Finest Binocular Harnesses of 2024, Examined and Reviewed

For years, considered one of my greatest gear complaints was the ineffectiveness of bino-transport techniques. As a western hunter who spends a lot of my time slithering throughout open prairies and climbing steep mountain ridges, my binos at all times appeared to get in the way in which. I attempted the shoulder strap methodology and an open binocular harness chest system. Each failed. The worst half about these early techniques was the harm my optics took within the area.

Lastly, engineers obtained it proper—the event of the enclosed binocular chest pack. Right this moment, many binocular producers and different firms provide full-bino containment techniques. Most present a magnetic-closure housing, purposeful pockets, and adjustable nylon straps. No matter the place or the way you hunt, a full-containment bino chest harness is a must have, and if you happen to’re available in the market, listed below are one of the best by class.

How We Examined the Finest Binocular Harnesses

Annually, I hunt a number of species throughout the US, and I lately returned from an African Safari. I’m continuously testing my gear, together with bino harnesses, in rugged terrain and the worst circumstances Mom Nature has to supply. On prime of that, I additionally hunt with a number of outfitters annually. For instance, my South Africa PH, Charl, and top-of-the-line Sooner State whitetail outfitters I do know, Scott Sanderford, choose Badlands’s Bino Magazine 2. My buddy, Clint Casper, is a backcountry killer, and he’s been raving to me about Kifaru’s Deluxe Bino Harness. He’s calling it a “sport changer.” So, I referred to as in each harnesses, together with others, to seek out out what suits me and my searching fashion finest.

I divided all of the suggestions into classes that will help you slim your selections primarily based on what every bino harness does finest. Each mannequin beneath is confirmed to guard your optics within the area and supply simpler entry to your gear. Listed below are my favorites.

Finest General: Marsiupal Gear Enclosed Binocular Chest Pack

Specs

• 14, 14.5, and 15.5-ounce weight choices
• Small, medium, and enormous dimension choices
• Nylon straps

Execs

• Safe magnetic closure
• Fleece liner for silent operation
• Stretch aspect pockets
• Stretch entrance zippered pocket
• Molle attachment on the underside of the pack

Cons

• No accent pouches included

This full-containment binocular system is my go-to, from the sage-dappled plains to the towering Rocky Mountains to Midwest whitetail locales. Priced proper, I’ve by no means skilled a single magnetic lid malfunction, and whether or not I’m crawling or working, the flap stays closed, holding my binos prepared. After I’m able to flip the lid open, magnets on the backside of the pack maintain the lid down so it by no means interferes with my glassing. I additionally just like the stretch aspect pockets, that are wonderful storage spots for my wind checker and hand-held launch. 

One other win of this bino tote is the zippered entrance pocket, which presents ample storage. The nylon straps and buckles maintain their setting, which implies you aren’t continuously adjusting the harness, and the Molle webbing on the underside gives further accent attachment factors. The construct is bulletproof. I’ve run this harness for 3 straight years within the roughest environments the West presents, and it has zero tears or frays.

Finest For Whitetail Hunters: Alps Protect Bino Harness

Specs

• 12 ounces
• 6.5″ H x 6″W x 3″D
• Nylon straps

Execs

• DeadQuiet layered cloth fleece building
• Zipper-free entry
• Suede-lined, zipperless, entrance shove pocket
• Molle webbing on each side
• Bolstered elastic tethers adjusted or eliminated

Cons

My oldest son, Hunter, loves this harness. He believes it’s the quietest harness available on the market, and I agree. If you happen to spend time searching whitetails in shut quarters, you’ll cheer the ultra-quiet DeadQuiet layered cloth fleece and hushed, suede-lined shove pocket. This bino pouch has zero zippers, and you’ll’t beat its church-mouse quiet nature.

There isn’t a magnetic system. Seize the braided rope loop and pull it down to show your optics—pull it as much as cowl them. It’s a easy system, and it really works nicely. The entrance pocket is surprisingly sizeable and a very good place to your telephone, Allen wrenches, and different vital, need-right-now gear gadgets. I’ve even match a concealed-carry-sized handgun in it. A water-resistant inside membrane protects your optics from the weather, and whereas particles can discover its means onto the fleece exterior, the material has proved robust and sturdy.

Finest For The Western Hunter: Kifaru Deluxe Bino Harness

Specs

• Small, Medium, and Massive Bino Bucket
• Common and XL harness sizes
• 9.9, 10.5, and 11.8-ounce Bino Bucket weights

Execs

• Loads of pockets
• Comes with a rangefinder and accent pouch
• Slim, 1-inch webbing underneath the bino bucket
• Slim straps
• One-handed use

Cons

Few firms know the wants of western hunters like Kifaru, and its Deluxe Bino Harness is a shining instance of the producers’ relentless dedication to giving hunters what they want. The Deluxe Bino Harness comes full with rangefinding and accent attachment pockets, and entry to your binos, harness, and different gear requires solely a single hand. I admire the six pockets—three within the entrance, one within the again, and two small pockets on the lid. Out of your telephone to your launch to different vital gear, this harness system acts extra like a pack, however isn’t overly cumbersome. Motion just isn’t restricted, and the system doesn’t really feel cumbersome on my chest.

You’ll like the skinny and absolutely adjustable 1-inch Rhodesian straps and the hood flips shortly out of the way in which and hooks across the backside of the bino bucket. As with all issues Kifaru makes, they provide a number of sizes and have suggestions on their web site primarily based in your alternative of optic.

Finest For Massive Optics: Badlands Bino Magazine 2

Specs

• Small, medium, and enormous sizes
• AirTrack Suspension with adjustable shoulder straps
• Stable and camo choices

Execs

• Keep-open magnet
• Quiet cloth
• Fast-release carabiner rings
• Bow hook
• Facet wing accent attachment factors

Cons

• Magnet must be stronger

Badland’s Bino Magazine 2 has a sizeable inner compartment, good for toting bigger powered optics or rangefinding binoculars. Whereas Badland must revise its magnetic lid system, it really works high quality if you happen to’re not working or crawling shortly. I’ve had situations the place the lid pops open. Nonetheless, this method is nice if you happen to’re sitting on a distant ridge ready for the sport to maneuver and your optic of alternative is 12x or 15x. 

Hunters will admire the help and breathability of the AirTrack Suspension System, and those that head afield with a stick-and-string will love the bottom-mounted bow hook. As an alternative of resting my binos on the highest cam of my bow and glassing, I grasp my bow from the hook and regular my optics with two palms. 

The Rear Magnetic Suspension pocket is incredible, and I admire the holster-compatible design. If you happen to hunt a locale the place massive bruins lurk, this bino protector is value a glance. The material in all fairness quiet and sturdy, and the Facet Wing and Backside Accent Attachment factors are value their weight in gold.

Finest New Bino Harness: Sitka Flash Optics Harness

Specs

• Small by way of 3XL sizes
• Light-weight
• Full-back harness system

Execs

• Single attachment level on/off
• Laser-cut holes bonded to air mesh for elevated breathability
• Ambedextrious rangefinder pouch included
• Stretch mesh aspect and again pockets
• Zippered again pocket

Cons

• Value
• Most bino top is 6.75 in. tall

There’s no disputing that Sitka makes purposeful, useful gear, and its all-new Flash Optic Harness follows go well with. Engineered for the whitetail crowd, the material is tremendous quiet, and I really like that Sitka included a rangefinder pouch. I additionally just like the absolutely ventilated again panel and quick-release binocular tether. The magnetic prime lid on the bino case and rangefinder pouch permit easy accessibility to your optics. Hypalon Molle webbing is positioned on each side of the optic case and beneath the harness, so toting additional gear is simple. Sitka additionally included a storage compartment for a whitetail favourite, the Jetstream Insulated MS Muff. 

It comes out there in Optifade Elevated II and a Lead strong. Different must-note options are the interior lens fabric and patent-pending clips that permit the bino case to fall away from the harness.

What To Contemplate in a Binocular Harness System

The very first thing is to verify your system will suit your binos. I’ve had some buddies who’ve rushed the shopping for course of solely to have their bino-holder arrive and never match their optics. High-end bino system producers have sizing on their web sites, so observe it. 

It’s additionally essential to contemplate the way you hunt and what you need out of your system. For instance, I’ve discovered nothing higher than my Leupold-branded enclosed binocular chest pack for bowhunting. It has a pair of stretchable aspect pockets. One holds my hand-held launch tightly, and the opposite accepts my bottle of wind checker. As with every product, think about how and what you hunt, and match your chest pack to the terrain and species. If the chest pack doesn’t include equipment, observe if the producer presents equipment and if these equipment connect simply to the harness.

FAQs

Finest Binocular Harnesses: Closing Ideas

If you happen to’re a hunter, you want a high quality full-containment binocular system. It is going to shield your optics and give you a fail-proof carry system that means that you can use after which retailer your binos shortly and simply. My searching gear adjustments from hunt to hunt, however one factor that is still a continuing is that my full-containment binocular harness is at all times on my chest.

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