The 10 Best Tactical Vests of 2024

When we talk about tactical vests, what comes to mind is the military and law enforcement agencies. However, tactical vests are not restricted to the law enforcement agencies as they are used by private securities, in various games, by hunters, and for various outdoor activities.

There are many things one can do with an excellent tactical vest. A tactical vest for a law enforcement agent, for instance, will have a bulletproof system to protect them against a bullet. In addition, they also help users hold gears and other essential gear items that users will need on their mission.

A tactical vest is an essential element to some set of people. As a result, it is not surprising that many people might need the best tactical vest to take care of their needs. A tactical vest is available in different sizes and shapes from series of manufacturers. Because of that, it might be an overwhelming experience to select the best tactical vest that will fit their needs.

This is where our best tactical vest review comes in. We have researched various tactical vests. We explored customer experience and also checked the review of past users. The features alongside the pros and cons were among the crucial things we examined. With this, we were able to narrow down our choice to the ten best tactical vests.

Users can trust our choice of this vest as this article gives a detailed review of the ten best tactical vests. With detailed information on the features, specifications, pros, cons of each vest, we are confident that interested buyers have everything they need to make their choice of the best tactical vest. Also, we have a section that guides users on essential things to consider when selecting a tactical vest.

Best Overall: GFIRE Tactical Vest Modular Vest Breathable Combat Training Vest Adjustable Lightweight

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First on our series of tactical vest is the GFire modular vest. This is a large vest that’s suitable for people with a waist size of 54 inches. It is a high-quality vest made from strong yet light 1000D polyester material. It features reinforced sutures and stitches made from nylon.

There is an emergency drag handle on the vest alongside a removable shoulder pad that is resistant to slip. Users will love the high-quality Molle design as it features Molle loops and webbing, which makes it easy to attach other gears and carry everything you need.

The interior lining features a padded mesh while there is a cummerbund that users can easily adjust. The front and side pockets are easily accessible and can fit things like tools, maps, and others. There is also an option to change the waist based on your size. It is practical and essential for every trip into the woods.

Best Value: YAKEDA Tactical Vest Outdoor Ultra-Light Breathable Combat Training Vest

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For everyone that needs one of the best tactical vests for adults, Takeda is a good choice. It is pretty adjustable and fits people of various sizes from small to extra, extra, extra, extra-large. It can accommodate a waist as small as 35 inches as well.

The shoulder and side straps can be adjusted to give a snug fit. It will not weigh you down, neither will it slow you down so you can enjoy the freedom of movement while wearing the vest. It is a high-quality vest that features a comfortable and high-density 600D polyester and mesh design.

It is light, breathable, comfortable, and meant to serve you for all outdoor activities. This is a multifunctional tactical vest with lots of pouches that can be removed. It is reasonably designed and organized and will serve all your outdoor needs.

Best Pick: GZ XINXING 100% Full Refund Assurance Tactical Airsoft Vest

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GZ Xinxing is one of the top tactical vests users can get to make their outdoor activities comfortable. It is a good fit for men and women and can be adjusted from small to extra, and extra-large positions. It is a high-quality vest made from 900D high-density material.

It is strong, well constructed, and resistant to tear. Users will love the comfort they will get with this tactical vest as it can fit all their accessories. The strong tensile strength makes it fit for rugged and all outdoor use.

The maximum chest size applicable for this tactical vest is 45 inches, and every part of the chest is adjustable to fit various body sizes. It can carry multiple gears comfortably without choking users or slowing them down.

BARSKA BI12016 Loaded Gear VX-100 Tactical Vest

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Barska BI12016 is one of the best tactical vests for users who wants a great companion on all their outdoor trips. It is suitable for adults as it features adjustable side straps, shoulder panels on both sides of the vest. This gives users a snug and perfect fit.

Users get four pouches for their rifles that will perfectly fit a 30 round standard magazine. Getting access to the pouch is also easy, thanks to the quick-release elastic pull tab. You can even arrange your accessories in various configurations as the vest features the Mil-Spec MOLLE attachment system.

The vest features a rigid mesh webbing design, and the MOLLE attachment system makes it fully adjustable. It is a functional vest with back and front Velcro access where users can attach their ID. There is a tough mesh pocket at the back’s interior that allows you to house your hydration packs.

Best for Large People: GZ XINXING Tactical Airsoft Paintball Vest

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For people of enormous size that need a practical, tactical vest, GZ XinXing tactical vest is a terrific choice. It is well suited for huge guys and can accommodate chest size as large as 61 inches, with a minimum chest size of 35 inches. It is the perfect fit for people with a bodyweight of 100 to 350 pounds.

Users will enjoy optimum air ventilation on this tactical vest as it was built on the nylon mesh material. You can include a pistol belt with the vest which comes with the package. Users also get two zip in the interior of the vest.

To the right of this vest are three ammo pouches, a shooting pad, and a shell-carrying pouch, while there is a pistol holster on the left side. There are Velcro strips with a good length, which makes it easy to adjust the shoulders on the vest. The product comes with a carrying handle alongside strips with which users can add other materials.

Best Multifunctional Vest: vAv YAKEDA Tactical CS Adjustable Vest

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Everyone that needs a fully adjustable vest for all their outdoor activities will find the vAv Yakeda tactical vest pretty helpful. This is a high-quality vest that comes with several top features that makes it appealing to users. It was made of strong materials, which allows it to stand the test of time.

It can accommodate waist size of up to 55 inches and can be adjusted to lower waist size as well. The material is strong with high tensile strength, which makes it resistant to tears. It is light, waterproof, and will stand the test of time.

This is a breathable tactical vest that users will find very comfortable. It was packed with 3D mesh, which helps disperse body heat. This product stands out due to its multifunctional ability. As a result, it can be worn in various configurations.

Best Lightweight Vest: Barbarians Tactical Molle Vest Military

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Everyone who wants a multipurpose tactical vest will find this Barbarian military vest very useful. It is recommended for both professional and novice players as the vest comes with essential pockets and accessories to house all gadgets for outdoor activities.

This is a high-quality best made from a durable and comfortable material. It features strong zippers and a mesh system. The vest is tough and resistant to wear and tear. This vest provides the perfect compartments to neatly and securely house your outdoor gears.

The rear molle system comes with a modular webbing system, which allows users to attach extra gears. You also get an additional pocket to house essential items like hydration bladders and others. There is a tactical belt in the package that users can adjust to give them a perfect fit, no matter the size of their waistline.

Best Durable Vest: Himal Sports-Vest, 600D Encryption Polyester Adjustable Lightweight

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Also, on our series of the best tactical vest, Himal sorts vest is a terrific idea. It is light in weight and easily adjustable, which makes it fit for people of various body sizes. It can accommodate a maximum waist size of 48 inches comfortably without slowing users down.

This top-rated vest was made of 600D encrypted polyester, which is strong and stands the test of time. It was made with strong and large mesh that is resistant to tear. This adds to the durability and comfort, making it easy to use the vest for a long time.

There are four detachable parts, which gives the user the ability to customize the vest. It features a backplate that features the modular webbing design structure. It is an excellent accessory to use for various outdoor activities by law enforcement agents, the army, and multiple games.

Best for Combat Training: GLORYFIRE Tactical Vest Modular Assault Vest

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GloryFire tactical vest is the best choice for adults with a bodyweight of 300 pounds and below. It was made with durable and robust material, which allows it to stand the test of time. The vest is suitable for various outdoor activities like mountain climbing, shooting, law enforcement, etc.

The Pistol holster design is suitable for both left and right-handed people. Interestingly, one can also attach the pistol holder to one’s belt. The material of this vest is 600D Oxford Fabric alongside a full polyester mesh. The design is a breathable mesh with neat sewing.

There are side straps that the user can adjust for optimum comfort. This ensures you have a snug fit and comfortable feel when working. It is suitable for people with a maximum waist of 57 inches, even though one can adjust it for a perfect fit.

Best Affordable: MARMOT Tactical Vest Durable Mesh Vest

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Finally, on our list of the best tactical vest is Marmot. Interested users will love this superb quality vest as it features many great qualities that make it stand out among the series of tactical vests available. There are series of pockets to house many accessories that users might need on their trip.

The vest features a detachable adjustable belt that can fit a maximum waist size of 53 inches, with the lowest at 33 inches. There are long Velcro strips, which make it possible for the user to attach other accessories.

The vest material is strong, breathable, and allows for optimum ventilation. Users can add personalized labels, which makes it easy to have their shooting game and also attach or detach other parts. It is a fantastic choice for training, shooting, and other outdoor activities.

Buying Guide: Best Tactical Vest

This section will shed light on essential things one needs to consider when buying a tactical vest. But before then, we will explore what a tactical vest is and its functions.

What is a tactical vest?

A tactical vest comes in handy for many applications. Law enforcement, for instance, needs to be able to access their gear in a violent situation. It was invented by the military and is part of essential gear for every operation.

However, a tactical vest is not restricted to the military alone. It serves varieties of purposes and is applicable in series of outdoor situations. Hunters, hikers, people climbing mountains, etc., will need a tactical vest to carry various gears since a backpack might slow them down.

This set of people need to have their gears like a map, pistol, flashlight, binoculars, mobile phone, etc., handy and accessible easily. In addition to various outdoor activities, different games like Airsoft also use a tactical vest the same way military agents do. This is because they need easy and quick access to their gears while playing.

This is a thoughtful piece of accessory for everyone who needs to carry a lot of gear at once. A tactical vest is very useful, and one carries various things in it at a time.

What to Consider when buying a tactical vest?

The tactical vest comes in various sizes, shapes, and models. This makes it essential to consider a couple of things before making a purchase. While there are many vital things one should consider, this section will discuss the three most important things: size, capacity, and weapon choice.

Size

Will you be riding in a vehicle with your vest? If that is so, a big vest might make it difficult to climb inside a vehicle. This is because the pouches of your vest might easily catch any surface of the vehicle that you may not consider. You are bound to experience this if you use a big vest as various parts of the gear might be obstructed by the vehicle.

We recommend a small vest if you will be riding a vehicle while using your vest.

Capacity

In other words, what do you aim to achieve with your mission? This is an important question you should answer before deciding the capacity of your tactical vest. For instance, a trip overnight will require more space compared to a midday raid.

Other things you should consider are the gears and ammo you need. Also, will you be going with a water bottle? What about maps, flashlights, medical kits? Your answer to this will go a long way to determine the size of your tactical vest.

Choice of weapon

Various weapons will need distinct gears to accommodate them. There is no universal pouch to hold weapons. If you put a magazine in an oversized pouch, it might bounce around, which might loosen the ammunition present inside the magazine.

What about a secondary weapon? Does the vest provide space for such? Does the vest have space or a magazine pouch to accommodate extra pistols?

For a tactical vest that cannot accommodate a handgun, it should come with a belt to accommodate the holster. In tactical operations, a secondary weapon is a necessity.

Fit and Shoulder Straps

A lot of vests are available with adjustable straps. In a typical vest, there will be two straps:

• Side straps and
• Shoulder straps

One can adjust the shoulder straps to be longer if the vest seems excessively tight underneath the shoulder. There are times that the vest will sit too low or high. You can adjust the height by adjusting the shoulder straps.

On the other hand, if the vest feels extremely tight around the stomach, you can adjust the side straps. This is a good idea for people with large upper body parts where their stomach might cause an issue. This is a good choice as you will be able to use the vest later, even if you add weight.

Colors

When it comes to a tactical vest, there are four major color types: camo, green, black, and light brown (Tan, Khaki, and Coyote). One might get varieties of color in the shade of camo as well.

Pouches

The pouch is one of the top factors that determine the cost and size of a tactical vest. Some high-end vests might have up to 12 pouches, while others might have only two. Yet, pouches are a valuable part of a vest. Examples of things you can have in your pouch are:

• Radio
• ID card
• Flashlight
• Hunting knife
• Rifle magazines
• Pistol Magazines
• First aid gear, etc.

Also, one need not be limited on what can be put in the pouch. As a result, a pouch that is designed to house a pistol magazine can also hold something else if you are not carrying a pistol magazine.

Belt

There are tactical vests that come with belts attached to them. These belts also come with two smaller pouches where one can carry small gears like a pistol. These belts, most times, are not fixed. Therefore, they are detachable.

Absorb Recoil

There are some high-end vests that come with a padded shoulder strap, which helps cushion some of the pressure of the weapon recoil. This minimizes the pain and strain that might come from wearing the vest.

Breathability

A couple of vests also comes with mesh on their back and side. This helps enhance optimum airflow, thereby allowing a channel for the escape of hot air so the user can be comfortable. This is a feature that is important in all vests as you might need to wear them for long hours, and comfort is vital, and not negotiable.

Molle System

This is a feature common to almost all vest. They come with a molle system at specific places with which users can attach other pouches that are molle compatible to their vest.

A molle system is a fancy name for nylon straps attached to the vest. The stitching of the mole forms a loop. With this loop, one can attach other items with nylon straps. All you have to do to attach a pouch to the vest is to weave the pouch’s strap into the loop.

While some vests come with a molle system, they do not have the accompanying molle pouch. We recommend this for people that want a customized vest. The GloryFire model is a good choice for this.

Rescue Drag handle

Typically a vest does have a drag handle fixed in the neck. The idea is to use it to drag a teammate away from any area. Also, many people like arranging various gears on their vest before wearing and then, use the drag handle to carry it before wearing.

Carry ammunition

There are some vests specifically suited to carry magazines. There are vests with the combo, which allows them to carry as many as four magazines at a time while other pouches serve as pockets for other wears.

Likewise, there are vests dedicated solely to carrying rifle magazines. However, there might be a provision for the user to add other pouches later.

Hydration system

There is some vest that comes with a hydration system. This is different from a water bladder as most vests only have a bladder that houses the pocket.

Concealment of the Pouch

The conventional design is for a tactical vest to have all its pouch visible in its outer part. However, a couple of designers decide to defile the status quo.

With such vests, the pouches and pockets are located inside, invisible to outsiders. It is not easy to determine if such a vest is a tactical vest as there are no gears visibly attached.

FAQ on Tactical Vests

Without a doubt, a tactical vest will serve varieties of needs. One needs to be aware of the correct usage terms as well as how to maintain them.

For people that have various questions on the use of tactical vests, this section will shed more light on them.

Q: What is the use of a Tactical vest?
A: These days, a tactical vest is a compulsory gear with games like Airsoft and paintball while people are going on rescue missions or hunters also use them. Also, they are pretty and vital elements with the military and security personnel. The versatility of tactical vests makes them essential to both leisure and combat activities.

Many tactical vests these days will comfortably accommodate a paintball mag or a high-powered sidearm, water bottle, magazines for your firearms, water bottles, or a cell phone. This makes tactical vest applicable to many activities in which one needs to have tactical gears and accessories. It can either be for fun or self-defense.

Q: What is the best way to put on a tactical vest?
A: A tactical vest should be comfortable and not slow users down. This means that one should be able to put it on the vest and take it off without excessive stress. The method of doing this, however, differs with various tactical vest.

While some tactical vest will simply slip over the user’s head, others can be worn like a short with button, which will be zipped closed. After putting on the vest, the user with the shoulder adjustment straps will hang it.

A vest should not hang way down the user’s torso. For people using a vest with a gun holster, they can access the hang by accessing the method of removing the weapon. With a correctly worn tactical vest, it should be pretty easy to remove one’s firearm or any other gear. As long as your vest is correctly hung, you can pull it to give a perfect fit by adjusting the side straps.

Q: Are there various types of tactical vest?
A: Tactical vests are made for series of outdoor activities like combat training, tactical situations, hunting, games like Airsoft and paintball, fishing, etc. therefore, they are available in different types and sizes.

Q: Are tactical vest bulletproof?
A: typical tactical vest is not bulletproof. However, there are bulletproof plates that one can use inside the tactical vest. Anyone that wants a bulletproof tactical vest will need to buy the bulletproof plate and insert it into the vest.

Q: Can a tactical vest be washed with a washing machine?
A: No A tactical vest is not meant to be washed unless the manufacturer specifically directs users to do so. In such a case, however, there will be clear instructions on how to wash the vest.On a general note, a wet sponge or wet cloth can help wash a tactical vest.

Q: What is the weight of a typical waist?
A: There is no direct answer to specify the weight of a tactical vest. It depends on the manufacturer and the pouches available. Typically, it weighs between 2 and 6 pounds.

Q: What does a Molle compatibility indicate?
A: The full meaning of MOLLE is ‘Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment.’ It is a system with which users can customize their vest by including or removing modular’s assigned for specific purposes.

Q: Will a tactical vest keep users warm?
A: The primary purpose of a tactical vest is not to keep users warm. However, since they are usually worn over the main cloth, they can produce warmth on colder days. Tactical vests are actually poor insulators since they are not designed to trap heat and moisture.

Q: What are tactical vests made of?
a: Vests generally are made of a variety of strong and high-quality materials. They are made of layers of fibers with a very high tensile strength, which can be polyester, nylon, polyethylene, etc.

Conclusion

This is a comprehensive review of the best tactical vest available for users. Anyone who wants to make the best choice of the tactical vest can explore our review and make their pick.

Readers that want a recommendation of the best tactical vest can select BARSKA BI12016 Loaded Gear VX-100 Tactical Vest. It is our top choice with many top-quality features like web system design, MOLLE attachment, quick release pouch, adjustable straps, etc. It will give a perfect fit for various users.

Also, there is a section that explores the buyer guide. Here, we talked about several things users should consider before making their choice of the best tactical vest. There is also a FAQ section that sheds light on various questions, which users might have concerning the use of the best tactical vest.