There is organization in em. Here's a video by a great guy. David does a better job than I could showing the Ribz vest.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BushcraftOnFire#p/search/0/H1r_cGe9wpM

Right now black is it. A hunter's camo is being released. Other colors will probably follow. Ray's company is quite new so the production will likely have to ramp up before he can produce more variety. Although I did ask him about making it in aloha prints to be none threatening to PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER..

It is fine with a pack although I cannot say about extended carry. Once I get a long hike in, I will let you know.

I like that what I carry in it is separate from my pack and also not attached to my pack.

The straps are 1 1/2 inch wide.

See the video I posted the link to. That and the Ribz website.

Like I said I have been looking for front access systems for quite some time. Honestly there is not the supply of pouches and pockets to put on the hip belt or shoulder straps like one would think.

Just for example, I have a Delorme PN-40 GPS. Delorme does not have a pouch for carry. I looked at every sports/rec store, office supply and techo big box, nothing fit. Ended up using a MOLLE radio pouch.

If you have a cell phone or camera, no problem. If your looking for a pouch with any real space for holding items like a map, food, etc, your S.O.L. Your better finding something military based or McGuyver something you find that you like.

This should fit your Delorme GPS;

http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/products/Berghaus/ECase-Large.aspx

http://www.berghaus.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1532&Gear=3

I use the small version and is a perfect fit for a Garmin Etrex.

The Berghaus Sun Glasses case is excellent as well.

http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/products/Berghaus/ShadeCase.aspx

Thanks for the links, you think outside the box like me. Part of my problem with specifically the PN40, is that it is taller and thicker than most any GPS. I was very surprised at the lack of civilian marketing for decent storage on pack straps and webbing. I had to do fit tests for the PN40, so excluded all online purchases. if its a perfect fit for the eTrex, (I own one) there is no chance in heck it will fit the DeLorme.

To spin this back around to the Ribz vest and why I think its a good idea is that it allows, I don't know, probably 400 cubic inches of space. About half a normal backpack. Plenty of space for jamming in all sorts of hands on stuff you'd normally put in the top pouch of a large pack but too small to fit in a camera, cell phone, sunglasses case.

This is ultimately why I chose, in my situation (YMMV)a mountainsmith DAY lumbar pack. I use it daily right now for work, will use it for short hikes as a stand alone, and as a front pack with my backpack for multi day trips. The DAY will never leave my body outside my tent. Much like an Army LBE.

I think the one detraction of all front wear systems, and the Ribz or MS Day is no different, is body heat dissipation. If it gets the rep of being to hot to wear, it won't gain market share.

[censored]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/US-AIR-FORCE-SURVIVA...=item2303b68410

@ Big Al, are you trying to list a Pilots Survival vest? I have one. FWIW, I am not impressed by it. I have tried to use it but it doesn't hold enough space for even a basic day hike and its uncomfortable to wear under a pack. Thats my opinion. I like military gear, I'm a vet. Its a novelty IMO, but I am very opinionated.

+1. I sweet-talked a shoe repair man into making a pouch for my GPS out of some vinyl kind of material. I cut holes in it so I can operate the GPS inside the pouch. Each corner of the pouch has a tab with a hole, so I can fasten the pouch to anything, the backpack strap or whatever. If I want to look like an über-geek I can strap it to my forearm.... I mostly strap it to my map case. That way I can look at the map and the GPS at the same time without opening anything. (Compass needs to be taken out of the map case and away from the GPS and everything else magnetic to work).


The pockets of my jacket fulfill the role of front load system. I am always adjusting my clothing (hat on, hat off, gloves on, gloves off and so on) in response to my varying heat production and environmental factors. Gloves/mittens, hat and scarf goes into my big jacket pockets when they go off, which also has room for some additional items. I also have 2 small pockets that are used for stuff like flashlight and small odds and ends.

This vest looks like a great system, but I am a bit hesitant to jump on this wagon:

• I worry a bit if this vest would interfere with my current "front pack" system. (Map+GPS+compass on front as described above. Clothing for my head, neck and finger clothing on my person or in my front pockets. Whistle, flashlight and perhaps some additional small gadgets in my small front pockets).
• When I'm not wearing a backpack this system allows me to bring more stuff without overloading my jacket pockets, which is good. But why don't I just use a smaller backpack, the day pack size or similar? This vest may actually be more comfortable than a small day pack, remains to be verified.
• With a backpack on I frankly do not need this system, and would not wear it (except perhaps in my pack).

To me, the biggest merits of this system would be to have it easily accessible in or on my backpack so when my backpack goes off this vest comes on. It weights next to nothing compared to a regular small daypack, and it may even be more comfortable to wear. You need some system for organizing your critical gear anyway, and this vest may fulfill that role AND be a comfortable means of carrying it as well.

I just scanned through the thread and didn't see anything about the following (sorry if I missed it), but this "chameleon gear" vest looks like just the ticket for the stuff I'd like to carry discretely when heading out:

Video review of the ScottE Vest