I recently discovered the usefulness of the utility vest (like the one professional photographers wear). for a few days my dog was sick and needed to go out many times in the middle of the night to do business. well, whenever he had to go outside, i decided instead of fumbling around with keys, wallet, cell phone, poop bags, flashlight, etc. while i was half awake, why not just put everything in the multiple vest pockets and have it ready to go. i swear it was a lifesaver. so far i had only used it for camping but man would all those pockets come in handy with every day stuff. if i wore one everyday i'd never forget a thing and wouldn't have to rearrange my pants pockets every time i got in the car. of course to use it every day i'd have to get over my fear of "it looks kinda dorky to wear a vest that makes me look like a national geographic photographer." all those pockets sure are handy for everyday stuff as well as the usual knife, flashlight, cell phone, etc. etc. etc. anyone wear a vest regularly? if so, what do you carry in all those pockets?

I wear one most days at work as a plain clothes LEO. It is more casual and comfortable than a suit. In the pockets I carry a notebook, pen, nitrile gloves, antiseptic wipes (for blood), car keys, id case, and business cards. Under the vest is a shoulder hoster, LM Super Tool, folding knife, tactical flashlight, and radio.

I love vests. They are my preferred method of carry. The advantage is that I can get to whatever I need without taking it off. With a pack, I have to remove it and find a place to set it down when I need to retrieve stuff. With the vest, just reach into a pocket.

Mine are heavily modified. I divided the large rear pocket into several which allows me to carry multiple small ( 1 ltr) water flasks, spread out across my back. Distributes the load. Many of the pockets have been changed just a bit to better hold special items.

Yeah, they may look weird, but where I go, there are few folks to make comments. And they usually look weird also. I gave up worrying about how I look years ago. I prefer fishing vests. They are cheap and the short length makes them more comfortable, especially in vehicles and during activities such as climbing etc. They are also more accepted than the tactical vests. Fishing vests are not considered military. Everyone understands that you are just going fishing, even in the desert.

It seems that I am much less likely to set something down “just for a minute”. Everything has a pocket so it is easier to replace it in its pocket. With the pack, I would lay something on a nearby rock "for just a minute" instead of removing the pack to put it away when I know I will need it again shortly. Then I walk away and leave the item on the rock.

I suggest folks at least try one the next time they are headed out for a day hike.

My "bag of tricks" and pocket stuff used to be a "vest of holding". Down sides to prolonged use is that it wasn't the most neck-kind thing to do with this much gear. I was sitting for a lot of the day, so counterweights ijn the back were out of the question for comfort reasons.

That being said, a vist that fits you well is properly packed should be fine. If I was to go back to a vest, I'd look for one that had a water bladder that didn't look tactical, just to preserve my c-spine.

Here is an article, by someone that wears a vest every day with a LOT of stuff in it...
http://www.outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=171 Be sure and look at part 2 also...

Be sure to check out Schwert's vest:

http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=171

Also, Ranger Rick's survival vest:

http://www.therangerdigest.com/

(I see someone has already posted a link to Schwert's vest... great minds think alike! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

When i was younger I wore a vest for about 8 monthes I loved it but gave it up because my friends and there family did not understand. The only problem I had was the lack of air flow. The back was mesh but that still did not allow enough air flow of the underarms and chest. I still have my survival vest pockets full and ready to go. I miss my vest. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

And for the more fashionable among us - Scottevest

SCOTTEVEST (SeV) designs functional and fashionable clothing that's so innovative that it's worn by the Secret Service.