What size do I need?        

1)  Waist size at the belly button is the critical measurement on the basic vest.  For most, the bottom of the vest belt buckle rides 1 or 2 inches above the pants top.  If you top out of a size range, the shell pockets will start to move too far aft and this will interfere with pocket access.  Ideal placement is opposite, under the line of the shoulders or slightly forward of that line just short of interfering with the leg's walking motion.  If your clothing doesn't change much, you use lightweight synthetics during cold weather, or don't hunt in much cold weather, then staying with the smaller size is recommended.  Since waist belts are interchangeable on the vests, a larger or smaller size can be purchased and periodically changed out if necessary.  Takes a few minutes and a couple of tools.
    Another way to approach fit is described at the bottom of the "Vests" page, and involves measuring the body in the area of the waist belt and comparing it with the 4 sizes of belts we sell. 

2)  Shoulder Harnesses:  The Standard Harness is one size fits all as described in product listings.  Adjust for proper fit and length, then if necessary for location of tri-glide buckles to be clear of gun mount.  The extra strap can be pulled through the tri-glide by the folded over strap end, left loose in between straps or cut and resewn to fit without the extra length. The Sternum Strap Harness is available in L and XL, L typically fitting up to 6'2", and XL for larger users.  We recommend it for hunters who climb and sidehill, horseback hunters, and those who don't want to be bothered with occasionally losing a strap off their shoulder.  Narrow shouldered hunters may like this style better, and some just like the backpack style adjustment straps.  All Harnesses are  interchangeable on any WW vests.

 3)  If youre not sure, email us at info@wingworks.biz with your basic height, weight and belly button waist size and we'll recommend a size. 

A few hints on fitting and setting up the vests

1)  Trying on the vest:  Before you try it on, fill the water bottles and put some weight in the game bag or shell bags.  This will help you get a feel for where the belt and shoulder straps want to sit, and how tight.  Shell bags should be on your sides, more or less opposite of each other.  If they're too far back you may need a larger size.  The bottom of the foam belt wants to be an inch or two above your belt, snug against the hips.  When there's more weight in the vest, the belt should be snugger, with shoulder straps holding 15% or so of weight.

2)  Harness Straps:  Don't forget to adjust the straps on the back of the harness so the yoke center is an inch or two below the back of your neck.  This will keep the 2" straps inside the shoulders.  The Sternum Harness adjusts like a backpack using the 1' straps in front.  Snap the chest strap and adjust to comfort.  The Standard Harness adjustment sometimes causes a problem when it seems too long and the buckle gets too high into the shoulder.  To shorten the harness, pull the end strap through the buckle and let the extra float between the outer straps.  This should let the buckle be lowered towards the belt out of the way.  If the strap surplus is getting in the way, allow some adjustment and cut.  End can be melted with a propane torch or over a gas stove, then folded and stapled or glued, or resewn.

3)  Bottle holsters too tight?  They will be tight to start, but will loosen up after a few hikes with water in the bottles.

4)  Shell pouches flopping?  Try snugging up the 2" strap from the shell pouches to game bag.  Also make sure the water holster belt strap rides aft of the belt strap 2" loop fittings on each side.

5)   Straps too long?  We overlength some straps to be versatile between sizes of vests.  If they bother you they can be cut and should be melted on ends to prevent fraying using a torch or other flame. 

6)   Can I remove the harness strap base bolts?  Yes but there is Loctite on the threads so it may be some work.  A 5 mm hex wrench fits the nut.

7)    If I don't need the water holsters, can they be removed?  Yes, just unthread the necessary straps and slide off, and rethread.