chest pack or vest?

[trailratedtj]

just wondering what you guys use or think about either of the two.

i use to use a vest but i ended up switching to a chest pack since i kept hitting my cast arm on my fly boxes. especially during sidearm casting. the chest pack cleared my casting arms range quite a bit.

[Quickstrike]

I wear a chest pack when it is warm outside and then my Cloudveil 8X wading jacket when it is raining or cold outside. The jacket has plenty of room for everything I put in my vest and lacks the bulk of a vest or a chestpack. Although when it's nice out, you can't beat a fishpond chest pack. I haven't used a traditional vest in 6 years and don't see myself going back anytime soon.

[DEADhead]

I don't use my fishing vest much either. I have a sling style pack that works okay. If it's wet out, I usally use my wading jacket like quickstrike. I usually am wearing my TNF denali vest that has like four pockets in it, that are more than sufficient for holding a fly box or two, some tippet, split shot, and floatant if I need it. If It's hot I wear one of those breathable angling shirts that have the roll-up sleeves and fly box pockets up front.

Traveling light is definitely the key to covering a lot of water, and/or staying cool in the heat of the summer.

I guess those Patagonia Hip Chest packs are pretty nice from what I've heard.

[trailratedtj]

the one im using now is a fishpond chest pack and suprisingly i can get quite a bit of stuff in it. i thought it would be more minimum when i got it but it sure wasnt.

ive been thinking about getting a simms guide jacket or something to the such taylored for holding fly fishing material.

[DEADhead]

The cloudveil jackets fit the bill for holding your gear. I have the Patagonia Deep wading jacket (Similar to the SST, but you are able to snap the bottom third of the jacket up when wearing with waders). The front pockets on the jacket are quite expansive and can hold a large flybox easily.

I think the newer style jackets are actually more versatile than the vests on the market right now. At least more practical anyway...

[Muddog]

I like the vest. I find I have to hold my hands out to far in front of me while striping line with a chest pack.

[Nate McVey]

I like my wading jacket from Cabela's as well for cold, cool and wet days (even some warm days), otherwise I use a vest. I could never get used to the way a chest pack felt as I was casting, it always seemed a little restricting.

[DinkADunk]

In the cold and wet I like my Simms G3 jacket - lots of room for storing boxes. For adventures in Steelhead land I also take a small Marmot backpack with extra layers, lunch, Chuck & Duck line, various wierd steelhead hardware. In the summer I use a Fishpond fanny pack (water, extra fly box) and have a lanyard around my neck for tippet spools and stuff. I'll also carry a CF flybox on the lanyard from time to time.

[so haaad]

I might have to pull the trigger on a new pack/vest pretty soon. I have a 16-year old vest that looks all of 20 or 30 years. A couple of the zippers are broke, it has many (hooks) snags in the fabric and most of the yarn/wool has pulled out of the fly patch/keeper.

[sodajerk]

I use a Fishpond Blue River chest/lumbar pack, but I don't like it all that well.

I have a bunch of stuff in it and it's as thick as it can be. It gets in the way a little bit when stripping line or anytime the rod is held in front. I don't like wearing it as a lumbar pack either, because then I have to remember it, stop, and mess with it anytime I'm going into a little deeper water. Plus, I need something that hangs on my shoulders and not around my neck. Wearing it for hours on end will be more comfortable with the weight on my shoulders.

I'm thinking seriously about downsizing to one of Fishpond's slimmer, smaller chest packs, or possibly another brand altogether, as a vest would be way too warm for summer fishing.

This is one of my goals to shop for/purchase at the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo, getting squared away in the chest pack department. That, and a good net holder/release.

[Abrams]

I picked up a Fishpond vest this winter. Looking forward to putting into action this spring. Seems to fit well and tight to my body.

[turiprap]

I have a Simms vest that's served me well for a number of years in my trout fishing. At one time, I'd unload it in the fall and put my steelhead stuff in it. Then, when my daughter was a UM-Duluth student, I found a Field & Stream vest at the old Gander Mountain in Duluth when we were visiting. It was on closeout for $17. It became my steelhead vest and has also done a great job. I thought I'd carry the idea of specialized vest into my smallmouth fishing and got a Cabela's mesh vest for that purpose. It's an ok - just ok - vest, but wearing it in the summer months never had much appeal. I now have an Orvis sling pack that I really like, which kind of amazes me as I'm not much of an Orvis fan, but I can carry everything I need in it and get it out my way and stay cool while carrying it.

[trailratedtj]

thats not a bad idea..specialized vest...i bet i could that one by the little lady.