Recommended Binocular Carry Methods

[Red Leg]

If you are not hung up on leather I'd recommend the camera strap from Peak Design. Very comfortable, configurable and adjustable.

https://www.peakdesign.com/collections/straps/products/slide

That looks like a good design (mainly long enough). My only concern would be whether it allows the binocular to slide up without drag on the shoulder?

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Personally, I use both methods. For Plains Game hunting, I use the regular binocular harness or PH bra as they call them. One of the best harnesses that I have found was the cheap Cabelas brand harness. The main reason why I like these are because the straps that come over your shoulders are solid, and not elastic. This means the binoculars don't bounce all over the place while walking.

For Dangerous Game, I use the standard binocular strap across my body with the unit tucked in under my left arm. You don't want the harness sitting on your chest when you need to shoulder your rifle quickly. You need to be free from any obstructions once a situation arrives.

 

[Philip Glass]

In preparing for my third trip to Africa which is scheduled for late May, 2021, I’ve been watching far too many You Tube videos.......I’d appreciate some advice on the recommended carry method for binoculars. I have been wearing a simple, center of my chest strap for 15 years. I’ve tried a few different center of the chest binocular holders like Kuiu but find them awkward and slow for the whitetail hunting that I normally do on our home hunts.
On the Africa hunting videos, especially those involving buffalo, it seems like the majority of the PH’s prefer a single strap with the binoculars carried under one arm until needed. Is that the way to carry my binoculars on my first cape buffalo hunt?
Thank you in advance for your recommendations.

Check out my YouTube channel When you get time. I have some Safari packing videos on this subject. I exclusively use The Rick Young bino harness. It can be worn on the side like you mention the PH’s do or center of the chest. It is fully adjustable and for around $25 how can you go wrong? As a minimalist I want the lightest And most convenient gear I can find. No bra strap bino harnesses for me!
Regards,
Philip Glass

 

[Philip Glass]

Thanks to this thread I have now ordered a Rick Young harness!

You’ll be glad you did!

 

[TN Traveler]

If you are not hung up on leather I'd recommend the camera strap from Peak Design. Very comfortable, configurable and adjustable.

https://www.peakdesign.com/collections/straps/products/slide

Great looking option. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Tanks]

That looks like a good design (mainly long enough). My only concern would be whether it allows the binocular to slide up without drag on the shoulder?

Actually, it is best of both worlds. The weight of the binoculars causes enough friction that the binoculars do not move from where placed. However, when you grab the binoculars to bring it to your eye it slides up easily without a drag.

I actually tested it this morning with the binoculars under my right arm, African carry with the rifle resting on my right shoulder and using my left hand to easily bring it to my eyes. I am a lefty so just reverse sides.

 

[Red Leg]

Actually, it is best of both worlds. The weight of the binoculars causes enough friction that the binoculars do not move from where placed. However, when you grab the binoculars to bring it to your eye it slides up easily without a drag.

I actually tested it this morning with the binoculars under my right arm, African carry with the rifle resting on my right shoulder and using my left hand to easily bring it to my eyes. I am a lefty so just reverse sides.

Looks long enough to drop the glass on my hip. Just ordered a couple of the Lite versions (I use 8x30's chasing around the bush). Should be easier to wrap pack around the glass than saddle leather. Thanks!

 

[Tanks]

No problem. I like the company, I have a number of their products, hope you like it.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Across the shoulder/under the arm. 100% happy with it. Until I need to crawl to make a stalk. Then it is useless.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Pocket binos in a leg pouch - you can crawl, run, dance, whatever. I also like the idea of my spare rounds in hoops above the left upper pocket, again no noise, no crawl resistance. By the way, the hunt that needed the most crawling so far was after a stag in the Scottish highlands; you are so exhausted after climbing that mountain that a hip flask feels like a gallon, let alone heavy binos.

 

[Newby]

It's interesting that the marketing spiel (and urban myth) for those hog tying harnesses has always stressed how much better the weight is distributed on your body with all those straps.

And yet many are happy with the Rick Young (including me) and don't seem at all upset by the thin cords.

I have always found the neoprene neck straps, both original and aftermarket, more than adequate for 42s. Short periods with my 56s have been fine, but the 56s normally live in the pack. I call BS on the weight distribution spiel.

Properly adjusted, the harness definitely reduces swinging, even compared to the original strap snugged up high on the chest. However I see many users with the things swinging down between their legs like a sporran, so no benefit from the harness in those cases; only complication. In the majority of pics I see, the bin on the badly adjusted harness is significantly lower than it would be on a simple neck strap.

The chest packs (some) have some real benefits, but very few of them will take 50s or 56s without needing two hands to drag them out. Some are so tight that even 42s need two hands to get the bin out, which is ridiculous. The models advertised for 56s are the same footprint as those advertised for 42s, with the only difference being the height - Useless !! AGC is the only exception that I have found to this major failing.
The chest pack is great if you are carrying a back pack, and provides good protection.

For quick and easy, the versions that have the top flap opening out and away from the user are the only way to go. The only ones that I am aware of that do this are Marsupial and Kuiu. There may be others.

30/32s I have always found a neck strap and drop them down the front of the shirt/jacket works. Not good in very cold weather as they fog when pulled out, but otherwise quick, easy and tidy. The neck strap on my 30s easily allows the over shoulder/under arm option should I wish.

So for me, they all can have merit in different situations when PROPERLY FITTED and ADJUSTED.

 

[Timbo]

I just can't be damned with binos on my chest as I find either they, or the straps, get snagged or get in the way. So I just keep a pocket sized 10x30 set of binos in my leg pocket. For the usual shooting ranges they're perfect: they're out of the way, don't snag on the thorns, and are quietly and securely stored away. And when it comes to glassing time, it's simply just a reach down and then up to eyeballing for the best looking candidate!!

 

[CBH Australia]

Ok, so both the leather strap and the Rick young are getting plenty of support.

The narrow webbing strap on my Steiner compacts just hangs around my neck so I haven’t carried them a lot but at times I should.

I just had a fiddle with them then after reading here.

Not much to lose on trying a Rick young harness. Possibly will suit the compact and my requirements in my afternoon walks.

Redleg’s idea of the smooth strap seems to work for him and others. Perhaps we’ll suited on something bigger too. It makes sense and is worth a try.

A pack a Bra or a Harness might well be suited in other environments or requirements but I’m going to look impnto the Rick Young for now.

 

[nztimb]

Ok, so both the leather strap and the Rick young are getting plenty of support.

The narrow webbing strap on my Steiner compacts just hangs around my neck so I haven’t carried them a lot but at times I should.

I just had a fiddle with them then after reading here.

Not much to lose on trying a Rick young harness. Possibly will suit the compact and my requirements in my afternoon walks.

Redleg’s idea of the smooth strap seems to work for him and others. Perhaps we’ll suited on something bigger too. It makes sense and is worth a try.

A pack a Bra or a Harness might well be suited in other environments or requirements but I’m going to look impnto the Rick Young for now.

The Rick Young is the best solution I have found and love the zero cling in hot weather when anything holding clothing against the skin causes more heat and less cooling. I tried a number of different strap types and the Rick Young surpasses them all in every cobnsideration and when not in use simply wind round the binoculars for the simplest storage in truck console etc. No dangling strap to contend with.

 

[CBH Australia]

So the narrow webbing strap on mine is not long enough to hang to the side and is hopeless for a brisk walk as they swing like a pendulum.

For the Aussies out there I enquired about the Rick Young strap via their website regarding availability in Australia as Online sales with international freight becomes costly for 1-2 otherwise reasonably priced items.

They responded quickly and would like a distributor in Australia, I suggested a few leads on wholesale and large retailers.

Watch this space these might become available in Australia.

My alternative is to try a cheap leather dog lead from a discount store and make something up to test. I can get leather rivets easily.

 

[JLF]

In preparing for my third trip to Africa which is scheduled for late May, 2021, I’ve been watching far too many You Tube videos.......I’d appreciate some advice on the recommended carry method for binoculars. I have been wearing a simple, center of my chest strap for 15 years. I’ve tried a few different center of the chest binocular holders like Kuiu but find them awkward and slow for the whitetail hunting that I normally do on our home hunts.
On the Africa hunting videos, especially those involving buffalo, it seems like the majority of the PH’s prefer a single strap with the binoculars carried under one arm until needed. Is that the way to carry my binoculars on my first cape buffalo hunt?
Thank you in advance for your recommendations.

I carry them that way, hanging under the arm opposite the side where the rifle rests to shoot, said way I took it from a video of Mark Sullivan. I never had a problem for a quick approach, and my binoculars are heavy, they are of Russian origin Tento 10x50

 

[RayAtkinson]

I wouldn't consider any carry but the African carry, over the shoulder riding under the armpit near the waist...The binocs can be postioned anywhere on the body that way and they remain there...As far as I know all the experienced PH in Africa use that carry...A few farmers with little experience being a ph may carry them otherwise..Being trussed up by some of the new gimmicks out there today gives me the shudders.

 

[baxterb]

I make my own and carry the binos short/high on my chest. I actually wear my 10x42s bird hunting. seems to work.

 

[Aaron N]

What am I missing when I envision carrying your binoculars on your hip?

In my head it seems like they would be bouncing/shifting every step you take. Also, if you needed to crouch or crawl through some thorns or bush, doesn’t this make it far more awkward than a chest carry?

 

[CBH Australia]

My compacts bounce on a normal neck strap.
Look into Rick Young's Bini harness there should be. You tube post showing several carry methods. Being elastic strap they pull again st the body in different positions but can quickly be deployed in position being elastic.
That said I have not ordered yet because I have