Why don't you put the front yolk straps to the back of the belt like the Orvis instead of on the front like you have it configured on the Marsupial? I mean that's the only difference between the two vests. Where the bag hooks to the back of the yoke is irrelevant. It's where the front straps attach that's causing it to pull up on the front of the belt. The orvis is attached to the back of the belt so it obviously won't affect the front of the belt. That's probably why the Marsupial belt has so many loops for the yoke straps to attach.
I was thinking the exact same thing! Let us know how that works out if you end up trying it. Very thorough and informative video. Keep up the good work!!
I reconfigured and tested it out. It didn't completely fix the issue but did make that belt lift way less. I'm still swapping back to the old vest -- mainly because I feel like I shouldn't have to re-engineer a vest that costs $400 (especially when I've got a backup solution I'm comfortable with). I'll resell and keep testing new vests, always looking for gear upgrades. When you see the boots I'm currently running, you won't believe it.
The flexibility to adjust this vest is what makes it one of the best on the market... bin running one of the originals for years, I can get fat, skinny, run 1 dog, 3 dogs, transition to summer training set up..... it's no inconvenience to have whatever set up I want the way it easily re-configures... but, I guess to each their own.
I would highly encourage you to reach out to Jim, the owner at Marsupial if your local, they stand by their product, express your fitment issues.... from my experience, you will be a lifetime owner after you do.... ask me how I know.... and yes, I paid for my vest.
Try moving the marsupial front straps to the other connector loops, there are many, that are more towards the back or under your pits (like your Orvis is) this may shift the pull from the front of the belt to the back… you can see from the side view of the orvis the “front”straps actually attach to the back in a V shape.
I hear ya, and I could certainly try lots of mods, but truth is I’ve got a vest that has worked for a decade, so unless there’s a compelling reason to switch, ie significant upgrade, then I’ll just revert and sell. Whoever bought my marsupial will likely enjoy it.
I’m 6ft 230lbs I’ve had back issues for years. For years I’ve worn a back belt to help with the Fatigue from weight pushing down from my full vest. I’ve switched to a similar vest like the one you’re showing. It has a decent back belt and so far after a 5 day grouse hunt in Northern New Hampshire, I was happy with the back belt support on my new vest. So far it works for me. The season is just beginning and d next it will be tried back home in NJ for Quail Always appreciate your videos and reviews.
Which vest did you go with? I think many people won't be bothered by the issue I describe, but I'm particular about vest fit. We've tested a ton. Good luck with the Bobs!
@@UltimateUpland the brand is NICA I found it on line, it looked like it would serve the purpose I personally needed it for. I wore it for 5 days 4 of them were raining days. I was happy with it. So many to choose from I decided to go with the NICA and was pleased. And thanks same to you on those Pheasant hunts. I Look forward to your future videos
I guide at a game farm I have carried 9 pheasants in my marsupial gear , I love the way that it carries the weight on the belt. I live in cold weather climate Wisconsin. The other thing is you are able to switch to a smaller game bag to hunt wild birds when it is warm in early fall
That’s probably true. But at this price point I expect the vest to come from manufacturer properly configured. It’s not mentioned anywhere in guides or videos, so I can monkey with it to see if I can get it to function properly OR I can use my existing vest that works fine.
Thats a hell of a nice pack. I wore the version 1 ALPS Outdoorz extreme pack all last year and I have been super happy with it. My son is big enough now that he needs his own pack, his dove belt isn't cutting it anymore for quail and rabbit. I am thinking about getting the Marsupial and giving him my ALPS.
@@UltimateUpland yeah I love mine. I was checking out Roger’s toughman upland pack last night. I liked the storage/setup of it and went to their website to learn more. They have them for 59.99 right now instead of 119. It will be perfect for him.
Hey I appreciate your thoughts and review after a year of use. I wondered where you eventually landed with this vest after your first video on it. I know you had some initial concerns - so I wondered. My marsupial has been ok. For your viewers let me give them my perspective on it after a season as well. It excels in a few areas my wingworks(WW) vest does not but I still wish I could get the few issues I have with my WW resolved and go back to it - it’s my nostalgic vest. Here are my cons first: The marsupial bottle pouches are way tight on bottles and I always struggle to pull the bottles out. I use my WW squeeze bottles which are smaller diameter than a Nalgene (which this vest fits as well) but they are still a challenge to pull out even being smaller. Another issue is the bird bag takes a bit more reach to get in to the game bag and I’m not flexible and I really feel the added pull on my shoulders. Finally the shell pouches take 2 hands to zip open and closed - I much preferred the WW deep Velcro pouches for that reason. These pouches are shallow enough that I feel I need them zipped to not lose the contents so the 2 handed zip is annoying. I have the larger pouches. Here’s what I do like: one of my cons is also a pro - zipped pouches even though requiring two hands are secure and you won’t lose anything when closed - I like the security. This vest is lighter weight than my WW and much more comfortable on the shoulder straps and hip belt. I do prefer the backpack feel of the hip belt. Also this vest has storage for days and can really be loaded up, if you choose, with gear and water. It’s built like a tank, as pointed out. It’s a “last a lifetime” vest, and I will keep it but don’t know if I will completely move from my WW - time will tell.
Thanks for the comments. Good point about the zipper pouches. I was just running my shell pocket open. The Orvis vest I show in the video has magnetic closing, which is definitely a better solution for how I run it. I like a combination of secured pockets and easy access. It's tough to get that right for everyone. I've contemplated a WW, maybe I'll order one next just to see.
@@UltimateUpland The WW vest seems to be the benchmark for a lot of the more recent strap vests. I know a few companies, like Final Rise, that cite WW as their inspiration. The WW isn't perfect and has been what it is for many many years, so these companies trying to improve on it is a good idea and I like the idea of more innovation and newer materials. This is what led me to pursue trying the Marsupial. Like many out there now, the WW isn't an inexpensive vest - so be ready for that as well. It isn't Marsupial expensive, but still not cheap. If you give it a try, I will watch for a review to get your impressions on it. 😉
@@UltimateUpland I just ordered a MG hybrid lumbar big bird bag (not the upland bag) without the shoulder straps (straps were out of stock) after 2 weeks of running a cheap fanny pack for deer and bear with k-kit, 2 sandwiches 😋, a MT Dew, water, tow rope, extra ammo, and two knives I got EXTREMELY annoyed with the bag slipping over my hips no matter how tight I made it. Tough to do over a heavy hunting coat with stuff in your pockets…. So, I’m sure I’ll want to order the straps. My thought was spin the pack around and grab what I need while in the stand or bland. (Without shoulder straps) Yah, that doesn’t work… huge pain with the coat and attempting to keep it tight. I’m not a birder, was hoping to use the bag for equipment for big game. I find the MG small fanny pack way too small especially for winter gloves or bibs. My concern for using the bird bag for this purpose it only snaps on the sides and does not zip closed. What is your thoughts on using it for this purpose?
Could work. But I just gave up on the rigging and re-rigging and reverted to my old standby vest. Sold this one. I’m all for adjustability. But, honestly, at this price point I feel like it should come out of the box damn near perfect. When it doesn’t, it makes me question the designer and if they are on board with the way we go about upland hunting.
Curious what kind of terrain you are hunting. A burly waistband with weight on the hips seems like it would be just the thing here in steep western chukar territory. I hunt archery elk with a full pack so I don’t think the snug hip feeling you describe would bother me.
@@SethLoveAnderson I pretty much hunt all over, just back from high elevation in Colorado and Nevada. If the vest restricts movement I don’t want it, certainly not in Chukar country either, where shots can be challenging, I want to feel free and don’t want the heat sink of something tight on my waist, already sweating enough. Archery elk would be a little different, you’re moving slowly and I imagine you drop your full pack when setting up for a shot. Chukar, the way we hunt, is bottom up. Those birds will race you and the dogs uphill.
Final Rise is on the list, looks to be in our wheelhouse. No offense to Chief, but that thing is too bulky, too much fabric. I’ve contemplated the order and review, but I can tell from the photos how that’s gonna go - half the season is already hot enough, I don’t want the extra layer of heat retention.
The top of belt on the Marsupial vest has loops so you can move the bottom part of the yolk straps towards the back of the belt. Therefore stopping it from pulling up in the front.
It's not the belt portion that is the problem. It's the back outside top which buckles and the placement of where those buckles reside on the yolk IMO. That would require moving where the female portion of the buckles are sewn. Yes, there is lots of adjustment that can be made with this Marsupial system, certainly a positive, and we tried tons of adjustments, none of which mitigated the issue. If this is a known solution, then I'll be happy to repost any video showing it in practice. But it does make you then wonder why isn't the vest shipped this way in the first place? Would seem to indicate that it's a known issue.
Why don't you put the front yolk straps to the back of the belt like the Orvis instead of on the front like you have it configured on the Marsupial? I mean that's the only difference between the two vests. Where the bag hooks to the back of the yoke is irrelevant. It's where the front straps attach that's causing it to pull up on the front of the belt. The orvis is attached to the back of the belt so it obviously won't affect the front of the belt. That's probably why the Marsupial belt has so many loops for the yoke straps to attach.
That could work, was thinking if trying after I did the video.
I was thinking the exact same thing! Let us know how that works out if you end up trying it. Very thorough and informative video. Keep up the good work!!
I reconfigured and tested it out. It didn't completely fix the issue but did make that belt lift way less. I'm still swapping back to the old vest -- mainly because I feel like I shouldn't have to re-engineer a vest that costs $400 (especially when I've got a backup solution I'm comfortable with). I'll resell and keep testing new vests, always looking for gear upgrades.
When you see the boots I'm currently running, you won't believe it.
The flexibility to adjust this vest is what makes it one of the best on the market... bin running one of the originals for years, I can get fat, skinny, run 1 dog, 3 dogs, transition to summer training set up..... it's no inconvenience to have whatever set up I want the way it easily re-configures... but, I guess to each their own.
I would highly encourage you to reach out to Jim, the owner at Marsupial if your local, they stand by their product, express your fitment issues.... from my experience, you will be a lifetime owner after you do.... ask me how I know.... and yes, I paid for my vest.
Try moving the marsupial front straps to the other connector loops, there are many, that are more towards the back or under your pits (like your Orvis is) this may shift the pull from the front of the belt to the back… you can see from the side view of the orvis the “front”straps actually attach to the back in a V shape.
I hear ya, and I could certainly try lots of mods, but truth is I’ve got a vest that has worked for a decade, so unless there’s a compelling reason to switch, ie significant upgrade, then I’ll just revert and sell. Whoever bought my marsupial will likely enjoy it.
I’m 6ft 230lbs I’ve had back issues for years.
For years I’ve worn a back belt to help with the Fatigue from weight pushing down from my full vest.
I’ve switched to a similar vest like the one you’re showing.
It has a decent back belt and so far after a 5 day grouse hunt in Northern New Hampshire, I was happy with the back belt support on my new vest.
So far it works for me.
The season is just beginning and d next it will be tried back home in NJ for Quail
Always appreciate your videos and reviews.
Which vest did you go with? I think many people won't be bothered by the issue I describe, but I'm particular about vest fit. We've tested a ton. Good luck with the Bobs!
@@UltimateUpland the brand is NICA I found it on line, it looked like it would serve the purpose I personally needed it for.
I wore it for 5 days 4 of them were raining days. I was happy with it.
So many to choose from I decided to go with the NICA and was pleased.
And thanks same to you on those Pheasant hunts. I Look forward to your future videos
I guide at a game farm I have carried 9 pheasants in my marsupial gear , I love the way that it carries the weight on the belt. I live in cold weather climate Wisconsin. The other thing is you are able to switch to a smaller game bag to hunt wild birds when it is warm in early fall
Agree, the game bag is plenty large.
It’s the front straps pulling up on the waist belt. If you move them towards the back like the Orvis vest, it should eliminate that issue.
That’s probably true. But at this price point I expect the vest to come from manufacturer properly configured. It’s not mentioned anywhere in guides or videos, so I can monkey with it to see if I can get it to function properly OR I can use my existing vest that works fine.
Thats a hell of a nice pack. I wore the version 1 ALPS Outdoorz extreme pack all last year and I have been super happy with it. My son is big enough now that he needs his own pack, his dove belt isn't cutting it anymore for quail and rabbit. I am thinking about getting the Marsupial and giving him my ALPS.
From our experience, if you like the vest you’ve got, stick with it. Let your son be the tester of something new.
@@UltimateUpland yeah I love mine. I was checking out Roger’s toughman upland pack last night. I liked the storage/setup of it and went to their website to learn more. They have them for 59.99 right now instead of 119. It will be perfect for him.
Hey I appreciate your thoughts and review after a year of use. I wondered where you eventually landed with this vest after your first video on it. I know you had some initial concerns - so I wondered. My marsupial has been ok. For your viewers let me give them my perspective on it after a season as well.
It excels in a few areas my wingworks(WW) vest does not but I still wish I could get the few issues I have with my WW resolved and go back to it - it’s my nostalgic vest. Here are my cons first: The marsupial bottle pouches are way tight on bottles and I always struggle to pull the bottles out. I use my WW squeeze bottles which are smaller diameter than a Nalgene (which this vest fits as well) but they are still a challenge to pull out even being smaller. Another issue is the bird bag takes a bit more reach to get in to the game bag and I’m not flexible and I really feel the added pull on my shoulders. Finally the shell pouches take 2 hands to zip open and closed - I much preferred the WW deep Velcro pouches for that reason. These pouches are shallow enough that I feel I need them zipped to not lose the contents so the 2 handed zip is annoying. I have the larger pouches.
Here’s what I do like: one of my cons is also a pro - zipped pouches even though requiring two hands are secure and you won’t lose anything when closed - I like the security. This vest is lighter weight than my WW and much more comfortable on the shoulder straps and hip belt. I do prefer the backpack feel of the hip belt. Also this vest has storage for days and can really be loaded up, if you choose, with gear and water. It’s built like a tank, as pointed out. It’s a “last a lifetime” vest, and I will keep it but don’t know if I will completely move from my WW - time will tell.
Thanks for the comments. Good point about the zipper pouches. I was just running my shell pocket open. The Orvis vest I show in the video has magnetic closing, which is definitely a better solution for how I run it. I like a combination of secured pockets and easy access. It's tough to get that right for everyone.
I've contemplated a WW, maybe I'll order one next just to see.
@@UltimateUpland The WW vest seems to be the benchmark for a lot of the more recent strap vests. I know a few companies, like Final Rise, that cite WW as their inspiration. The WW isn't perfect and has been what it is for many many years, so these companies trying to improve on it is a good idea and I like the idea of more innovation and newer materials. This is what led me to pursue trying the Marsupial. Like many out there now, the WW isn't an inexpensive vest - so be ready for that as well. It isn't Marsupial expensive, but still not cheap. If you give it a try, I will watch for a review to get your impressions on it. 😉
@@UltimateUpland I just ordered a MG hybrid lumbar big bird bag (not the upland bag) without the shoulder straps (straps were out of stock) after 2 weeks of running a cheap fanny pack for deer and bear with k-kit, 2 sandwiches 😋, a MT Dew, water, tow rope, extra ammo, and two knives I got EXTREMELY annoyed with the bag slipping over my hips no matter how tight I made it. Tough to do over a heavy hunting coat with stuff in your pockets…. So, I’m sure I’ll want to order the straps. My thought was spin the pack around and grab what I need while in the stand or bland. (Without shoulder straps) Yah, that doesn’t work… huge pain with the coat and attempting to keep it tight. I’m not a birder, was hoping to use the bag for equipment for big game. I find the MG small fanny pack way too small especially for winter gloves or bibs. My concern for using the bird bag for this purpose it only snaps on the sides and does not zip closed. What is your thoughts on using it for this purpose?
Great videos by the way. Ironically I just ordered the Marsupial this morning so hopefully I don't regret it! Haha😅
Could be a “me” problem that doesn’t bother others,. Hope it works out for you. Thanks for watching!!
What would happen if you moved the anchor point of the shoulder straps back towards the game bag?
Could work. But I just gave up on the rigging and re-rigging and reverted to my old standby vest. Sold this one.
I’m all for adjustability. But, honestly, at this price point I feel like it should come out of the box damn near perfect. When it doesn’t, it makes me question the designer and if they are on board with the way we go about upland hunting.
Curious what kind of terrain you are hunting.
A burly waistband with weight on the hips seems like it would be just the thing here in steep western chukar territory.
I hunt archery elk with a full pack so I don’t think the snug hip feeling you describe would bother me.
@@SethLoveAnderson I pretty much hunt all over, just back from high elevation in Colorado and Nevada.
If the vest restricts movement I don’t want it, certainly not in Chukar country either, where shots can be challenging, I want to feel free and don’t want the heat sink of something tight on my waist, already sweating enough.
Archery elk would be a little different, you’re moving slowly and I imagine you drop your full pack when setting up for a shot.
Chukar, the way we hunt, is bottom up. Those birds will race you and the dogs uphill.
Have you tried a Final Rise or Chief Upland vest? Love to know your thoughts.
Final Rise is on the list, looks to be in our wheelhouse. No offense to Chief, but that thing is too bulky, too much fabric. I’ve contemplated the order and review, but I can tell from the photos how that’s gonna go - half the season is already hot enough, I don’t want the extra layer of heat retention.
Also, double buckle on the waist strap, nope, that ain’t it.
It looks like it would be very hot to wear in tropical conditions
I would think so, could benefit from more breathable fabrics across the back.
The top of belt on the Marsupial vest has loops so you can move the bottom part of the yolk straps towards the back of the belt. Therefore stopping it from pulling up in the front.
It's not the belt portion that is the problem. It's the back outside top which buckles and the placement of where those buckles reside on the yolk IMO. That would require moving where the female portion of the buckles are sewn. Yes, there is lots of adjustment that can be made with this Marsupial system, certainly a positive, and we tried tons of adjustments, none of which mitigated the issue.
If this is a known solution, then I'll be happy to repost any video showing it in practice. But it does make you then wonder why isn't the vest shipped this way in the first place? Would seem to indicate that it's a known issue.