VESTS or PACKS

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joeshredd

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May 8, 2002
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Big question for y'all... Does anyone have any experience hiking with some sort of vest to carry everything?

By vest I mean either the photographers vest like Banana Republic used to make, and everyone else copied, or the "assault" vests one sees in Brigade Quartermasters catalogs or CheaperthanDirt's catalog?

I have an old BR vest and a nicer psuedo-hunters vest that can pretty much carry everything but extra layers of clothing. I also have one of the South African combat vests one sees in the CheaperthanDirt catalog (of which they now offer a cheaper black nylon version.)

Either one would work for the basics of a day hike, maybe even overnite if I'm forced to, especially given that I should be able to carry all the basics to survive for a couple of days in all of those pockets...

But I'm curious as to whether anyone else hikes this way? So far, I always end up with an overstuffed day pack regardless... I thought by limiting my means of conveyance I could learn to streamlinethings...

Any experiences both good and bad out there??

Thanks!

(PS: I'm also trying this in the Gadgets'n'Gear forum for a take by those not often visiting this forum...)
 
I've experimented with vests, but never really found them satisfactory for anything more than dayhiking. I find that the pack always ends up coming along as well, so I might as well just use the pack and lighten my load. I find that one has to be much more careful when loading a vest because of balancing issues side to side and front to back. Also, the pocket layout limits what you can do with a vest in most cases; usually limiting it to smaller items. If you're lucky enough to have a vest that matches the load you carry, that's a good thing, but versatility and large items are where the vest falls short....
 
I'm having similar thoughts lately. I just got a nice basic vest and plan to modify it and try some iterations for day-hiking. My current biggest problem is setting it up well for water carrying. I expect that to be the majority of my weight.

After that, I plan to add some lashing points so I can add specific pieces of quick-access for gear, such as a knife sheath I normally kept attached to my pack straps. Overall, it should be possible to carry the basic necessities for survival, but it will definately be less than I carried before.
 
For survival... I question their ability to blend in...

For cold weather... they dont offer sleeves! For warm weather, its another layer of clothing. (unless of course your going vest only!)

The bikers do like them to show off the tats... but even those dont protect the limbs if ya go down!

Just some stuff to think about :D
 
Numberthree pretty much hit the nail on the head. I use to like the vest (still have it for some day hikes), but I typically avoid it for any extended hikes...it becomes to cumbersome if you start to load it out, not too mention you need to keep a good load plan to avoid the balancing issue. I do like it for fall hikes, where it's too warm for fleece and still a little cool for short sleeves...plus it does hide a small fixed blade and CCW well.

Most of these type of vests are cotton, so, if you're going to areas of expected showers or constant precip, it's another thing that doesn't bode well for the vest.

Also, if you plan to carry more than a small pack/Camalbak, the vest also doesn't ride well if it has its pockets full.

To be honest, some like them, some don't. I you have a friend that'll loan you a vest to try out for a couple weeks, that would pretty much make the decision. They work great for some people, and others don't care for them much. It really does depend on what you plan to do and how well it suits your lifestyle.

As to the South African "tactical" vest. I also have one and it's a great "stand-alone" set up, but again, to my experiments, it doesn't ride well with a pack for extended use.

ROCK6
 
Cabela's River Guide™ Supplex® Vest is worth considering. As to whether it carries everything in your pack, it isn't supposed to. All it should carry is enough to get you through a night if something goes wrong on your day hike. I haven't tried it yet, mine's in the UPS system.
 
I use a Woolrich sold travelers vest that's OD cotton. It's cut roomy so it can be worn over lite medium weight jackets and still zip closed. It works fine for me.
 
I know some who swear by a vest. The vest has worked for them so, in a manner of speaking, more power to them. Due to their success with vests, I have seriously considered getting one for myself. Then, I look again at the gear I carry. I prefer to carry a bit more gear than a vest will fit - namely, some extra clothing (as someone else mentioned here). So, on day hikes, a backpack is simply more practical and comfortable. Vests do look cool... but a pack ain't so bad, either :cool: "Form follows function"
 
I have a Filson fly-fishing vest that I use quite a bit, and it is the best vest I have seen and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a vest.
 
Although it isn't a load bearing vest, Tilley makes a heavy duty vest called the VOMP that has partially removable padding in the back and shoulders that helps in carrying some loads, like heavy packs and canoes.
Packs really are the better way, but a light vest is a good supplement for some things.
 
I prefer a large fanny pack to a vest for warm weather, as I sweat more with the vest - mine is cotton, I should have found a nylon one for quick drying.

also the weight distribution of the vest bothers my mid to lower back more than with the fanny pack.

I can easily adjust the fanny pack to front, side or back to ease tired muscles & the heat build up is less.
 
After reading y'all's opinions and experiences, coupled with the input from the other thread I started... here's what I've figured and done...

1- Too hot seems to be a common issue
2- Balance/compartment sizing is an issue
3- Not enough carrying capacity

Okay, when looking at photog's vests or assault style vests, heat seems to be the leading negative issue. So is trying to balance a load in predetermined compartment setups... which also ties in to not enough space for anything bulky like extra clothing...

The basic day bag seems to rule... but...

I like to carry lots of little things and I want them readily accesible. I hike in blue jeans, so I don't want much in my pockets. And I don't want to just stop and doff the pack to get to every little item I want to get to frequently...

In steps Serendipity! :eek:

Went to our local Arm's Collector's Show and came across an old issue Survival Vest... I don't recognize this particular issue, but it's definitely Hot Weather issue - It has a nylon mesh "body" with several little pockets interspersed between a few larger pockets - all perfect for my compass, flask, cellphone, firekit, etc... And I can still wear it under a pack without it interfering with either my packstraps nor my waist belt (two other issues I thought would show up in negative comments!)

Now I can keep what I want always with me and I can doff the pack without worrying about leaving the essentials unattended!
 
joeshredd said:
After reading y'all's opinions and experiences, coupled with the input from the other thread I started... here's what I've figured and done...

1- Too hot seems to be a common issue
2- Balance/compartment sizing is an issue
3- Not enough carrying capacity

Okay, when looking at photog's vests or assault style vests, heat seems to be the leading negative issue. So is trying to balance a load in predetermined compartment setups... which also ties in to not enough space for anything bulky like extra clothing...

The basic day bag seems to rule... but...

I like to carry lots of little things and I want them readily accesible. I hike in blue jeans, so I don't want much in my pockets. And I don't want to just stop and doff the pack to get to every little item I want to get to frequently...

In steps Serendipity! :eek:

Went to our local Arm's Collector's Show and came across an old issue Survival Vest... I don't recognize this particular issue, but it's definitely Hot Weather issue - It has a nylon mesh "body" with several little pockets interspersed between a few larger pockets - all perfect for my compass, flask, cellphone, firekit, etc... And I can still wear it under a pack without it interfering with either my packstraps nor my waist belt (two other issues I thought would show up in negative comments!)

Now I can keep what I want always with me and I can doff the pack without worrying about leaving the essentials unattended!
Click to expand...
For those looking at vests, either for outdoor playing or just carrying lots of stuff everyday, check out exofficio's multiplicity vests. These have tons of pockets excellent materials and don't look at all tactical. This company makes great functional gear that blends in well for everyday use and incoperates lots of nifty features. It ain't cheap but hey when was good gear ever cheap?
www.exofficio.com
 
i have a eagle tac-vest and a 5:11 tactical gear vest. the eagle commando style does get hot but is well made and you can carry quite a bit.

the 5:11 safari type vest is probably better for hiking as you don't look like rambo in the woods. it carries more gear than you would think and i highly recommend it.

a positive for vests that i didn't see mentioned is they keep your gear centered over your shoulders so you are able to move more agile. i've never had a unbalanced feeling with mine.
 
Yep, my gear feels well balanced and the vest distributes the weight over a wider area, making it a lot more comfortable to carry and easier to access.

My vest has a larger pocket over the lower back so that a poncho, coat, extra socks etc can be carried.

It is a little warmer than just wearing a T shirt during the summer, but not so much so that I am uncomfortable.
 
My vest primarily gets used for CCW now. I found, like so many others here, that I ended up with a pack of some kind. Now my vest carries basic survival and first aid equipment, a small pair of binoculars and covers my Glock and/or pistol gripped shotgun nicely :D
 
Jeff Randall wrote an article a couple of years ago in Ameican Survival Guide on stocking and using a photographer's style vest for short term and emergency survival. If I remember correctly he used the vest to store items to use if one's primary survival items were lost, such as if your boat sinks or plane crashes. It was pretty informative and I've been able to implement some of his recommendations over here in Iraq.
 
COLT6731...

Exactly - my purpose here is to find something comfortable enough to want to keep on that could carry the basics for survival if i had to doff my pack in a hurry... like falling overboard... or having to boogie... Basically I want to carry fire materials, small first aid stuff, flask, survival tin... and still be able to carry a pack comfortably - ie; the pack straps and belt don't cover needed pockets and I can access my belt knife unimpeded...

It sounds like your experiences in Iraq may have a 'bearing' on this... pun sort'a intended... Keep your head down!!! LOL!!!

Thanks for all the other input, too, guys... this has all been very helpful!
Cheers!
 
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