Prior to the big game hunting season I purchased the blaze orange Yukon Gear Field Vest for less than $30 from Amazon. I was drawn to its price and simple design.
After closer first-hand inspection, however, I decided to return it due to concerns over its abrasion-resistance and long-term durability.
Fit
The vest fits true to size. I’m a small Medium, and found it comfortably relaxed with just a base layer shirt. When I wore it over my winter parka, it was snug but there was no significant loft compression.
When layered over my winter insulated jacket, the Yukon Gear Field Vest fits snugly but without compressing the insulation.
Design
The Yukon Gear Field Vest is simply built. It features an easy-gliding #5 plastic front zipper, which is more secure and user-friendly than the hook-and-loop tabs on cheaper one-size-fits-most vests. And it has two single-snap cargo pockets, which unfortunately are positioned too low to be of much use while shouldering a backpack with a hipbelt.
The entire vest weighs just 6.6 oz in size medium. When backpack hunting like I do, the weight-savings over other field vests (which are usually 16+ ounces) matters.
Fabrics
The deal-breaker for me was the fabric. The Yukon Gear Field Vest is made of 100 percent brushed polyester, with a fleece-like exterior. It’s soft, but it would most definitely absorb and retain precipitation. Even worse, I suspect the material would pill, wear thin and hole, and tear with moderate use, likely due to abrasion from pack straps and bushwhacking.
A much better choice of fabric would have been a ballistic nylon. With this fabric substitution, it would be a winner.
The brushed polyester fleece will likely not withstand extensive abrasion without pilling, tearing, or holing. It is also not resistant to precipitation.
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