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Updated
The fabrics, pocket design and trim found on fishing vests have been upgraded since the first one was created in the 1930s, but the basic concept remains the same. The vest is essentially a sleeveless shirt without tails, made of stronger, water-resistant fabric that houses pockets and a zippered pouch in the back to hold a day’s fishing supplies within reach.
So how do you choose the best design, fabric type and other options for your fishing style?
Name | Average price | Material | Water-resistant? | Number of pockets | Purchase |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Filson Foul Weather Fly-Fishing Vest | $250 | Cotton oil-finished cover cloth | Yes | 11 | Shop at Moosejaw |
Orvis Pro Vest | $200 | Abrasion-resistant nylon | Yes | 18 | Shop at Orvis |
Simms Guide Vest | $180 | Nylon finish with polyester mesh lining | Yes | 26 | Shop at Backcountry |
Fishpond Gore Range Tech Pack | $150 | Cyclepond fabric, mesh back | No | 17 | Shop at Amazon |
Fishpond Muchacha Women’s Tech Vest | $140 | Cyclepond fabric, mesh back, fleece-lined pockets | No | 13 | Shop at Amazon |
Columbia Sportswear Henry’s Fork Vest | $90 | Polyester | Yes | 12 | Shop at Amazon |
Fishing vests are available in two basic lengths: the standard and what’s known as the shorty. The standard-length fishing vest hangs down near your waist, and the shorty rides about four inches or so above your belt line.
The shorter length allows you to wade a little deeper without soaking the bottom of your vest, but it also means that you’ll have slightly less storage room for supplies.
When shopping for a fishing vest, you’ll notice that the number and placement of pockets, zippers and other closures vary wildly across models.
Most vests have multiple pockets on the inside and outside. Some are large enough to hold fly boxes, while other smaller ones are designed to house tippet spools and split shot containers. Other pockets can hide built-in retractors for nippers and small pliers. While zippered pockets are still used, a number of vest manufacturers have switched to Velcro, magnetic or button closures.
Pocket design and closures are a matter of personal preference. Some anglers believe that the YKK zipper is superior to others. It’s a popular choice for zippered vests.
Loops and D-rings to hang gadgets on are often a deciding factor when choosing between one vest or another. Tippet spools, stream thermometers, small tools, fly floatant, fly patches, sunglasses and fishing license holders are just some items that you’ll likely want to attach to your vest while fly-fishing.
The rod holder loop used to be standard on all vests but some manufacturers omit them now. Some seasoned anglers believe that newer fishermen don’t understand the loop’s purpose, which might be why some brands have decided to do away with it.
The rod holder loop is usually located in the lower right of the front of the vest. You can place the butt of your rod into the loop, lay the rod up and across your chest area and rest the rod across the inside of your left elbow. Your hands are then free to tie extra tippet, flies, etc. on the line without having to set your rod down.
If you purchase a vest without this loop, you can make your own and sew it on yourself at home.
Perhaps more so than any other piece of fly-fishing gear, vests offer almost too much variety in design, features and brands. To help you narrow down your search, consider these main features when shopping:
While the traditional fishing vest continues to be a favorite among many fishermen, it now has competition from other types of convenient storage wearables.
Narrow down your search for a fishing vest by paying close attention to the available materials, features and options. Check out our top picks for a side-by-side comparison of some of the most popular vests out there.
Ready to buy? Compare top fishing vests
Now that you have the perfect vest, find fly-fishing wader options.
We considered the price, type, material, brand and overall features of each product to create our list of the best fishing vests. We also took into consideration our personal experiences with some of these products, as well as third-party online reviews.
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