Bino Harness Review: Secure Your Optics

January 2019

Author: Stanton Upson

These days, there is no shortage of binocular harnesses available to purchase. For this article, I decided to grab a few of my favorites and take them into the field. I am very particular when it comes to my specific setup, but I hope to expose the positives and negatives of my favorites across the industry to help you narrow down your decision of which bino harness to use on your next hunt. Since the measurements and weight for the featured harnesses were not always listed on a company’s website, I chose to measure and weigh each harness to keep consistency throughout this review.

ALASKA GUIDE CREATIONS
Kodiak C.U.B. with M.A.X. Pocket

FEATURES:
• Optimal storage in a compact option
• Accommodates binoculars up to 42 mm objective lenses
• Front pocket for quick access to tools, such as a rangefinder
• M.A.X. pocket adds additional storage to the bottom of the pack
• Hook and bungee system for quiet, easy one-hand operation

SPECS:
Weight – 16 oz.
Measurements – 9"x8.5"x4"
MSRP – $99.99
Website: www.alaskaguidecreations.com

The large size is the first thing you notice when you pick up this pack. At first, I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it, but after playing around with it, there were some advantages I could definitely pull out of the increased size. The amount of storage this thing has is awesome. Being able to use the front pouch for your rangefinder instead of packing an additional pouch is a great advantage. The two side pockets as well as the M.A.X pocket add great additional storage for anything from windicators or headlamps to knives or small snacks. This harness also has dedicated straps to attach your binos to your harness, which is a huge plus, especially when you are in a run and gun situation and you do not want to accidentally leave your valuable optics behind. However, I didn’t like all the zippers. I appreciate the fully-closed pockets for protection of my gear, but zippers are loud and tend to get stuck when you need them most.

BADLANDS
Bino D-Mag

FEATURES:
• Streamlined, sleek, quick, and functional
• Watertight
• Dust tight
• Full magnetic seal on binocular and rangefinder compartments

SPECS:
Weight – 20 oz.
Measurements – 11"x7.5"x4"
MSRP – $149.99
Website: www.badlandspacks.com

The Badlands D-Mag bino harness provides you with a sleek and comfortable fit. The harness straps seemed a bit large to me, but they could prove to be comfortable when you maximize the storage capabilities of this harness system. I really like the protective ability of the pouch. It is fully sealed, so dust or debris cannot enter the seams. However, I was not a huge fan of the magnets being too close to the pouch part of the harness because of noise and the flap tended to migrate back towards its point of origin while glassing. The loud, unexpected snap of a magnet could prove to be problematic in close quarter hunting.

EBERLESTOCK
Scout Bino Pack

FEATURES:
• Magnetic main compartment
• Removable, very comfortable, and ultra-breathable 3D mesh harness
• Back panel has a MOLLE/PALS webbing matrix, allowing you to attach accessories
• Simple and easy to use
• Integrated sleeve for use as a pistol or rangefinder holder

SPECS:
Weight – 17.5 oz.
Measurements – 9"x6.5"x3"
MSRP – $99.99
Website: www.eberlestock.com

I love the design of this harness. It has a fully-sealed compartment for your optics, which is a huge plus. On the downside, the multiple magnets can present a problem. The top magnet worked flawlessly, but the two side magnets kept getting caught on the pouch while I was trying to shut it. That’s not a huge deal, but it does increase the time it takes to use the pouch and decreases efficiency. The harness itself is a little overboard. It’s big, bulky, and heavy, but with the gel padding, it sure is comfortable for the long haul. Eberlestock makes a strapping system that allows you to bypass the traditional harness and have it strapped to your pack. It doesn’t fit into my system, but it could be an easy way to cut weight if that is your main concern.

FHF
Bino Harness Pro

FEATURES:
• Made with high-quality Cordura
• Rows of webbing on the underside of the pouch
• Includes a 1 oz. LDPE windcheck bottle
• Accommodates up to 6.75" tall binos
• Comfortable, low profile webbing harness
• Sized for Roof Prism binoculars only
• Mesh side pockets
• Shock cord closure
• Secondary bino hanger straps

SPECS:
Weight – 9 oz.
Measurements – 6.5"x6"x2"
MSRP – $108
Website: www.fhfgear.com

This is one of the newest bino harnesses on the market, and it did not disappoint. I was very skeptical at first as it has two things I am not the biggest fan of – a backward opening and an interior bungee strap. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I got this bino pack in my hands. Its rigid frame was the first thing I noticed. In most harnesses, there is not much support as far as strength goes, but I’d feel comfortable running my camera in this one. The lid flipping backwards was not a problem until I had my binos out. Once they were out, the rubber bungee rubbed against the top part of the lid, creating a scratching sound. By the time this article is in your hands, Gearak will have their new prototype, the Bino Pak 2.0, on the market. The upgrades are a new cleaning cloth pocket underneath the lid, a repositioned buckle location for better balance, and padded shoulder straps.

GEARAK
Gearak Bino Pak

FEATURES:
• Fully-molded pack that uses 8mil foam
• Forms and holds shape to your optics
• Fully-molded lid
• Fully covers and protects your binoculars from weather, dust, and debris

SPECS:
Weight – 11 oz.
Measurements – 8”x6.5”x3.5”
MSRP – $70
Website: www.gearak.com

This is one of the newest bino harnesses on the market, and it did not disappoint. I was very skeptical at first as it has two things I am not the biggest fan of – a backward opening and an interior bungee strap. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I got this bino pack in my hands. Its rigid frame was the first thing I noticed. In most harnesses, there is not much support as far as strength goes, but I’d feel comfortable running my camera in this one. The lid flipping backwards was not a problem until I had my binos out. Once they were out, the rubber bungee rubbed against the top part of the lid, creating a scratching sound. By the time this article is in your hands, Gearak will have their new prototype, the Bino Pak 2.0, on the market. The upgrades are a new cleaning cloth pocket underneath the lid, a repositioned buckle location for better balance, and padded shoulder straps.

KUIU
Bino Harness

FEATURES:
• Fleece-lined, structured pouch
• Adjustable lid locks over the eye cups
• Two sizes (L or XL) fit 8x40 binos up to 56mm objective binos
• Hook and loop system on the bottom of the pouch
• Includes a sil-nylon rain cover and a minimalist strap

SPECS:
Weight – 7.5 oz.
Measurements – 7.5"x5.5"x3.5"
MSRP – $84
Website: www.kuiu.com

The thing I like most about the KUIU harness is the simplicity of it. It fits tight to your body, adjustments are smooth, and my binos were fully protected. The ease of the forward folding lid is an awesome bonus along with the increased strength and protection from the reinforced base. KUIU recently launched their new hook and loop design to the base of the harness, which makes adding accessories, such as a bullet holder or rangefinder pouch, very easy. I prefer to run the original rangefinder pouch off the side strap while utilizing the new system with the bullet holder. The biggest downfall for me is that there is not a designated strap to attach my binos. The over-the-shoulder strap is what connects the whole system together, so when you detach the binos to glass off a tripod, you are detaching your shoulder straps.

MULEY FREAK
Stealth Bino Harness

FEATURES:
• 100% coverage from the elements, dust, and debris
• Quick, quiet one-handed operation
• Forward opening
• Durable, yet lightweight
• No magnets, buckles, or clips
• Option to tether binoculars to harness
• Front pocket for rangefinder
• Side mesh pockets
• Tag pocket
• Back mesh support

SPECS:
Weight – 9.5 oz.
Measurements – 7.5"x6"x3.5"
MSRP – $99.99
Website: www.muleyfreak.com

This harness has been my go-to for the last few years. When I selected this harness, I felt that it combined a lot of the things that I like. One of the things that instantly attracted me to this harness was the designated straps for my binoculars with quick-detach buckles for putting them on a tripod. The loop makes it easy to open and close the lid with one hand. The front pocket works great to run a small, good-quality point and shoot camera, which is a great benefit for grabbing those memory photos on the go without getting into your pack. The added pocket makes it a bit more bulky than the rest of the field, especially when it’s full. The material is a bit scratchy but not enough that you can’t live with it. At first, it was really snug to get my binos in and out of the pack, but after use, it became a lot more efficient.

MARSUPIAL GEAR
Binocular Pack

FEATURES:
• Quick one-handed access to your optics
• Front lid utilizes strong neodymium magnets
• Quick disconnect, removable safety straps
• Front zippered pocket
• Two elastic side pouches
• Rear cell phone pocket

SPECS:
Weight – 12.5 oz.
Measurements – 8.5"x7"x2.75"
MSRP – $84.95
Website: www.marsupialgear.com

For a few years, I had heard about the Marsupial Gear binocular pack and could not wait to get my hands on one. It did not disappoint. Their modular system allows you to add the accessories you need without feeling sloppy. I am a huge fan of the designated straps for your binoculars with quick-detach buckles for putting them on a tripod. Before this harness, I was not a fan of harnesses that attached with a magnet, but Marsupial Gear has it figured out. It is smooth and quiet, yet really strong. A huge advantage the magnet has is that it also allows you to attach it to the bottom, leaving your lid open and allowing for easy access. This harness has a few downfalls, though. The first is that the sidewalls are open towards the top, allowing dust and debris to enter the compartment. The other is the interior lining. The current lining is pretty loud, but for 2019, the new models will have a new interior lining meshed with nylon that will make sliding your binos in and out a lot quieter.

MYSTERY RANCH
Quick Draw

FEATURES:
• Available in two sizes
• Comfortable, close-fitting design
• Three-dimensional top flap with magnetic buckle closure
• Detachable security strap
• MOLLE webbing on bottom to attach accessories
• Magnetic buckle closure automatically engages to secure binos
• 500D Cordura (solids); 610 HP Cordura (camo)

SPECS:
Weight – 11 oz.
Measurements – 8"x6.5"x3.5"
MSRP – $99.99
Website: www.mysteryranch.com

I ran the Mystery Ranch Cabinet all year long and absolutely loved it, so when I knew I was doing this harness review, I had to get one of their Quick Draw bino harnesses into my hands. Off the bat, I really liked that it had two of my favorite features in a bino harness – a fully-concealed pack for my optics and designated straps for my binoculars. There is quite a bit of adjustability in the binocular straps, enough that with some finagling you can actually remove them if that is your preference. The MOLLE webbing allows you to securely attach accessories with ease. The thing that bothered me the most about the Quick Draw harness was that I seemed to always grab the slack of the strap rather than the attaching strap of the lid, but with a pair of scissors or a rubber band, you can get rid of the excess and increase the ease of use. The magnetic buckle closure worked great most of the time, but it did take some fidgeting to get it lined up.

OUTDOOR VISION
Ridgetop Bino Harness

FEATURES:
• Forward opening top for efficient one-handed access
• Quiet magnetic pocket closure
• Utilizes YKK zippers and ITW slides and buckles
• Mesh side pockets
• Integrated waterproof rain cover in bottom zipper compartment
• Front zipper compartment with Outdoor Vision’s mini waterproof Field Aid Kit
• Foam reinforced body
• High strength buckles and BAR-TACKED seam construction
• Made of SilentHyde™ material
• Optional bino tethers

SPECS:
Weight – 12.5 oz.
Measurements – 8.5"x7"x3"
MSRP – $99.99
Website: www.outdoorvisiongear.com

At first glance, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the full zipper as I do not like dealing with zippers, especially when “buck fever” sets in. However, I quickly discovered that Sitka must have had the same idea. Placed at the top of the harness is a small magnet that allows you to keep your harness sealed without using the zipper. The other bonus of that magnet is that it allows you to attach it to the bottom, leaving your lid open and allowing for easy access. The fully enclosed harness is a definite advantage when bushwhacking, but having the ability to have quick access as well is an amazing feature of this harness. One of the biggest downfalls of this harness is the way you attach your binos to the harness itself. There are two bungees on the inside, and seeing as it is fully sealed, you cannot attach the binos to the shoulder straps. It would be nice to have at least one strap on the inside that has the ability to quickly detach your binos if need be and forego the bungees.

SITKA
Bino Bivy 8x-10x

FEATURES:
• Lightweight suspension
• One-handed access
• Lens cloth
• Two exterior pockets
• Two lanyard straps

SPECS:
Weight – 8.4 oz.
Measurements – 7.5”x6.25”x3”
MSRP – $129
Website: www.sitkagear.com

At first glance, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the full zipper as I do not like dealing with zippers, especially when “buck fever” sets in. However, I quickly discovered that Sitka must have had the same idea. Placed at the top of the harness is a small magnet that allows you to keep your harness sealed without using the zipper. The other bonus of that magnet is that it allows you to attach it to the bottom, leaving your lid open and allowing for easy access. The fully enclosed harness is a definite advantage when bushwhacking, but having the ability to have quick access as well is an amazing feature of this harness. One of the biggest downfalls of this harness is the way you attach your binos to the harness itself. There are two bungees on the inside, and seeing as it is fully sealed, you cannot attach the binos to the shoulder straps. It would be nice to have at least one strap on the inside that has the ability to quickly detach your binos if need be and forego the bungees.

There are certain qualities I look for in a harness, but everyone's preference is going to be a little different. I like a lightweight, slim harness that has forward-flipping access. Extra pockets are never frowned upon, but I do not like to go overboard. Another huge thing I look for is security for my optics. I spend a lot of money on good-quality optics, and I like to make sure I take every opportunity to keep harming them out of the equation, whether it be with materials or having designated straps to make sure they stick with me wherever I go. As you can tell, I am pretty particular when it comes to my harness. Though it can be overlooked, I believe a good bino harness can make or break your hunt or at least your experience in the field. I hope this article helps you narrow down your decision or at least gets you going in the right direction. If you have any questions about these harnesses or any other gear-related questions, feel free to reach out to us. The Hunt Advisors are gear junkies, and we would love to help you with whatever we can to optimize your experience in the field.