Been looking around for a vest to wear for survival, and as others had suggested a short fly-fishing vest as not being too long when sitting down seemed doable. However, most with a lot of pockets on the front with velcro closures looked like they would constantly be in way of shoulder belts and sizing for hot or cold a problem. Finally found this one, the Flint Hills, made by Fishpond, at Cabela's. It is fully adjustable to go over light or heavy clothes for all seasons and has breathable net back. Seems well made, although still light weight:



Just got it and looks like it will perform just fine. Ruger SP-101 .357 hides in front pocket in Remora holster.

Space blanket folded in rear compartment, and plenty of other pockets still getting filled with signal and medical gear. $ 90.00

Depending on area I also have carried on self:

* personal EPIRB
* Vertex airband transceiver
* iridium 9600 satphone
* West Marine 5w handheld marine VHF (replaceable AA)
* Strobe

Looks good. I've got an Orvis shorty that's still got the flies and crud in it from my last trip back in the '90s. It might just do for warm weather. It doesn't expand like that one.

One big thing for me was the perfect cross draw angle on the zippered pockets on front. A revolver or medium size auto come out fast, and nothing showing like an external holster on Mil-spec vest.
Two of the pockets on inside are large enough for my Global Star sat. phone. (have old large one).

Hivernan wrote:Been looking around for a vest to wear for survival, and as others had suggested a short fly-fishing vest as not being too long when sitting down seemed doable. However, most with a lot of pockets on the front with velcro closures looked like they would constantly be in way of shoulder belts and sizing for hot or cold a problem. Finally found this one, the Flint Hills, made by Fishpond, at Cabela's. It is fully adjustable to go over light or heavy clothes for all seasons and has breathable net back. Seems well made, although still light weight:



Just got it and looks like it will perform just fine. Ruger SP-101 .357 hides in front pocket in Remora holster.

Space blanket folded in rear compartment, and plenty of other pockets still getting filled with signal and medical gear. $ 90.00

Good idea. When it is comfortable and lightweight, you'll wear it without thinking about it.

This is mine:

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/me/my-photos/4791capnmike/album?albumid=3641

It's also from Cabela's, with more of a mesh top for breathability. Weight is about 5 lbs fully packed, the straps for my inflatable vest go perfectly under the breast pockets and the whole thing is flat enough not to interfere with the flight controls.

HA, just found this:

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/knowle ... vival-vest

Should have known I would not be first to find this type of vest.....

Hivernan wrote:One big thing for me was the perfect cross draw angle on the zippered pockets on front. A revolver or medium size auto come out fast,..... (have old large one).

What? For aliens coming in through the wing root vents? Just Kidding!!! I carry too. That looks like a good deal. I'll stop by over there and check it out.

Perhaps a bit on the extreme side... I have been using one of Uncle Sam's old flight crew vest. (not incl the "stuff") its pretty light and super comfy.



This is how I had it set up when I was exploring AK in the spring. I have paired it back a bit and lightened it up now. It looks super bulky, but I have to say it wasn't bad at all. I had it pretty well stocked with everything I would need for a week or so outside in relative comfort. 44mag under the L arm.

Im working on a new iteration with a new vest w/ less molle (will carry less pouches) but has internal floatation. (of course the kids in class like to tease me.. but I never paid much attention. just having fun)

We still wear a similar design. Very light, airy and efficient!

Hivernan wrote:HA, just found this:

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/knowle ... vival-vest

Should have known I would not be first to find this type of vest.....

YES!! Somebody found something useful in the Knowledge Base!

Zzz wrote:

Hivernan wrote:HA, just found this:

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/knowle ... vival-vest

Should have known I would not be first to find this type of vest.....

YES!! Somebody found something useful in the Knowledge Base!

Shares are increasing in value!

The only thing about the fly fixhing vests is they are made out or polypropylene - very low melting point - trying to stay away from that in case of fire. I've been looking for a mesh back fly fishing vest made out of cotton but can't seem to find one. Then I thought about photographer's vest - some are made of 100% cotton and have larger pockets. Cotton will be more durable, too.

http://www.tamrac.com/products/worldcorrespondentsvest/

http://www.adorama.com/HUVCMBL.html

Fishpond makes another vest of waxed cotton very similar to Flint Hill version, called the Marabou. The tag on the Flint Hills say, 100% nylon, which is going to melt, but if cotton or FR clothes are under it, it won't be sticking to your skin. By time it starts melting, you better be already out or you will have some much more serious problems...

I have had some photographers vests, they are too long when sitting, you will be trying to get your seat belt over them; Marabou is $160, will still burn but won't melt to you. I wear FR clothing when flying my Champ as the fuel tank is right in front of me. Don't have much of a chance....
Having been a firefighter for 31 yrs., I have some experience with outer layers melting, but more layering with FR shirt, pants and undershirt will save you from melt type burns. Face, hands and inhaling hot gases are the killers, Nomex gloves are important accessory also.. Some nice FR jeans, shirts and jackets out there now. I also want all the pockets on the vest with zippers in the case I end up upside down, don't trust velcro to much.

of interest on fabrics:

http://www.resistflamefinishing.com/fla ... abrics.asp

Marabou:

As others have mentioned, there are some pretty inexpensive fly fishing vests that work just fine for this. The main thing is the contents of all those pockets, and the fact that you're wearing it.

I strongly suggest practicing camping out with only what's in your vest. That's the only test that makes sense to me. Sure, bring your regular camping gear for safety's sake, but put yourself in the frame of mind that all you have for the next 24 hours or so is what's in the vest, and tough it out for a night. It's an eye opening experience, and should help with figuring out what you really need in there.

Just a steering Bump, changed email, want to keep notifications to this post..

Oregon180 wrote:As others have mentioned, there are some pretty inexpensive fly fishing vests that work just fine for this. The main thing is the contents of all those pockets, and the fact that you're wearing it.

I strongly suggest practicing camping out with only what's in your vest. That's the only test that makes sense to me. Sure, bring your regular camping gear for safety's sake, but put yourself in the frame of mind that all you have for the next 24 hours or so is what's in the vest, and tough it out for a night. It's an eye opening experience, and should help with figuring out what you really need in there.

True enough, and practicing a night out (in your back yard, in case it gets ugly) is a good plan.

That said, for years I wore survival vests for work while flying, and is gradually carried less and less "stuff" over the years. I realized that while many things are kind of handy in a survival situation, they're really not necessary. Paring down to only the essentials makes wearing a vest much more tolerable, and therefore more likely to be worn.

I consider the basic requirements to be:

A GOOD knife. That is not to say a machete or anything Jim Bowie would be proud of. One of Doug Ritter's bigger folders is my constant companion. And it'll do anything I NEED done. And, it lives clipped to my poket, so not exactly part of vest contents.

Fire starter: I want at least two methods to start a fire. A match safe with lifeboat matches is a good start. A Blastmatch is my second fire starter. A mini torch is my third line if all else fails.

A PLB: Duh.

Shelter: Two industrial grade large trash bags and a good length (25 to 40 feet) of parachute cord works well. I also carry one of the foil type bicycle sacks...tiny ones. The trash bags can provide a roof and wind break and the bivvy sack helps keep me warm.

Signals: A small signal mirror, a couple of small smoke canisters, and a good quality LED flashlight ( bear in mind that a lot of SAR these days is conducted at night). The flashlight obviously has other applications. I'm not a fan of flares...they're too short duration.

A VERY small supply of first aid items. Look, you're not going to perform brain surgery out there....keep it simple.

Bug dope in summer.

A collapsible water container, that folds flat.

That's about it.

And, yes, I've spent several nights out with this sort of kit.

MTV

It's amazing how much smaller PLB's have gotten in the last few years-- so much easier to carry in a vest. The current ACR model is like half the size of the SARLInk model that I carry. I don't carry it on my person like I should, rather just close by in the cockpit. I need to change that. The whole flight to AK, I had it laying on the floor instead of attached to my person. I have no doubt I'd have forgotten it in an attempt to claw my way out of the mangled aircraft.

The current ACR model

I have a ResQLink+™ PLB in the pocket of my flight vest at all times and I don't even know its there. Buoyant and waterproof to 160ft. covers most pretty much everything. I figure if I am 200ft beneath the water my odds of needing a PLB are slim.

I am rethinking my vest while reading this thread. Keep it going.

TD