5 Best Fly Fishing Chest Packs
The best fly fishing chest pack provides enough storage for frequently used tackle, does not get soaked by being waterproof or water-resistant, and does not get in the way of casting the fly or pulling in fish.
In this guide, we go through the 5 best fly fishing chest packs including the best waterproof fly fishing chest pack, water-resistant chest pack, small fly fishing chest pack, large fly fishing chest pack, and the best chest pack vest for fly fishing.
Contents
Selecting A Chest Pack for Fly Fishing
When it comes to selecting the best fly fishing chest pack, the first determination you need to make is if you want a water-resistant or waterproof chest pack. Then, you need to select the size of the chest pack. Finally, the last decision is how it mounts to your body.
Waterproof Fly Fishing Chest Pack
A waterproof fly fishing chest pack is the best chest pack for fly fishing in deep water. Completely waterproof fly fishing chest packs will be more expensive than water-resistant chest packs, but they will not leak any water inside the pack even if submerged for a period of time.
Water-Resistant Fly Fishing Chest Pack
A water-resistant fly fishing chest pack will resist most water, but it could leak water inside the pack if submerged. These will generally be less expensive compared to waterproof chest packs for fly fishing.
Small vs Large Fly Fishing Chest Pack
When choosing your chest pack size for fly fishing, you want to make sure the chest pack can store all your essential gear efficiently, without having too much extra space or not enough space to where everything is jam-packed.
Small vs Large Fly Fishing Chest Pack
When choosing your chest pack size for fly fishing, you want to make sure the chest pack can store all your essential gear efficiently, without having too much extra space or not enough space to where everything is jam-packed.
Buckle-On VS Fly Fishing Vest Chest Pack
The final option is to have a buckle-on strap fly fishing chest pack or a fly fishing chest pack vest. The most common type of fly fishing chest pack is the buckle-on with straps that go around your waist and over the shoulders.
The buckle-on fly fishing chest packs typically weigh less than fly fishing vest chest packs. However, the benefit of a vest chest pack is that they offer even more storage options all over the vest, compared to a centralized chest pack.
Below is a summary of the 5 best fly fishing chest pack options, then I dive into each option a little bit more.
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Best Fly Fishing Chest Pack Reviews
Overall Best Fly Fishing Chest Pack
Most Comfortable Fly Fishing Chest Pack
Best Large Fly Fishing Chest Pack
Best Fly Fishing Chest Pack Vest
Best Cheap Fly Fishing Chest Pack
Best Fly Fishing Chest Pack Reviews
The Best Overall Fly Fishing Chest Pack gives you direct access to all of your personal belongings and equipment you might need while fly fishing. We have selected the Umpqua Overlook 500 ZS2 Chest Pack Kit, which is made from durable nylon materials. It features solid cords for additional durability and has a storage capacity of 500 cubic inches.
There are numerous pockets that one can use for storing some of the personal belongings. The ambidextrous design ensures that you can use it and place all your belongings on either side. Due to the weatherproof protection, it is a great option when you are venturing into locations that are full of water and bad weather.
The bag might be slightly more expensive than some of the others. However, the Umpqua Overlook 500 ZS2 Chest Pack Kit is perfect for not only beginners in the fishing industry, but many experts can also use the bag for fly-fishing purposes.
Pros:
- 500 cubic inches
- Weatherproof
- Durable construction
- Ambidextrous design
Cons:
- Expensive
Allen is one of the top brands when looking for outdoor gear. Many people are looking for the Most Comfortable Fly Fishing Chest Pack, which enables you to carry all your belongings. The Allen Fall River 33” Fly Fishing Chest Pack is an extremely durable option and made from solid nylon construction. It features numerous interior and exterior pockets with quick access.
One of the main features is the convertible design of the bag. The bag can be converted from a chest pack into a backpack. The backpack will be similar to the chest pack, but the straps are comfortable around your shoulders. A secure chest strap is ideal for giving you comfort around the neck area and offers stability.
Pros:
- Durable nylon construction
- Comfortable front and rear straps
- Convertible design
- Numerous interior and exterior pockets
Cons:
- No real cons
Once again, we have one of the top options from the Allen brand. The Allen Boulder Creek 45” Fly Fishing Chest Pack, which features an interior capacity of 45 cubic inches. The bag is made from the same durable materials and is ideal for carrying a lot of gear. It is considered the Best Large Fly Fishing Chest Pack on the market today.
Much like all the Allen backpacks, this one is also convertible and one can transform the chest pack into a backpack when you need it for additional outdoor activities. According to the manufacturer, the bag can hold up to 6 different boxes for fishing bait. However, it is not a dedicated fly-fishing bag and is slightly expensive as well.
Pros:
- Large internal capacity
- Durable construction
- Can be converted to a backpack
- Holds up to 6 fishing boxes
Cons:
- Expensive
If you are looking for versatility, the Aventik Fly Fishing Chest Pack Vest is one of the top options on the market today. Due to the nature of the bag and the design, it is considered the Best Fly Fishing Chest Pack Vest. However, the package includes 2 bags. One can be used for a backpack and others can be used for a vest in the front.
These bags are commonly made from durable polyester materials. Much like the others, it is not designed to completely keep the water out. However, it will dry out rapidly once you do get it wet. The bag features space for a 2-liter water bottle and numerous pockets that have been designed for personal belongings.
Pros:
- Numerous internal compartments
- Durable 160D Polyester
- Holds a 2-liter water bottle
- 2-in-1 design
You don’t always need to buy the most expensive bags when you are fishing. The Allen Bear Creek Micro Fly Fishing Chest Pack is one of the cheaper options on the market today. We consider it the Best Cheap Fly Fishing Chest Pack and it is one of the smaller options as well. However, the benefit is the lightweight of the bag.
You might think that it lacks some of the key features because it is one of the cheaper options. However, this is not the case. Yes, it might be more affordable. However, the bag features heavy-duty zippers. It is very stylish and will be easy to set up around your chest. We highly recommend it for the budget price and basic features.
Pros:
- Budget price
- Lightweight design
- Durable polyester
- Easy to carry for prolonged periods
