What’s In “Your” Bino Harness?

Hopefully more than just a Master Card, although you may rack up some reward points depending how deep you dive into the equipment options discussed below…

Do you remember the days when you stuffed all of your day’s hunting gear into pockets? Pants pockets. Shirt pockets. Jacket pockets. Pocket pockets, if they had inside pockets. I remember thinking I had hit the jackpot when my father bought me my first pair of wool Swiss Army pants from the local surplus store. The cargo pockets were nearly as roomy as a Home Depot 5-gallon bucket. Still, everything had to be pocket sized.

We soon transitioned to fleece fanny packs. Single compartment fleece bags which absorbed water like a sponge (and we hunted the west side of the Cascade Mountains) and the 2 inch webbing belt was NOT comfortable under load. We truly stuffed essentials into every cubic inch of those fanny packs. Although it was a step in the right direction, there was nothing “efficient” about carrying those fanny packs. But it is what we had, and we stressed the camp meat pole under the successful burden of those bags. 

Dad still wearing a version of the original, April 2018

One of the most impactful improvements to our load-bearing capability and optical deftness was the bino-harness. The first one I ever laid eyes on was my dad’s Crooked Horn Outfitters bino harness. At the turn of the century, this simple field design was groundbreaking, and the pioneer of the modern-day bino harness.

So, let's transition to the topic of the 21st century chest pack. 

Have you ventured into the realm of the current bino harness craze? I most certainly have. Not because it is veritably the current craze, but because it has become my hunting onboard field center (O.F.C.). Not to be confused with the over-inflated marketing or use of front of center, (F.O.C.), my OFC has become a staple whenever I step into the wilderness.

My use of the chest pack is a transition from my military career, spending hours upon days under the load of a plate carrier. My plate carrier was a journey in itself, morphing from being extremely large and heavy, with pouches covering every square inch of surface area, to a light-weight, jumpable workspace, with very specific pieces of equipment in very specific places.

The Black Horse of the photo, somewhere in Eastern Europe…

This thought process, which translates to muscle-memory, attracts me to the implementation of the modern bino harness. Again, my bino harness journey has transcended from a single pouch for my binoculars, to a chest-rig housing very specific tools, in a very specific place, enhancing my harvest proficiency.

Here is a rundown of my chest rig, bino harness, OFC…

• Badlands X2 bino harness, in Approach

• Badlands RF Mag Case, in Approach

• Vortex Razor HD 12x50 binoculars

• Vortex Razor HD 4000

• Venandi Kydex holster

• Taurus .357 magnum 605 Poly-Protector

• STICKIT Gear Magnetic Rangefinder strap (use discount code “limbitless20” for 20% off)

• Smoke In a Bottle

• Extra batteries for my rangefinder and hearing aids

• Phelps Game Calls acrylic reed call, specific to the season

• Scott Archery Echo release (during archery season)

• Vortex SPUDZ lens cloth

• Cell phone

If you have not considered a bino harness, I strongly encourage you to research the different brands and options. My harness travels with me nationwide, and I rely on it in ALL aspects of my outdoor endeavors. 

LIMB-itless Outdoors's bino harness setup as of December, 2023

I will be transparent and admit I struggled with my chest harness when I began exploring the use of a tree saddle. Learning to climb under the tension of a suspension line, and the taught angles of the bridge, can be frustrating. However, if you’re a tree saddle hunter, time and execution will result in a smooth climbing method while wearing a bino harness.

One of the major benefits I have found with my chest rig, is the design of the Venandi Kydex holster in conjunction with the Badlands X2 (or any of the Badlands harnesses). When a user relies on backpack mounted retention options for their preferred handgun, their secondary level of protection (more often primary) is not always reactive ready. Any time the pack is doffed, the weapon is no longer within reach. This completely defeats the purpose of carrying a sidearm. 

I stress the word “reactive”. When carrying a sidearm or bear spray in the wilderness, it is a reaction or defense tool. NEVER is it an offensive tool. If and/or when a hunter requires their sidearm or bear spray, it needs to be on their person and in a location that has been practiced and refined with repeatable muscle memory.

Off soapbox…

Colorado archery elk, 2023

From a hunting standpoint, when your optics are on your chest, you are FAR MORE apt to use them on a regular basis. Not to mention, your wind-icator of choice (this is an entirely different topic). If our optics, wind checker or rangefinder are not easily accessible, they are easily neglected. When neglected, you are merely carrying excess weight.

If you have an obstructed outlook on the bino harness topic, I hope this blog provides a clear picture of the vast benefits a properly used OFC will impact your wilderness experience.

Be LIMBITLESS. Get OUTDOORS