The 10 Best Layout Blinds Reviews and Buying Guide

The elements of surprise and stealth are the secret to a successful hunt. However, you cannot just venture out into the open fields or the woods and hope you’ll get lucky. You have to decide consciously to conceal yourself to get up close and personal with your target prey. What more excellent method to do this than to use the best layout blind?

What Is A Layout Blind?

It is a unique modern hunting accessory that allows you, the hunter, to conceal during hunting sessions in open fields or pastures where prey come to forage. Under cover of a layout blind, you can successfully hide so that the game is not alerted to your presence.

Unlike the traditional hunting blinds that were bulky and reasonably conspicuous, layout blinds are compact, lightweight, and portable. The features make this hunting equipment perfect for use in open grounds such as crop fields, free from any covers.

10 Best Layout Blinds

There is no one-size-fits-all when shopping for a layout blind that will satisfy your needs. In other words, you must have the proper layout blind for the job. We have sampled several of these hunting equipment and come up with a list of 10 of the best the market currently offers.

We shall review each of them, highlighting the main features as well as their pros and cons. Later, we shall discuss the most critical factors to consider when shopping for one before answering a few frequently asked questions about the product.

1. ALPS OutdoorZ Legend Layout Blind

ALPS Layout Blind has been in the market for about 14 years today, making a battery of hunting packs for hunting enthusiasts. However, one thing has been consistent – quality. Of the many high-quality products they produce, the OutdoorZ Legend Layout stands out.

It features a futuristic patented design optimized for optimal concealment with high levels of comfort and ergonomics. It is designed to keep you off the ground while at the same time maintaining a low profile. The modern zero-gravity and padded headrest offer you maximum comfort and ergonomics as you wait for your prey.

The Legend has been engineered for use in multiple hunting locations thanks to its waterproof floor. The tarpaulin floor will protect you and your gear from the effects of cold or wet ground. Zippered flag ports located on each side of the blind act as its doors. The door is ready to access a pit storage area.

It comes ready for use; thus, no assembly is required. Getting it to and from the field is incredibly easy, being also lightweight and compact. The design features backpack straps to allow you to transport the blind into the field. It is easy to use in the field – simply unclip the buckle, fold out your blind, extend its legs and get ready for the hunt.

Pros

• Requires no assembly to use
• A waterproof floor means it can be used anywhere
• Folds back and has backpack straps for easy transportation
• Large and accessible pit storage
• Stubble straps offer better concealment

Cons

• Undoing the back support bracket requires considerable strength
• The warranty period of one year needs to be improved

2. Guide Gear Waterfowl Layout Hunting Blind

Designed mainly for duck hunters, the Guide Gear waterfowl Layout Hunting blind is the perfect blind to guarantee optimal concealment during your hunting trips. It features a customized design that enhances comfort while ensuring efficacy when hunting geese, ducks, and waterfowls.

It is made of a 300-denier synthetic shell that is well known for its strength and durability. The Camo shell is coated with water-resistant polyurethane that also adds to the durability. The reinforced corner stitching also enhances longevity.

To ensure lightweight and consequent portability, the blind features a stainless steel frame. The frame gives it stability when set on the ground with innovative lumbar support providing comfort and ergonomics. The bottom of the layout blind is fitted with mud-proof and weather-resistant PVC making it ideal for use in any environment.

The Guide Gear Waterfowl Layout Blind is one of the easiest to use. It takes just 10 seconds to set up, thanks to the steel frame with quick-release technology. It won’t weigh you down when you need to move it from one place to another because of its shoulder straps.

The blind measures 82 “l. overall and weighs just 25 pounds. This bind is incredibly realistic, featuring a mossy oak pattern that blends imperceptibly with nature. Over a hundred stubble straps allow you to add local foliage for optimal concealment.

Pros

• Exceptional lightweight design
• Comfortable and ergonomic to use
• Durable frame and shell materials
• Provides excellent concealment

Cons

• Lacks snow cover
• The door opening is somewhat troublesome.

3. ALPS OutdoorZ Zero-Gravity Layout Blind

The Zero-Gravity Layout Blind by ALPS OutdoorZ is one of the top-quality hunting blinds you can find in the market today. It boasts of a low-profile design that offers excellent camouflage for successful hunting expeditions. It features a low-level suspended seat meant to keep you off the ground as you target your prey.

Like other high-quality layout blinds, the Zero-Gravity focuses on concealment, comfort, and ease of use. It has shoulder straps that allow for hands-free transportation into the fields. The backpack straps and lightweight design marry well to make this hunting accessory one of the most comfortable to use.

Another remarkable feature responsible for the quality of this blind is the ability to set up without assembly. Unlike the two models we have reviewed above, this one does not have a floor making it quick and easy to clean. However, the lack of base means it may be challenging to use in extreme conditions.

The Zero-Gravity blind features a color that will offer excellent concealment and has a flare side that also offers additional camouflage in most natural environments. The blind has enough room to accommodate you and allow you to keep your weapons and your supplies. It also has stubble straps which make it even easier to blend with its immediate environment.

Pros

• Zero-gravity seat design keeps you off the ground
• Made from a durable, lightweight material
• Offer a design that provides optimal concealment
• Innovative waterproof design
• Easy, no assembly set up

Cons

• You may need additional foliage for additional concealment
• Does not come with snow cover

4. Ameristep Duck Commander Landing Strip Layout Blinds

The Duck Commander Landing Strip Layout Blind allows you to give oblivious waterfowls, ducks or geese a surprise and enhances your success. It will blend effortlessly with the environment, even on open crop fields, and the prey will not notice anything as they come in range.

This durable blind is constructed from Durashell RuggedShield HD fabric featuring an instant open mesh window system. Its floor is made of sturdy, super HD 1800D polyester to protect you from sharp and harmful objects on the floor. The solid and durable material is weatherproof, allowing you to hunt in any environment without worrying about the elements.

The blind’s frame is made of heavy-duty aluminum, and reinforced with steel for optimal strength while maintaining a low weight. The structure is designed to allow for multiple adjustments for a total of six profile settings. Such innovative feature makes the Duck Commander Landing Strip Layout Blind one of the most versatile and influential models in the market.

Made to fit a single hunter, the blind is incredibly comfortable and ergonomic. It features a padded seat and a headrest to ensure you feel no fatigue with long periods of waiting. The quick-release design makes it easy to set up and fold. The blind measures a paltry 18 pounds, making it one of the lightest in the market.

Pros

• High-quality design materials
• Comfortable to effective
• Offers excellent camouflage
• Adjustable frame with six different profile settings
• Lightweight

Cons

• Lacks waterproofing
• It’s hard keeping the doors closed

5. THUNDERBAY Bare Bones Light Weight Layout Blind

THUNDERBAY is one of the most successful companies in the production of high-quality hunting accessories. People love their products because of how they are designed and the kind of performance they deliver. It presents the latest features, materials as well as innovative construction.

The Bare Bones layout blind has a lightweight frame made of sturdy aluminum. The same may alternatively be made of equally robust steel. On the other hand, the shell is made of durable 600 denier synthetic polyester fabric that is strong in structure and will give you years of service.

The structural design of this layout blind is effortless and straightforward. It requires no assembly and is set up in a few effortless steps. The aluminum or steel frame is lightweight, foldable, and features shoulder straps for easy transportation. It has a comfortable textile seat featuring an adjustable seat with webbing straps.

Apart from being easy to use, the layout blind is fitted with many comfort features. It has a padded seat and backrest. You can lie in weight for oblivious prey for hours without feeling tired or uncomfortable. The finish color is camouflage and will blend very well with the surrounding environment.

Pros

• Made from high-quality 600D camo polyester fabric
• Either steel or aluminum frame for durability
• Lightweight design with shoulder straps
• Comfortable seat for long hunting sessions
• Foldable frame design

Cons

• It may not be appropriate in cold environments
• Not suitable for experienced hunters

6. Guide Gear Waterfowl Layout Hunting Blind

This Waterfowl Layout Hunting Blind by Guide gear is another of the most effective hunting accessories you can add to your collection if you are looking for excellence. It is outfitted with a lightweight frame and water-resistant camo shell. These features are meant to give you an easy time managing your hunt for waterfowl such as ducks and geese.

It boasts a roomy interior that is 82 inches long and features lumbar support for optimal ergonomics, even for a whole day hunting session. There is a zippered flag port and mesh door that pops open in a flash, providing excellent concealment. Combined with the camo shell, the waterfowl will not realize you are there and by the time they do, it will be too late.

The frame is corrosive resistant, waterproof, and durable. The camo shell is made from durable 300 denier polyester, well known for durability. To further enhance resistance to elements, the exterior is coated with polyurethane material. There are also mesh-covered dual doors that pop open in a single flash ,which is ideal for the process.

The frame is made of sturdy steel but may also feature lightweight aluminum. Both of these materials are incredibly durable and will serve you for years. The stitching at corners is reinforced for added strength and robustness.

The Guide Gear Waterfowl Layout Hunting Blind has over 100 stubble straps for adding local foliage to promote better camouflage. There is a shoulder strap for easy carrying to and from the field. On average, it weighs less than 25 pounds.

Pros

• Lightweight frame
• Water-resistant camo shell
• 100 stubble straps for additional camouflage
• Fast, easy, and low-cost setup
• Roomy interior with lumbar support

Cons

• It would be good if snow cover were included
• Opening the door is a little troublesome

7. Avery Power Hunter Layout Blind

The Avery Power Hunter Layout Blind is one of the lightest and most versatile modern bird-hunting blinds currently on the market. It’s the artwork of the famous inventor and hunter Fred Zink. From great design to excellent concealment, it is the blind you need to boost your chances at hunting for geese, ducks, as well as other waterfowl.

Power Hunter is equipped with a full-length padded seat and headrest that offer decent levels of comfort and ergonomics needed for daylong hunting sessions. It features a poly mesh FlipTop that provides the best field of view while providing the room necessary to work the birds. These features are designed to hand you an excellent hunting ground with optimum levels of success.

At a paltry 11 pounds, the Power Hunter layout blind is one of the lightest hunting blinds you can ever find. This makes it ideal as an entry point blind, especially for females and young hunters. However, I can work perfectly for anyone, including professionals. It can be folded into a portable backpack measuring 29.5 x 26.5 x 5 inches.

The Avery Power Hunter is made from a heavy-duty aluminum frame with solid aluminum hinges. Aluminum is well-known for its durability and lightweight. Camo fabric, mesh top, and rear window ensure high levels of camouflage, while hook and loop closure ensures effortless entry and exit. There are seven rows of CamoStraps for stubbing.

Pros

• One of the lightest layout blinds
• Easy to set up, no assembly required
• Provides excellent camouflage
• Durable aluminum frame and polyester fabric
• Full-length padded seat and headrest optimize comfort

Cons

• Sharp frame corners may pose a danger

8. ALPS OutdoorZ Zero-Gravity Blind Snow Cover

If you are looking for a two-in-one layout blind for hunting ducks, geese, and other waterfowl in all seasons, then you can buy the ALPS OutdoorZ Zero-Gravity snow cover. It is designed to fit perfectly over the zero-gravity layout blind by the ALPS. The body is white and will blend very well with the snow, giving you perfect concealment.

Although white, the cover is designed not to reflect UV light. This is important; otherwise, the glare from such a reflection can scare the birds and other prey and eliminate the element of surprise you need for a successful hunt. Besides, the presence of glare from the reflection can interfere with your vie,w reducing your precision levels.

The snow cover also features zippered flag doors designed to allow you to flag waterfowl with ease while lying on your bed. Furthermore, there are stubble straps throughout the blind, enabling you to cover your layout blind with vegetation, enhancing your camouflage.

The Zero-Gravity Layout blind snow cover is made from solid materials to serve you for as long as possible. It is lightweight and features backpack straps for easy transportation to and from the field. It does not require assembly to set up and weighs just 7 pounds. This cover is a must if you wish to have a successful winter hunt.

Pros

• Great winter cover
• Works perfectly with zero-gravity blinds
• Does not reflect ultraviolet light
• Lightweight measuring only 7 pounds
• Offers good value for money

Cons

• So far, there is no disadvantage worth mentioning

9. Lucky Duck 11218-2 Gear Down II Layout Blind

Lucky Duck is well-known for providing a top-quality line of hunting accessories, including decoys, calls, and, most importantly, layout blinds. The brand is focused on quality and designs products that are user-centered and performance-oriented. In their own words, the products are built around the subtle art of critter deception.

The Gear Down II Layout Blind features a low-profile design, and is incredibly compact and highly comfortable. It boasts of many features that set it apart from others in its price and performance category.

The fabric for the shell is water-resistant. It is dark in color and contrasts stubble color to hide you better. The stubble straps and pockets are new and updated and adapted to holding foliage securely for additional camouflage. With these features, you can be sure to use this blind in all situations without worrying about the weather.

The blind is compact and therefore portable. The blind is incredibly lightweight (only 9 pounds) and presents backpack straps for top levels of portability. Its compact design allows for adequate space-saving in decoy trailers and pickup beds.

As already mentioned, the blind features a low-profile design that minimizes shadows and helps finish pressured waterfowl. The padded seat and pillow allow extended period comfort and ergonomics.

Pros

• Low-profile portable layout blind
• Folds to compact backpack size for portability
• Durable, water-resistant material
• Comfortable padded seat and pillow
• Easy to use and requires no assembly

Cons

• May not be compatible with prominent-bodied individuals
• Lacks mesh viewing window

10. Beavertail 435 Sniper Deluxe Lay Out Blind

Beavertail line of products has made outdoor leisure activities realistic and enjoyable. The Sniper Deluxe layout blind is one of these products and is designed to help you give the oblivious waterfowls a nasty surprise. The design is low profile and is an idea for use in different environments, especially in swampy areas.

It features an ergonomic backrest and a seat that will enable you to lie in wait for several hours a day without feeling any fatigue. The fact that the backrest also has an adjustable back and head angle adds to the comfort and effectiveness of the blind. There is also a built-in padded seat for a seamless hunting session.

The shell features a Realtree Max-4 camo pattern which will ensure you blend perfectly with the environment. The fabric here is 600 denier polyester that is windproof and waterproof. The bottom of the Sniper Deluxe layout blind is also made of waterproof material for use in swampy areas.

It presents a low-profile design that is strong, compact, and lightweight. The frame is stainless steel with reinforced, well-finished corners. The head and back support are also steel framed for reliable support. It is easy to set up and use; no assembly is necessary.

Pros

• Durable and robust Realtree camo fabric
• Low profile design that is compatible
• Built-in padded backrest and seat
• Durable steel frame
• Waterproof and windproof for use in various environments

Cons

• Does not have snow cover
• Smaller people may find it challenging to fit in

How to Choose the Best Layout Blind

The availability of numerous brands and models of layout blinds is a blessing in disguise, especially for those new to these hunting accessories. On the one hand, it makes it relatively easy to get what you want, but on the other, you will struggle to arrive at a suitable choice.

Here, we seek to make the decision more straightforward for you by providing you with some smoking guns on factors you should consider. Please read them carefully and apply them during your shopping.

Weight and Portability

Layout blinds are used outdoors for hunting birds such as waterfowl. It is therefore imperative that you find one that is not only lightweight but also portable. The weight depends on the materials used to construct the frame.

The most common materials are aluminum and steel. The former has a reputation for being solid and durable yet very light. Steel, on the other hand, is strong but somehow heavier than aluminum. Usually, layout blind frames feature either aluminum or steel construction. At times, however, both materials can be used on one blind, making such models somewhat in between when weight is taken into account.

While light blinds are portable, the design matters; for instance, foldable frames allow you to reduce the blind to a compact one that you can carry as a backpack. In addition, some models enhance the portability further by equipping it with backpack straps.

Stubble Straps

The shells of layout blinds must feature camo fabric that blends well with the surrounding environment to provide adequate concealment. The color of the camo matters. Luckily, most brands do a perfect job when it comes to camo patterns.

Nevertheless, stubble straps offer additional levels of concealment by allowing you to attach foliage or appropriate kinds of vegetation. At the same time, most models provide stubble straps, the number matters. Go for one with as many of these structures as possible. Options for attachments include dry grass, corn stalks, dry leaves, and so on.

Water-Resistance

Many birds are approved for legal hunting in habitats that are considered wetlands, and you will have to set up your blind as close to them as possible. For this reason, the layout blind you buy must be waterproof. Both the floor and the shell should be waterproof.

But what if you do not intend to hunt where there is water? Still, you will need to buy a waterproof blind because of rainfall. Luckily, most brands are aware of this and strive to make their models as watertight as possible.

Door Size

The size of the door of a suitable layout blind is an essential factor to consider. The reason is that it must give you easy access when you need to take a shot. It must also open softly, quickly and quietly to avoid startling the birds and making you lose your stealth advantage.

Strength and Durability

Layout blinds are not cheap. Some models, especially the famous ones, can be pretty expensive. One way of getting value for your money is to purchase a model that features high-quality materials that are strong and durable.

The determinants of strength and durability are the construction materials, both for the frame and the fabric shell. The frame should be made of aluminum, steel, or both. These metals are strong and resistant to abrasion or corrosion. The best layout bird hunting blinds are made of polyester fabric, which is graded in terms of deniers. The larger the number of deniers, the higher the quality of the fabric.

Apertures for Decoys

You may want to buy a layout blind that features holes or ports that you can use to call or flag the birds as decoys. Alternatively, you can purchase one that features a small mesh window that you can use to make a call or view the field when completely remaining covert. If present, ensure that such holes or ports are located in the right places.

Snow Cover

If you intend to use your layout blind in all seasons, you might want one with snow cover. This structure is a design that allows you to give your blind a white coat to enable you to blend imperceptibly with the surroundings during winter snow.

This structure will also protect you from snowfall by keeping you safe and comfortable. You know how painful snowstorms can be. Unfortunately, only a few models feature built-in snow cover. They may be more expensive but worth investing in if you must enjoy a hunt during winter.

Layout Blind FAQs

Do layout blinds stay warm?

Usually, blinds are cold because the floor is often in contact with wet grounds. However, you can add some cushion, such as a yoga mat, to keep it warm.

Can I hide a layout blind in short grass?

Yes, you can. Simply work some natural cover such as dried grasses, crop stubble, and plant stalks to the blind to provide better concealment. Then, if done well, you can hide your layout blind with ease.

How many people can use a single layout blind?

In most cases, layout blinds are designed for single users. However, a few models are large enough to allow more users. It is upon you to investigate before you can make a decision.

Where can I buy the best layout blind?

Many physical stores stock these hunting accessories. However, doing so may not be so convenient. Besides, you have the opportunity to view customer reviews and choose from a large variety.

Final verdict

You can appreciate that having the best layout blind is essential to a successful hunt. However, finding it has also been simplified. Focus on design quality, which in turn determines the durability and the performance of the blind. The brands and models we have reviewed are indeed some of the best the market has to offer. Choose the one that closely fits your needs or use the buying guide. You now have the chance to enjoy a comfortable, practical, and enjoyable hunt for waterfowl.