SITKA Gear Mountain Optics Big Game Camo Hunting Harness

This took a little to get used to the opening and closing the accessory pouches. I really like that the Bino cover folds back and out of the way (up against my chest) I think this is the only way I’d like it. Folding forwards would mean I’d have to close it every time I was done with my binoculars. In a hunting scenario (folding forward would be ok?) but practicing and 3D, it’s out of your way; so far the cover has stayed out of my way while drawing and firing. I can draw (multiple times) and the magnets hold it in the semi open position so I can access the binoculars quickly and easily. The straps work great also. I can adjust as low or high as I need so I can draw a bow comfortably. So far the straps haven’t cut in to my neck as some have experienced. I super happy and would highly recommend.

Waited for this to drop in price and finally did so had to get it. I like to hunt in forested areas and also open country. Perfect for long days out hunting. I’m 5’ 9” 165lbs. Adjusts to fit me great. Material is quiet. Easy yo get into pockets without making noise. Love the front bino pocket that had the ability have the cover stand upright so I can quickly access binos. And first time I put them on for a hunt I ended up taking home a blacktail. If you got Sitka gear, and even if you don’t, this is perfect for hunting.

Much better than the older sitka bivy! Its very quiet to open while stalking which is a major plus compared to the zipper front on its predecessor. I do wish the bottom of the main pouch was set up for to attach a sheath, magazine, or bear spray horizontally underneath like some options offered by competitors, since i have all of pouches and pockets filled. A future feature I'd like to see is hopefully the ability to remove the harness and attach it to my mountain hauler, turkey vest, or to a camel pack like some others do. Overall I absolutely love it! Ive had other brands and they weren't as durable! Even though Id like to see maybe more features in the future or maybe a bivy in elevated II since sub alpine sticks out. Its my favorite so far.

as expected from sitka perfect fit and finish !i like it as it sits lower on chest and the cross strapping holds it tight to your body no flopping forward when leaning over forward .the magnetic flap on optic main pouch is great and side pockets are removable

This was just delivered today and my only use so far is scouting from my pickup. So this is very much an initial impression review. This harness is much easier to get on and off than the original Sitka harness. It is also much more secure. I thought their previous harness was pretty comfortable and this one is as well. There are three things I have on me every time I go hunting. My binos, GPS, and range finder. This harness is much, much better at securely carrying those three items than sitkas other harness. I also like the fact that you can change out the side pouches if wanted. I very much like that it does not have a zipper like the old one did. There have been several times I’ve been sitting in a tree stand or ground blind and have busted by deer from unzipping the front pouch on the old one. There are two straps that come down from the high chest area that can be connected to your binos so they don’t fall off of you. Generally I have one step attached to my binos and one strap attached to my range finder. No issues attaching the strap to my binos. However, for the range finder I have, the spot where I can attach it, it is much too small for me to get the strap through. I will have to figure out a way to modify. Ultimately, that strap is not intended to be hooked up to a range finder so I can’t hold it against Sitka and it’s certainly not a deal breaker. The one thing I do not like is the tie down system for the excess straps in the back. Other Sitka items have a Velcro system for this. This harness has elastic that slides over the rolled up excess length of the straps after they’re tightened down. The right side of mine has already come off twice just from me moving around in my truck. I will be emailing Sitka to see if I can get them to mail me a few of the Velcro pieces they use on their other products. That is the only reason I gave this 4 instead of 5 stars.Other than that, my first impressions of this harness are top notch and it is definitely a step up from their older harness.EDIT: I have been using this harness now for a little over two weeks and it is likely the most hunting I have ever done in a two week period. The 170 5/8 inch whitetail I finally found at sundown last day of the season was well worth it. As before, this a great harness but some improvements need to be made. There is a small tab attached to elastic bands that loop up and over a plastic hook to close the side pouches. The tabs are too small. It is very difficult to get a decent grasp on them when wearing insulated gloves. They also fall to the side of the elastic band, down in between the pouch and the backing it is attached to. You have to dind the tab and dig it out. Which is impossible to do with insulated gloves in. A bigger tab that somehow stays on top of the elastic band would be a small but significant upgrade.The system of securing the excess straps that I originally talked about needs to be changed. Plain and simple, it does not work. I finally quit even trying to roll the excess strap up and secure it with the elastic band. It would fall back out almost immediately. I thought about just cutting the straps down and shortening them, but I also want to make sure I have plenty of strap to loosen them when wearing thicker insulation layers. Using the traditional Velcro system they have on their other products would be much better.The straps that run across your shoulders from your chest to you back did start to somewhat dig into my shoulders and became uncomfortable. It was never painful, but you knew they were there. My binos, gps, and rangefinder weigh roughly 2.5 pounds. If the straps were a little wider going across your shoulders, it would help quite a bit by dispersing the weight just a little more.Overall these are all very minor issues in the grand scheme of things and this is still a great harness. It is nice to know exactly where everything is all the time. It is also nice to be able to keep everything separate so it’s not bumping into eachother and making noise. I had to carry my binos and rangefinder in the same pouch in their previous harness. That was a huge pain.That being said, with most seasons coming to an end, if you’re thinking about purchasing this, I would wait until next year to see if they make any improvements.

Great for 12x50 Vortex Binos, Range finder and calls/wind powder. Helped me get my first big bull elk with a bow! Everything I needed in the moment of truth was handy and close and easy to access and set down quickly without looking. And the netting on the side of the main binos pouch made for a good elk diaphragm call holder. Perfect!

Extremely well made, very functional and quiet. Must have!

Real well made binocular, rangefinder, GPS chest pack. I wish that the shoulder harnesses were made differently like some other are. I also wish these type of chest harnesses systems didn’t block so much of your downward view of the ground ahead of you. You can’t see where you are stepping very well.