Ribz Vest

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.

I hope you were able to get it with the discount.

That was my fear too...the way it might look. So I didn't wear it until after the security check. And the flight was cold so I had a jacket on too. It's not very noticeable with a jacket.

I think if you don't act out of place, most people will not perceive it that way. And I really was trying not to be noticed. But not very threatening when you pull out a book to read, a phone to make a call and some snacks.

At the airport now, especially with the new body scanner, you pretty much strip down to your basic clothes. Everything goes through the xray and you go into the body scanner. That thing is pretty cool. I guess they use it to scan for mules carry drugs and other things.

I felt pretty safe after going through security. It would be pretty difficult to sneak something through. And the point is not to try. I buy a bottle of water at the airport or fill up a nalgene, if I bring one, after the security screen.

I think the plastic letter opener may be faster on a seatbelt as you just run it through and the razor blade inside cuts it. I figure the EMT shears for everything else I may need to cut.

And it is small and light and flat so not a big deal to take. And it is more comfortable should I decide to put it in my pocket.

Besides, redundancy is not a bad thing in a kit.

It is similar, but a little less tactical. I would have preferred a less tactical look myself. But it is functional. Maybe I can suggest to Ray to make an aloha print one.

My purpose in buying it was to use it alone on short hikes and with a pack on longer ones and camping. I see a benefit in not having to take my pack off to get at items that I use on the trail. And if I have to ditch my pack, my survival kit and first aid kit is still with me.

The plane thing just worked out that way as I got it right before my trip. I like not having to get up to get my stuff out of the overhead bin. On the plane, no one pays attention.

By the way, thanks for your comments. I will pass them on to Ray.

You said it exactly right Aloha. Its no use to have all your stuff in your backpack if you take your backpack off when you get to camp and walk around 'naked', that's the whole point of EDC, the %'s are higher you will need something from it when your on the trail.

Glad you posted this, its something i can keep looking at for the future.

Very interesting Aloha. Is there any organization in the compartments or are they each just a large bag? Can you post some pics of the interior, and your loadout?

I had an idea when looking at the site. For a more discreet urban/non-wilderness carrying option, I envisioned some strategically placed snaps that would connect the 2 carrying bags and unite the shoulder straps into a form like a sling bag. That way you could move around less noticeably in the city but unsnap it and go into vest mode when practical. It would take a few tweaks to the root design but I bet it could be done... just brainstormin'!

WOOT! I have fans!

*gets very still, realizing I look silly, then going into calm and distinguished*

It is similiar to my MAV and other similiar vests. This has the advantage of looking very civilian, while still being well built (at least based on it's reputation). While it would probably set off the paranoia of TSA and mall cops, I think it looks very innocent. Which my MAV really doesn't, although most things hanging on me aren't going to look very innocent. But I would put into the same category as Civilian Labs- it looks like someone is adapting high-speed designs to high-drag life styles, and I have my concerns that it might be inadvertently much higher profile than most of us want. But worn with a pack, I honestly don't think anyone would really notice.

My concern with it is the configuration of the straps. As this is designed to be warn with a pack, I have my concerns about them almost being too thin and thus prone to rolling or getting slack if worn alone. I've had that with my MAV when I don't have the X-Harness in it, even.

The price is good, but I don't see any colors other than black on the website.

It is interesting gear, but I have one question. Have you worn it together with a back pack, and how does it feel? (Uhh.. I guess that's two questions.) It looks like you would have two sets of straps over your shoulders and I suspect that might not work out too well on a fairly long trip.

It is really nice to have frontal access when wearing a pack. You can also achieve that by attaching pouches or bags to the waist strap, although those will ride a bit lower than the Ribz pack.

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

I took a gamble & ordered one of these today. I like the idea, and want to see if it interferes with my assault pack. Looking at the video & pics, it doesnt seem like it will-but I am concerned with potential chafing where the straps come in contact with my back & shoulders when I have a pack on.
My vision with this is that I can carry essentials in the Ribz pack itself, with clothing/comfort items, and water, in my backpack. I like anything that is a tiered system; carried on the body, then pockets, then ditch gear, then a pack. This certainly fits my "ditch gear", as it is a layer to my system. And, on these cooler new england days, the heat retention may be an added bonus

Thanks for the leap of faith. Let me know how you get on.

I don't know why I was censored, but yes It was a SV-2 vest, It only covers the lower part of your body, Not a full vest. there is nothing in the back so you can wear a pack with it.

Blast can you send me a PM and tell me why I was Censored?

I would be curious to see what words are on the censor list. Could make for an interesting [CENSORED] story.

Well, I took a leap and ordered one. Ray says it'll be the first one in Malaysia! We'll see how it works when the temp and humidity hits the high 90s. Looking forward to it.

Me, too, ordered one today.

The Ribz system looks like it would interfere with the waist / hip support systems of full packs, but I await real world reports.

You can adjust how high or low it sits. Mostly, it will sit higher than a pack's waist strap.

Carry a couple of full packs with the Ribz and let us know where the Ribz sits and how the pack straps run comfortably. Something for nothing [Ribz cam reportedly be used with no pack interference] always makes me wonder.

Thanks.

Have worn my MAV with packs small, medium, and "is he packing a midget", the wearing isn't a big deal. Now, with the depth of the pockets I've got on my MAV, getting the waist belt open is sometimes a bit tricky, but not too major.

And whatever you do, keep the chest rig CLOSED when you are taking off your pack. If the pack wants to take the chest rig off for you, you end up a bit tangled. You'll only make that mistake one time though.

Initial fit testing, I can get the Ribz up high enough not to interfere with my belt, so that works. There is a lot of storage room in these; I didnt get a big chance to play with it too much yet, but I did put my survival kit in it & drove around for an hour with it. My initial observations is that this can hold quite a bit of gear. However, as it is against the ribs, I would suggest soft kit only-I have some of my gear in a small mess tin, and it was uncomfortable while driving. Easy enough fix.
Another minor annoyance was the upper cross strap (sort of like part of ah H style harness). This crept up a couple of times, and irritated my neck. I found two solutions; first, ensure it is low enough to avoid creep. Two, wear collared shirts-it gives something for it to catch on before your neck.
I will be on vaca starting next weekend, so I dont think I will have a chance to give it a run with a pack for the next couple weeks. I did put my 3 day pack on with it, and, I cannot buckle my sternum strap, but that was the only interference. And, this I just have to fiddle with. The one thing I dont like at all is that the material makes crinkly noises-its durable, for sure, and could prove to be warm, but it is louder than my other gear-not an issue once its on, but taking it on & off, it is quite loud. This is purely superficial though-I dont like loud noises in the woods, including any I make .

Oldsoldier, I have been told that it quiets down with wear. But I cannot vouch for that as mine isn't worn down yet.

One of my friends on another forum wears his diving in lieu of a weight belt. He just puts rocks in it and off he goes. He really likes it. And that's where I got my first glimpse.

I'm surprised that more people haven't mentioned that. Watching the video that Aloha linked, it was quite obvious to me that the material made a significant amount of noise - it kinda sounded like someone squeezing a bag of Doritos.

I really like the concept, but there's just no way I would ever see myself wearing one unless it was available in a softer/quieter material.

Jim

I do plan on putting more mileage on it, I just dont have the time in the next couple weeks. If it quiets down, it will be fine; if it doesnt, this may be left at home-its a great concept, I just cannot deal with the noise. Time & sweat should break down the material some, and we will see what it sounds like come spring. I hope to put some mileage on it when I return from WA, to see how it feels longer term-a couple days or so.

Bill

One way to accelerate the wear-in effect & quiet the fabric is to run it in the dryer on low or medium heat with a damp towel thrown in too. Doing this a few times flexes the fabric much like wearing it does and helps cut down on the noise. This trick also works with stiff fabric items like Maxpedition bags to soften them up.

I am going to give that a go when I return after Thanksgiving-never heard of that, but if it works, perfect!

Came home yesterday and found a USPS package waiting for me. Came pretty quick. Thanks Ray.

Initial Observations
I did a test fitting and found plenty of straps left over. I'm 5"8' and 170lbs and I had the lateral velcro straps all the way in. This could fit some pretty big guys. I didn't load it, so the shoulder straps will be fine tuned later.

I also noticed that the Velco hook side faces out the back between the two halves. I'll have to get some velcro loop to prevent snagging on cloth seats.

The material is pretty light and seems to be well coated with polyurethane? for waterproofing. Yes, it sounds crinkly. I may try Glock-A-Roo's dryer suggestion.

The 4 zippers have nylon strip pulls flat sewn to the metal pulls. I prefer cutting off the metal pulls and using cord, but I can see how the nylon strips avoid being caught on stuff.

The Top pockets have vertical pockets sewn inside. A couple of pen/sharpie/light loops would be nice, but tight fitting clips should keep things in place.

It didn't look that big, but after putting it on, I found it covers pretty much my torso.

Will be going car camping this weekend, so we'll see how it works while I'm driving. Will try to remember to take pics.

Got mine today. 10 days from ordering to recieving, nice!