Looking for a really cool vest

bquinlan

bquinlan

Joined
Jan 5, 2001
Messages
2,726
No, I don't mean stylish, I mean suitable for wear in extremely hot weather. I like to wear a vest to cover my holster and the pockets allow me to distribute some of my carry weight more comfortably than a pack. But I live in Texas and it is way too hot for most of the year.

Can you give me some recommendations on vests that are comfortable to wear in the summer?

My current vests are both 5.11s. They work quite well, but the double-thickness in the front panels, to provide handgun pockets I don't use, must make them hotter than they need to be.

--Bob Q
 
Woolrich, Columbia, and Ex- Officio companys all make lightweight nycot (nylon/ cotton) "adventure" type vests that don' t always scream "gun toter". They all have enough pockets to hold all your essentials/ gadgets. But do not have the photojournalist type look. I wear one from all 3 companys. I have found them to be suitably comfortable for summer wear. Unfortunately I do not have any urls/ links to provide. And I have noted that from year to year new models pop up to replace their older models.

The RR 5.11 is very rugged and covers well. But it sure is a bit on the heavy/ bulky side as you' ve mentioned. I' ve regulated mine to cool weather wear. Although I think they have a lighweight version available. Check their website.

N.
 
Check out the Summer-weight Working Man's Vest at the Duluth Trading Company (DuluthTrading.com). I have their standard model and use it for the same reasons you mentioned (Not as hot up here though). The standard is all cotton and the summer has some type of mesh back. It has two inside pockets that are suitable for CCW.
 
Nakano 2: As far as I can tell the 5.11 people have not produced a lightweight version of their tactical vest so far. It would be nice, since I like the design otherwise.

I appreciate the recommendations. The Columbia Omni-Dry Venture vest looks like it might be a good choice for me. I'll have to see if my local REI has any in stock.

Goldtanker: Do you know if the lightweight version of the Working Man's Vest has opaque sides that will conceal a sidearm? I can't tell from the drawing on their web site whether the sides are only mesh or have solid material over them.

--Bob Q
 
I think N was reffering to exofficio multiplicity vest, check it out at www.exofficio.com I don't have the vest but there clothing is excellent and very non-tactical in appearance.
 
bquinlan - Their drawings do leave a lot to be desired, and I can't answer for sure. The inside pockets are in the front so I would guess so, but if you call them at 800-505-8888 they usually have very good descriptions of their products and are very helpful. The pockets inside my standard vest are 6" X 6".
 
I've got one of the original Banana Republic photog/traveler's vests... I don't know if it would be too thick for really hot times, though.. but I've no use for it since I found one of the Aviator's Survival Vests... no pics, but it's a light weight mesh with several very small pockets and one or two big enough to carry my daytimer... and still cover what I may be carrying... sort a...

Here's a link to a vest on eBay that I would have loved to have found, however, the newer version doesn't have as many pocktes as the one pictured...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4721&item=6515755299&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

And here's a link to the one I have...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=23823&item=7137919265&rd=1

And a better pic yet...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36071&item=6516042167&rd=1
 
Thanks to all for the advice!

My REI dividend showed up in today's mail, so I wandered down to see what they had in stock. There was a whole rack of Columbia Venture vests in my size and preferred color (fossil) and I could get an extra 20% off by using my dividend. I'll let you know how I like it. :D

I am impressed with how lightweight the Venture is. If it holds up half as well as my 5.11 Tactical has I will be very happy.

--Bob Q
 
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