Non-tactical vests

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SteelyDan

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Didn't want to hijack the tactical vest thread.

I've been thinking about getting a basic vest with some deep pockets and some smaller ones. I suspect that if it doesn't have the word "tactical" appended to it, it will cost a lot less.

Anyway, I'd like something that would hold a couple rifle and pistol mags, along with room for other stuff that is more likely to be needed. Something along the lines of a fly fisherman's vest, but with fewer and larger pockets. And this isn't a big priority, so I don't want to spend more than $50 or so, unless there is a good reason to do so.

I've researched "tactical vests" over the last couple of weeks, and there are some great items out there for $100 to $425. That's not what I'm looking for. Probably. Isn't there anything out there that's inexpensive and functional, even if not "tactical?"
 
Gun Leather Corp in Ft Worth, TX has some dynamite heavy leather dress vests, complete with snap-closure interior pockets big enough to hide a J frame in for about $50. I've tried 'em on, and they're comfy. Just haven't had the money on me when I was there. The pockets are intended to hold a small handgun, and the leather does a nice job of supporting and hiding it. Topgrain leather, black and shades of brown.
 
Your basic Carhartt vest will hold oodles of stuff, and small to med pistols don't print easily in them. In rural areas, they are common dress, and they have become fashionable elsewhere.;)
 
Cheaper than Dirt and Sportsman's Guide both have tactical vests that sell for about $40.
 
I have a Domke photographer's jacket if you are interested. It is in khaki...er...I mean light coyote brown.
 
A Carhartt vest will do it.


A Royal Robbins 5.11 vest is a "non-tactical-looking" vest that is designed for gun carriers. The outer pockets are sized to hold 30 round AR mags or radios, and the inner pockets can hold pistol mags, etc.

www.cabelas.com is okay for fishing vests, some of their hunting models would also work.
 
Orvis has Travel Vests

I recently purchased an Orvis travel vest, it is a lot like fly-fishing vest. It comes in a couple of different types, I got the zambesi vest. It has a lot of pockets.

I bought mine for - travelling. It has room for all of the things that I normally carry in my pockets, plus Passports for the family, books, airline tickets, candy, cameras, etc. So at airport screening I just take off the vest instead of emptying my pockets.

It is long enough to cover an OWB holstered gun.

My wife doesn't like it because it isn't stylish.
 
The latest edition of Dillon's Blue Press had a slick new vest called the Scott eVest.

It was apparently built for todays world with all the pagers and cell phones etc. that people drag around.

Check it out here
 
Columbia

has some vests that do not look "tactical":rolleyes: nor do they look like the Great White Hunter just arrived. Some athletic clothing lines also carry vests for training that dont look like something you'd conceal a gun under.

Too many pockets and I start losing things by forgetting which pocket they are in.
 
Columbia

I second the Columbia vote ... some great vests that are lightweight, water-resistent, lots of pockets, but look "outdoorsy" rather than "gun-toter on the way back from IDPA match" ... Up here in the PacNorWest, it's apparently required to sport most of your outerwear from Columbia, REI or Helly-Hansen, so one fits right in with the Columbia gear (plus, price is reasonable, 40 or 50 bucks scores a nice vest).
 
Duluth Trading offers some really well-thought-out gear for the man that doesn't want to look like a ninja. The skiller's pants are particularly nice, and those firehose pants are hellforstout.

The ScotteVest has some good thinking in it, but I'm going to wait until I hear more from end users. There's just something nigglin' at my brain about them, especially for that kinda change! I do like the look of their fleece, however, and might just have to buy one for this fall. Or get an ECWCS fleece.

My money's on Carhart or Duluth Trading.
 
Too many pockets and I start losing things by forgetting which pocket they are in.
Click to expand...
Just carry a gun in each pocket, then you've got all the bases covered!

"Yes, darling, I know I clank when I walk, but it's not what you think..." :D
 
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