Do you guys prefer the traditional vest style or the more sporting harness style vest
It depends...
Do you know what terrain / crops you are walking through? Full service game farm with raised birds? Walk in public ground with wild birds?
The Cabelas Upland traditions vest is well made and well thought out. It gives a good amount of protection and storage without being overly hot. There's plenty of pockets for shells, an extra choke, and to put a water bottle in the game pouch. You can access the game pouch from the front so that you don't need help if your shoulder does not have that kind of flexibility.
https://www.cabelas.com/catalog/pro....z_btnclk=YMAL-1803140&WT.z_pg_ref=prd2525719
A strap vest is ideal if the weather is warmer, but it offers less protection. If you're walking field edges, it's light and great. But if you're in thick draws of kochia or tall cane fields, that strap vest is going to get caught on a lot of stuff. You may need a buddy to get that bird in the pouch.
https://www.cabelas.com/catalog/pro....z_btnclk=YMAL-2525719&WT.z_pg_ref=prd1803140
Since upland birds are typically hunted in groups, I would suggest you have some sort of hi-viz orange (hat, shirt, vest, etc)
Even though you didn't ask, I would suggest upland jeans or gore tex pants with the extra layer of fabric. I would consider good pants more important than a good vest. I never really cared for chaps, but you may.
BTW, most locals go upland hunting with leather workboots, regular jeans, a hoodie or Carhartt coat, and one of these:
https://www.scheels.com/p/banded-up...fIrKWIaQBGbbPv2VjJgh3KFE70PXCcaxoCdjgQAvD_BwE