A fly fishing vest is an essential piece of equipment as it holds your gear while fishing to allow you to make the necessary adjustments. You need a lot of fishing equipment when fishing which must stay organized.
Fishing vests have multiple pockets to put your tools in, and quickly grab them when you need them. The best fly fishing vest fits well and have ample space for your tools to serve you while fishing.
Let’s get into it.
Fly Fishing Vest Buying Guide
Fly fishing vests offer convenience while fishing by allowing you to keep your fishing gear organized and close to you when you need it. They can also help you stay warm, especially when fishing early morning and late in the evening. Fly fishing vests have safety features like whistles and reflectors that can help you be heard or seen at night or in emergencies.
How to Choose the Best Fishing Vest
When looking for a fly vest, there are several things to look out for to ensure you get the best fly fishing vests. Before getting a vest, you need to determine the type of fly fishing you will be doing in the vest. This will help you decide on a shorter or longer vest. A shorter fishing vest is ideal for wet wadding.
Your fly fishing vest should feel comfortable while you are wearing it. When buying the vest from a shop, ensure you try it on to get a good feel for it. The best fly fishing vest for the money should have a good balance of pockets. When a fly fishing vest has a good balance of front and rear pockets, it will not feel heavy on one side.
Storage
When choosing a fishing vest, it’s crucial you consider the number of pockets it has. This will determine the number of equipment and gear it can carry when you go fishing. A good fly fishing vest should hold everything you need. This will free your hands so you can hold the rod. If the vest is too small, you may not have enough storage space to carry crucial gear. On the other hand, if the vest is too big and has many pockets, you may end up taking equipment you don’t need, and it will weigh you down.
The vest should also come with mixed pocket options of various sizes. Small pockets are ideal for gear such as indicators and fly dressing, while large pockets are suitable for fly boxes, leader, or spools of tippet. When checking the pockets, you should consider how accessible they are. This comes in handy when taking things out of the pocket and putting them back.
Other things to consider include whether the pockets are buttoned, zippered, Velcro-closure, or elasticized. A vest with retractors helps to hold items like pliers and hemostats and prevent losing them in the water. Depending on the gear you intend to carry, you can go for a vest with many pockets or a simple solution with a few pockets for the essential gear.
Comfort and Weight
Comfort is a crucial factor to consider when buying a fly fishing vest as it can affect you while fishing. The vest should fit you properly and protect you from harsh weather conditions. Features that improve the comfort of a fly fishing vest include adjustable straps, mesh panels, and a true-to-size fit. Others include padded collars, adjustable closures, and stretch panels. All these features are designed to improve your fit. You will also avoid straining yourself from the vest’s weight by evenly distributing it on both shoulders.
Breathability and Ventilation
During the hot weather, fishing can get uncomfortable. A fishing vest is usually heavy and can create more discomfort. It is advisable that you choose a fishing vest with a mesh pattern as it makes it breathable and light. A good vest should be made from quality material and lightweight. The vest should allow airflow to prevent overheating and excessive sweating during hot weather. Moisture-wicking properties prevent the vest from soaking with water which increases its weight.
Durability
Fishing can involve rigorous movement, and your vest needs to withstand wear and tear. The vest’s fabric, zippers, and even the seams are directly affected. The durability of a vest is determined by the quality of its material. Non-mesh or traditional vests are heavy-duty and are made from heavy material, which enhances their durability. They are also heavy, which is ideal for the winter but not the spring or summer.
Mesh vests are made for perforated fabric, meaning they are lightweight and well-ventilated. They are not as durable as traditional fly vests, and they are not ideal for the winter. Other materials used to make fly fishing vests include cotton, nylon, and polyester. Fly fishing vests should also be water-resistant as it protects your belongings and electronic devices.
What are the Advantages of Fly Fishing Vests?
Fly fishing vests have various benefits, including improving your posture by keeping the weight off your neck. They help to distribute the weight evenly and maintain balance in the water. You can easily organize your gear and tools, so you access them easily when you need them. The best fly fishing rods ensure that there is minimal interference when swinging the rod. They free your range of motion as your arms can move freely. Fly fishing vests provide a layer of insulation in cold weather and a mesh to keep you cool in hot weather.
What’s The Best Way To Use Fly Fishing Vest
When using your fly fishing vest, you need to organize it properly to save time when looking for items. Place items that you frequently use, such as the fly box on your right if you are left-handed or your left if you are right-handed. This ensures you can easily access your gear with your dominant hand. Arrange the small items such as nippers, leaders, and fly boxes on the smaller pockets and leave the big tools for the larger pockets.
If the vest has interior and exterior pockets, place the frequently used tools on the outer pockets and the others in the interior pockets. Retractable leashes are ideal for storing hemostats and nippers.
The Best Fly Fishing Vest Reviews
|
Best Overall
|
Runner Up
|
Best Budget
|
|
|
|
|
Orvis Pro Vest
Orvis Pro fly fishing vest has a high-quality light abrasion-resistant nylon fabric construction with a DWR coating. It has modern ergonomics and an excellent design that conforms to your body. The shoulder area consists of a spandex and nylon spacer mesh that has an adjustable closure.
In terms of storage, Orvis pro vest has 18 pockets with 10 in the interior and two rear pockets. The pockets are well organized to improve maneuverability and accessibility. The vest has two main front pockets on the lower side that have a compression-molded construction to improve rigidity. On the upper side, there are medium-sized pockets that have a hideaway tool port to increase convenience. The rear pockets have a distinctive design that features mesh dividers to increase breathability and organization.
The vest is lightweight with a weight of about 17.5 oz and can be worn for long periods. It has attachment points and a padded collar to improve comfort around the neck. Orvis Pro vest has elastic loops for tippet bars, an internal webbing hanging loop, daisy chain gear loops, and a tri-ring net holder at the middle of the rear yoke. It has an adjustable closure that slides vertically to ensure it fits the angler well. It’s a durable all-season vest that is easy to wash and dries quickly.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Quality zipper
- Ample storage
- Abrasion-resistant material
- Innovative features like the net loop on the rear
Cons
- Lacks adjustable straps
Fishpond Gore Range Tech Pack
Fishpond fly fishing vests have a modern design that enhances its functionality. It is made of durable material with many storage options and attachments. It has a total of 17 pockets with a hemostat holder and zip-down fly benches. The back has a breathable mesh to keep you cool during warmer weather. It has high-quality and durable adjustable shoulder and waist straps. The vest is one-size-fits-all, and it’s waterproof.
Pros
- Premium quality materials
- Gear attachment tabs
- Great selection of pockets
- Breathable mesh backing
- Made from recyclable materials
- Lightweight with even weight distribution
- D-ring net lash
Cons
- Expensive
- Large sizing
Simms Headwaters Pro Mesh Fishing Vest
The Simms Headwaters Pro is a lightweight vest with a breathable mesh material. It has a total of 20 pockets, including the interior and exterior. This is plenty of storage to carry all your tools and equipment while fishing. The rib-knit collar is padded to increase comfort, while the vest is not long, preventing For extra comfort, the vest is closed with a single adjustable connection.
This vest has ample storage with two vertical Velcro pockets, while the rest are Freestone. The Simms Headwaters has two built-in retractors on the chest area to store tools like the hemostat and the nippers. It has one front D-ring and two in the front.
Simms is renowned for making world-class, quality fishing equipment for over four decades. Its products are time-tested, built to last, and built by anglers for anglers. The Headwaters Pro is water-resistant, durable with a breathable mesh that provides extra comfort. It is designed for professional, and sports use. The vest is ideal for hot climates and humid areas as the nylon mesh helps to keep the angler cool.
Pros
- Ample storage with plenty of pockets
- High-performance durable wearing zippers
- They are lightweight and breathable, ideal for warmer months
- Equipped with rod holder strap to free your hands
- Good look with mesh material
- Very comfortable
- It fits true to size
- Tool and net attachment points
- Premium materials
Cons
- Expensive
- Too short for tall people
MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Fly Vest Pack
MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Fly Vest is a fully functional fly vest that has ample storage to pack enough gear. It has various pocket sizes, including a large and medium that you can fit your accessories. The storage is also secure to prevent water damage. In the rear, there is a large pouch to place large gear, while the front has a rod holder to carry your fly rod.
The vest is lightweight, weighing about 24.5 oZ., and evenly distributes the weight of your gear through the suspension structure. It is ideal for hot weather since the mesh lining on the rear allows you to stay cool. The suspension structure and adjustable straps make the vest one size fit most men and women very well.
Maxcatch fly vest is breathable due to its fabric construction that keeps you dry and comfortable. It comes with a 12-months warranty and an exceptional build. The vest has a back D ring for landing net easy attachment and slip pockets to store your gear. The front has two molded pockets to protect your flies. The vest combines a technical backpack with a waist belt and adjustable straps.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- One size fits all
- 17 pockets and a back pouch to hold gear
- Adjustable straps for fitting
- Breathable fabric with mesh backing
- Built-in rod tube holding
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Shallow pockets
- Straps slip when fully packed
Anglatech Fly Fishing Backpack Vest
Anglatech Fly Fishing Backpack Vest offers maximum storage options and practicality. It has expandable storage with large and small pockets. The pockets have water-resistant capabilities, and others have mesh. The vest offers comfort and breathability thanks to its mesh construction, keeping you cool in summer and spring. It comes with adjustable shoulder and waist straps to ensure it fits you well. The vest has a drink holder to carry water and keep you hydrated.
The fabric of the vest is lightweight to increase comfort and convenience. The Anglatech fly fishing vest allows maneuverability by evenly spreading the weight towards your shoulders. It has holders for your D-ring and a rod holder for your favorite fly rod. The ripstop nylon material enhances its durability, and it comes with water-resistant zippers.Â
Pros
- Expandable storage
- Durable and comfortable
- Includes a 2liter water bladder to keep you hydrated
- Adjustable sizing
- Breathable mesh back
Cons
- It runs a little small
Wrapping it up
So which is the best fly fishing vest for the money? Simms Headwaters Pro Mesh Fishing Vest is our top choice. It has plenty of pockets for storage, is lightweight, and has a mesh back that increases breathability. The vest comes with durable zippers and has a D-ring in the center back. Although it’s quite expensive, the vest will deliver value for your money.
Ultimately, the choice for a fly vest will depend on your preference and budget. Ensure you consider all the factors when choosing your fly fishing vest and the design that suits you. Remember, a great fishing vest will enhance your fishing experience and make it enjoyable.
