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.