When it comes to hunting and outdoor adventures, having a reliable and functional bino harness can make a world of difference. The Alaska Guide Creations Bino Harness has garnered a lot of attention in the outdoor community, and for good reason. It boasts a range of features that are designed to enhance your experience in the field. However, no gear is without its flaws. Let’s dive into the details of this harness and see how it stacks up.
Front, Side, and Rear Pockets: Versatility at Its Best
One of the standout features of the Alaska Guide Creations Bino Harness is its cleverly designed front, side, and rear pockets. These pockets are incredibly useful, offering ample space for essential items such as a rangefinder (front pocket), extra ammo (any pocket), or even a small first aid kit. One thing I love about the front pocket is that is comes built in with an elastic tether for tying to your rangefinder. This way, when you are on a stalk, you can just let the rangefinder dangle at your side without fear of loosing it. The pockets are easily accessible via a fairly quiet zipper and provide a quick way to grab what you need without fumbling around. I use the side pockets for storing smaller items such as a “winidicator” or batteries. In fact, my exact setup was Swarovski 12X50 or 12X42 binocular (main pocket), Vortex rangefinder (front pocket), windicator (side pocket), spare ear buds for radio and shooting ear plugs (other side pocket), and hunting license/permit & lens cleaner (rear pocket).
X-Webbing Comfort: Breathable and Supportive
The harness’s webbing system that wraps across the user’s back is another highlight. Designed for comfort, it distributes the weight of the binoculars evenly across your shoulders and back. This design not only reduces fatigue but also ensures that the harness remains comfortable even during extended periods of wear. I particularly like the way I can synch this system down tight to wear high on my chest so that it doesn’t get in the way when bending over or traversing steep or thick terrain. The breathability of the webbing prevents overheating and sweating, which can be a significant advantage during intense physical activity or in warmer climates. Molle-style webbing is added to the front straps that wraps over your chest, which is perfect for routing wires when using radio communication.
Elastic Band Closure: Quiet and Adjustable
Another notable feature is the elastic band used to close the lid of the main compartment. This band is both quiet and adjustable, allowing for a smooth and stealthy operation when you need to access your binoculars. The tether can be adjusted via the front pouch by simply adjusting the knots that prevent the tether from being pulled through the front pocket. The quiet nature of the closure is particularly important when stalking game, as the last thing you want is a noisy buckle or strap that could alert your weary prey. The adjustability ensures a snug fit, so you can customize the closure to your preference.
The Main Lid Cover: A Minor Design Flaw
Despite the impressive array of features, the Alaska Guide Creations Bino Harness isn’t without its flaws (in my opinion). The main lid cover, while functional in most scenarios, has a design quirk that can be a bit frustrating when you are on a stalk or in a scenario where you are frequently removing and replacing the binocular from the harness. When you’re in the middle of stalking game, the lid cover opens by rotating back against your chest. This can be distracting and inconvenient, especially when you’re trying to quietly remove or replace your binocular with one hand (e.g., while carrying a bow). In these scenarios, I’ve learned to just let my binocular hang over the outside of the bino harness (assuming your binocular is tethered to the harness with the built in tethers (great feature by the way!). It would be beneficial if the lid opened away from your chest or could be secured in a way that doesn’t interfere with moving the binocular in and out of the main pouch.
Conclusion
Overall, the Alaska Guide Creations Bino Harness is a well-thought-out piece of gear that excels in several key areas. Its front, side, and rear pockets provide versatile storage options, the webbing system offers exceptional comfort, adjustability, and breathability, and the elastic band closure is both quiet and adjustable. While the main lid cover does present a minor design flaw, it doesn’t overshadow the harness’s many strengths.
For those who prioritize comfort, functionality, and stealth in their outdoor gear, this bino harness is certainly worth considering. It’s almost the perfect bino harness—just a tweak or two away from achieving that title.
*It should be noted that this version was bought circa 2015, and Alaska Guide Creations has newer models on their website: <https://alaskaguidecreations.com/>.