Past and Present
Past and Present
As a lifelong outdoorsman, I’ve learned that truly game-changing gear is rare. Every so often though, something comes along that strikes that elusive balance between form and function. Something built not just to work, but to matter.
Six years ago, I purchased my first vest from the team at Final Rise which at the time consisted of Matt and Darby. Having the option to have an American-made product crafted with that level of passion and purpose is worth choosing every time. The Summit wasn’t just another piece of gear; it was a revelation. It fit like it belonged on my back, offered thoughtful modularity, and was built with materials and craftsmanship that left no doubt: this was made by people who understand upland hunting.
That vest has been with me everywhere. From warm September walks behind bird dogs on the prairie, chasing grouse in the North Woods, in the dark timber of the intermountain West, and grinding through snow-covered chukar country in the dead of winter. Seasons passed, pages fell off the calendar, and memories stacked up. Memories shared with good dogs, better friends, and wild places scattered across the country. The Summit has carried my gear, in a couple unfortunate incidences my dogs, and even a limit or two of birds over the course of the last six years. Over time, I started to believe I had found perfection.
But if there’s one thing I’ve come to appreciate about Final Rise, it’s that they don’t settle.
Enter the Summit XT.
Even as a completely satisfied customer, I hesitated. I’m the kind of person who holds onto what works. Nostalgia runs deep for me, and walking away from something proven isn’t easy. Sure, I had no doubt the improvements would be impressive, but still… if it ain’t broke.
Then came the announcement in January 2026: Signature Series Wax Canvas.
It might sound trivial, but that was the tipping point. I’m a sucker for history, for tradition, for the look and feel of something that connects past to present. And wax canvas? That’s upland heritage in its purest form. The added technical upgrades were already compelling, but this sealed it for me.
Opening the box felt less like unboxing gear and more like stepping into a memory. Every detail reflected care and pride. And then there was that unmistakable smell of wax canvas. Rich, familiar, timeless. It stopped me for a moment. In an instant, I was somewhere else entirely: old hunts, old stories, maybe even ones that weren’t mine but felt like they could have been. It was like watching a worn black-and-white film flicker to life. Good dogs, worn guns, wild country, and the kind of company that makes it all worthwhile.
Then reality snapped back in, and the technical side took over.
The redesigned suspension system immediately stood out. The addition of a fully adjustable waistbelt is a significant upgrade. My original Summit had a fixed belt, which worked well, but dialing in a perfect fit, especially for someone in-between sizes like me, could be a challenge. The new system allows independent adjustment of each side via heavy-duty Velcro behind the lumbar support, giving you a truly customized fit. And that lumbar support, it’s been beefed up in all the right ways. More padding, better materials, and a feel that molds to your body. It moves with you, not against you, delivering all-day comfort where it matters most.
Another notable refinement is the magnetic shell pocket flaps. A small touch, but one that any grouse hunter can appreciate…all but eliminating the inevitable mix of leaves and pine needles pilling up in the pockets. The shoulder harness now offers additional attachment points for a GPS, while still maintaining that clean, unobstructed mount for your shotgun. And the switch to Gatorade-style water bottles brings a more universal approach, though if you’re limited to your old Nalgene’s, don’t worry, bottles are included. Individually these updates might seem subtle but together they elevate the entire system.
The Summit XT isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a refinement of something that was already exceptional. It builds on everything I loved about the original while pushing it forward in ways that matter in the field.
If you’re like me, someone who’s held onto the original Summit because it simply works, I understand the hesitation. But I can say this without reservation: making the switch was the right call. And if you’re considering your first piece of American-made gear from Final Rise, there’s no better place to start.
Somehow, they’ve done it again.
I thought I had found perfection.
Turns out, they weren’t finished yet.
By Levi Day