Survival Vest Design

Congratulations: You input is cordially invited to a design by committee survival vest. Not the contents the vest it self.

What features and accessories would you want in a vest?

What material or materials would you use?

Added Functions: Other than just a gear carrier what jobs would you want it to perform?

This is not a, what commercial vest do you or would you use. It is to design something new maybe better design.

I would want a survival vest thickly padded with a lot, a lot!!! of US currency stuck in multiple pockets for free.

After that, I could always hire someone to haul my stuff, and even haul me where ever I want to go.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

(That was an easy project.)

1. Big and Tall sizes.
2. Check out www.scottevest.com They have a lot of good ideas.

Take a look at www.sass-kit.fsbusiness.co.uk I had them modify their standard aircrew vest to my specs. Came out great, they also do smocks and carry PSK type stuff.
I guess to start with you'd want the material used to be right for your climate and color or camo to your taste. The number, size, placement and method of closing pockets needs to be worked out. D rings, pen/pencil slots, epaulets and type of collar. Do you want a hood built into the collar? Pockets on the inside ?
I went with fairly heavy matterial and a nylon mesh back, and added pockets, as many as I could fit on. I had a good idea of what i wanted to carry in the vest to start with so it would be balanced when worn. I leave space so I can add additional items if needed, like gloves and a hat. The old "photojournalist's" vest from Banana Republic has worked well when I didn't want to wear camo. Also tried adding pockets to a BDU top.

I would take a stab at that since I love vests but can't find the one I like...

Outside nylon/gore tex waterproof shell... Double stiched, sealed. Inside has to be fleece lined (polartec). Or it has to be down filled.

Pockets:
4 pockets in the front with lap closures, two more pockets that you can just slide you hands in. One breast pocket that is zipper closed for small items. One pocket on the back.
3 pockets on the inside. It would be good to have a small flashlight pocket.

Heavy duty zipper. Storm or water guard that would extend over the zipper and can be locked in place. Possibly hood stored in the collar.

Minimal use of velcro.

As far as the colors go... Outside should be in passive non agressive tone. Inside should be in bright orange. Questionable idea would be to add reflective stripes all around.

If I took my mountain hardware down filled vest, crossed it with TAD gear fleece and some of my acteryx vests and jackets I would get a perfect product.

Matt

My hands-down favorite is a Filson Style 8 done in wool mackinaw cloth. Quiet, not michellan man bulky, breathable, "normal" appearance, warm. Seven pockets including a full back pocket. Carries my stuff well without cutting into my neck. Perfect.

After a hard day packing......

I guess it depends on how you plan to use it. Here in the south, it seems a mesh style vest is best so you don't overheat but can carry all your stuff.

I used to carry a mil spec web belt with suspenders while on SAR missions. I liked that the weight was distributed all around my body instead of just on my back or shoulders. What I did not like was it made me carry my arms out to the side.

I got a vest to replace the suspenders. It was a cheap mil spec imitation and it did not match up to my web belt. It was nylon so trapped body heat. It put all the pockets on my front for easy access but transferred weight to my front instead of even distrubution.

For me I like the idea of the mess vest with 2 inch web straps across it to accept Alice pouches. I would include a a large pouch across the small of the back similar to duck hunting vests to allow me to carry larger stuff if necessary. I like the idea of the lace sides to allow me to adjust the size to fit over heavy winter coats or just a t-shirt during warmer times.

I want to be able to put a strobe on the shoulder like PFDs to make it easier to identify me in the woods at night. Ideally there would be some way that the strobe mounts behind your head so it does not blind you but is still able to be turned on without having to remove the vest.

I would like some velcro based reflective stripes that I could add or remove as necessary. The hook side is sewn to the reflective stripe and the loop is sewn on the vest. You can attach the reflective material if required or remove as needed.

It should have the capability to accept camelback style hydration packs on the back with keepers for the tube on the front.

I would like a drawstring or adjustment at the waist to allow cinch in or let out to adjust the fit and movement of the vest during activity.

Most of the vests I see that fit the description above tend to be SWAT or special forces vests which tend to cater to holding extra ammo. Most of my stuff is not ammo shaped so many of the pockets are not the right diminsion. The Alice pouch idea overcomes that flaw but serves to increase weight and cost. I have cut out the sewing between ammo pouches to make them larger but not always easy.

I liked having a few points on my suspenders to attach things that needed to be outside of pockets but not in my hand. I have my pace beads to allow me to use my map and compass. I have a whistle at neck level so if both arms are pinned or unuseable, I can turn my head and blow for help. Some people like to hang a angle head flashlight to the front for hands free use. I prefer to wear a headmounted light. If carrying a two-way radio, then the handsfree portion needs an attachment point at the collar/shoulder.

It should have a D-ring or other point on back to allow the connection of a cylume stick on the back. That way it does not effect nightvision but allows others following to easily identifiy you. A velcro stripe or two across the back to add the reflective stripes would be an alternate.

It would be nice to have either a sewn loop or an elastic band inside pockets to help keep items stable. Of course all pockets would have a flap closure. Snap, button, zipper, or velcro all have their strengths and weakness. I am not trying to be stealthy so velcro is OK for me.

Front should open with self mending zipper with pull large enough to work with gloves on. Might be nice to have a velcro flap the length of the zipper to provide backup closure and strain relief.

There should be a strong locker loop in the neck so it could be hung on a tree branch etc when taken off.

Colors should include black and orange. The military types will want camo or olive drab. It should also be available in some civilian colors like boy scout green

Isn't Boy Scout Green the same as Olive Drab? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I'd say Boy Scout Green is closer to Olive Drab (OD) than Olive Green (OG), Olive Green comes in various shades, according to the US Army. Compare the old Jungle Fatigues with the Dress uniform, both are different shades of OG. OD is OD and "browner" than OG.
As a comparison, Schwert's vest is much closer to OG than OD. Now I can tell my wife that 20 years of collecting military
uniforms/camoflage does have it's uses.

To me the most important aspect has to be a vest that can and will be worn. Huge pocketed vests overflowing with kit is just something I would never wear. The vest has to have a semi-normal appearance as well as carry the essentials IMO.