When you’re out hunting, fishing, or hiking, you will need the right equipment to hand so that you can get the job done.
But if you need to bring all of your gear with you, it can be tricky knowing where to store all of this.
Sure, you can opt for an EDC backpack, or a tactical belt, but what if you don’t have room for a backpack? Or your chosen tactical belt doesn’t give you all the capacity that you need?
That is exactly where a tactical vest will come in handy. This is a type of vest that you can wear as you hunt, fish, or hike, and you can attach all of your essential bits of gear to the MOLLE system, or stash them away in the included pouches.
That way you can keep all of your ammo and other items to hand without having to go fishing through a bulky backpack!
But with so many different products on the market, how can you be sure that you’ve found the best tactical vest for your needs?
I’m all too happy to help you in your quest to find the best tactical vest. I’ve done all of the hard work for you so that you don’t have to!
I’ve researched hundreds of different tactical vests and put them through their paces to find the best of the best.
So you can rest assured that the products I’ve covered in more detail down below will be just the thing you’re looking for. Let’s take a look at the best tactical vests!
Tactical Vest Review
vAv YAKEDA Tactical Vest
Out of all the tactical vests that I put to the test, the vAv YAKEDA Tactical Vest easily came out on top.
This particular tactical vest comes with a range of great features that will make it an excellent fit for a variety of applications.
One feature in particular that I liked was the sheer choice when it comes to colors. There are a whopping 9 color combinations to choose from.
A feature that I really liked about this tactical vest when I put it to the test was that it features an adjustable sizing.
You won’t need to worry about finding the right size before you hit purchase. There are adjustable straps on the vest as well as an adjustable belt so that you can change the size as needed.
One of the best things about this tactical vest is how wonderfully versatile it is. It comes with a range of storage pouches for you to use with all your ammo and other gear that you need to carry with you during a hunt.
The tactical vest also comes complete with a MOLLE system so that you can use carabiners to expand on the capacity.
Pros
- Multiple colors – gives you a range of colors to choose from
- Adjustable – you can easily adjust the side straps and shoulder straps
- Multifunction – features a MOLLE system as well as storage pouches
Cons
- Adjustment – it may take some time to adjust the straps to suit your needs
Also Available At
Himal Tactical Vest
Searching for a budget friendly option that won’t break the bank? Then this Himal Tactical Vest is just the thing you need!
This particular tactical vest is available at a more affordable price so that you can combine functionality with usefulness.
All without spending hundreds of dollars on a tactical vest that you will use a handful of times during the hunting season!
Perhaps one of the best things about this tactical vest is that it’s available in 4 different colors. So this gives you more choice in terms of the best tactical vest for your needs.
If you need it for hunting, for example, then you will benefit from the different camo options.
A feature that I really liked about this tactical vest is that it comes with adjustable sizing.
Thanks to the shoulder straps and the belt, you can change the overall fit of the vest to suit your needs. This will make it more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Pros
- Adjustable size – you can easily adjust the sizing via the shoulder straps and the belt
- Several colors – choose between 4 colors to suit your needs
- Highly durable – manufactured using high quality materials
Cons
- Small zippers – some customers found them a tad tricky to use
Also Available At
GLORYFIRE Tactical Vest
Another excellent choice in terms of quality is the GLORYFIRE Tactical Vest. What I really liked about this particular tactical vest is that it’s available in 2 different durable fabrics depending on your needs and budget.
You can get this tactical vest in both 1000D cordura fabric and 600D Oxford fabric.
A feature that I really liked when testing this tactical vest was that it comes with a detachable holster.
So you can easily move the holster to your left or right hip depending on which hand is dominant. This makes it so much easier to use in a pinch!
You won’t have to worry about this tactical vest being too small or too large. It features adjustable sizing so that you can easily adjust it to suit your sizing.
Pros
- Highly durable – manufactured using a high quality 1000D cordura fabric for durability
- Detachable holster – you can easily swap which side it is based on left or right handed shooting
- Adjustable size – use the shoulder and side straps to find your comfortable fit
Cons
- Price varies – depending on the material that you opt for between the 1000D cordura fabric or 600D Oxford fabric
Also Available At
Marmot Tactical Vest
The Marmot Tactical Vest comes with a range of excellent features that will make it a welcome addition on your hunting, fishing, or hiking trip.
For one thing, this tactical vest is highly versatile, so it will be suitable for a range of applications. Not to mention at a budget friendly price!
A feature that I really liked about this tactical vest when I tested it was that it features a breathable mesh fabric.
This makes it more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time, as you don’t have to worry about feeling sweaty when you’re out for hours on the trail or hunting.
I really liked how this tactical vest was lovely and lightweight. This made it easier to wear for longer periods of time as you didn’t have to worry about fatigue.
Pros
- Breathable – features a mesh fabric to be breathable while you walk
- Adjustable sizing – you can easily adjust the sizing via the belt and side straps
- Lightweight – designed to be lightweight while you wear it
Cons
- Adjustment needed – you will need to adjust the tactical vest out of the box
Also Available At
OneTigris Tactical Vest
If it’s quality that you’re looking for, then look no further than the OneTigris Tactical Vest.
This particular tactical vest gives you all the essentials that you need. It has also been manufactured using high quality components, so you won’t need to worry about it ripping, tearing, or generally letting you down when you need it most.
It has been manufactured using 500D cordura nylon to last you for even longer.
What I really liked about this tactical vest when I tested it was that it was super easy to use. It features a buckle closure to make it easier to put on and take off as needed.
It also features an adjustable waist so that you can easily adjust the sizing of the tactical vest to make it more comfortable for you.
Another fantastic feature of this tactical vest is that it comes with a MOLLE system. This makes it super easy to attach other gear or items to your tactical vest using carabiners. So you’ll have plenty of capacity to suit your needs.
Pros
- Multiple colors – available in black, brown, or multicam
- Easy to use – features a buckle closure for ease
- Adjustable – you can easily adjust the waist strap to suit your needs
Cons
- Expensive – one of the pricier tactical vests on my list
Also Available At
Buyer’s Guide
Finding the right tactical vest for your needs can be a real challenge. Especially if you’ve never bought one before!
There are so many different factors that you will need to bear in mind when choosing the best tactical vest for your needs.
Does size matter? Should you opt for a tactical vest that comes with a MOLLE system? How important is your comfort, anyway?
I’m going to cover everything that you need to know about tactical vests in this handy buyer’s guide.
I’ve made sure to include all of the crucial information that you need to find the right tactical vest for your needs.
I also used the below factors to help me select the best tactical vests that I reviewed in more detail up above!
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about tactical vests down below, or skip ahead to the frequently asked questions.
Lightweight
The first feature that you will need to consider is of course whether the tactical vest is lightweight or not.
This will be essential, especially if you’re out for long periods of time. The more lightweight the tactical vest is, the more comfortable it will be to wear for hours on end.
A tactical vest that is heavy will become more of a hindrance than a help.
This is partially why I would suggest avoiding plate carriers instead of tactical vests, as these are naturally heavier because of the bulletproof protection.
Take a look at the materials used to construct the tactical vest. This can often indicate how heavy or lightweight it will be when you wear it.
Ergonomic
When you’re wearing your tactical vest for long periods of time, you will need it to be as ergonomic as possible.
If it’s not ergonomic, it won’t be comfortable to wear. This will then put more strain on your back and hamper your performance during the hunting season.
We’ll cover this in more detail down below when it comes to sizing, but you will need to ensure that your chosen tactical vest features adjustable straps.
This will make it easier to adjust the overall fit of the tactical vest so that it’s comfortable for you, rather than digging in where it shouldn’t be.
If you’re serious about your comfort, it will also be worth seeing if your chosen tactical vest comes with padding.
You may also wish to opt for a breathable fabric if you will be exercising over the period of time that you wear the vest for.
Choice Of Colors
A handy feature to look for will be whether your chosen tactical vest comes in a range of colors. This will give you more choice in terms of style and practicality.
When it comes to hunting, you obviously don’t want a neon bright tactical vest. That’s only going to point out to your prey where you are!
The more colors you have to choose from, the more versatile your chosen tactical vest will be. You can easily opt for a black or camo option, depending on what exactly you need it for.
If your chosen tactical vest only comes in one color, this won’t give you a lot of room for maneuver.
Heavy Duty
You will want your chosen tactical vest to last you for as long as possible. So this means opting for a model that promises to be highly durable and suitable for heavy duty use. The more durable your chosen tactical vest is, the longer it will last you.
Take a look at the materials that have been used to construct the tactical vest. Has it been constructed using high quality materials?
Which fabric has been selected as the main body? Has the tactical vest been designed to be tear resistant?
The more heavy duty your chosen tactical vest is, the longer it will last you.
Size
Getting the right size for your needs is of course a very important factor to consider. If you haven’t got the right size, your tactical vest won’t be of much use to you.
Before you start, you will need to use a fabric tape measure to measure your chest, shoulders, and hips. This will give you a better idea of what the absolute minimum measurement needs to be.
Next, you will need to opt for a tactical vest that meets these sizings. The good news is that the vast majority of tactical vests feature adjustable straps. So you can easily change them to suit your particular fit.
It will be very important to check the fit that you need before you make your purchase. Otherwise you may end up having to buy twice!
Multifunction
Last but not least, you will want a tactical vest that has been designed to be multifunctional.
This will mean opting for a tactical vest that comes with a range of pouches for you to use. A MOLLE system will also be useful, as you can use this to attach extra gear to your tactical vest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Tactical Vest Do The Marines Use?
The marines and the military tend to use Modular Tactical Vests (MTVs), as these have been designed to counter issues that were had with the Interceptor Body Armor (IBA) that was previously worn by recruits.
They may wear anImproved Scalable Plate Carrier (ISPC) or an Improved Modular Tactical Vest (IMTV) depending on the job at hand.
If you’re looking for the best tactical vests, I would suggest opting for one of the great products that I reviewed in more detail above:
- vAv YAKEDA Tactical Vest
- Himal Tactical Vest
- GLORYFIRE Tactical Vest
- Marmot Tactical Vest
- OneTigris Multicam Tactical Vest
What Makes A Good Tactical Vest?
There are several factors that will culminate in making a good tactical vest.
The main things that you will need to look out for include: whether it is lightweight; how ergonomic it is; what colors it is available in; whether it is durable enough for your needs; what sizes are available; whether it adjustable to suit your size; how versatile it is; and how easy it will be to use.
All of these factors will culminate in the best tactical vest for your needs. The more of these features that your tactical vest is able to offer you, the more versatile it will be.
Is A Tactical Vest Better Than A Plate Carrier?
In terms of hunting and other similar endeavors, a tactical vest is going to be much better than a plate carrier.
This is mostly down to the fact that a plate carrier is much heavier than a tactical vest because of its bulletproof properties.
So when you’re out hunting, this will make it a lot heavier to wear, and will tire you out quicker.
A tactical vest on the other hand has been designed to be lightweight while also giving you the functionality that you need.
So this will be much easier to wear while out hunting, hiking, fishing, or camping.
