I’d argue that a good turkey vest is just as important for a successful turkey hunt as a reliable shotgun, realistic decoys, or a favorite, trusted call. Over the years, I’ve tried my share of the latest and greatest vests, but I was often left wanting more. Mostly, turkey vests have been heavy, bulky, and, unfortunately, not much more than a vessel for transporting a padded seat. However, Sitka and engineered a stream-lined pack-like approach, creating a turkey vest that’s built for the serious turkey hunter.
Due to the unavailability of a viable solution and the way I like to hunt turkeys (often moving, and often without decoys), I began to shift my turkey hunting gear in a direction more similar to my big game hunting gear. I started using a chest rig and a small backpack, and that combo worked well. But, admittedly, I did long for a quickly accessible and stowable padded seat, and I also didn’t like that most of my go-to gear – namely larger box calls, abrasive, and chalk – were stashed on my back and not easily accessible while on the move.
And then I read Sitka Gear’s announcement that it was introducing the Equinox Turkey Vest and had a “could it be true?” moment. On paper, the Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest is a pack-styled vest with minimalist, but efficient, organization and – to make it a turkey vest – a removable, drop-down padded seat. It’s like Sitka reached into my mind and made the Equinox Turkey Vest according to what they found (among a jumbled mass of hunting and hunting gear information, of course). So, to say the least, I was excited to get my hands on this new vest and see if it indeed would check all of my boxes while pursuing gobbling Toms.
Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest Review
A pack-like approach, creating a comfortable and efficient vest based on the movement and organizational needs of run-and-gun turkey hunting. It has ample yet minimalist storage — including magnetic-closing pockets — to keep box calls, pot calls, strikers, and other tools organized and dry. Adjustable straps create a secure fit; a drop-down seat deploys and cinches back up quickly and securely.
Price: $269.00
• 44.5 oz
• Molded pockets for calls
• Removable seat
• Adjustable
Features: Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest
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75-denier brushed-face polyester woven fabric with durable water repellent finish
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Comfortable, ergonomic fit designed for run-and-gun style hunting
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Adjustable pack strap system offers customizable fit in sizes XS-XXL
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Four compression straps reduce bulk and connect to each other to secure a bird
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Removable dual-density foam seat deploys, cinches back up and stays harnessed tight to the pack when on the run
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Water-resistant molded clamshell pocket with magnetic closure keeps two pot calls dry in divided sleeves; stores three
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diaphragm calls in easy-access slots
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Water-resistant box call storage pocket provides a snug fit to eliminate unwanted noise
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Right- and left-side pockets store four strikers
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Versatile side pocket stores miscellaneous essentials
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Three internal mesh zippered pockets store tags and other small items
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Large zippered back pocket is hydration bladder compatible
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Removable fowl slip noose designed to carry a bird; clips onto shoulder strap
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Zippered shallow top pocket with key clip
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Open top outside pocket stores rain gear
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Two blaze orange flags on back can be deployed for safety
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Total weight: 44.5 oz.
Initial Impression
My Equinox Turkey Vest arrived in the mail during our opening week of spring turkey season last year (2023). My initial impressions were solid. It indeed felt more like a well-thought-out backback with incorporated chest storage than it did a vest. I especially appreciated this since I’m used to the ‘feeling’ with my big game hunting equipment. It resembles many hiking or trail running packs/vests that you’ll often see on the trail. Also, if you’re looking for a lightweight turkey hunting gear list, check out our blog post: Run-and-Gun Turkey Hunting Gear List
Description: Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest
The pack portion consists of a main zippered pocket with a hydration sleeve for days when you know you won’t be back to the truck for a while. The top of the pack has a small zippered pocket perfect for keys, a headlamp, or other items that you want quick access to. The face of the pack has an open stash pocket to quickly tuck in or take out layers, and the pack itself is rounded up by a handful of handy compression straps to secure a bird, more layers, or just about anything else you want to haul around.
The front sides of the Equinox Turkey Vest or much more refined than what a traditional turkey vest typically brings to mine. You have backpack straps over the shoulders that expand at the bottom to create additional storage. Importantly, the adjustable straps are easily operated with a simple mechanism, ensuring a secure fit for sizes XS-XXL. The right side is faced with a a magnetic box call pocket, a magnetic striker pocket and a magnetic ‘dump’ pocket to hold miscellaneous essentials. Importantly, the box call pocket is large enough to hold a range of calls without being too loosey-goosey. My old-reliable, which has proven too large for other dedicated pocket for box calls, slid in like a glove. I keep two strikers in the striker pocket and my hooter and crow call in the ‘dump’ pocket. The backside of the right-hand panel has three internal mesh zippered pockets, which are perfect for extra shotgun shells, chalk or Brillo pads and tags.
The left side is faced with a structured, clam-shell pot call pocket. This pocket is magnetic, but it also has a piece of an elastic chord and a hook to ensure maximum water resistance. The pocket has a divider to hold, but separate, two pot calls. It also has a three slots for mouth calls. It also has a small zippered pocket that’s perfect for quick necessities (snacks). The left-hand panel is backed by a large mesh zippered pocket, which I use for a knife, toilet necessities, and the like.
Field Testing the Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest
I opted to take it out for its first spin on a mid-morning hunt after dropping the kids off from daycare. Fortunately, it didn’t take long to put the Equinox Turkey Vest through its paces. After putting the vest on, but before closing the truck door, I heard a Tom gobble within a couple hundred yards of the truck. Game on! He continued to gobble independently, while I made a plan and got in position. Doing so was quick and quiet – the vest fits so nicely. It’s not baggy or bulky like other vests, and the seat stays in place snuggly while not in use but deploys quickly and easily when needed. Accessing my calls was quick and silent with the magnetic closures. A few yelps later I had a bird down.
On the walk back to the truck, I utilized the vest’s bird slip noose holder on the shoulder strap. I’m used to just throwing a bird over my shoulder while holding it by the feet, but I liked using the straps. The bird’s weight was distributed nicely through the vest, and I had both hands free to carry my shotgun and steady the hanging Tom when necessary. This was a nice feature that I hadn’t expected to appreciate nearly so much.
Time Tested – Avid Turkey Hunter Approved
Of course, I continued to use the Equinox Turkey Vest throughout the rest of the spring season, and I found myself loving it more and more each time out. It’s lightweight and sleek, the organization is awesome without being overwhelming and it’s comfortable for long hikes on those mornings when striking up a vocal Tom is a challenge. Its low-bulk design was also great for those mornings when you’re trying to locate a bird from the truck. Rather than taking the vest off to hop into the truck to head to another spot – just to put it back on again when getting out – I could leave the vest on throughout the morning. This may seem like a small perk, but the amount of annoyance it saved me was invaluable. Finally, spring turkey season always seems to bring the gamut of weather. It can start with snow and end with sunburns, and individual days of the season aren’t much more consistent. The pack design of the Equinox Turkey Vest made planning for and adjusting to, varying weather easy. I often found myself putting layers in after the morning began to warm up, or pulling out a rain jacket when the skies opened up.
Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest Review Summary
I honestly can’t recommend the Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest enough. For me, it filled the perfect sweet spot between a traditional turkey vest and backpack/chest rig combo, creating a very efficient vest to fit my hunting style. It’s well thought-out, fits incredibly well, organizes essentials without too much room for overthinking, and is adaptable to many hunting styles. If you think you still want something more minimalist, take a serious look at the new Turkey Tool Belt from Sitka Gear – I’m sure it won’t disappoint either. For more information on Sitka Gear, check out these Sitka Gear Reviews and Blogs and learn when is the best time to buy Sitka Gear?
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Ready to buy? Sitka is sold direct-to-consumer, as well as with a variety of online retailers, such as: Black Ovis, Bob Wards, Cabela’s, and Scheel’s.
AUTHOR BIO
Growing up in the heart of Central Pennsylvania provided Torin Miller with every incentive necessary to pursue a life engorged in the natural world. With a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, and the current pursuit of an M.S. in the same field and a J.D. in Environmental Law, he has a deep appreciation for wildlife, wild places and the wild-at-heart people that love these things as much as he. Archery hunting for mountain whitetails is his absolute passion, but he also enjoys hunting turkeys and waterfowl. Surrounded by some of the best trout waters in the world, Torin enjoys fly-fishing his local streams and enjoys kayaking these streams throughout the summer, too.
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