5.11 Vests/Pants/Shorts what do you carry in them?

[Glamdring]

I finally got a 5.11 Vest a few weeks ago. Only one complaint so far, it doesn't distribute weight evenly on my shoulders so there is a limit to what I can carry for weight with it.

So it has more space than weight capacity for me.

I am wanting to put together a mini 72 hour kit (minus water) or something similar that I can wear with comfort in addition to J Frame and spare ammo.

Wondering what others carry, and what pockets they use for what.

 

[VaughnT]

The standard loadout for my 5.11 pants is as follows: keys (RRP), Emerson PSARK (RFP), Benchmade Griptillian (LFP), Surefire 6P or modifed Pelican M6 LED (RFLP), Wallet (LRP).

Every once in a while, depending on my activities, I'll through a small notebook and pen in one of the thigh pockets.

I don't use the vest, but if I did, I'd add a few cylumes to one of the pockets. Maybe both personal lights so I could use one or the other, depending on the situ.

A medkit in one of the pockets, and a good, oversize bandana would be a plus.

 

[Glamdring]

Strange, I thought there would be more people using 5.11 stuff.

I have learned that if you keep the vest zipped up it is better at load bearing (like chest strap on backpack), makes a big difference when loaded with any weight, makes it usless for drawing though.

Currently, I use left concealed pocket for a J frame. Right front vertical pocket for Cell Phone. Right Rear vertical pocket for Leatherman, pens, spare lighter & chapstick, pens, and other misc.

Speedloaders are in zippered right pocket (2) and in right open pocket (1).

Wallet is usually in left front pocket, the one with mag loops.

 

[Glamdring]

Monday I carried 4" Security Six on one side and my J frame on the other side of the vest. Was actually comfortable, seems balance is the key. I moved some of the other equipment around to balance and it made a big difference.

 

[Zircon]

Well, I've got both the vest and the pants, and they have more pockets than I can figure out what to do with. Royal Robins is missing out in not providing the new owner with a set of "suggested" uses (pictorial) for the pockets. It will take me the rest of this century to figure out an optimal configuration.Arghhh!!!

 

[SapperLeader]

Casual Carry:
Left front pocket - j-frame in pcs holster
right front pocket - lighter and juice multitool - knife clipped to pocket
back left - pen and second knife clipped to pocket
left cargo pocket - wallet
right cargo pocket - gum
belt - 2 magazine pouchs with reloads
iwb holster with carry pistol of the day
keys clipped to ring
cellphone in small front pocket

Work Carry
Left front pocket - j-frame in pcs holster
right front pocket - speed strip with 5 rounds, large folder clipped
back left - pen and second knife clipped to pocket
left cargo pocket - wallet
right cargo pocket - gum
belt - wave multitool, surefire e2 flashlight
back right pocket - p-32 in azrael back pocket holster
keys clipped to ring
cellphone in small front pocket

I used to carry more, but Ive cut down on my edc to the bare essentials.

 

[shep854]

Glamdring, if you look in the "General discussion" forum, you will find a couple of threads discussing the 5.11 garments. Most of us haven't scrolled all the way down to this forum.

That said, I wear a 5.11 vest a good bit. My purpose is to be able to empty my pants pockets. Think of the vest as a "man's purse".

I would have preferred a different pocket arrangement. Instead of the two pockets on the lower right, I would have rather had one that matches the left lower. That said, I carry change & pocket knife in the left lower, speedloaders for my BG in the zip pocket. Top left is for glasses, etc. Checkbook lower right front, cell back. Wallet rt upper. BG in left velcro pocket. I need to put a AA flash somewhere.

As was mentioned, balancing the weight is a factor.

What sold me on the 5.11 vest (over others) was the pockets for water bottles.

BTW: so far, no one has said anything about wearing a vest.

 

[Glamdring]

Yeah, I like the water bottle pockets. Makes a decent daypack IMHO.

I wish there were some other options for pockets as well.

 

[Glamdring]

http://www.ambackjournal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=656&format=html

 

[shep854]

As I understand it, the vest was originally conceived as a utility vest fpr photographers, and the pockets were optimized for carrying camera lenses and other gear. By happy coincidence, it worked well for concealing a handgun and carrying ammo & other gear. The rest is history.

They are still popular with photogs, so many don't associate them with CCW.