Suggested Concealment Vests for IDPA?

[radioflyer]

For the past year, I've shot at various practice IDPA events that didn't require concealment. After improving both my skills and understanding stratagy, I'd like to try an actual match.

The only issue is that the vest I bought a years ago (when i was in my Neo-Matrix halloween costume phase) isn't long enough to provide good concealment.

I'm looking for a lightweight concealment vest. So far 5.11 tactical is the only one i've seen that fits the bill but they're a little pricey. Any other suggestions before I bust out the hawaiian shirts? :D

[Jeff22]

Here are some other options. I use various kinds of vests to hide my off duty gun all the time. I have a 5.11 vest that I got for cheap that I use specifically for practicing from concealment but I NEVER actually use it for that purpose on the street because I don't like the way the external pockets are arranged. Some of these selections may cost more than you want to spend . . .

www.campco.com (Humvee photojournalist vest)

www.filson.com (travel vest)

www.orvis.com (LOTS of nice vests to choose from)

www.woolrichelite.com (the lightweight discreet carry vest)

www.columbia.com (Omni Dry Venture II vest,)

www.bratwear.com (Shooter's vest)

www.concealedcarryclothiers.com

www.travelsmith.com (voyager vest)

www.duluthtrading.com (many choices)

[lashlaroe]

That's a good question and Jeff22 provided some great links. I personally like the Voyager Vest at TravelSmith and a couple from Duluth Trading Co. Mostly because I've limited funds.

For just match shooting use, there's an inexpensive option at: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=467706

Tact Gear(R) vest

[WESHOOT2]

Suggest a cover garment you wear in real life.

[FM12]

Cheap photo vest. Also useful for the extra pockets to put other stuff in.

[oldkim]

Really, like someone else suggested... use what you normally wear (jacket or light coat).

You can even wear a button up shirt (just don't need to button it). It just needs to cover the gun/holster.

For fun one of our more experienced shooters wore a tweed smoking jacket (dress coat).

It doesn't have to be a "vest." Just a cover garment.

[Jesse Tischauser]

I wear my fishing vest.

[RickB]

Hawaiian shirt. I've been wearing a SIG-Tac vest for about a year, and don't really like it. It's a really nice vest, and if I had to carry a bunch of stuff with me, which I don't at IDPA matches, I might consider it a practical piece of gear, but all the concealment garment is doing is covering the gun, and generally the only concern is length, if I'm wearing OWB gear.

[gunrobot]

I wear a hooded vest from Guess. It works well and looks really good, esp when there are so many video / cameras everywhere. :D

[NRAhab]

I use a North Face windbreaker, even in the summer. It's lightweight but swings very well when I need to move it out of the way to get to the gun. It's actually a completely impractical concealment garment for real life because it's form fitting, but for IDPA it works just fine.

[Don P]

I'm using a button up shirt with a bunch of gun related product patches sewed on it

[Tamara]

My two favorite real-world options:

1) An old, faded Royal Robbins vest, 'cause I like kickin' it old school like dat.

2) An oversize Gander Mountain chambray work shirt. It may add a tenth to my times, but it doesn't make me look like an extra from Black Hawk Down if I decide to stop at Chili's on the way home from the range.

[fourrobert13]

5.11, eotac, woolrich all make good vest. I use a 5.11, but befor that I use a cheap photographers vest I got off ebay. Depends on your budget.

[Jeff22]

And in cooler weather, a possible alternative is a BDU blouse.

[CatsEye]

I wear a golf vest I got at Wal-Mart for 30 bucks. Works great.

[ojibweindian]

Sportscoat.

And it's what I actually wear around town during the summer.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

For a dressy look than tacticool:

http://www.bullfrogskin.com/

Ken is a great guy. I have one of his nice ones for semicasual dress up.

I've also worn Concealed Carriers and nongun folks don't pick it up as tac.

For matches, I have some cheapy nonbrand with a rip in it I got on the discount rack at Academy. So I don't care if it gets knocked about.

I do agree with Tam and floppy shirt look and nice t-shirt underneath. Quite common here.

[lashlaroe]

I like that dress-up vest look, Glenn.

I will have to try his site another day though, since right now the page came up, but without page links, etc.