It simply doesn’t work nicely totally loaded.

I attempted utilizing the outside daisy-chain straps on the vest’s rear to carry a jacket, however even when cinched tight, the jacket would usually fall off. A greater method to do it could be to make the backpack pocket itself expandable for these occasions you’re deep within the woods and must stuff the pocket full.

So, whereas it has nice storage for a minimalist possibility, I do discover myself operating out of room. You probably have a day of backcountry turkey searching deliberate that begins with chilly temps however will finish with blistering warmth, it’s possible you’ll want there have been extra storage.

Diaphragm Name Pockets

The location of the diaphragm name holders is also higher. I’d prefer to see a minimum of one elastic diaphragm pocket on the vest’s exterior. It could possibly get annoying having to succeed in right into a full-on pocket each single time I would like a name.

Last Ideas

Regardless of these drawbacks, the KUIU Rival Turkey Vest is among the greatest vests I’ve carted round. For me, it’s the right instance of minimalism with out taking it too far. I’ve received sufficient room for many every part I would like, a purposeful pocket structure, and wonderful again help.

And possibly extra importantly, I don’t despise packing it up and down mountains all day within the Southeast humidity. Should you’re a run-and-gun hunter, however don’t wish to surrender creature comforts, it’s the turkey vest for you.