survival vest

One vest that is great and has lots of pockets but doesn't look threatening is the 5.11 tactical vest (see post above by Moodino)
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I was issued one of those 5.11 vests. It's nice but I wouldn't buy one. It's way too hot in the summer because it is double thickness the whole way. Unlike most other similar vests, it has no mesh. The reason it's double thickness is that it allows you to put weapons and other items between the two layers. There velcro in there and various holsters and ammo pouches for it. It doesn't even work real well for hiding a weapon. The weapon seems to make the vest hang low on the gun side (weak hand side) unless you anchor the vest to your belt. (There are snaps inside to allow you to anchor it.)

I suppose you could put your kit between the two layers, with only a little velcro and some handywork. If I were inclined to hide a kit inside a vest, I'd just put some pockets inside a single layer vest. Again, that 5.11 setup is very hot in the summer. Imagine wearing two THICK canvas shirts over top of your normal summer shirt... or wearing a ballistic vest. It's very similar.

If I were making looking for a vest to carry basic survival stuff, it would be a more generic "safari" or "adventure" or "traveller" vest that incorporates a lot of mesh.

that to wear one screams "carrying concealed," or "COP!" or even "WANNA-BE!"
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Yeah, that too, but that doesn't matter as much on a trail as it does in a mall.
 
steven_w_vance said:
One vest that is great and has lots of pockets but doesn't look threatening is the 5.11 tactical vest (see post above by Moodino). I have a black one and it looks just like a photo vest, but has more pockets and is made better.
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Steven,

With all due respect, the 5.11 has become so known as "Tactical" that we joke in my business that to wear one screams "carrying concealed," or "COP!" or even "WANNA-BE!" If wearing one on the job (contractor) in Iraq, you might as well paint a big red bulls-eye target on it, because wearing one screams "contractor!"

When we taught concealed carry for undercover officers, the first thing we made sure they knew to avoid - if they wanted to stay undercover - were 5.11 vests, and "fanny bag" concealed carry. The 5.11 vest (and pants) has almost been burned into the public's subconscious with all the Iraq coverage, too. Just FYI.
 
I had one and you can carry almost anything in the thing. And, it is extremely hot in the summer. I have a classic old BR vest that is much more comfortable and still wear that from time to time, especially when on the trail. Why? It has tons of pockets!

The pants? The vest might be burned into the memories of Americans from news coverage, but the pants are so similar to the run-of-the-mill "cargo" pants available from almost anyone that I seriously doubt most tv viewers would pick up on exact style or brand.
 
Morablades said:
I agree. A few years ago I was thinking about getting a tactical vest, but found that a heavy duty fly fishing vest works just fine. They also have a few ventilated areas to reduce heat.
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I went with a Woolrich travelers multi pocketed vest. It holds a good assortment of gear and when split up into the many pockets, I don't look like I'm hauling a lot of gear and it's lite weight. What I don't like about it is that during hot weather, it adds to the heat factor, making it too hot to wear, so I only carry it late fall, winter and early spring.
 
longbow50 said:
I went with a Woolrich travelers multi pocketed vest. It holds a good assortment of gear and when split up into the many pockets, I don't look like I'm hauling a lot of gear and it's lite weight. What I don't like about it is that during hot weather, it adds to the heat factor, making it too hot to wear, so I only carry it late fall, winter and early spring.
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The one I had unzipped down the back to reveal a netted under layer. It worked real good to cool me down.
 
I DO have a khaki coloured 5.11 vest that I now wear over an old beaten up denim jacket.
My girlfriend calls it my "Marlboro Man look" which I know she means as an insult b ut Ive chosen to take as a compliment.
Vests are quite practical but you do stick out like a sore finger in one. Whenever I used to wear my vest (5.11 or Blackhawg one) I got tired of people asking if I was going fishing & then one of my so-called mates said (in his best Keanu Reeves voice!) "Dude, there's a bomb on the bus!"
 
I have several vests, including a couple of 5.11 concealed carry vests.

I like this Cabela's Roughneck Utility Vest. Heads up: Cabela's is clearing them out for about $25 (web price) or $30 (store price).

The vest is 100% cotton, has a thin liner, and feels very soft. There are 4 large metal buttons down the front. Rather than have dozens of tiny pockets, this vest has 5 large outside pockets and 1 inside pocket. The 2 bottom pockets employ bellows and can hold lots of gear. One of the bottom pockets has a smaller vertical pocket inside it to hold a flashlight, knife, or cell phone upright.

Though not visible in the photo, there are actually 2 exterior pockets (one atop the other) on the upper left side and one of them has a pen holder.
 
I have a Filson Hunters vest that I really like for day hikes that are less than 12 miles. I also wear it hunting. My only grip is I wish is was made with a bladder pocket on the back for a camel bak water bladder. It carries the essentials quite well and has game pockets. I do not recall experiencing too many strange looks while wearing it either.
 
A fly fishing vest would make a great survival vest. I picked up a Columbia mesh, summer weight one on sale ($15) at the end of the season. Plenty of outside, inside, and back pockets. Does not look military, people will think you are a fisherman (without a rod?)
 
texastonydobbs said:
I am looking at those Blackhawk chopper pilot vest, $25-$50 with 7 pockets and room to add more...OD Green and affordable.
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Do you have a link for these? I looked on Blackhawk's web site and couldn't find it. I need a small compact vest for aircraft survival gear and am always looking for a good deal.
 
Maybe I'll just stay with what I have. Don't need to be tagged like I'm CCW and I don't get any heat because of my vest.
 
I've used a vest from Duluth, the working mans vest, summer weight, with mesh, but only in extreme heat. Too much of a gun give away. I'd rather throw a small pack over the shoulder.
 
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