Safari vest

[Hunter4752001]

I've been interested in getting a safari vest, preferably in green. What I had in mind was something like the Boyt Harness safari vest or the Tag Safari hunter vest. Lightweight cotton, no right hand upper pocket etc.

Unfortunately both of those products are discontinued. The alternatives are the so called safari/photographer vests, way too heavy and full of hardware designed frustrate shouldering a rifle.

Any one know of a source of a better alternative? ps no camo due to restrictions in some african countries.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I use a Cabela’s. It does have lots of outside and inside pockets which I fill and use while flying (papers, keys to guncase, money, cell phone & charger, etc), then empty them once I arrive at camp. I really like being able to use it for both. When going thru security checks it is easy to take off and the pockets are fairly secure so things don’t fall out. Once I’m in camp, I lock papers (in Magpul folders), etc up in my guncase. A side pocket is convenient to carry a bottle of water and a small roll of TP in.
It only has cartridge loops for 2 cartridges, but I carry them on a belt anyway.

Good luck finding what works for you!

 

[Shootist43]

I use my 5.11 Tactical Vest, it has worked well on two safaris. Lots of pockets and nothing that hindered shouldering a rifle.

 

[southern_fowler]

I use my 5.11 Tactical Vest, it has worked well on two safaris. Lots of pockets and nothing that hindered shouldering a rifle.

Same here, It works really well. I keep first aid stuff in the mag pouches and the other pockets get flashlight with batteries and any other stuff I might need and it’s always on me. Plus two water bottles in the pockets at 4 and 8 o’clock position.

 

[Art Lambart II]

I used a Cabelas vest for my two safaris and it worked out great. Like Ridgewalker I wear mine on the plane for carrying all of my small misc. travel items. I also like the vest from Duluth Trading Company.

 

[Rob404]

Try E-Bay I bought a used Columbia GRT for cheap money

 

[AB2506]

I believe Cabelas has discontinued their Safari line of clothing, including vests.

 

[Red Leg]

Gander Mountain made a really good cotton vest for African hunting. I am wearing mine in my avatar. They are long since discontinued, but pop on eBay occasionally. I can testify that the shell holders work perfectly for .375 class ammunition.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gander-Mountain-Guide-Series-Mens-Vest-Size-XL-Hunting-Fishing-Outdoor-A1209/163425459590?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=b346700fd8f74796952e073948bcda97&pid=100675&rk=1&rkt=15&sd=163425459590&itm=163425459590&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:29e642fd-363a-11e9-a4ca-74dbd1805eb4|parentrq:12a397fa1690ac3c163db924fffbb44d|iid:1
This XL is on there now for $23 and change.

 

[meigsbucks]

I use a Cabela’s. It does have lots of outside and inside pockets which I fill and use while flying (papers, keys to guncase, money, cell phone & charger, etc), then empty them once I arrive at camp. I really like being able to use it for both. When going thru security checks it is easy to take off and the pockets are fairly secure so things don’t fall out. Once I’m in camp, I lock papers (in Magpul folders), etc up in my guncase. A side pocket is convenient to carry a bottle of water and a small roll of TP in.
It only has cartridge loops for 2 cartridges, but I carry them on a belt anyway.

Good luck finding what works for you!

This is what I’ve used for travel on both of my safaris. Worked great, just as Ridgewalker and Art described. During the hunt, I prefer a daypack, but the vest would work well.

 

[Custom]

Everyone is discontinuing safari gear! Unfortunately, I am afraid I know what this says about us. I have a couple of these vests. The one in my avatar is a Filson. Top quality, but sadly discontinued. I also bought a Boddington vest from Schnee's which I like and it is still in production. The only other I am aware of currently produced is from Avedon & Colby. Neither are cheap, but both a high quality. If you really want a dedicated safari vest, better buy one now.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Duluth Trading Company currently makes a nice vest out of their Firehose Flex material. It doesn't have any shell loops but neither does my Cabelas Safari vest.

 

[JakeH]

Duluth Trading Company currently makes a nice vest out of their Firehose Flex material. It doesn't have any shell loops but neither does my Cabelas Safari vest.

Shouldn’t be too hard to have them added on to a vest if you really want them, though.

 

[MAdcox]

Its not a "safari" vest, but I used my Filson Mackinaw. It is thin enough to wear under a sweater or light jacket in the morning, lots of pockets, comfortable. I have three of them and use them to layer up whether I'm hunting or working horseback.

 

[Nyati]

In Europe we can get them from Decathlon, a large sporting goods stores chain.

I have one in green and another in tan, quite cheap, but no ammo loops.

 

[Deleted member 11879]

Here’s a few options

https://www.thesafaristore.com/en/products/rufiji-maratechandtrade-multi-pocket-safari-gilet

http://estore.beretta.com/en-eu/beretta-m-s-hunting-vest-10pkt/gu762t1088/



https://www.walkabout.com/collectio...i-mens-vest-made-in-africa-100-cotton-quality

https://schnees.com/boddington-safari-vest/



https://www.tagsafari.com/livingstone-safari-vest-for-men-3886.html

Here’s the Boyt vest in green in every size: http://www.americanequipage.com/boytharnesssafarivest-sa500.aspx

 

[curtism1234]

Columbia had a nice very light weight vest with lots of pockets

 

[BeeMaa]

One thing I look for in a Safari Vest is buttons being used, not zippers and velcro.
Reason being is the noise created by the zippers and velcro.
It's a little thing, but the little things add up and can make a difference.

 

[curtism1234]

One thing I look for in a Safari Vest is buttons being used, not zippers and velcro.
Reason being is the noise created by the zippers and velcro.
It's a little thing, but the little things add up and can make a difference.

The only problem with buttons on your pockets is there is room for little things to still fall out.

If you very slowly unzip, zippers are virtually silent.

 

[BeeMaa]

The only problem with buttons on your pockets is there is room for little things to still fall out.

If you very slowly unzip, zippers are virtually silent.

Agreed, there is no free lunch.
And plastic zippers are much more quiet than metal, but give up durability in doing so.

One thing I can't stand is the metal snaps, the metal rings on the inside constantly rattle even when snapped.
Also, there is no slow opening of velcro to make it quiet.

I'm trying to convince my neighbor to sew magnets into the cloth of my vest to make them quick, secure and quiet.
I'll post pics if she takes on the project, but still this is a compromise.

We all make a compromise, it's up to each individual to make their own decision on where to do so.
I'm sticking with buttons when I can.
Buying a quality product to begin with is also a good start.

 

[Rob404]

Whats your size I have a New Gander Mountain I never wore