inexpensive idpa vest?

[RM]

Anyone have any suggestions where to buy an inexpensive vest for idpa?
Thanks.

[CZ52GUY]

A vest isn't required for concealment. On some days it isn't desirable because of the added weight.

I've seen shooters using a light windbreaker, "tropical shirts", etc. you really just need to appropriately conceal your piece to comply with a "draw from concealment requirement" on any given stage.

I have a 5.11 vest because I find it useful, both for practice and matches (keeps my "stuff" together). They aren't cheap. "Safari Vests" or "Photo'/Travel Vests" are sold that have similar capabilities and can be had for 30-50% less than the 5.11.

If you are looking strictly for "concealment requirement compliance", I'd recommend you go on the cheap (even a Goodwill or Salvation Army store or Yard/Tag Sale garment).

If you are willing to fork over $40 for something that you may find of practical use, I can identify some alternatives for you.

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

[Ktulu]

The 5.11 Tactical Vest is a good durable garment and I highly recommend it. Brigade Quatermaster (http://www.actiongear.com) has them for $50. As CZ52GUY said, "They aint cheap," but in my experiance you get what you pay for.

[CZ52GUY]

Agreed on the 5.11...I'm glad I have mine. Given that you can get them in the $50 + s&h and alternatives are more likely to be in the $40 + s&H, I'd say get the 5.11.

I also use mine for rifle/sg practice and can load up with boxes of ammo', loaded magazines, my timer, tape, staples, etc. I often put water bottles in the rear pouches designed for that purpose. It keeps me "self-contained" without "spreading out" my stuff all over the place...or making multiple trips back to the trunk to retrieve something.

However, if you are just looking for a "compliant garment" and aren't ready to go with the 5.11 vest, save your money and check your closet (or some yard/tag sales).

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

[another okie]

Depending on how tall you are, a Cabela's safari vest works pretty well. It's about fifty bucks, that may not be cheap by your standard. HE 90-2478 at www.cabelas.com A vest made out of a heavy fabric conceals better and more importantly makes it easy to sweep it out of the way and draw.

If you'll go to the golf or sports section of department stores or sporting goods stores you will often find vests designed for golfers on sale that work great. I found a really cheap vest in a college bookstore, ten bucks for a nylon vest with the college logo on it. It is plenty long to conceal OWB and very lightweight.

For actual carry a Cabela's serengeti safari shirt is great, and it would work for IDPA, too. These shirts are short sleeve, heavy fabric, lots of pockets, and a squared off bottom so they look good untucked. And they come in long sizes, very helpful. I have two of them for carry. HE90-2465, about thirty bucks.

[Jim Watson]

An aloha shirt is the height of style for IDPA concealment.
A starched heavy denim shirt works pretty well.
A BDU shirt is ok.
All it has to do is conceal your gun, holster, and ammunition carriers with your arms straight out to the sides, "scarecrow stance."

[TonyB]

www.smithandalexander.com
I like these light weight vests...look more like clothing than "johnny tactical"
I wear mine everyday....you can also get an IDPA discount...:cool:

[dukeofurl]

Everyone loves 5.11 gear.

I've actually got friends that are 5.11 dealers that really do well selling IDPA cover garments.

[Damon]

Cabela's is a good recommendation for vests.

Before I got a safari vest, I wore a t-shirt and an unbuttoned shirt. The unbuttoned shirt covered the gun and gear, the t-shirt kept the gear from rubbing against my skin.

[cop car]

I also do the t-shirt/button up shirt thing. But I'd like something a little stiffer that the standard cotton shirt so that I can flip it out of the way more effectively. Keeping in mind the local atmospheric conditions (near 100% humidity and 90+ deg temps) it can't be too heavy, though. Or would need to breathe in some way.

Used to have one of those photo vests whan I was younger, but wasn't hip to the big pocket on the back.