Which vest "breathes" best?

[The Expert]

I'm used to crappy old 10 yrs old vests. I haven't worn any since then. I was wondering, considering the fact that they get me hot, if there were any vests made particularly to keep you cool?

Thanks in advance.

[OnTheJob]

I have never used one that I thought "breathed." I am a big fan of the Under Armour type of undershirts. They give you the sensation of breathing because they wick moisture away from your skin. Just don't let your wife put them in the wash with fabric softener because they end-up feeling like Saran Wrap.

[The Expert]

I have never used one that I thought "breathed." I am a big fan of the Under Armour type of undershirts. They give you the sensation of breathing because they wick moisture away from your skin. Just don't let your wife put them in the wash with fabric softener because they end-up feeling like Saran Wrap.
Ah yes, good tip indeed... now i remember seeing my friend always wearing those shirts under his vest! I'll give that a try! thanks for the tip!

[SgtCHP]

Before the Under Armor and Second Skin clothing came out, I used to wear a wife beater's undershirt with an open weave. They were comfortable and breathed well beneath the vest.

[The Expert]

Before the Under Armor and Second Skin clothing came out, I used to wear a wife beater's undershirt with an open weave. They were comfortable and breathed well beneath the vest.
and it's a cheaper alternative as well...

[DOAcop38]

I'm used to crappy old 10 yrs old vests. I haven't worn any since then.
.


...hopefully you are NOT doing alot ( or any) field enforcement-armed or unarmed.curious -what county?? well no matter- old /dated hand me down vests are a "officer safety " issue and you need to bring it up with the union,as well as REFUSE any field enforcement( probation viol. arrests,search warrants,gang sweeps,etc),without the back up of local PD/ or your Sheriffs counterparts.And the Body armor is going to get hot- this has been an "issue" for nearly 30 yrs in L.E. and the military has had the SAME issue since it went to anti frag armor in the Korean war-my answer? "SO WHAT !!!!!" drink more water,turn your vehicle( hopefully county issue and not your own) A/C on,find locations in the shade out on the street,BUT wear the body armor-a pencil jabbed right can kill you,but at least a vest -even an old one- can slow it down, and a bullet? well if it doesn't kill you, just imagine on of your "charges" or "clients" pumping several into you from a cheap Raven .25 or those equally crappy brynco .380s and you laying up for several months recouping and the county you work for trying to pension you out at the LOWEST benefit pkg possible!! Far too many probation Depts have that "touchy feely" attitude ,and some of their administrators are often of the "anti-police" variety,stuck in the 60's "love and help" people mindset( such as L.A. county) so they really don't look on their P/Os as having the same issues or problems of "real police or Deputy sheriffs" .

Many of the modern vests have had histories of stopping rds several yrs after they were considered out of date,even obsolete,so not wearing one because it makes you hot ,is still a poor excuse compared to it doing its primary job- stopping the rd that could kill you. bite the proverbial cost bullet- buy the new ,fancy anti perspiration/
"cool down" shirts like underarmor,but wear your vest no matter what............

[The Expert]

...hopefully you are NOT doing alot ( or any) field enforcement-armed or unarmed.curious -what county?? well no matter- old /dated hand me down vests are a "officer safety " issue and you need to bring it up with the union,as well as REFUSE any field enforcement( probation viol. arrests,search warrants,gang sweeps,etc),without the back up of local PD/ or your Sheriffs counterparts.And the Body armor is going to get hot- this has been an "issue" for nearly 30 yrs in L.E. and the military has had the SAME issue since it went to anti frag armor in the Korean war-my answer? "SO WHAT !!!!!" drink more water,turn your vehicle( hopefully county issue and not your own) A/C on,find locations in the shade out on the street,BUT wear the body armor-a pencil jabbed right can kill you,but at least a vest -even an old one- can slow it down, and a bullet? well if it doesn't kill you, just imagine on of your "charges" or "clients" pumping several into you from a cheap Raven .25 or those equally crappy brynco .380s and you laying up for several months recouping and the county you work for trying to pension you out at the LOWEST benefit pkg possible!! Far too many probation Depts have that "touchy feely" attitude ,and some of their administrators are often of the "anti-police" variety,stuck in the 60's "love and help" people mindset( such as L.A. county) so they really don't look on their P/Os as having the same issues or problems of "real police or Deputy sheriffs" .

Many of the modern vests have had histories of stopping rds several yrs after they were considered out of date,even obsolete,so not wearing one because it makes you hot ,is still a poor excuse compared to it doing its primary job- stopping the rd that could kill you. bite the proverbial cost bullet- buy the new ,fancy anti perspiration/
"cool down" shirts like underarmor,but wear your vest no matter what............

Thanks for the reply and caring for my safety :) Don't worry, i'm not some knucklehead who will put comfort before safety!! I just started this job and was making reference that the last time I had to wear a vest was some 6 years or so ago and the vest then was a good 10 years old (so 16 by today). I would NEVER go out on the field without a vest!! My dept does arm us, complete with caged P70 'vics. I don't know if we are issued our own vest or if we buy our own yet. My guess is we buy our own as we get allowance. I haven't completed my training just yet so I haven't gotten out on the field yet -thus I don't know what the deal with the vests is.

I actually heard of vests that have pockets for icepacks! I think Second Chance is the one who has those. Pretty cool stuff!

[K911]

pretty much every company out there is making vests with lightweight materials that don't even compare to the older vests you last wore. just stick with a reputable company and spend your allowance wisely. aba, safariland, etc, they all make decent vests. if you're like me you grew up wearing "flak jackets" under your uniform so anything's an improvement! but i don't think there is one that "breathes". maybe a used one?!?! :eek: the under armour style shirts are the way to go.