Sporting clays vest- any recommendations?

[Dusty Stevens]

I need a very light and breathable vest for sporting clays. Not really concerned with recoil pads more about storage and breathability

 

[Tim s]

Get a Bob Allen, the one I have is all mesh, nice big pockets in front and a light pad.
They are not real expensive either.
If you shoot in the cold they sell a great light leather glove as well, fits like a second skin.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Get a Bob Allen, the one I have is all mesh, nice big pockets in front and a light pad.
They are not real expensive either.
If you shoot in the cold they sell a great light leather glove as well, fits like a second skin.

I actually have a pair of those gloves. They are good for sure

 

[MrMajestic]

I'll second the Allen..

 

[BenPerfected]

Dusty, as normal check out the options on Amazon.
Ben

 

[JEFFPPC]

I need a very light and breathable vest for sporting clays. Not really concerned with recoil pads more about storage and breathability

I have always felt a good shotgun made a great tomato stake.....lol.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have always felt a good shotgun made a great tomato stake.....lol.

I have some damn fine ones and dont get excited about them for sure. I do enjoy sporting clays with a few buddies before bird season. Only time of year i see those guys and thats what we do. Theyre into the shotguns but i see it as a way to go play golf and not feel near as gay

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have some damn fine ones and dont get excited about them for sure. I do enjoy sporting clays with a few buddies before bird season. Only time of year i see those guys and thats what we do. Theyre into the shotguns but i see it as a way to go play golf and not feel near as gay

I was afraid you moved to the dark side.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I was afraid you moved to the dark side.

Oh no. Its just a yearly thing with some folks i used to work with. I spend a ton to keep up with em. I need to carry the old 1100 out there

 

[Blackthorn]

I don’t like a full vest so I run a half vest. It has plenty of room for shells and empties and doesn’t interfere with gun mount.
Browning makes a nice one..

 

[Mike7.62]

You'd be better off with a side pouch and no vest. Much cooler. Much cheaper, and expands in tune with waistlines, unlike a vest. Allen makes one-or used to-that has a split pouch with a zippered bottom. One side for loaded ammo, the other for empties, though it sounds from your comments that you're not a regular at clays, so a large investment may not be warranted. Check out the Bob Allen 429T on Optics Planet for $32.39. I use one very similar to it and have done for many years.

 

[drano38]

Like any hobby, how serious is it for you, and how much money you want to spend, will guide you thru the choices.
A couple times a year, maybe a belt pouch suits your needs. Or an entry level mesh vest with a cloth shooting pad.
Ebay is a good place to find lightly used vests at good prices.

If you shoot regularly, a vest with a full leather pad will make your range time more enjoyable.
The butt pad can slip on a cloth pad, but leather greatly reduces that.
If the leather pad has stitching and a very small amount of quilting (helps prevent bunching, not for recoil), it will set on your chest better than a smooth leather pad.

I've shot more sporting clays than rifle matches, and have a very nice Chimere vest with a lightly quilted full leather pad and leather lined pockets. I've probably shot 40,000 rounds of ammo out of that vest. Its dirty, but no tears or wear marks.

Here's some names that pop up on the shotgun forums.
Chuck Dietl, custom made vests
https://plessingersportswear.weebly.com/

Shoot the Moon, standard size and also custom made to order
https://www.stmgear.com/store/comersus_index.asp

Wild Hare
https://www.wildhareshootinggear.com/

Bob Alan
Beretta

Nica sells there own, and several other brands
https://www.nicashooting.com/men/vests/

 

[Tommie]

I used to shoot sporting clays competitively. Had a vest but rarely used it. Just get a belt pouch. You’re better off carrying weight at your hips versus hanging off your shoulders. Only time a vest is better is if you’re one of those people who think choke tubes need to be changed at every station and therefore need to store them. Or one of those people that needs the extra real estate to display all of his sponsorship patches and awards. Might be the same guy. Hint: run improved cylinder and never look back.

Edit: to include spot-on comment by Nature Boy. Forgot all about the patch wars.

 

[Nature Boy]

Only time a vest is better is if you’re one of those people who think choke tubes need to be changed at every station

Or one of those people that needs the extra real estate to display all of his sponsorship patches and awards. Might be the same guy

 

[HTSmith]

I've got a nice Bob Allen mesh vest, but with all the heat and humidity around here I just use a belt with a shell pouch on one side and mesh bag for empties on the other. It works well, but sure doesn't look cool.

 

[Stepsjframe]

The Beretta Two Tone is one of the better easily found vests.

I have an older ORVIS one also that my wife bought me. It doesn't have a pocket for a recoil pad so I had one added.

The better Beretta and Browning best accept either a Gel-Tek or Reactor pad respectively. To me - this is a must have.

Shoot The Moon makes very nice custom vests and they are actually fairly reasonable.

And ORVIS has a new clays best that is nice.

I just bought my daughter a new Beretta Two-Tone vest with Gel-Tek pad included. This is a great best for the money.

Another thought - on hot days I often like to wear just my Galco belt pouch. I bought 2 Browning short sleeve shooting shirts (I think they are called Badger Creek) on sale for $17 each. Normally about $50. These shirts accept a Browning Reactor pad which I have already. Great option for upland hunting as well under an upland vest. I have one ORVIS upland vest I really like but it doesn't have a pocket for a pad in it (yet- easily and cheaply fixed by a decent seamstress!)

 

[DJB]

Dusty..... I have several different kinds of shooting vests. The best one of all of them is the Cabelas New Era shooting vest... Breathable and several pockets , and a good zipper. Pouch in the back for hulls. Most vest have small pockets that are not much good for use. The Cabelas vest has more larger pockets, which I really like. The price is 99.00. I am very happy with this one. Doug

 

[biggun2869]

Pour it on Dusty, one of these days I'll see ya. I'll just say its in my plans to outshine ya. Gary

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Pour it on Dusty, one of these days I'll see ya. I'll just say its in my plans to outshine ya. Gary

Not sure what this means but im always ready

 

[riverwolf1]

You should look at vests from Wild Hare, I think you will find a great product with all the features your looking for. There is a distributor by the name of Patrick McCabe. I will see if I have his number for you.
585/317-3958