My old vest finally bit the dust tonight. The zipper broke. It was an inexpensive vest from Bass Pro. Just your standard vest, but it served me well. I never liked the zipper. It was not heavy duty and always seemed to be the weak link.
So, it’s time to put it to rest and get a new vest.
What you all using, how do you like it, what would you change?
Jeff
i dont use a vest.
i use a small chest pack by william joseph ( the mini)
i went minimalist style last year and love it.
its really an awesome pack, that i think everyone should try a chest pack sooner or later!
but if i use a vest its a 30.00 one from like big 5 or something thats tan and i like it alright.
like i said, i only will use it for carrying lots of things for unknown waters.
LL Beans. Traditional looking vest for $89.95.
Mine is your basic run of the mill vest made by crystal river, but like the others I don’t use it much any more, I prefer a wrap around pack on my side that i shift to my back side when casting and pull it around to the front when I need it, I find the vest makes me to hot and I don’t need that much room most times.
Check product reviews. 
simms g3 guide or a william joseph creel for short trips
And where might one find those around here?
I didn’t see any product reviews on the forum, but I could have missed it.
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff , check the main page. Click “Features” on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down and Click “Reviews” , Then click “Product reviews”. Viola you are there. Ta da! Now wasn’t that easy? :shock:
I just purchased a Mustang inflatable vest. It is compact has a few pockets and is very comfortable. I know that a lot of people will find that the number of pockets on it are not enough but for a minimalist like me they are plenty. It runs for $150.00 Canadian Or about $140 US.
My trout vest is a 30 year old offering from LL Bean
It’s had some repairs and it seems a little tighter than it once did 8) but is still in fairly good shape
They sell good quality, no nonsense gear.
Thanks.
wow, that’s buried deep in the site
Jeff
I am not a vest guy. I converted to tech packs years ago. BUT…I field tested the Fusion Vest for WJ and my wife wears a Char Bloom vest. Both of those are outstanding vests if you’re into vests. Char’s does come in colors a guy could wear without having to defend his honor…if you sew a FFF or TU patch over the logo. I did keep the Fusion Vest from WJ and will use it for certain things, especially in the winter. I’ve compared it closely with the Simms G3 vest, etc. and many others. I like it and the Simms the best, and the Char Bloom for a woman.
jeffnles1
Time to go shopping. What a grand excuse to hit the stores 
Also, why not consider adding buttons to the old vest and use it as a backup?
The idea of expanding the scope and looking at vest alternatives might be worth at least partial consideration. Bags, shoulder rigs, waist packs etc. might be worth pondering slightly.
I have several vests but seem to mainly stick with a little shoulder bag. its just too danged hot here to use a vest many times!
_________________
RRhyne56
http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com
http://robinsrumination.blogspot.com
Jeff:
I don’t know your budget or size but Ducksterman has both a vest AND a tackle bag/chest pack for sale on the [url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=2&:574db]Things For Sale[/url:574db] bulletin board.
You may want to take a look…
Wives, how practical :?
My loving wife took one look and said she could sew a new heavy duty zipper on for just a couple dollars. Now I have to find a new excuse to go shopping for a new way to carry my stuff around. I do like the “it’s too hot” excuse and may have to use that oen.
I really don’t carry a lot of stuff with me when I fish.
tippet spools (4X, 5X, 6X) one of each
Medium size fly box
pocket knife
clippers
hemostats
water bottle (fresh drinking water)
polarized sunglasses
clippers
floatant
small AAA size LED flashlight
Nail Knot tool and at least one extra leader
Couple Cigars (not every time, but frequently) and lighter
plastic bag for my own trash and to pick up after others
rain poncho
That’s really about it. At least for me, those things seem to be the requirements. The heaviest thing I carry is the water bottle.
Jeff
You must be a dry fly fisher. That looks like my list.
I mostly fish dry but do not consider myself a purist. Most of my fishing is in warm water for bluegill, smallmouth bass, crappie, etc. I haven’t got the Carp bug yet and have little interest in catching them.
Even when I nymph fish, I’m not a fan of using strike indicators, at least not the big yellow and red ones. I usually tie on a bushy dry fly of suitable size and hang the nymph off of it.
For streamers, I just strip it in and hold on. I’ve never tried streamers for trout yet and most of the fish I’ve caught on them were bass which hit a streamer like a freight train.
Wow, I’ve spent the better part of the last hour reading posts here and on another forum. I better get back to work or I won’t be able to afford new fishing gear.
Jeff
I use a Simm’s guide vest, if i’m carrying a ton of stuff and either a Fishpond waist pack or Orvis chest pack for everything else. I just started using the chest pack and I really like it, but I think I need something with a tad more room.
I have a Columbia synthetic fabric short vest I have been using for about 6 or 7 years now. I like the short vest if wading gets deep and the synthetic fabric versus cotton dries much faster. I don’t even remember where I bought it but I have seen the same thing in the Cabelas catalog. I think it runs about $50 or so. It has served me well.
Bob Widmaier
Patagonia shortie vest since 1993 and recently a Columbia mesh vest.