Hey there my fellow anglers and welcome to my post where I will discuss my three best fishing vests to keep your gear sorted whilst you get amongst them this year. Fishing is definitely one of those pastimes where you can pretty much wear whatever you wish and still have a great time.
However, there are also some advantages to a functional fishing vest with pockets in all the right places making it easier to grab whatever you need whenever you need it. And of course as always there are many different options available with a good variation of features.
So to save you a little time I have had a good look around and come up with 3 options for you below. Let’s check em all out…
My three recommended fishing vests
I will review these in more detail below, but if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:
What are fishing vests?
A fishing vest is a piece if clothing (i.e. a vest) that holds all of the your various fishing equipment and tools. Most come with pockets for smaller items as well as pouches and molle straps for holding tools etc. as well.
Some options will also keep you warm in colder weather and even come with other accessories such as rod holders and wet pockets too.
What should you be looking for?
Below are some of the main factors you should take into account as you shop for a good vest for fishing:
- Materials
- Durability
- Pockets
- Comfort
- Ventilation
- Water-resistance
- Additions
Materials
In most cases, fishing vests are made of from a mixture of fabric combined with mesh or elastic depending on how durable and weatherproof it is supposed to be. Hence, as with most fabrics to do with camping and fishing, the quality of the fabric can be measured by its Denier rating.
This rating is a measurement of the thickness of an individual thread that is typically indicated with a number and letter, such as 300D. Higher rating are good for those looking for warmth and protection from the elements whereas lower options are preferable if you are just looking for something light to hold your gear.
Durability
Durability is something that is related to the fishing vest’s construction quality. Look for well-made, tough, and long-lasting options crafted from high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Options such as solid stitching and waterproof zippers will go a long way here to ensure long-lasting durability.
Pockets
To be honest, to my way of thinking this feature is the reason that would cause you to get yourself a fishing vest in the first place. So in short, a fishing vest should come with a plethora of pockets and storage compartments for storing gear.
First and foremost, the pockets must be large and strong enough to hold all of your gear whilst standing by the water with smaller ones for your personal belongings, such as wallets and keys. Oh, and molle straps allow for easy access to tools as well.
Comfort
Your goal here is to purchase a fishing vest that is comfortable to wear, knowing that you may be wearing it for extended hours. Try to go as lightweight as possible as you will undoubtedly put items in the pockets, and if you choose a vest that is already heavy, you will almost certainly end up with bent shoulders.
Another reasonable consideration is selecting a product with padding under the shoulders and neck for these facilitate added comfort.
Ventilation
Along the lines of previous influence discussed above, the ventilation of the vest is something you might want to keep in mind as far as comfort is concerned. If you’re standing, moving or working in a fishing vest all day, then it will also pay to ensure that the vest you’re considering has adequate ventilation.
Make sure it’s not too figure-hugging and has plenty of breathing room and look for mesh straps and webbing on the back.
Water-resistance
Look for a fishing vest that can repel water. Although they are generally not waterproof as such, it is still worthwhile looking into options that have added a lining in their pockets to help withstand water splashes and protect the items inside from the elements.
Anything that states water resistance and a good Denier rating should suit here.
Additions
Other considerations include:
- Hydration pocket – Some products include a hydration bladder located at the back. This provides drinking water whilst you are out on the beach or on the water. Keep in mind however that this feature does come with a trade-off in terms of being lightweight.
- Buckles – These items are helpful in order to fit the vest to your body perfectly.
- Rod holder – This component usually comes in the form of loops and aids in keeping your rod in place as you bait your hook.
My three recommendations broken down
So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:
1. Flygo Mens Fishing Vest
This first product is a versatile outdoor vest that you can use in a wide range of outdoor activities, especially fishing. It has excellent breathability and comes with 16 pockets that you can utilize to store any fishing item you may need. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Flygo
- Material: 35% cotton + 65% polyester with Nylon taslon and mesh
- Dimensions: XS – XXL
- Weight: 1 pound
- Pockets: 16
Other inclusions:
- Large back pocket and internal zipped pockets
- Durable zippers
- Water resistant pockets
- D-Ring on front
Why have I chosen it?
If you are looking for an affordable fishing vest, then this product may just suit. The sixteen pockets are well-placed and it is built for breathability for warm weather as well. A great option for any type of fishing.
2. BASSDASH Strap Fishing Vest
This next vest is suitable for both men and women and will work well for all types of angling including Bass, fly and beach fishing too. It is made from premium fast drying and breathable material for greater comfort when fishing. See its specifications below:
- Brand: BASSDASH
- Material: Premium polyester
- Dimensions: S – XL
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Pockets: 18
Other inclusions:
- D-rings loops on all pockets
- Padded air mesh shoulder straps
- Strobe holder
- Knife lash tab
Why have I chosen it?
This fishing vest is well-equipped not only with pockets but with other useful features to help you be on top of any situation during your fishing trips. Fully adjustable, padded mesh shoulder straps provide unrivaled ventilation and breathability with 18 pockets of various sizes, keeping your gear organized and secure.
3. Allen Company Big Horn Fishing Vest
The last product is an exceptional fishing vest with great durability, adjustable length and 14 useful pockets. It is again suitable for all fishing types with extra holders for fly fishing lures as well. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Allen Company
- Material: Polyethylene material and mesh
- Dimensions: 19 x 11 x 2 inches
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
- Pockets: 14
Other inclusions:
- Exterior D-rings for accessories
- Adjustable padded shoulder and waist
- Dual zip-down work stations with fly patches
- Hemostat docking station
Why have I chosen it?
This product provides both functionality and comfort as it is lightweight with fully adjustable sides and shoulders. The 14 pockets account for all required gear and the cool mesh lining also provides breathable comfort, which is essential when spending hours with a line in the water.
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4.5
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4.5
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5.0
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$38.98
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Conclusion
And there they are, my three best fishing vests to keep your gear sorted this year. I hope it was helpful and as usual, please let me know of your experiences with them below.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time
Have fun
Paul
