Looking for a lower-cost IDPA vest

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for a lower-cost IDPA vest

Posted: 3/31/2015 2:47:31 PM EDT

I'm a complete IDPA newb - just shot my first a couple weeks ago.

I'm looking at vests on Amazon and can't seem to find anything other than overpriced (IMO) 5.11, Columbia, etc. vests. Anyone out there have a line on something a little more humble that would work well enough? I'd even settle for someone selling me on why I need to spend $60+for a garment that contains less material than I get in a shirt or jacket.

I see tier 1 operators on other forums spending $75 (Duluth Trading), $250 (Filson), up to $300+!! (King of the Mountain)....I just want a vest that barely meets the IDPA criteria.

Thanks.

Posted: 3/31/2015 4:45:00 PM EDT

[#1]

Bass Pro Shops has a $30 vest. Red Head brand.

It is thin/light so you have to be a bit more dedicated when you sweep it out of the way. It is also not "tactical" length so you need to be sure you can pass the scarecrow test without hiking your pants to your chin.

I have been using it for 3 or 4 years but admit I would like to have a stiffer and slightly longer vest.

Posted: 3/31/2015 9:44:46 PM EDT

[#2]

Kmart or walmart.

Thrift store.

Sportsman's guide.

Posted: 3/31/2015 9:46:21 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Bass Pro Shops has a $30 vest. Red Head brand.

It is thin/light so you have to be a bit more dedicated when you sweep it out of the way. It is also not "tactical" length so you need to be sure you can pass the scarecrow test without hiking your pants to your chin.

I have been using it for 3 or 4 years but admit I would like to have a stiffer and slightly longer vest.

View Quote

Could always sew in a nylon zip tie, like ive seen some gamers do. Dont think it is legal though.

Posted: 4/1/2015 10:11:49 AM EDT

[#4]

Seen one guy just cut the sleeves off a BDU blouse. I was "why didn't I think of that" then I remembered all of mine shrunk in the closet over the years. I bought a fishing vest with the 100 pockets that works ok. It is hot sometimes, but I do like all the extra pockets. Over 90 degrees and our local match waives the concealment rule anyway.

Posted: 4/1/2015 10:39:24 AM EDT

[#5]

Do it with style. Go to your local Goodwill/second-hand store and get a old/ugly sport coat with leather patches on the elbows. Get one a jacket size larger than normal for free movement and show them how to shoot IDPA in style.

Posted: 4/1/2015 1:45:26 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

Do it with style. Go to your local Goodwill/second-hand store and get a old/ugly sport coat with leather patches on the elbows. Get one a jacket size larger than normal for free movement and show them how to shoot IDPA in style.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USYgNSbHFZ0/TjwwL2nNPJI/AAAAAAAAHns/5BGo7jGCsP4/s1600/Shetland+back.jpg

View Quote

Ha, that's a good idea

Posted: 4/1/2015 1:45:52 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:

Kmart or walmart.
Thrift store.
Sportsman's guide.

View Quote

I rarely go to brick-and-mortar stores these days - I didn't really
think they would have vests like that but I'll swing by a [shudder]
Walmart and check it out sometime.
Also, Kmart still exists??

ETA: Well look what we have here....thanks for the tip: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-concealment-vest?a=977330

Posted: 4/2/2015 10:28:17 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
I rarely go to brick-and-mortar stores these days - I didn't really think they would have vests like that but I'll swing by a [shudder] Walmart and check it out sometime.

Also, Kmart still exists??

ETA: Well look what we have here....thanks for the tip: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-concealment-vest?a=977330

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Kmart or walmart.

Thrift store.

Sportsman's guide.

I rarely go to brick-and-mortar stores these days - I didn't really think they would have vests like that but I'll swing by a [shudder] Walmart and check it out sometime.

Also, Kmart still exists??

ETA: Well look what we have here....thanks for the tip: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-concealment-vest?a=977330

The Guide vest - The pockets are all zippers. While this is OK for normal wear, you want something larger with flaps you can tuck in the top of the pocket. This makes it easier to do a reload with retention.

Posted: 4/2/2015 12:58:03 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

The Guide vest - The pockets are all zippers. While this is OK for normal wear, you want something larger with flaps you can tuck in the top of the pocket. This makes it easier to do a reload with retention.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

The Guide vest - The pockets are all zippers. While this is OK for normal wear, you want something larger with flaps you can tuck in the top of the pocket. This makes it easier to do a reload with retention.

Makes sense.

Posted: 4/7/2015 10:37:16 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Kmart or walmart.

Thrift store.

Sportsman's guide.

View Quote

That gives me an idea...

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/walmart-vest

Posted: 4/8/2015 5:04:32 PM EDT

[#11]

got mine from Ebay

Posted: 5/17/2015 9:51:44 PM EDT

[#12]

http://www.lapolicegear.com/woolrich-44903-elite-vest.html

What I use.

Posted: 5/19/2015 9:12:11 AM EDT

[#13]

http://www.511tactical.com/range-vest-189042.html

The Khaki is on sale at the moment.

Posted: 5/30/2015 5:49:52 PM EDT

[#14]

I sport a cut off Denim Levi Jacket that is about 2 sizes too large. Cost me $5 at thrift store.

I don't shoot a ton of IDPA but it works. I usually shoot USPSA unless my Sunday is tied up and I'm free on Saturday. I'd rather shoot than not shoot.

Posted: 6/5/2015 4:05:55 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Do it with style. Go to your local Goodwill/second-hand store and get a old/ugly sport coat with leather patches on the elbows. Get one a jacket size larger than normal for free movement and show them how to shoot IDPA in style.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USYgNSbHFZ0/TjwwL2nNPJI/AAAAAAAAHns/5BGo7jGCsP4/s1600/Shetland+back.jpg

View Quote

IDPA Bond Style?

Posted: 7/8/2015 12:04:58 AM EDT

[#16]

Is a vest required? I was planning to go to my first match wearing the same thing I wear to conceal in real life - Hawaiian shirt. It passes the scarecrow test.

Posted: 7/9/2015 5:53:17 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

Is a vest required? I was planning to go to my first match wearing the same thing I wear to conceal in real life - Hawaiian shirt. It passes the scarecrow test.

View Quote

That's all that matters. The heavier vests have come into favor over time because their stiff, pocket covered fronts are quick and easy to swipe back for the draw without getting hung up on your holster and gear, but any garment that conceals your gun and mags is legal to play.

Posted: 7/12/2015 12:15:55 PM EDT

[#18]

Look at Cabela's Safari Series vest. Comes in green, tan and camo. It was recently on sale for $45 and works great.

Posted: 7/28/2015 9:38:40 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

Is a vest required? I was planning to go to my first match wearing the same thing I wear to conceal in real life - Hawaiian shirt. It passes the scarecrow test.

View Quote

Hawaiian shirts and IWB holsters still work great.

Posted: 7/31/2015 10:38:28 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Is a vest required? I was planning to go to my first match wearing the same thing I wear to conceal in real life - Hawaiian shirt. It passes the scarecrow test.

View Quote

The first four years I shot IDPA, I exclusively used an IWB holster and a camp shirt, tshirt, hoodie or sweatshirt for concealment. I still shoot some local matches like this on occasion.

It would be like IDPA to ban things people actually use for CCW from being used in competition though.

Posted: 2/26/2016 4:59:43 PM EDT

[#21]

What's the "scarecrow test"? There's an IDPA match coming up this Sunday and it will be my first. I have an OWB holster.

Posted: 2/26/2016 5:35:23 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

What's the "scarecrow test"? There's an IDPA match coming up this Sunday and it will be my first. I have an OWB holster.

View Quote

Put on your holster, mag pouches, pistol, and concealment garment, stand straight and raise your arms so they are perpendicular to your body and parallel to the ground (so you look like a scarecrow).

In that stance, all parts of your gun and gear must remain concealed. It will raise the lower edge of your vest/coat a bit more than it sits at the relaxed, arms down position.

Posted: 2/26/2016 7:25:48 PM EDT

[#23]

Also, I've never seen anybody bother with that for local matches.

Posted: 2/26/2016 9:10:20 PM EDT

[#24]

I've never been Scarecrow checked at any local match. I tend to use cover garmets that I would use in "real life". Untucked T-Shirt or a button up shirt with a T-Shirt under it tucked in.

Posted: 2/26/2016 9:30:52 PM EDT

[#25]

I wear a button up shirt from walmart in the summer..Hawaiian style! covers the gun, is cool vests are heavy and hot

Posted: 3/9/2016 10:09:30 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
Seen one guy just cut the sleeves off a BDU blouse. I was "why didn't I think of that" then I remembered all of mine shrunk in the closet over the years. I bought a fishing vest with the 100 pockets that works ok. It is hot sometimes, but I do like all the extra pockets. Over 90 degrees and our local match waives the concealment rule anyway.

View Quote

This is what I've done. It looks a little odd, but who cares.

Posted: 3/10/2016 1:47:00 AM EDT

[#27]

No more weird than a giant "concealed carry" vest.

Posted: 3/10/2016 1:53:30 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Do it with style. Go to your local Goodwill/second-hand store and get a old/ugly sport coat with leather patches on the elbows. Get one a jacket size larger than normal for free movement and show them how to shoot IDPA in style.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USYgNSbHFZ0/TjwwL2nNPJI/AAAAAAAAHns/5BGo7jGCsP4/s1600/Shetland+back.jpg

View Quote

I'm doing this...except cutting the sleeves off

Posted: 3/13/2016 5:43:08 PM EDT

[#29]

I use a T shirt.

Posted: 5/25/2016 5:32:59 PM EDT

[#30]

Go to Ebay, or Amazon and do a search for cargo vest, there are choices for less than $30

Posted: 5/25/2016 5:54:47 PM EDT

[#31]

I wear an $11 dollar short sleeve button up shirt from Wal Mart

Posted: 5/26/2016 9:41:20 AM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wear an $11 dollar short sleeve button up shirt from Wal Mart

View Quote

Tend to be too light and loose. You'll probably need something that's a little ridged and weighty for consistency's sake.

If you have pockets throwing something a little heavy in them for maximum swing-outta-the-way helps too.

Posted: 5/26/2016 10:50:09 AM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
Seen one guy just cut the sleeves off a BDU blouse. I was "why didn't I think of that" then I remembered all of mine shrunk in the closet over the years. I bought a fishing vest with the 100 pockets that works ok. It is hot sometimes, but I do like all the extra pockets. Over 90 degrees and our local match waives the concealment rule anyway.

View Quote

lol, I can relate......no use for small extra short BDU tops. I made the mistake of grabbing an old BDU set for pool drown proofing training where you take your clothes off in the pool and make floats out of them. You ever try to take a wet undersized shirt off while treading water. Monkey fornicating a football.

Posted: 6/13/2016 12:10:46 AM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wear a button up shirt from walmart in the summer..Hawaiian style! covers the gun, is cool vests are heavy and hot

View Quote

I've been shooting IDPA for years.

EOTAC is the standard.

Lately I've been doing the relaxed button down shirt over a tshirt.

link to cheap EOTAC vest...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EOTAC-Operator-Grade-Vest-Mens-large-L-Beige-Pockets-Pouches-Photography-/201597472881?hash=item2ef0255071

.

Posted: 6/21/2016 4:07:20 PM EDT

[#35]

I just wear an unbuttoned collared shirt. Its not a fashion show. I may have even worn a blaze orange hunting vest.

Posted: 6/22/2016 6:07:31 PM EDT

[#36]

You should totally show up in one of these:

Posted: 6/22/2016 6:47:55 PM EDT

[#37]

I just use a T-shirt and an IWB holster. Works great when concealment is required, and I can tuck the shirt in if concealment is not required. Also matches my EDC.

Posted: 6/25/2016 3:40:56 AM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
You should totally show up in one of these:

http://www.boomspeak.com/fiction_pix/walmartgreet1.jpg

View Quote

Dude...

I'm absolutely getting one of those...

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for a lower-cost IDPA vest

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