I received mine just in time for my business trip to Las Vegas . The plan was to use it on the plane ride. Ever since security got tighter and I can't carry my trusty SAK, I feel naked and I usually take a plastic letter opener to use as a seat belt cutter and a pair of EMT shears for everything else. On an unrelated side note, the new body scanner at the airport was very sci-fi and cool.

Well my concern was going through security with it on as I didn't want any delays because some TSA person thought it looked too tactical or threatening, so it goes through security in my back pack. Once through, it is no problemo. It is great to hold the cutting tools I mentioned, but also convenient for the other stuff too like my small first aid kit, AMK heat sheet, flashlight, ferro rod, whistle and signal mirror. That stuff makes it a good ditch vest. That plus the lighter, chap stick and phone in my pockets made me feel very equipped.

And there's lots of room so a book and snacks are easily added and readily available. And I don't have to go and retrieve my back pack for those items.

I think if the plane was warmer, it may have been uncomfortable, but the ride was cold so no big deal and was actually a good thing.

And obviously, I didn't use it when seeing clients. Nor did I use it in the casinos.

My thoughts are that after it gets used and abused a bit, it will soften up and quiet down. I really want to use it hiking and camping next to see how it goes.. It is comfortable to wear, very adjustable and can hold a lot more than I thought. I will have more thoughts on it after using it more actively.

When I returned, I emailed my review to Ray, the owner of Ribz. I told him I liked his product and am posting my review online. He has offered a discount to me when I bought mine and told me I could share the discount link with others that are interested. His link with the discount price is http://ribzwear.com/ruggedribz.htm.


The regular price is $65 and the discounted price is $40 with free shipping in the US. Anyway, my affiliation is as a customer. I bought mine after seeing it and like it so far. If you do get one, especially at the discount price, please send Ray your comments, pictures and/or reviews. If you like, you can tell him that hanzo sent you.

Doug, I thought this would be especially good for bush pilots. You know any that might want to give it a try and see. I thought it could be a life saver with appropriate survival kit in it. I told Ray about it and I think he agrees.

Looks pretty interesting. I've been looking for something I can wear/carry while driving off road.

good timing for me - I was looking at their website a few days ago.
While trail-riding (offroad motorcycle), I would like some front access pockets to carry camera, GPS, SPOT, snacks so as to get at them quickly without getting off the bike, removing helmet, removing backpack, etc.
Have you tried it with a backpack?
How much does it interfere with range of motion?

Just ordered one. Looks the business, although using the Ribz Vest concealed under a jacket will no doubt give that beer belly look.

To be honest aloha, I had a different mental picture of an EDC vest when you described this - much like what my brother wears almost every day, with pockets down the front and a cloth back - what we once referred to as a photographer's vest. I understand all the benefits of weight distribution etc, but this vest would automatically make me go alert if you walked up to a TSA barrier, or into a bank. It is not out of place if you are hiking, but anywhere that's trained for security screening I think the design would quickly prompt a checklist of questions that must be cleared before they could feel safe again.

Visually the Ribz resembles a body harness design used by human bombs to pack explosives.

There, I've said it, and I hope you take it the right way, I feel guilty for raining on your honest review. It looks like a good product, but I think it was good that you took it off and had it screened with your carryon. Could you assess how the design was received - by flight attendants, by fellow passengers, by others as you walked through the terminal with this on? (Allowing of course for the reality distortion field that is Vegas).

I often wear a photog's vest, loaded with goodies, when I fly. The point is that it serves as an extra piece of luggage and often allows one to fly without a checked bag. The vest must be removed and put on a tray at all the checkpoints with which I am familiar (domestic travel only). The same would apply to the Ribz vest, right?

And I am afraid you are correct - it does look a bit ominous (meaning not what everyone else is wearing). Maybe it is a good way to see if TSA is really on the ball.

Why a plastic letter opener to use as a seat belt cutter when a pair of EMT shears does a better job?

Jeanette Isabelle

Interesting. Very similar to a military chest rig, ala Ironraven's ditch kit.

A little to....paramilitary for me. But I think its a brilliant idea. I have been looking for a front side pack for a very long time. I will be using something else for that now but this is good progression for the market. What works for me now, may not work later and something else will.

It doesn't interfere with range of motion at all except for bending over fully if you wear it low and have it really packed. Otherwise, no problem so far for me.