By Rich Grassi

Taclite Pro Vest. Photo: 5.11 Tactical

When it comes to fashions, apparel or otherwise, I'm not the expert. Just ask my long-suffering bride for confirmation. I tend to go toward clothing that fills a need and at least apparently has some level of durability. When I find something that works, it's hard to get me away from it. Back in the day, as they say, I became aware of the canvas vest made by Banana Republic. Mas Ayoob sang its praises as a practical garment for concealed carry but, just as important, a utilitarian garment. In the same way he described the BDU trousers he wore, the Banana Republic vest was akin to "wearing a file cabinet." I'd gotten a knock off, an extremely stiff and tough garment, then got the item by Banana Republic. I wore it for years. As a spare, I purchased a classic "photojournalist vest" made by Promaster. I was likewise a fan of that garment. Then concealed carry swept the United States. While states fell in line passing "shall issue" permit statutes, the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) started, grew and became one of the really big competition associations. They require the gun be drawn from concealment in matches and there was plenty of concealment vests sold, like those currently made by 5.11 Tactical and Woolrich Elite. From that exposure plus discussion of the vests in magazines and on the internet, the utility vest became known as the "shoot me first" vest. Right. The idea was that a criminal actor would see you wearing a vest with lots of pockets and pick you for targeting first. Maybe. I was a little sympathetic to that rap at first. When it came to cars for our narcotics unit, I preferred mixed fleet, a selection of "non-police" cars. Similarly, I preferred that we minimized a law enforcement signature when in public on duty but in "business casual." That required a cover garment or a deep cover gun. I always wanted my people to blend in. It's the same with apparel. It's better to blend than to shock. Still, there are times you need to pack more gear - travel, certain outings, training classes, police service. The utility/cargo/photo/"Banana Republic" type vest was and is a good solution. But don't "they" all know? Frankly, no. This is an extension of the feeling first-time concealed carry practitioners get that "everyone knows." You'll see them patting themselves down, feeling for the gun to make sure it's still there. When I've worn a canvas utility vest, the only response I've ever gotten was "Going fishing?" and that was rare. The guys who seem to raise the "shoot me first" flag all seem to wear gun industry logo-shirts, mil-style pants and boots even when they're not at a "gun" function. They also tend to drive vehicles with gun industry decals/placards and/or NRA stickers. I think you've given yourself away. The photojournalist vest has, unfortunately and apparently, gone the way of the passenger pigeon. That leaves a few true concealment vests and a few utility vests. A pair of vests I've recently wear tested are from two of the current makers, 5.11 Tactical and Woolrich Elite Series Tactical. The 5.11 Tactical TacLite Pro Vest is made from 6.1 ounce 65% poly/35% cotton ripstop fabric with a Teflon treatment. The multitudinous pockets allow the carry of everything from sunglasses to AR magazines, plus water bottles and other stuff. It's cut long - something many outerwear makers don't get - and it's well stitched and bar tacked.

Woolrich 44903 Elite Vest. Photo: Woolrich Elite Series

The original 5.11 Vest is still made with two layers of 8.5 ounce cotton canvas. For me, it's more comfortable as the Taclite fabric is somewhat stiff. Still the new vest is lighter and much cooler. It's made it's way into my regular rotation. 5.11 now makes a Covert Vest - it has fewer pockets, but the design is more "transparent." I bet it'd be just the thing in a more formally non-permissive environment. The other vest I've been wear testing is the Elite Vest by Woolrich Elite Series Tactical. Made from 8.5 ounce cotton canvas, it's lined with poplin and finished with Teflon fabric protection. The shoulders are reinforced and the collar padded to help shoulder the load. The vest has a zipper front and the front tab is secured with hook-and-loop fastener material. The 5.11 Taclite is available in Khaki and Black. The Woolrich Elite Vest is available in OD, Sage, Khaki, Navy and Black. Both garments are quality manufactured and serve the intended purpose nicely. Currently, these two makers are the only two I know of with multi-pocket utility vests. I'm using them and I'm happy with them. For the range, for travel and for casual concealment, these products aren't the "shoot me first vest" we sometimes make them out to be. For more information: http://www.woolrich.com/ http://www.511tactical.com/