Photo Vests for the portly! Bought a CAMCO photo vest for my size, per their size charts. Didn't fit. Looking for reasonably priced vest for a portly guy. I can not justify spending...

OleMe Loc: Montgomery Co., MD

Bought a CAMCO photo vest for my size, per their size charts. Didn't fit.

Looking for reasonably priced vest for a portly guy. I can not justify spending many bucks for something to be used infrequently. Not carrying a lot of gear, small stuff.

No lessons in economics or "you get what you pay for" - please.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Try Big Pockets - they are very roomy

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

OleMe wrote:

Bought a CAMCO photo vest for my size, per their size charts. Didn't fit.

Looking for reasonably priced vest for a portly guy. I can not justify spending many bucks for something to be used infrequently. Not carrying a lot of gear, small stuff.

No lessons in economics or "you get what you pay for" - please.

First off don't just look at the ones made for photography, sometimes the price goes up just from the word photo.
Try sporting goods dealers, those hunter and "safari" vest have just as many pockets, just at big and often come in "Big and Tall" sizes. After I got one I happened drive by a very large "surplus" store and went in on a whim. They had a "Big and Tall" section and some no name vests with pockets hanger loops straps etc, some made out of heavy denim and others out of mesh etc at even lower prices.

And avoid the major brands with the label "Tactical Gear", that adds to the price also.

Ollieboy

I bought a fishing vest and it's basically the same thing except the price. If you buy a "photo " vest the price magically doubles. The best part is nobody can spot the difference.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Gasman57 wrote:

I bought a fishing vest and it's basically the same thing except the price. If you buy a "photo " vest the price magically doubles. The best part is nobody can spot the difference.

And the same for pop-up blinds. Mine was 49.99 (now 79.99) and from a photo supply place with a different name that included Photo what appeared to be the same blind was over $200. It did have a hole with a kind of sleeve in camo in the middle of the zippered window covering that you could stick your lens through and shoot without un-zipping the window.

Cuw

If you want a photo vest that is made to fit you perfectly, the best is from The Vest Guy. After receiving this vest I seldom ever have a need for a backpack or camera bag. Lifetime warranty and custom made just for you. Check this vest out. I purchased the Colorado model. No buyers remorse what so ever.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If there's one area that needs government control, it's clothing sizes. I have small shirts that are too big, and large shirts that are too small.

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

I use a fishing vest.

annadonmac Loc: East Tennessee

OleMe wrote:

Bought a CAMCO photo vest for my size, per their size charts. Didn't fit.

Looking for reasonably priced vest for a portly guy. I can not justify spending many bucks for something to be used infrequently. Not carrying a lot of gear, small stuff.

No lessons in economics or "you get what you pay for" - please.

Check out ebay for Tenba photo vest. I saw a XXL for under 50 bucks plus shipping . I own one very well made.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

If there's a REI in your area, they sell a Columbia recreational vest that has a ton of pockets inside and out. I purchased mine a few years ago and have used it on every photo workshop I've been to. Comfortable, light, and relatively inexpensive. About $70.....

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

jerryc41 wrote:

If there's one area that needs government control, it's clothing sizes. I have small shirts that are too big, and large shirts that are too small.

👍👍👍👍

Stan

JoeN Loc: East Texas

I am rather portly myself and also purchased a Camco but my experience was just the opposite. I ordered a XXL and it swallows me. I’m about 5’9” and weigh about 240, but my vest is large enough to fit over all my heaviest winter clothes with room to spare and it hangs below my butt. Mine must really be a 3XL or 4XL. I think the problem is the Chinese just don’t understand America sizing. I don’t know but I assume mine was made in China.

OleMe Loc: Montgomery Co., MD

My former sister-in-law worked in the NYC garment district. When a shipment of new clothing came in from China, they had a "sizing party." Holding up an article of clothing, they would guess at the size and make jokes while labeling it. There was, of course, plenty of ethanol flowing to help speed the work and improve accuracy.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Cuw wrote:

If you want a photo vest that is made to fit you perfectly, the best is from The Vest Guy. After receiving this vest I seldom ever have a need for a backpack or camera bag. Lifetime warranty and custom made just for you. Check this vest out. I purchased the Colorado model. No buyers remorse what so ever.

Never heard of The Vest Guy. Checked him out. His photo vests have some serious pockets. First vest I've seen that could handle fat, fast lenses. I'm not in the market, but if I was...
...Cam

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

Cuw wrote:

If you want a photo vest that is made to fit you perfectly, the best is from The Vest Guy. After receiving this vest I seldom ever have a need for a backpack or camera bag. Lifetime warranty and custom made just for you. Check this vest out. I purchased the Colorado model. No buyers remorse what so ever.

WOW! Looked at The Vest Guy. My current weight is about 240 but with one of the vests I saw on the site, I bet I could convince people that I weighed 450--and I bet after I filled all those pockets, I would indeed weigh close to the latter weight. Life is too short to carry so much. Just an opinion though.