[Mike Barrio]

I've had my vest for a while, I can't remember when I got it exactly, but it was from Sloans tackle shop and I reckon around the mid 90s.

The vest has served me well, and continues to do so    but I do sometimes wonder if I should tidy myself up and get something more modern.

I did do a bit of searching today, which I found to be quite lacking in choices. I explored a few vests, chest packs and slings from the better known brands, but most seem quite bulky to me, with too much to get in the way.

The only one that perhaps peaked my interest was the Fishpond Flint Hills Vest, as it doesn't appear to have bulging pockets ....... but I'm really not convinced that I need this spend, when old faithful is doing the job just fine.

Interestingly, I've realised that the prime purpose of my vest - is to hang my net off the D-ring on the back.

What are you wearing, or using, to carry your gear?

[John Wastle]

I am using a 20 year old Simms Guide vest which is a fantastic bit of kit. Although the pockets are semi rigid it's doesn't feel bulky to wear. Exchange rates were favourable back then. The current equivalent is a bit eye watering in price.

The Simms was always my salmon fishing vest. I had a lightweight Hardy vest for trout fishing. That died a death a couple of seasons ago and I haven't found a decent replacement, hence the repurposing of the Simms. I would agree the choices out there aren't great. Interested to see what comes up here.

[Mike Barrio]

I did see a Simms Guide vest John, they look quite practical.

I'm actually wondering if a small backpack might suit me better, I have plenty of pocket space in my jackets for fly boxes etc, and a backpack might prove handier for things like a flask and sandwiches ( coffee is an important part of my fishing ) A small backpack with a D-ring for a net might actually work well for me.

[John Wastle]

Mike,

I use a "ruckvest" (backpack with vest style front pouches) for longer days out where I want to carry a bit more gear, lunch, flask,  jacket etc. Mine is a Leeda Volaire. A great bit of kit and the pouches are removable.  I quite often use it without the pouches with a fly box and tippet in my jacket.  It was cheap as chips but unfortunately no longer available. There are others out there.

I have thought about a sling pack as an alternative to my lightweight river vest but have no experience of these.

[Michael Kearney]

I use a vest from US company Filson, they don't show it on their current website so they must have ceased production. It was  greener when new, however the bright sun in Tasmania and New Zealand has bleached much of the original colour. I'm quite hard on my gear as my fishing regularly involves grovelling down banks and  spending time on my hands and knees to get into range of wary specimens. My preference is for canvas and heavy cotton over synthetic fibres as these seem to have more give in them and can take a fair bit of misuse.
I wear a wide-brimmed Tilley hat also in green and made from hemp. I don't wear baseball-style hats as they leave the top of my ears exposed to the sun.

[Mike Barrio]

Nice one Michael, Filson make/made a good vest    my Snowbee vest is a similar style.

I'm currently 'wearing in' a new Tilley.

[Mike Barrio]

I have thought about a sling pack as an alternative to my lightweight river vest but have no experience of these.

Me neither John, but I think Sandy uses one, maybe he will pipe in with some feedback.

[Keith Potter]

Mostly use a backpack these days when fishing as means I can take a flask and food with me as tend to be out all day covering various hill lochs.

If I’m only going out for a few casts or onto the river I have a cheapish waist pack thing that I use that easily holds everything I need plus my net attaches to it. Not used a vest in a few years and don’t really miss it.

[Eddie Sinclair]

I have a Simms guide vest, however I only use it if I am carrying more stuff than I can carry in a wading jacket and waders pocket. Never need it salmon fishing but usually when fishing for trout in hill lochs as I carry more stuff when I walk in than I would fishing close to the car.

Cheers,

Eddie

[Sandy Nelson]

I have had numerous vests over the years and keep looking for a better simpler solution. (Which means there are a few hanging in my cupboard from an early Sage one (which is full of nostalgia) an Orvis and a simms. The issue was hanging nets on a D ring gives me sore shoulders
I moved into sling packs and have tried several of those too, the Orvis one has been my preferred option as it has the pockets on the right side for bottles etc.  and a slot for a net to sit in. I did manage to hurt my back falling in with a sling pack and my wooden net in its slot  so it’s no longer my first choice unless I’m away for a long day.
last season however I scaled back to a neck lanyard with a Wheatley box pouch at the front and a single fly box.  I got a lighter weight net too and the whole thing balances around  my shoulders without any perceived weight. I love it .
My waders have internal pockets which are big enough for a sandwich and a bottle of water so for most of my targeted (3-4hr) fishing trips this is how I roll

[Mike Barrio]

This is really interesting stuff, it's great to see what preferences you all have 

[Allan Liddle]

I work with a Patagonia with a mesh back, nice and cool, lightweight, carries all i need and a big pocket in the back for my jacket (i hate wearing a jacket when fishing unless it's really peeing down). 

[John Wastle]

That's an interesting set up Sandy. I never considered hanging a net from my lanyard. Something to think about for short sessions.

[Sandy Nelson]

I’ve got a large macleans fixed head net without the weigh scale. It’s very light. You can see the magnet on the back of the strap. The centre clip on the fwd side can be attached to the top of your waders which seems to off load it completely.

[Graham Nicol]

I used to only use waistcoats but got fed up with the pockets filling up with water when wading deep. I also found I was carrying too much junk in the pockets resulting in sore shoulders by the end of the day. So I now use a Fishpond chest pack and love it. It sits much higher up and so hardly ever gets wet and if so the water does not get inside it. Being compact it disciplines me to carry only what I need. The net hangs off a loop on the back and the whole pack is easily adjusted height wise. I am a convert

[Mike Barrio]

Like Sandy's post, it's great to read different preferences Graham 

My curiosity has been piqued by chest packs before, but I've never tried one. ( one to look out for next time I'm in a tackle shop perhaps. )

[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

I have also gone through a range of vests and packs over the years.  Eventually concluded there isn't really one perfect set up.

Started out using a standard vest, still have a sims one I use occasionally. Great for a day on the river but not enough capacitiy for a day in the hills. Then I tried one of the airflo vest packs, copy of one of the fish pond pack. Initially I though it was great but the zip would stay up, so quickly became a pain in the arse. Next up was an Orvis vest pack which was pretty good, but it still lacked a little capacity for a day in the hills.

I then came across an American backpack and small chest pack combo that has plenty capacity in the backpack. While the chest pack is small i still found it got in the way when walking around the place. But I still use the Chect pack when fishing frm a float tube.

When in Canada a few years ago I picked up a Patagonia vest pack combo, again this lacks a little capacity for a big day in the hills. But is does take a hydration bladder which is very handy. This has now largely replaced my standard vest.

I have briefly flirted with an Orvis sling pack, but haven't really gotten on with it.

Last year I landed on a soloution which, so far, seems ideal for a day in the hills. It is not too bad for a day on the river.  This is more of a system and it comprises three items:
Loop Dry Tactical Backpack 15L
Patagonia Stealth Work Station
Fulling Mill Fly Patch

The backpack is big enough to carry everything for a day in the hill. With a couple of webbing clips the Work Station can be attached to the panel on the backpack. The work station easily hold tippet , leaders and a box or two. The arangment of the straps on the backpack allow you to swing it around like a sling pack to access the work station without taking it off completely. You won't be doing that whilt wading, but is is handy enough.  You can also keep a working selection of flies in the flypatch for quick changes on the hoof. There are a couple of handy pocket on the hip strap of the backpack also have a wee pocket each which are handy for floatant, sinkant etc. The shoulder straps have a good number of loops and tabs to connect other accessories to.

[Kevin McPherson]

This has been mine since my return to fishing having previously been into the waistcoat style which I now find too long and far too many pockets  ,  I love the simplicity of this one  just enough room for fly box tippets and the usual leader assortments sturdy ring on back for attaching net , and it wasn’t expensive, so was disappointed to find Airflo have discontinued it 😩 so no idea where I’ll go when this one packs in ,  I had considered the centre mounted ones but concerned on seeing fully while I scramble in and out the river 🤔

[Mike Barrio]

I have also gone through a range of vests and packs over the years.  Eventually concluded there isn't really one perfect set up.

I would agree with that, I think it's just a case of finding what works best for you.

[Mike Barrio]

I love the simplicity of this one

Yes, that looks like something that I could use, nice and simple without too much clutter.