New Survival vest

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wade

Joined
Sep 22, 2005
Messages
493
As many of you may remember I have been looking at getting a vest to be used for a survival kit. Well I was at REI and found a Columbia Venture vest and it is awsome, it was also on sale for $30. http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...&color=GRILL&img=/media/858522.jpg&view=large
It holds every thing I want it to, it has mutliple pockets on the front of the vest, and three large ones along the bottom of the back. Survival kit (large), first aid kit (med), note book, small sas survival book, flashlight, compass, SAK, bandanas, power bars, hydration bladder, water treatment, 550 cord, ect...
It probably has a good eight pounds of gear and it is very comfortable, and will easly fit under outer shells. If you can find one on sale pick one up, you wont be disappointed. They are all going on sale because Columbia came out with a Venture 2, so all of the first models are being sold off. Its great for any out door activity, like fishing, hunting, day hiking, or survival gear.
 
Got one. I wasn't as pleased as you seem to be. The pockets weren't gusseted and didn't seem to accomodate what I wanted to carry. It's okay for a little small stuff, but not for a lot of small stuff or a little big stuff. My opinion, YMMV
 
Yeah, those are pretty neat, I love things with lots-o-pockets. I've got a couple I've picked up over the years, black and OD, sometimes they're advertised as "ranger" vests. I even wear them on low-level social occasions :)
 
Banana Republic makes a photographer's vest that is excellent. You see a lot of the news people with them on when in places like Iraq and so forth. I have one and it's great. Fits a lot of stuff and the back pouch is great for big stuff. Some of the tactical vests may be better for attaching pouches and other tactical stuff though. Not my cup of tea though.
 
I use a British surplus temperate DPM vest for this purpose. It cost me something like $12. Used, but heavy construction and lots of storage space. 2 low pockets, 2 chest pockets, and 2 "slash" type chest pockets.

p1010621zc7.jpg
 
I like the look of the less Tactical looking jacket. It allows you to carry a lot of gear and in an urban environment and not having a bag for somebody to target is a bonus.
 
mp510 said:
I use a British surplus temperate DPM vest for this purpose. It cost me something like $12. Used, but heavy construction and lots of storage space. 2 low pockets, 2 chest pockets, and 2 "slash" type chest pockets.

p1010621zc7.jpg
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I have one of the DPM vests. A little snug on me now, but still hoping to lose some weight and maybe it'll get used again.
 
I really like it in that stone color, or grill as it says on the site.
Doesnt look tactical at all, you could wear it to pick up the kids at day care.
 
longbow50 said:
I have one of the DPM vests. A little snug on me now, but still hoping to lose some weight and maybe it'll get used again.
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I just got the same jacket, used Brit military, sleeves intact for $12 at Fleet Farm. New Brit OD fleece liner cost me $22 at the new surplus store in town. Together they're head-and-shoulders above the US M65... warmer, lighter, padded elbows, more pockets, way cheaper... if it had a hood it would be perfect. I'm trying to talk my woman into sewing up a fleece-lined hood for it...

I've explored the vest thing myself, it definitely has its merits. I always wind up going back to a buttpack, canteen and GI pistol belt, myself.
 
GibsonFan said:
I just got the same jacket, used Brit military, sleeves intact for $12 at Fleet Farm. New Brit OD fleece liner cost me $22 at the new surplus store in town. Together they're head-and-shoulders above the US M65... warmer, lighter, padded elbows, more pockets, way cheaper... if it had a hood it would be perfect. I'm trying to talk my woman into sewing up a fleece-lined hood for it...

I've explored the vest thing myself, it definitely has its merits. I always wind up going back to a buttpack, canteen and GI pistol belt, myself.
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For the fall and spring I have one of the British surplus jobs that you describing. I disagree with the assertion that it's better than an M-65 and liner, I've worn those in the winter, when I definetely would not have went with the Brit jacket. But it's still good intermediate wear. Your gonna be pissed, I paid $5 for the set at a gunshow. :D
 
mp510 said:
For the fall and spring I have one of the British surplus jobs that you describing. I disagree with the assertion that it's better than an M-65 and liner, I've worn those in the winter, when I definetely would not have went with the Brit jacket. But it's still good intermediate wear. Your gonna be pissed, I paid $5 for the set at a gunshow. :D
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:thumbup: I paid $10.00 for one of my M65s w/liner.:D
 
mp510 said:
I disagree with the assertion that it's better than an M-65 and liner, I've worn those in the winter, when I definetely would not have went with the Brit jacket. But it's still good intermediate wear. Your gonna be pissed, I paid $5 for the set at a gunshow. :D
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For $5 or $10 I would wear an M-65 till it was shredded and not complain one bit :) Maybe the Brit one just fits me better, maybe I just like the DPM pattern better, maybe it's because I'm a recent convert to the glories of poly-fleece. No question both are good jackets.

Back to the topic, I do like the idea of a fishing-vest-type deal that doesn't look "rambo" :( Just haven't convinced myself to buy one yet, I guess.
 
GibsonFan said:
For $5 or $10 I would wear an M-65 till it was shredded and not complain one bit :) Maybe the Brit one just fits me better, maybe I just like the DPM pattern better, maybe it's because I'm a recent convert to the glories of poly-fleece. No question both are good jackets.

Back to the topic, I do like the idea of a fishing-vest-type deal that doesn't look "rambo" :( Just haven't convinced myself to buy one yet, I guess.
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Yeah, DPM is a nice pattern. $5 was my British Jacket. I bought an unissued M-65 and liner for something like $15 from SG about 5 years ago. The Brits have good material as well, however, the M-65 seems to offer a layer of water resistance that the brits don't;)

I don't worry to much 'bout looking like Rambo. Wearing jeans and a t-shirt or a Henly, or even a OD or Khaki button down doesn't me concerned. If I was going into the woods fully decked out, maybe I would be concerned. :cool:
 
Other good points in favor of the M65: A large liner can be buttoned in, then a medium inside that for extra warmth. Of course the attached hood zipped into the colar is handy, and I have wolf fur ruffed wool lined arctic hoods for all of mine which button on too. I've never tried any of the other NATO field jackets. I do have USAF flight suit pant liners matching the jacket liners which I like.
 
Although I use it as a woodworking vest instead of carrying survival gear around (which it would work well for IMHO), my favorite "carry stuff around" vest is a tan Filson Cruiser Vest in their Tin Cloth fabric. Very handy, very sturdily made, and comes with a lifetime warranty. It is available from lots of web vendors at a typical price of $68-$78.

Features:
  • Grommet on collar area for attaching compass etc to vest via lanyard
  • Rear Cruiser pocket extends halfway up the back, accessible from either side, snap closure (like a game pocket on a hunting vest)
  • 2 large front lower cargo pockets with snap flaps
  • 2 open chest pockets, left pocket is divided into 4-slot pencil pocket
  • 2 large pockets inside lower front, they close with snaps but don't have flaps covering the opening. I've had no issues with things falling out of them.
  • Hanging loop

Picture of large inside pocket:
http://www.benmeadows.com/store/assets/product_images_XL/bmw250370.jpg

Getting a Filson's Mackinaw vest in wool (same basic pockets as the Cruiser Vest) or their Travel Vest with 20 pockets might also work for stashing survival goodies in an easily worn package. Plus they also carry that lifetime Filson warranty.

Yes, they can look pricey when compared to Brunton, Columbia, or some other lighter-constructed hunting/fishing/photographer vests. But a Filson is made to be the last vest you ever have to buy, especially if you need them for hard-use environments.
 
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