Lets design a survival vest!

This works well for me. Very basic platform yet still "good enough for government work" ... Once I get another Interceptor Body Armor, this rig will supplement it.
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I like vests for dayhikes or day hunts and will often forego a pack in favor of one. Bushie, I know that you wanted a brainstorming thread about a custom vest, not just links to commercial vests, but consider these design suggestions.

I've used the Primos Bow Vest for several years during the early season archery hunts. It is large enough that I can wear it on the outside of any insulation or rain shell I might need. It is cotton, though, and gets heavy when wet. Sometimes I'll wear a tiny hydration pack with my rain shell in it.

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Recently I've been considering switching to the Cabela's Ultimate Bowhunting Vest. It might be too much in warmer weather but I liked how it fit and the pockets seemed well thought out. I'll have to try it on again and see if it will work in conjunction with my fanny pack before I decide.

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Check out the Ogio Flight Vest, here.

70 oz.(2.0L) hydration reservoir with insulated hose / Ventilated back / Dual side expansion buckles / Tool organizer / Back tool storage pockets / Goggle pockets / Multifunctional pockets / Zippered chest pocket / Multiple adjustment points
Click to expand...

Independent review, here.

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Better pic:
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minimilist but functional leg loops and a d ring of sorts in case you need to rap down something. much better alternative then trying to climb down when tired, hungy, not 100%
 
I wear a "wilderness instructor belt" with D ring.
 
Preferably not black! Lighter colors don't draw as much attention, are cooler in the sun, blend in better and have less of the mall ninja effect, as Toucan Oasis pointed out.

Mesh may be better than solid cordura for cooling purposes. I sweat up a storm and I prefer my mesh tac vests over my solid ones for this reason, although they are not as durable. Better yet, how about a variation of a chest rig, which is even cooler.

MOLLE/PALS might be the best option for versatility, although they are heavier than vests/rigs with dedicated pockets.

Way before MOLLE was conceived I had an old American Body Armor rig that had swapable pockets up front, depending on the mission. My favorite feature was the fastex buckles on the shoulders and lower back which allowed me to clip on different packs directly to the vest, instead of putting on a conventional backpack with shoulder straps that got in the way of the pockets up front, interefered with buttstock placement in the shoulder, etc. It came with one larger pack that covered the entire pack and 2 half packs that covered the upper half and lower half, which allowed you to change the back according to needs (i.e. the lower pack served as a fanny pack and allowed the use of a military radio packboard on the upper half). That might be a convenient feature, but again, MOLLE would take care of this too and allow you to put whatever you wanted on it.

A fold down seat like on turkey vests might be cool, especially if it's removable. This would allow you to have insulation when you sit down, which reduces chances of hypothermia.

What about making it attachable to a belt like many tac vests, but size it down for use with a rigger's belt so that it can be used for emergency attachment/rappels, as mentioned above. That might be a bit much, and people can just wear a rigger's belt if they need one. I've used the old Eagle tac vests with built in rappel seat and it was a pain to use. I was also the tester for the old Blue Water emergency rappel system that had leg loops that were hidden in the belt that you pulled out when you wanted to use it, but it was cost prohibitive and kinda primitive. A rigger's belt would be painful to rappel on, but you should probably only be doing low angle raps for safety anyways, so it's sufficient. If you need more than that you could pack 1" webbing and tie a swiss seat if you needed to (crushed the boys, but sure beats nothing).

Maybe a d-ring up front to attach your compass leash to.

Maybe a couple of MOLLE attachment points up front so that you could attach a fanny pack like the Emdom Recon Waist Bag used with split-loop fastex repair buckles. This allows convenient storage up front for important items, but you can unclip a buckle on one side and still open and close the vest without a problem.

Maybe a detachable clear plastic map pocket up front, or an attached map pocket that folds down for use.

Because so much stuff is convenient up front, maybe it would be better to have a side opening vest so that you have an uninterrupted front with maximum real estate.

Maybe I'm over thinking this.
 
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I have two vest that I use.

The first one I have is a Blackhawk Industries Omega Air-force Survival Vest. I got this one in ~97 when Blackhawk stuff was American made. I also have the matching vest pack that is made to quick attach. I used it on one outing and found it flopped around too much so I cut the straps off my camel-bak Mule and took it to the riggers shop at my then unit and sewed it onto the back.
This vest has the military look so I only use it when I am going deep into jungle, forest, or clipped to my canoe. Everything in this vest is waterproofed in food-saver sealed bags if getting wet would cause harm. Nice benefit is that this provides flotation for deep river spots or swimming across a pond or small lake. I keep the basics in this vest. I really like it and actually have it out and I am contemplating pulling the Camel-Bak off and permanently stitching the matching vest I have with it too get me a little more gear space for increased food and gear stowage. Any riggers in Chicago land that can help?

The second vest is a Filson Hunter's vest. I use this for day trips and I really like it as well. The only problem I have with it is I really wish it had a hydration bladder pocket on the back for longer days. I will remedy this by getting a military 2qt in Khaki.
 
Eagle Industries used to make a Hunter's vest which is a great platform for a survival vest. They don't make them anymore (I didn't see it on their website), but you can find them on-line sometimes. You might want to call Eagle and see if they will make you one, since they make them as the orders come in, but it may be a six month plus wait time.

Lance
 
I have an Eagle tac vest that i used on a hike a few times. Very easy to carry the essential gear and carried a 100 oz bladder in the attached sleeve.

My only complaint was in the humid midwest it was just too much for me. It was like wearing a coat so it only does closet time now:rolleyes:
 
A member here posted this one a while back. It's pricey but I want one.
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I have a few vests and what I find annoying believe it or not on most of them is lack of a good collar. This has advantages like blocking wind , keeping neck warmer and a good collar and heavy epaulets allow someone to grab you by it and pull you to safety.
I used to use web gear years ago but got tired of that system and all my crap clipped on. My favorite is a basic vest with deep pockets and a good collar.:)
 
protourist said:
A member here posted this one a while back. It's pricey but I want one.
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Hey. I had that same vest! Had it as part of my jungle gear when in the army. I don’t think you can find anything better when it comes to a military type survival vest. I really need to get one of does. Thanks for posting it.

It has loads of storage space and is very comfortable to wear in hot weather. :thumbup:

Two Large Utility Pockets
Two Small Utility Pockets
Large Utility pocket with optional holster
GPS/Note pocket
Water bottle pocket
Radio Pocket
Rear Expandable Pack - 18"H x 8"W x 5.5"D
Hydration System Compatible
Pocket for 100oz Bladder on inside of pack, with additional pocket between pack and vest below carrying handle
Rear telescopes into a back pack
Hand Warming Pockets
Inside chest map pocket
Multi Tool Pocket/Mag Pouch
Orange emergency signal flap
Fully adjustable shoulders and girth
Belt loops hold a web belt for a variety of tactical gear
Carry handle
Lashing points all around for technical gear

All vests are custom made in the USA and each might slightly differ.



Options for three additional accessories: INCLUDES - 1. Hidden Holster (HHPI) ; 2. Shotgun Shell Tray, 5 rounds, black (SST-5) ; 3. Shotgun Scabbard (SGS), includes black patrol sling, scabbard color same as vest ordered



Features

* 1000 Denier DuPont Cordura Plus fabric, double layered.
* 138 weight bonded nylon parachute harness thread.
* Strength rated nylon webbing and tapes
* American name brand plastic and metal fasteners (Duraflex, ITW Nexus, ACW, etc.).
* Velcro™ and Rip and Grip® mil spec hook and loop fastener.
* Edges bound by double stitched nylon Type 3 seam tape
* Stress points anchored by double stitching, bar tacks, and box X's.
 
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hiwa said:
I have a few vests and what I find annoying believe it or not on most of them is lack of a good collar. This has advantages like blocking wind .:)
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If you have never had one you missing out. :thumbup:
 
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