Customer Reviews

Humvee Safari Vest

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is my second photo vest, the first had too much mesh/"rip stop" that- while lightweight- meant it got snagged and actually ripped quite a bit. I was looking for something a little heavier, and this vest is made of a more "solid" heavy khaki. It is not physically heavy, though and the vest sits well on the shoulders. The waste snaps also help keep the vest tighter to the body so your equipment isn't swinging around on the vest.

I'm a news videographer, not a still photog (though I use a DSLR in my spare time). I can tell you that the lens pockets on this vest won't hold larger "L" type lenses, so this proobably isn't for the pro photog. They would easily hold the canon EF-S line like the basic 15-55mm or even the 70-300mm, but again, any of your 70mm wide lenses aren't coming with you in this vest (however, they are great for holding lav and stick microphones... score one for audio/video!). Also, the eppalets- while a nice idea- are not going to accomodate a 'real' camera strap as the loop on the shoulder is only about an inch wide. Still if you were carrying some other item on a string and you didn't want it around your neck, these would work... and if you still use a real camcorder, don't worry, the snap does not dig into your shoulder when you're shooting.

The vest is still taking some getting used to as it is not left-right simmetrical (my last vest was). The filter pockets are good for smaller items and the pockets along the breast/chest easy accomodate mini-maglites, multitools and other at-hand items (the left front pocket with the diagonal zip is an interesting "fast access" touch that I'm already digging). This vest also features a good number of pen pockets, something probably every profession could use. The final really good aspect of this vest is the large rear pocket. This is a good pocket for a light raincoat/poncho, cables, batteries or more tapes if the inner pockets don't do it for you.

This vest is right for my job, eliminating my need for an extra bag of gear. For those of you in EFP/ENG, I recommend this.

I dont have this vest yet but plan on buying it. Just wanted to let the other reviewer and others know that the Campco vest has changed its name to Humvee, so it is one and the same.

Few days later...

Just received the vest. It has over 20 pockets including a large pocket on the back which is not pictured. Great vest for photographers and field biologists alike.

I got it primarily for biological field studies. Now I have a place for everything: kill jars, aspirator, pocket net, collecting jars, compass, GPS, maps, pens, pencils, spade, notebook, field guides (large enough front pocket for "The Sibley Guide to Birds"!), and more...

I use the back pocket to shove a rain coat in. The epaulets and raised neck portion come in handy for carrying binoculars or camera around your neck (a feature that is lacking in all of the field vests that I have been browsing).

A lot cheaper than other field vests yet has just as much or more room.

I bought this vest and compared it to about a half dozen other leading candidates looking for a vest for adventure travel and safaris. My goal is to use the vest instead of a backpack to carry a small first aid kit, binoculars, extra photo batteries and lenses, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. when on hikes. Since I often travel in hot climates and in the rainy season or rainforest, and on trips with very specific weight limitations, the material of the garment was a primary criteria for me.

The fit of this vest was nice - it's sized a bit large and has pockets beg enough to accommodate binoculars, etc. Vents and sizing make it appropriate for hot weather, but the fabric is too heavy. The layout of the pockets and the utility of them is very good. The craftsmanship was less good - the velcro wasn't sewn on and I would have had to sew it on had I opted to keep this vest, and the seams were not totally sewn in some places with threads hanging. However, in the end I determined I would return it for the primary reason that it is cotton and too heavy to work in hot climates. In heat and in rain you need a quick dry material. I disagree with the reviews that refer to it as "lightweight" and "not too heavy" If you have a strict weight limit, this vest is very heavy - if you are trying to take 3 weeks of stuff in 30 or 40 lbs to meet small plane or other safari weight limits, you can't afford the weight of this one garment. Also, if you travel in rainy season or in the rainforest, there is no way this heavy cotton is going to dry in time for you to wear it again - and you need dry pockets if you are using it for photo equipment, batteries, etc.

Overall I loved the design but not the quality or the fabric. Similar vests with very similar designs are offered by Travelsmith, Magellans, and Eddie Bauer if you are looking. Fly fishing vests by a ton of companies may also work, depending on your particular application.

First off, this runs really large. My husband normally wears a large and he was swimming in the size large so you may want to go down a size to avoid an exchange. The back has huge vertical slits running from the top to about halfway down with a coarse mesh underneath. Even standing perfectly still the slits gap open. I understand that this makes it cooler in hot weather, but it also makes it incredibly ugly.

I had to return the original safari vest for a smaller size. The seller promptly refunded the original purchase and quickly shipped the replacement vest. A good experience and a good product.

This vest is made of extremely lightweight cotton which surely would not withstand much use. The one I ordered arrived with several seams open (fabric wasn't cut properly) as well as thread from stitching not quite finished and hanging all over it. I couldn't return it fast enough. Save your money - this vest is complete junk and probably cost all of $2.00 to manufacture.

UPDATE: I picked up the Domke PhoTOGS Vest (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009O8Q3A/) and it is about a thousand times better than this piece of garbage. Highly recommended.

This vest is made a very, very light weight (meaning thin) cotton. It is so thin that one of the snaps on the shoulder came right through the material when placed in the washing machine. I was very disappointed with the lack of ruggedness, cheap material and the look once washed.

I have voice recorder, cell phone, camera and other things and nowhere to put them. It's annoying to go about with a shirt with no pockets and pants falling down overweighed with stuff. I did a search and found this vest, got 2, it's wonderful. It's got enough pockets to store anything and cool enough to wear in hot weather. I'm not about to carry a backpack or a purse searching for what I need, this fits the bill as everything is at hand.

This vest is superb, except for one thing. The designers of said vest must be huge. As in HUGE. My manly sweetie is no small fry - ordinarily wears a 2XL and looks fine - so on Christmas morning he opens his vest and is happy: Pockets out the wazoo, lotsa vents and guy stuff, 2XL - Yippee! Life is good. Until he tries it on: There is about twice as much vest as Manly Sweetie, alas. Enough vest that a tribe of pygmies could come over and take shelter with him. That much vest.

It's going back.

MS is of the opinion that an XL will keep pygmies from moving in, I'm not so sure.
Will get back to you on that. Meanwhile, let me just say this: I've known a number of photographers in my life and not a one of them has been built on the scale of this vest. Buy accordingly.

I purchased this vest specifically because I wanted the ability to carry my camera and accessories and assorted other travel items for my trip to China.
In testing it out before leaving, I discovered that the Velcro closures in the top of the mesh pockets were poorly stitched. I considered returning it, but as we were leaving soon, I elected to keep it rather than do without. It was a wonderful travel item and it allowed me to have access to my camera, lenses, spare batteries and everything else readily without having to carry a bag, which is annoying and makes clearing security checkpoints slow.

But the stitching of the Velcro did quickly come completely undone, marring my complete enjoyment of the vest.

Considering the price of the vest, and the fact that it was being sold as a functional item and not simply a garment, I would have hoped for better construction.