In the market for a new one & man has the market exploded since I got my Gen 1 Badlands model 10 years or more ago. I think I've narrowed it down to two brands: Kuiu and Eberlestock. Both are modular to different degrees & offer quite a few options for different add ons.

Kuiu Pro Chest Pack comes with the two side pouches already (non-removable). There's an option for attachments below & also for a hydration rig on the back.
https://www.kuiu.com/products/pro-chest-pack-verde-camouflage?variant=44012419219614

Eberlestock Recon:
This one is more expensive by a little, the side pockets come off completely allowing more options.
https://eberlestock.com/pages/Recon-Modular-Harness


Anyone run this gear or have direct experience with either?
Use would be Spring Turkey, Whitetail, Hog Hunting. Maybe some elk/mule deer hunting in the next few years.

Alaskan Guide

I'm willing perhaps to look at other brands, but can y'all be a little more specific? Those companies make like 10 different bino harnesses. What specifically do you have? Are they modular?

Another vote for Marsupial. I currently run the Enclosed Bino Harness. Tons of accessories and features but, overall the most comfortable bino harness I have used. The fit is perfect for your equipment following their sizing guidelines - no additional pads or spacers required. It's quiet and comfortable. I've used several different ones but, this is the best in my opinion.

Another vote for Marsupial (MADE IN USA). I find the modular nature of their line up awesome. I use Marsupial not only for binoculars (fully enclosed) but fishing, hiking, mountain biking. Their whole lineup is compatible. They come to as close of a one size fits all activities as you can get. Really easy changing out all their stuff too compared to others who have tried the modular customizable system IMO.

I've got a KUIU, a Marsupial, and an Alaskan Guide. For South Texas blind hunting I really like the size of the AG. Built for a holster connected to the bottom, it's roomy. Binos, rangefinder, couple changes clothes, meals, water, it will hold it all. I'm kidding, but the others are really better for wilderness hunts where everything else can go in a backpack and just carry binos.

I've had them all and prefer the marsupial. I like the enclosed.

SanAntoneAg said:

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When I'm hunting, I want my binos out and easily accessible.

What's the point of keeping them under wraps while in the field? If I want to do that I'll put them in a backpack along with other gear.

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If you have a halfway decent harness, they are accessible, and protected from blowing dust, rain, snow, and getting banged up.

What type of hunting are you doing and how are you carrying binos?

For the OP:

Features that are non negotiable for me: Forward opening, fully enclosed, no magnets (I use a compass relatively often as I live and hunt CO and cover some ground), harness must be very comfortable as I have a giant plate on my collarbone.

I like the enclosed, no mag marsupial because the opening is super easy and the cover portion stays out of the way once open. It's relatively weather resistant and quiet enough for me. I wouldn't mind adding some of their side pouches, but a lot of stuff i'd put in side pockets on a bino harness I carry in my pants pockets or in a fanny pack. I use an old AGC strap/yoke on it because even the padded marsupial straps leave my collarbone hurting after a few hours.

I had a classic AGC, hated the rear opening, love the front pocket and bottom pocket. Tried an AGC Ravus, magnet already made me not like it, then I discovered it would flop open and dump my Leicas on the ground when getting into a prone shooting position.

Like the look of the latest Stone Glacier, but even if it's a bit better than my current setup, it won't be a life-changing upgrade.

I've got the Kuiu on the G1 and G2 versions but do not have latest version. The improvement from 1-2 was great and the latest improvement looks even better. I do have the pouches for phone (on left) and range finder (on right).

That being said, the guys I have elk hunted with have had Marsupial and they seem really dang good. I just like matching my camo I guess

by far my favorite that I've used or tried out in person is the Stone Glacier Sentinel. It is extremely lightweight, thin, not bulky, waterproof, etc. For me, I do a lot of hiking, scouting and hunting in warm weather and I do not want the equivalent of a backpack worn backwards on my chest like some of these bino systems are. I hunt the mountains of eastern OK and TX public lands. The more I pack on my chest the hotter I get and more I sweat and smell so I've gone about as minimalist as possible. My setup this year is my SG bino harness, an Eberlestock xl Bando waist pack, and my bow.

I lost my SG rangefinder pouch so I got a Marsupial Gear one to replace it with. I prefer wearing it on my waist anyway. It is very nice and very well made. Much thicker, more padded, heavier than the SG system if that's what you want.

I use Marsupial enclosed for RF bino and an older non-enclosed Marsupial for smaller binos. I like them because of the magnetic enclosure. Guys that use the compass feature of their RF binos tend to avoid the magnets.

For hunts that I don't need much protection (day hunts, whitetail hunting, etc.), I use RYO ultra-light harness.

I've used both and I greatly prefer my marsupial

I second Marsupial Gear

I own the FHF pro. No complaints. It's lightweight and comfortable when wearing all day. I can operate it easily with one hand when I have my bow in the other hand. I don't have any of the modular options, but you can add pouches for phone, rangefinder, holster, etc.

I may be in the minority but I prefer just the Rick Young Bino Harness. Basically just a well made bungee setup no case just quick access, doesn't interfere with a backpack, fits over anything and cheap.

If you are doing a lot of walking around and stalking he sells a neoprene tight cover and when used with the harness its pretty hard to beat for protection, accessibility and light weight and way under $100 for both.

I use the cover and harness together and it works great and I use my backpack for all my other gear.

I run the same. Also there are clips that connect to my binos so I can take them out of the harness and let them hang and be hands free before putting them back in the harness. Sometimes I will glass and don't want to put them in and out of the harness but don't want to be stuck holding my binos. Nice little feature. Ive added the rangefinder pouch to my harness also. Only complaint is I wish the bungee loop that holds the lid closed was maybe a magnet.

I have had them all. I prefer the kuiu g3 lighter weight one. I actually just got a new one. They warrantied my old one after 8 years of tough abuse and the straps were fraying.


I wear mine with a backpack hunting out west and all the others straps are too bulky for me. The kuiu runs the best under my backpack straps. I just run mine with a rangefinder attachment.

NRH ag 10 said:

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SanAntoneAg said:

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When I'm hunting, I want my binos out and easily accessible.

What's the point of keeping them under wraps while in the field? If I want to do that I'll put them in a backpack along with other gear.

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What type of hunting are you doing and how are you carrying binos?

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When hunting on foot I carry them on a simple elastic band harness where the binos slide up/down. Should rain, snow, blowing dust, etc. come into play, flip on lens caps shed the elements.

SanAntoneAg said:

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NRH ag 10 said:

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SanAntoneAg said:

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When I'm hunting, I want my binos out and easily accessible.

What's the point of keeping them under wraps while in the field? If I want to do that I'll put them in a backpack along with other gear.

---

What type of hunting are you doing and how are you carrying binos?

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When hunting on foot I carry them on a simple elastic band harness where the binos slide up/down. Should rain, snow, blowing dust, etc. come into play, flip on lens caps shed the elements.

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Gotcha, that wouldn't be acceptable for my use case. I also use the bino harness as a rear rest when shooting.