The Vest Thread

I like vests, used to have a nice winter vest in Middle school and have worn vests to church or other dressy occasions since I can remember. Right now I'm looking for a hunting/outdoor vest to carry snacks, light, tools and what not when I'm out camping, hiking or backpacking. Am thinking of getting a Dickies Rigid Duck vest for cold weather use. It's warm, tough, has plenty of pockets for my cold weather needs and fits nicely over my plaid Insulated Shirts. :)

If I can't find an outdoor/hunting vest that I like I might end up buying a tan tactical/Molle vest. At least then I can attach pouches to the front of the vest to hold snacks, tools, lights and what ever. The Cal-Ranch (Tack, feed, western wear) Store in Cedar City had the perfect Felt shooting/outdoor vest. Might have to hit up the one in Springville to see if they have the same vest.

By the way, my winter Parka has 8+ pockets where I store a dickie (removeable turtle nack), glove liners, knit cap, glasses, ski mask, flashlight, cell phone, snack food and other such stuff when playing or working out in the extreme cold. That parka could hide tons of weapons and ammo but no one ever thinks twice about it. I lived in Provo/Orem for a few years and they are close to some popular ski resorts. Vests of all kinds are popular in that area year round. Here in the country a Woor or canvas vest, plaid or cotton shirts, Jeans and fedora/cowboy hat are common place. Even BDU's are popular. It's the people with the punk/gang banger look that we worry about the most Or those in full Military combat dress (boots, BDU's, Tactical vest, buzz cuts) with no or strange insignias.
 
The one like pictured in the OP will signal gun to people who are into guns. To everyone else you're just a dude wearing a vest. If you want, wear it and hook a few flies to the pocket.

To the guys wearing the Filson's and the like, that's some style right there. I may pick one of those up.
 
A vest no more indicates a gun, then an untucked shirt indicates one. I don't see the vest/packin' connection, and I been carrying a long time. As several people have indicated in this thread, they just like their vests (for various reasons), and that's good enough for me.

BTW, I have a bunch of outdoor vests (a canvas/quilt lining one, a heavy nylon/quilt lining one, a down vest, a heavy oil cloth/fleece lined vest, a camo wool/polyester lined vest, a Filson wool vest) and I wear them cuz they're comfortable and warm. I likes my vests.
 
omaha-beenglockin said:
Might be OK with hip waders---otherwise they went out of favor about the same time Members Only jackets did.

Just sayin.


You'll draw undue attn to yourself simply because it looks like you fell out of the hot tub time machine from 1985-----gun or not.
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So what? I really don't care what time period I look like. If somebody says something, I can easily deconstruct their fashion choices.

I used to wear sweater vests in office work. I have a couple of these multi-pocketed outdoor vests and love them. I carry a lot of stuff around like a camera, cell phone, wallet, checkbooks, pen and notebook, flashlight, GPS, etc. If a LEO wants to eyeball me that's fine, I'm not carrying anything illegal. If I see a big guy with a buzz cut wearing an untucked Hawaiian shirt, that says "gun" to me...but it's really just a cliche from movies and TV.

I own a couple of polar fleece vests and a leather bikers vest (no bike).

I really just like lots of pockets and that goes to my jackets as well. I have an Abercrombie ski jacket with tons of pockets. Duluth Trading Company also sells some canvas sports coats that look very conventional, standard three pockets outside, but 9 more pockets inside, including a couple of hidden ones:

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens-outerwear/mens-sport-coats/26514.aspx

I have two of those that I like to wear, but around here people think I'm overdressed. :rolleyes:
 
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Gollnick said:
Exactly.

I forgot that fishermen do wear similar vests... when they're out fishing. But not when they're shopping at the mall, going out for even a casual dinner, taking in a movie... well, maybe if the feature film is A River Runs Through It, but not in general.

The problem is the external pockets. You can get very nice holsters which look like vests (i.e. are made for concealed carry) which have no external pockets at all. They look like something a guy might wear casually in the spring and fall and don't draw attention to themselves. Why not use something like that?
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Scotlands foremost politician proving that a vest can be worn on formal occasions

Rab-C-Nesbitt2.jpg




What d'ya mean that's Rab C. Nesbitt not Alex Salmon?
 
I personally have found that a 'Nam era BDU shirt with the sleeves cut off works well when muzzleloader hunting. Enough room for a powder flask and measure, a capper, extra bullets, a bullet starter, a knife, a call, and a flashlight with a little room to spare.
 
thatotherguy said:
I personally have found that a 'Nam era BDU shirt with the sleeves cut off works well when muzzleloader hunting. Enough room for a powder flask and measure, a capper, extra bullets, a bullet starter, a knife, a call, and a flashlight with a little room to spare.
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I wore that same outfit at a wedding last week.
 
Lenny said:
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I've got one of these Filsons.
One of the most versatile garments I have.
Warm enough to wear alone in cool weather, and thin enough to layer under any piece of outerwear I own when it's really cold.
Plus, it's built like the proverbial Brick Sh*thouse.
Lenny
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Filsons are great. I have a couple I wear all winter. The best way to buy them is used on ebay. They can be had for half the price of new.
 
A vest is pretty much my standard spring-summer-fall wear.

I got in the habit when I use to carry a gun regularly, but now I've just gotten so use to the pocket storage I can't give it up.

I'm pretty large, so finding something decent isn't easy. Before Banana Republic became a yuppie store they carried a photog/fishing vest, YKK zippers, etc., and I've worn those for years (like 20 plus). They were quite durable. Picked up a couple at their outlet store when I realized they weren't going to carry them any more. I've about worn out my second one now, but still have one left in a drawer.

As to a vest saying "shoot me first", I think that gives too much credit to the mental processes of the average crook/punk.
But if it does cause a gun related reaction, it may more likely to be a deterrent, like "leave this guy alone and pick on someone else".
 
Waitaminute- Banana Republic used to actually carry good stuff?
How did the change happen with BR, A&F etc?!?!?!
 
I like vests too, but usually carry mine only in summer when I don't wear a coat. Over here people would associate a vest with outdoor and fishing, if they notice the vest at all.
 
thatotherguy said:
Waitaminute- Banana Republic used to actually carry good stuff?
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Yep, they did. Granted this was 20-25 years ago. It was a fairly neat place to visit. They had a lot of unusual things for the "adventurer" in all of us. Ok, it was more for folks who traveled a lot, particularly to warmer climates.

How did the change happen with BR, A&F etc?!?!?!
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I would guess they found a larger market. BR stores were initially fairly small compared to others, now they are 2 or 3 times as large.
Likely that places like REI, Bass Pro, and others become too hard to compete with.
 
Here's a different take.

I'm a hemiplegic, with a paralyzed left side. I'm in a wheel chair.

Because I can't stand and get to front or rear pockets, I carry everything in a vest, just like the cowboys of old (who needed to get tobacco, e.g., without dismounting).

Because I have sort arms (and one doesn't work) I need shorter, waist length vests. I swear by the Uncle Miltie travel vests, but am always open to new ideas. Any suggestions on shorter vests with lots of pockets?
 
I wish I was around when A&F etc were still outdoor stores. I've been told stories that you used to be able to go in there and tell the guy at the front desk that you were going on a 2 week hunting trip with 2 people and he'd tell you to come back in 2 weeks.
Sigh.
 
ASBOB said:
Because I have sort arms (and one doesn't work) I need shorter, waist length vests. I swear by the Uncle Miltie travel vests, but am always open to new ideas. Any suggestions on shorter vests with lots of pockets?
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In her declining years, my mom had to use a walker. She tied a short kitchen apron with multiple pockets between the handles....which I thought was pretty smart....allowed her to carry what she needed.

thatotherguy said:
I wish I was around when A&F etc were still outdoor stores. I've been told stories that you used to be able to go in there and tell the guy at the front desk that you were going on a 2 week hunting trip with 2 people and he'd tell you to come back in 2 weeks.
Sigh.
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In its day, a truly amazing place. You might run into Hemingway or any number of celebrities or other famous folks. Not to mention adventurers and hunters headed to places you'd only read about.

Blues (one of the mods here) use to work there in his 20's IIRC. He tells a story of getting in trouble while waiting on one customer and being interrupted by a pushy lady who wanted assistance right away. He told her she'd have to wait until he was finished with his customer. Turned out to be Katherine Hepburn.:eek:
 
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thatotherguy said:
I personally have found that a 'Nam era BDU shirt with the sleeves cut off works well when muzzleloader hunting. Enough room for a powder flask and measure, a capper, extra bullets, a bullet starter, a knife, a call, and a flashlight with a little room to spare.
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DrivebyTrucker said:
I wore that same outfit at a wedding last week.
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What kind of call do you use at a wedding? Some kind of predator call? Turkey call?
[video=youtube;bA_ceeOl1IE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA_ceeOl1IE[/video]
 
I don't use calls. I use a seductive dance which no bridesmaid can resist. [video=youtube;sVSos_C4FIo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVSos_C4FIo&feature=related[/video]
 
Don't know where I'd ever wear it, but that Filson has caught my eye.
 
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