New Survival vest

[DaleW]

The Domke Photogs photographer's vest rules-- if you can use cotton (and find it in a thrift store for $10 like I did last week). Retail is more like $75. They make a jacket with zip off sleeves too.

Ex Officio makes lighter polyester vest with some good bellows pockets and a mesh "Bug Off" repellent one with pockets too (search on "vest")

I like really vests for around town stuff, but a small pack works better for me in the woods. If it gets warm, the vest limits you. The Vaude Rock 25 is a killler ultralight 25 liter day pack. The REI Flash pack is a stuff sack with decent shoulder straps and makes an excellent bug-out bag. I'm leaning to a hydration pack with some cargo space for bug-out/survival/day hikes-- you want the water carrying ability anyway.

I always wanted an M65 without the sleeves..... a couple days beard, my Tilley hat, RayBans, and I'm a chick magnet Heeeeyyyyy Babyyyyyy, you wanna go CAMPING

 

[longbow50]

Ha, I wear a German Bundeswehr OD Moleskin shirt that I cut the sleeves off of and all I get is the Sheriffs finest following me around.

 

[parnass]

Here's one I just got. It's probably the best vest I've ever owned. Good price too!

Here's the link.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/5tadicave.html

Steve

I have a couple of these 5.11 vests. They are super well constructed, but too hot to wear when the temperature is in the upper 70Fs or higher.

 

[alephlex]

Hi all,

I've used a couple of colarado vests on and off over the last few years. I really like the idea of being able to organised your stuff in neat pockets. The one problem I've found though is that unless your gear is the nearly the right size for the pockets, things can fall out of the pockets if you are bending over or stretch for something. The zippered pockets are find but I have a problem with the velcroed pockets The velcro they put on some of those pockets doesn't extend to the sides of the pockets and hold everything in properly. Anyone figure out a fix to this problem? If you have I'd like to hear about it -- nearly lost a flashlight and a vic SAK this way.

 

[longbow50]

I wear this Woolrich multi-pocketed vest quite a bit. It will carry a good compliment of gear, without making me look like the pillsbury doughboy.

 

[GibsonFan]

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.

Man, I haven't fit into a large shirt or jacket in a good 20 years. To put me inside a large jacket/liner, AND inside a medium liner, would be like stuffing Big Ben inside a stopwatch.

No kidding, finding a size XL or XXL can be a bit of a bitch when looking for surplus stuff.

I heartily agree about the hood, though, I'm a huge believer. Lack of a hood is my biggest/only gripe about my brit jacket, in fact. Although it does have button-holes around the collar, so maybe they're out there somewhere? That's something that will have to come with the next coat or vest I get. Preferrably poly-fleece-lined