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Mike McArthur

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have decided that for this years hunting season I am going to get my lab a hunting vest. So I recently started to research them to see what was available. In the little bit of research that I have done I am finding that you can get the vest in a light weight shell , 3 mm neoprene, 5 mm neoprene, vest with flotation added, ect. I’m not really sure what kind of vest I will need. Most of my hunting will be waterfowl with the occasional chucker and grouse hunt. When waterfowl hunting, I mainly hunt from the shore line or the river banks. Temps will range from mid to upper 70’s to well below freezing. When hunting on lakes the water depths will generally be shallow enough that swimming will be limited. Knowing the type of hunting that I will be doing what vest of features would you recommend that I look for?
Mike McArthur
 
#2 ·
I've had good luck with the 5mm Cabelas with armor flex. They have the bar stiching so you can trim them for a custom fit. I think the difference between 3 vs 5mm is mainly a function of durability as opposed to added warmth.

I also primarily hunt rivers (from the shore) and always hypothesized that the vest with added flotation may possibly add too much drag in current?? Never really thought any of my Labs ever neeeded the extra flotation (of course I'm not shooting a pile of birds every day either).

I wouldn't use one when hunting upland personally, and don't typically use them in the water till it gets below freezing
 
#3 ·
I also have had good luck with the Cabela's armor flex 5mm vest. I was lucky enough to find them in the bargin cave (cheap). just like waders they hold the heat in which when it is cold can double as a hand warmer :) with that in mind you might want a second vest for upland, I think they might vent the heat but add protection for their chest.
 
#4 ·
I hunt waterfowl from boat, shore or field and I hunt upland too. I have the Avery 3mm for warmer weather and mid water temps, and I have the Avery 5mm with the handle/floaters for when it gets colder and water temps are lower. I have a Lion Country Supply (LCS) vest that I use for upland, I think Cabela's has the same version with there name on the front. It is black in the front and the rest is Fluorescent orange. the only thing i wish this vest had was more protection on the top of the back. Don't get me wrong it is a good vest, but to me that would be an enhancement. Until I bought this vest I had a reversible fluorescent orange/old school camo 3.5 mm that I used for upland. IMO the dog ran to hot when hunting upland that is why I went with the LCS vest.

Hope this helps,
ZMan079
 
#5 ·
ZMan079 said:
I hunt waterfowl from boat, shore or field and I hunt upland too. I have the Avery 3mm for warmer weather and mid water temps, and I have the Avery 5mm with the handle/floaters for when it gets colder and water temps are lower. I have a Lion Country Supply (LCS) vest that I use for upland, I think Cabela's has the same version with there name on the front. It is black in the front and the rest is Fluorescent orange. the only thing i wish this vest had was more protection on the top of the back. Don't get me wrong it is a good vest, but to me that would be an enhancement. Until I bought this vest I had a reversible fluorescent orange/old school camo 3.5 mm that I used for upland. IMO the dog ran to hot when hunting upland that is why I went with the LCS vest.

Hope this helps,
ZMan079
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Gregg Leonard
 
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#6 ·
If you ever scuba dove you would know there is a big difference between 3mm and 5mm in warmth so choose wisely according to your WX conditions. Also if you have ever walked 2 miles through prairie grass to a spot in ND you know how hot neoprene waders can be so think of that when you choose a vest for upland.
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Let me clarify some things. When upland game hunt I usually wait until the end of the season when most hunters have stopped. So even when upland game hunting the temp are usually on the low side. I can diffidently see where the neoprene may not be the best option for upland game hunting. I may need to get two vest one for upland game hunt and one for waterfowl.

My nest question that I have is after measuring my lab last night I finding that he is between an XL and 2XL right now. He is only 9 months old so I am sure that we will put on a little more bulk as he gets older. Would you get the 2XL now knowing that it might be a little big on him but it allows him to grow in to it or get the XL for possible a little tighter fit. His current measurements are Neck 19", Chest 30", stomach 21.

Mike McArthur
 
#8 ·
Not sure when your seasons run, but I'd wait until a lot closer to the time I actually needed the vest, and remeasure. It needs to be somewhat snug for comfort and safety.

How cold of weather are you hunting? Having grouse hunted behind English Pointers in low-mid teens temperatures, I'm having trouble picturing a situation where a Lab would need a vest for warmth in an upland hunting situation???
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Grouse and upland game start in September and Waterfowl the first of Oct. I will not need the vest until the end of Oct or mid Nov when daily temps could start dropping in the the freezing range. Most of the lakes in my neck of the woods have frozen up but the end of November. Having said that I would like to pick it up sooner so that my lab can start getting use to wearing it. After some of your suggestions I think that I am dropping the idea of wearing a neoprene vest while upland game hunting. I may purchase a lightweight upland game vest but I'll wait and see how much upland game hunting I will be doing.

Thanks

Mike McArthur
 
#10 ·
i like the 3 mm and get it pretty snug. seems to hold in body heat better and less drag on the dog in the water.
 
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#11 · (Edited)
I have two as well, we don't really need vest on dogs down here, but when working out of a boat, it keeps you dry, when the dog shakes and thus it's worth its weight in gold. ;) I bought one with the handle and the water wings, the water wings seem to allow Fido to swim faster, the Handle snapped off the vest the first time out so I don't recommend it. My other vest came with 2 slits designed to help you pick up the dog at the nape that works a lot better.

I don't like a vest for upland, while it may protect the chest, seems your always pulling crap out of it, and if you don't get all the junk out it rubs the dog raw by the end of the day.

Also before you order take your dog to the store and try them on, you can get a better Idea of fit, sizes are pretty much the same btw brands, but I've never had any luck with those measurements in the catalog, they are always wrong. Once you know the correct idea of size then order exactly what you want, from the catalog, then you might only have to send them back and reorder once rather than 3 times LOL ;)
 
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