Layout Blind

[fishadb]

Does anyone have advice for a lightweight comfortable field blind. Shopping on the internet is kind of overwhelming with all of the choices. Thanks

[BoxMN]

I can't really give too much advice, other than really you want to lay in the one you want to buy especially if you are a bigger person. Some are pretty darn tight

I'd also add, that the "breakdown" and backpacking ability is likely less important for many people, as I now basically keep mine setup, or just about, most the time and toss it into the truck like that. Setting up is pita in the dark and cold for the one I have, and it is sposed to be a pretty "easy" one

Good luck.

[HookEmHard84]

Last year I bought one of the C@belas Northern Flight series. It was on sale for $100, and it has been WAY worth every penny! Compared to other blinds I’ve used, this one actually is easy to set up as there are no pins or loose poles you have to mess with. Camo pattern is good and we had no trouble hiding it. Doors are easy to use, and it’s pretty light if you need to hoof it out somewhere. Me and another guy with the same blind found them plenty spacious and comfy, I suppose if you’re a XXL guy it might be kinda cramped. I looked online just now and don’t see the exact model, but the similar model for this year is called the “Northern Flight Mobile 1 Layout Blind” still selling for $109. Cant beat the deal, and I think it works great.

[Feathers Rainin]

To me there are three very key aspects when purchasing a layout.

1. Profile (how high it sticks up off the ground)

2. Comfort

3. Ease of setting up and taking down

I own the Avery Ground Force blind. 1. Lowest profile full frame blind on the market (at least when I purchased it). 2. Super comfy, almost too comfy, I have fallen asleep in it several times. 3. Sets up and can be taken down in less than a minute. No pins, bolts, etc.

It is not the cheapest on the market but with most waterfowler products you get what you pay for. I am about 6 ft and fit comfortably. If you are much taller you may want to test it out first. When it is taken down it folds up nicely and can be carried like a backpack. If they still make it get the khaki or brown color one. The camo ones seem to have more shine even after a thorough mudding.

[jblabsnduck]

FA SUB, I have had the same three now for 6-7 years.(no issues)

I don't break my down though. They just go in the trailer.

Very comfy and enough room for a guy weighing 225-250 (I weigh in at 225)

So many to choose from though.

Good luck on your search.

[Big Jeff]

I just picked up a GHG ground force and it is nice and lite weight and folds easy and quick. I am 6' 7" 315 and if woeked fine wih my blind bag and some other stuff.

[CANOPY SAM]

I hope I just made a good choice. I picked up 3 different C'bela's models. 1) the mobile (for my kids) 2) the elite (2nd for bigger kids or friends) and 3) the ultimate (10 inches of complete waterproofing for me).

Ordered em' all in the shadowgrass camo. I plan to hunt with the kids, with friends and kids, and some on my own.

Did I make a good choice? I was surprised that the C-store only carried C-brand layout blinds? I was kinda hoping to see some of the brands you guys mentioned above, but didn't have time to run around to other stores looking for them.

I did push the C'belas folks to honor the previous sale prices on all 3 of the blinds + honor the $20 off (coupon) a purchase of more then $150, so in short, I saved almost $140 off the retail price. I felt that was pretty good.

For me, even if they aren't the absolute best blinds available, I'll be just thrilled to not lay in the cold dirt or mud anymore. Pushing the big 50, and after 35 years of laying on the ground I'll be just tickled to be reasonably protected and dry!

[dietdew]

I hope I just made a good choice. I picked up 3 different C'bela's models. 1) the mobile (for my kids) 2) the elite (2nd for bigger kids or friends) and 3) the ultimate (10 inches of complete waterproofing for me).

Ordered em' all in the shadowgrass camo. I plan to hunt with the kids, with friends and kids, and some on my own.

Did I make a good choice? I was surprised that the C-store only carried C-brand layout blinds? I was kinda hoping to see some of the brands you guys mentioned above, but didn't have time to run around to other stores looking for them.

I did push the C'belas folks to honor the previous sale prices on all 3 of the blinds + honor the $20 off (coupon) a purchase of more then $150, so in short, I saved almost $140 off the retail price. I felt that was pretty good.

For me, even if they aren't the absolute best blinds available, I'll be just thrilled to not lay in the cold dirt or mud anymore. Pushing the big 50, and after 35 years of laying on the ground I'll be just tickled to be reasonably protected and dry!

Those are all good blinds. I am pretty sure FA makes the blinds for cabelas. You might even like that mobile blind for those days when the cover is thin like cut beans or chisel wheat fields.

Ps: the big C does sell tangle free blinds. The sporting goods store owned by Roger has great branded blinds for a good price.

[CANOPY SAM]

What is a tangle free blind?

Not to hijack this thread, but while we're on this topic, I understand that brushing these things in appropriately is really critical to your success. I was wondering if a person could pre-make a couple different patterns of camo-blankets to lay over the top of each blind?

Could I buy a 3D camo blanket (one of those mesh leafy-like jobbies), and fill one with grain stubble, one with corn stubble, and one with "green" stubble? Obviously I'd have at least two, if not three of each of these patterns, but I'd think having a fairly large, somewhat topography matching camo blanket to quickly cover a large portion of the blind would save a ton of time each morning with prep before the birds started to fly.

I was also a little surprised when the sales guy told me it's best to take each of these out into the field on a rainy day and rub them down real good with mud, even though they're already camo'd. He explained that they do have a slight "sheen" in the sun, and mudding them a bit, prior to brushing them in, will dull that glossy sheen.

So after dropping several hundred dollars on 3 laydown blinds, and being told they need to be thoroughly covered with mud, and completely brushed in with appropriate material for each field I hunt, I was kinda thinking, "Isn't this what I'm already doing, without a laydown blind?" Oh well, I guess it's better then laying right in the mud.

[Finlander]

Forget the dirty messy mud and spray paint the blinds with flat camo brown.

Not totally eliminating the existing camo, just enough to take the sheen off the material. Don't have to worry about dirt falling into your gun and mud dripping on you! Been there, done that!

[otterman91105]

My favorite by far is the x lander. They are very low profile, comfortable and fold up into a backpack.

[CANOPY SAM]

I coulda bought em' in a flat brown, but I really thought the base contrast of 3G? 4G? camo would help alot with concealment?

PAINT OVER THE CAMO? R U serious???? I paid a little extra for the camo!

[Finlander]

Quote:PAINT OVER THE CAMO? R U serious???? I paid a little extra for the camo!

Yes I'm serious! If you mud the camo, you diminish the camo effect also, so why put up with dirt?

[dietdew]

Every blind I have owned is khaki and as soon as its opened is painted with flat black paint.

If you want camo with "texture" buy raffia grass an cut it into 10 inch lengths. Bundle it up and zip tie it to a clothespin. You can then attach what ever colors you want. Mix in some real vegetation and your good to go.

[island guy]

khaki for me also. I've never seen a camo one that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb in the field unless you stuff the straps with whatever's been growing in the field. I also do that with the khaki.

[CANOPY SAM]

Raffia grass, huh? Where does a guy find raffia grass to buy in bulk?

[rbs]

in bulk go to Joseph M. Stern Co.

[CANOPY SAM]

Thanks rbs.