Survival vests that aren't "survival vests"

k_estela · Jan 15, 2005

It is easy to get wrapped up into all the hype about products labeled "survival". Same thing goes for those that are called "extreme" or "X-treme". How many of you here carry your gear in a vest that is not necessarily a "survival" vest such as a military aircrew vest but one that fits the bill none-the-less? I'm curious because I used to hike with a vest and am thinking about it now but haven't been able to find one that I like that is not cotton. Any suggestions?

Moine · Jan 15, 2005

If you can afford them, pick a blackhawk LBV and a few pockets to attach on it. Modular heaven.

Cheers,

David

longbow50 · Jan 15, 2005

My travelers vest makes a dandy gear vest, but is cotton, which for the area I live in, it works out good on days that aren't 90+.

Filson will custom make a wool vest or they sell a waxed (?) heavy cotton canvas vest. The wool is a danged good lookin vest and according to an urban survival article on outdoors online magazine, it does an good job of gear carry.

Mr.BadExample · Jan 15, 2005

Filson makes great stuff. I hike in one of their cover cloth field jackets. I'll probably get a light vest for summer though.

Carthage · Jan 16, 2005

I use an old fly fishing vest.

Ebbtide · Jan 16, 2005

80' vintage Banana Republic PhotoJournalist vest.
I can fit my CS RS in one of the inner pockets!
Pocket junkie heaven.

ras · Jan 16, 2005

Cabela's River Guide Supplex® Vest. Supplex® nylon, water-repellent finish for fast drying and unsurpassed durability. Enough pockets to store lots of stuff.

steellover · Jan 16, 2005

What a bunch of hooey.

jamesraykenney · Jan 16, 2005

Ebbtide said:
80' vintage Banana Republic PhotoJournalist vest.
I can fit my CS RS in one of the inner pockets!
Pocket junkie heaven.

I morn the loss of Banana Republic to Yuppieism.

I once was a very good customer of theirs.

Ebbtide · Jan 17, 2005

How true. No longer funky, BR is now a fashion store.
Check Cabela's website for vests. I think they have the filson and a similar photo vest.
I really want one of their multipocketed safari jackets.
I guess I never got over watching Daktari as a kid

HJK · Jan 17, 2005

Willis & Geiger, if you can still find any, made some nice bush poplin vests. Tilley makes/made some good ones as well. Neither is really tactical or military but definitely quite usable.

jamesraykenney · Jan 18, 2005

Ebbtide said:
How true. No longer funky, BR is now a fashion store.
Check Cabela's website for vests. I think they have the filson and a similar photo vest.
I really want one of their multipocketed safari jackets.
I guess I never got over watching Daktari as a kid

I love safari jackets too!
They just fit so well, and look good even if you are overweight!

swami_p · Jan 20, 2005

I used an airforce survival vest for years, but due to the cumbersome and uncomfortable nature I switched to a mountainsmith lumbar pack. I swear by it because it is so comfortable and hold all of my survival equipment. look into lumbar packs

eda-koppo · Jan 20, 2005

There's also http://survival.com/urbanmaster.htm . The second volume (still in production) will likely cover (from the list of projected volumes) the use of the pricey and usually sold-out ScottEvest as a BOB. From the pic, he looks pretty low-profile to me.

edgetrip · Jan 20, 2005

Also check out ex officio multiplicity vest, not tactical but there stuff is well built and well designed.

www.exofficio.com

Survival vests that aren't "survival vests"

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