511 Vest

Why choose a 5.11 Tactical Vest over a camera mans waist coat? Well the simple fact is, is this piece of equipment (note i say equipment and not clothing for a goos reason) is in my mind one of the best load bearing equipment rigs that I have ever owned. Now some people may be thinking it's a waist coat with lots of pockets not LBE. Well I beg to differ, I believe it is load bearing equipment designed to look like a piece of clothing, I will endeavour to explqain why.

What the advertisement says:

• 8.5oz 100% cotton canvas
• Imported BBSTM pockets
• Sixteen pockets including 360 degree pocket
• Triple-stitching and 55 bartacks for strength
• Two-way YKKR zipper, PrymR snap
• Internal map, document pockets and belt keepers
• Solid brass D-ring

What I say:

The jacket (we will call it that for ease of description) is made of 100% cotton, the whole jacket is basically two pieces of material sewn together. This gives it a double layer, the stitching is triple stitch and all weak points have been reinforced. It has a multitude of pockets, nine of which are on the front face, the rear has three pockets with two having no flap cover but elasticated tops. It has two pockets on the inner side of the rear panel, one being a top slot type and one having a flap like the rest, these are located one in front of the other. The left front side of the jacket has an inner pocket that is 5inches in width and 9inches in depth, it has a small velcro closer on the hem. Both side panels have an opening to poachers pocket that is secured by velcro closers, three on each and it runs the full width of the jacket. Basically right through to either side, 360 degrees. There are width adjusters on both exterior sides and two belt loops on the interior again, one either side of the jacket around the side seem area, these are used to tie down the jacket to a belt.

Now that the description of the jacket is out of the way lets get down to the important information. I have found that carrying essential equipment, say for PSD work is a chore unto itself, you do not require a full Military LBE, but you do reqiure military strength material and build, as in airsoft at urban sites, Military LBE can be obstructive, but you still need load capacity and strength of build.

This is what you will get with the 5.11 tactical vest, it can accomodate heavy and cumbersome pieces of equipment and seems to carry the weight distribution very well so that the load does not overtly cause misshape or lob sidedness of the vest when warn. As you can see in this picture below, a lot of equipment is carried just in the front pockets alone.

Going from top to bottom, left to right as you look at the picture.

1. GPS.
2. Spare batteries or pen holder.
3. Mobile phone.
4. Smoke grenade
5. Camera.
6. M4 magazine (2 here but 4 can easily be accommodated).
7. Surefire torch. (see the review for this here)
8. 2 x magazines for a Glock.
9. Small binoculars.

Now loads are personal and dependant on mission requirements, but this jacket can accommodate a lot of equipment. It is definately an urban gaming vest par excellence. Though by all means not restricted to urban, it can quite easily be used at woodland sites where a scenario has call for PSD-SF type requirements.

Close up view of the front right pockets which easily carry 4 x M4 Magazines

Front left pocket with elasticated restraints

Basically the load is essentially up to the individual needs and requirements. A good point of this jacket are that not only has the exterior been utilized but also the interior.

Here we see the right hand opening of the 360 degree pocket.

I have found that all manner of equipment from books to CD wallets can be carried in this 360 pocket without bulking out the jacket to much. It is easily accessible from either side and very comfortable to wear.

Here we see the left inner pocket with radios

A view of the central inner pockets.

The over whelming impressive point about this jacket is the never ending use of the system, you can configure and refigure as often as you want or the mission dictates and I would say without hesitation that this jacket could be utilized in any environment that its user finds himself.

The back of the jacket has been utilized also. We know how expensive magazines can be to buy and we have all lost them in the heat of battle when the bb's are flying and people are shouting, the smoke is drifting in and the grenades are whizzing bb's all around your head. The time has arrived for the dreaded magazine change, easily accomplished now. Simply replace the empty magazine by placing it in the elasticated rear pocket and inserting a frsh one, safe in the knowledge your expensive magazine is safe.

In summarizing I have personally found this jacket to be ideally suited to operating in an urban environment where the desire to draw attention to one's self is minimal. The 5.11 tactical vest is well worth the price you pay, it is comfortable, adaptable and hard wearing. It may lack water proofing but is made of a material that is quick to dry. It can be utilized in any environment for a multitude of activities, not only the one it was specifically designed for, for example, fishing, photography or airsofting and you are not only limited to one colour, you can get the 5.11 tactical vest in the following colours: Digi-Desert, Khaki, OD Green and Black. This jacket is expensive, but if you are looking for a LBE that doesn't look militaristic in appearance but will perform to military standards then you can't do better in my few than the 5.11 tactical vest. The retail value for this vest is $59.99 if bought in the US, £59.99 or there about in the UK.