For the last five years, I have used Final Approach Layout blinds exclusively when I’m not hunting in a pit blind. The durable material and size of the blinds make hunting in a layout blind very comfortable. The Pro-Guide XL was a great fit for me due to my size: I am a large man and finding a layout blind that will fit me with all of my gear was a bit of a difficult task.
With the Pro-Guide XL I can easily fit my blind bag, coffee thermos, shotgun, camera equipment, and even my dog inside and still feel comfortable enough to wear my thickest clothes, something I look for when I hunt, as well as when I put clients in a blind.
When I first received the blind, I did not realize there was assembly required, however, the assembly is minimal and very easy to complete. The instructions that come in the box are clear and precise with color pictures for a visual aide. Once assembled, you pull 4 pins to break it down.
The blind has a “Flag Locker” located on the right door to store your goose flag as well as Velcro arm holes on each side to make flagging the geese easy without the chance of being busted from too much movement. The doors are framed with aluminum and open and close with ease. A large zipper at the bottom of the blind acts like a door for your K9 or as an easy access storage door.
Inside you’ll find thick padding that runs from the ground up your spine to the top brace, as well as a large storage pouch on the right-hand side. The pad is comfortable and allows you to sit and not have to move around to get comfortable. The pad connects to the metal frame using buckles to keep it from moving or getting knocked out of place while moving. The pouch is large enough to hold a box of shotgun shells or any other loose gear that you may want easily accessible.
The Pro-Guide XL has a durable aluminum frame that collapses down flat for easy storage. Now with the size being so large, it can be a bit difficult finding a place to store it in the off season and grassing it in takes some extra time.
Grassing in the blind is made easy with the stubble straps that keep your grass in place without exposing the bare camouflage fabric underneath. The lines of the blind are softer because of the size of the blind unlike the more block shaped blinds that I’ve seen.
If you’re after comfort in the field and plenty of room to hide your gear, the Pro-Guide XL would make an excellent fit for both beginners and veteran hunters.
Pro-Guide XL Specs:
42”W x 90”L x 20”H
Weighs only 20 lbs.
Durable fabric with a waterproof PVC coating
Lightweight aluminum frame
Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
