Tactical Vests: Is there a discreet model for CC

On 5.11 pants...

I did some backpacking in Europe during 2006. I wore 5.11/Royal Robbins pants on that trip because they were tough and had pockets, etc. but mostly to send the message I was an angry American with a past service history. I expected the bad guys might not respond to 5.11 pants, but expected the good guys would. It was a clear signal - along with my Nike boots, Patagonia jacket and ball cap.

That trip took me to varied places and numerous interfaces with law enforcement in a heightened terrorism environment, including numerous London Tube stations targeted in the 7/7/2005 attacks and several French locations that have been subsequently struck. I got exactly the results expected when interfacing with local authorities.
That was 15 years ago.
On a different continent.
5.11s send a loud message.

Smoke is dead right too. If you think 5.11 is subtle, you are only fooling yourself.
 
Duluth Trading used to make a "snipe vest". It had a big concealed section - the whole left side, actually - meant to be stuffed with dead birds.
 
Okay, I gotta ask... Is there a specific style of 5.11 Pants that are suspicious or are folks honestly saying that ANY pants made by 5.11 are obvious?
I ask because I wear two different kinds. The original 5.11 Tactical Pants previously branded Royal Robin and made for Mountain Climbing. They're canvas cargo pants, with a strap on the back for securing climbing rope/gear, and the specific ones I own only have one very small tag (smaller than my pinky finger nail) on the outside of a pocket that even identifies them as "5.11" nothing else. The others are their Tac-Lites made of a lighter, polyester fabric with less pockets and no strap on the back. To me, neither of these styles are particularly conspicuous, especially not in the area where I live in which cargo pants aren't uncommon attire during Autumn/Winter.

Furthermore, only my pants and belt are 5.11, my shirts are Deluth Trading Co, Hanes, or just plain Fruit of the Loom depending on the season, and my shoes are generally canvas sneakers. It's also worth noting that I've been wearing cargo pants of various styles for years, (long before I ever carried a firearm) because I tend to carry a lot of things with me and as previously stated, they're not uncommon in my area. So while they may be conspicuous if you live in more urban environments where nobody ever wears cargo pants, they're don't really stand out all that much if you live outside of the city wear less folks are wearing skinny jeans, slacks, leggings, or stretch pants.
 
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Forte Smitten Wesson said:
Okay, I gotta ask... Is there a specific style of 5.11 Pants that are suspicious or are folks honestly saying that ANY pants made by 5.11 are obvious?
I ask because I wear two different kinds. The original 5.11 Tactical Pants previously branded Royal Robin and made for Mountain Climbing. They're canvas cargo pants, with a strap on the back for securing climbing rope/gear, and the specific ones I own only have one very small tag (smaller than my pinky finger nail) on the outside of a pocket that even identifies them as "5.11" nothing else.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for where you live but in Colorado Springs they are the issue uniform for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. They're also an optional uniform for CSPD. AMR issues them and at least a couple of security companies issue them too. They're pretty noticeable and just about anytime you see a spokesperson on TV that's what they're wearing.

I'm almost positive that Blues7 posted that he's seen criminals notice someone carrying a handcuff key. I'm pretty sure they'd recognize an actual pair of police uniform pants.

YMM (and very likely does) V
 
I have a blue and a black NRA jean vests. I replaced the holsters with White Hat max tuck that comes with a Velcro backing. The vests also come with Velcro so it is very easy to attach. I carry Officer sized framed 1911s with ease and the vest material is heavy enough to handle the weight. Its as convenient as a shoulder holster. When its too cold for just a vest I wear a coat over it.
 
I wore 511s today and didn't carry a gun. I do firearms instruction for a large defense contractor and they go bat-doo-doo crazy about live guns or ammo in the classroom, but they insist on the 511s and a bright red shirt with INSTRUCTOR on the front. Luckily I am the irresponsible sort who keeps a truck gun (currently a Taurus Model 85 .38) but even when I stop somewhere on the way home I hardly ever stick it in my waistband.

I've been hearing the "shoot me first" thing for decades. Has it ever happened? If it hasn't happened by now, is it really worth worrying about?

I also wore a vest today. A Carhart jobbie that cost me 8 bucks at the thrift store. And my raggedy Beretta hat. I'm surprised I survived.

On most days I wear my other tactical uniform of jeans, Simpsons T shirt, unbuttoned Aloha shirt, poorly concealed pistol of some sort in my waistband, and the aforementioned raggedy Beretta hat.

In my humble experience, criminals are generally morons. For every one that spots a pair of 511s or a handcuff key, 26 more are walking up to marked units and trying to sell them dope.
 
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I dunno, sigP220 .45...

I mean, you may be a firearms instructor and all, but with so many folks on the internet speaking so boldly about how wearing 5.11 brand clothing will totally get you killed because the super clever gangbangers of today are so savy when it comes to firearms and the latest fashion worn by LEOs and gun-toting civilians alike, they must know what they're talking about, most likely from some reliable source if not first-hand experience.

So yeah, I think that I'll go ahead and throw out my 5.11s immediately because I was obviously dressed far too much like an obvious undercover police officer this summer when I wore 5.11 Tac-Lite shorts with colorful Fruit of the Loom Tank Tops, Hawaiian Shirts, and Sandals. Much like I was too conspicuous today when I was out shopping in 5.11 Tactical Pants, Deluth T-Shirt, and Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star High Tops. I mean, who was I kidding? My everyday attire practically screams; "I'm armed, shoot me!" so I had better stop dressing so conspicuously by dressing with a man-bun, a plunging V-Neck which shows off my meticulously manscapped chest, and a pair of either skinny jeans or stretch pants. After all, I would blend in perfectly dressed like that, completely inconspicuous, and with a look that screams; "Don't shoot, I'll give you ANYTHING you want!"
Sure, I'll have to learn how to properly keister my firearm since obviously I won't be able to conceal it on my person in my new attire, but at least I won't stand out or look like an undercover cop, right? After all, plenty of guys who look like me dress like that nowadays. No way would my age, height, muscular build, thousand-yard stare, facial scars, or speech pattern make me look like an undercover cop dressed like that, especially not if I start using modern slang like "lit" or whatever else they're saying these days. ;)

Oh, and in case I just wasn't laying it on quite thick enough for everyone here, I'm being sarcastic.
 
Forte Smitten Wesson said:
I dunno, sigP220 .45...

I mean, you may be a firearms instructor and all, but with so many folks on the internet speaking so boldly about how wearing 5.11 brand clothing will totally get you killed because the super clever gangbangers of today are so savy when it comes to firearms and the latest fashion worn by LEOs and gun-toting civilians alike, they must know what they're talking about, most likely from some reliable source if not first-hand experience.

So yeah, I think that I'll go ahead and throw out my 5.11s immediately because I was obviously dressed far too much like an obvious undercover police officer this summer when I wore 5.11 Tac-Lite shorts with colorful Fruit of the Loom Tank Tops, Hawaiian Shirts, and Sandals. Much like I was too conspicuous today when I was out shopping in 5.11 Tactical Pants, Deluth T-Shirt, and Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star High Tops. I mean, who was I kidding? My everyday attire practically screams; "I'm armed, shoot me!" so I had better stop dressing so conspicuously by dressing with a man-bun, a plunging V-Neck which shows off my meticulously manscapped chest, and a pair of either skinny jeans or stretch pants. After all, I would blend in perfectly dressed like that, completely inconspicuous, and with a look that screams; "Don't shoot, I'll give you ANYTHING you want!"
Sure, I'll have to learn how to properly keister my firearm since obviously I won't be able to conceal it on my person in my new attire, but at least I won't stand out or look like an undercover cop, right? After all, plenty of guys who look like me dress like that nowadays. No way would my age, height, muscular build, thousand-yard stare, facial scars, or speech pattern make me look like an undercover cop dressed like that, especially not if I start using modern slang like "lit" or whatever else they're saying these days. ;)

Oh, and in case I just wasn't laying it on quite thick enough for everyone here, I'm being sarcastic.
Click to expand...


Hey, you do you
 
If anything, trying to make your vest blend in more by pairing it with a shirt of the exact same color sounds like the sort of thing that would only draw more attention to the vest, thus making it stand out all the more. You're better off embracing it as a part of your everyday attire and building outfits around it, using the vest to accent/compliment the rest of your clothing.

I honestly think that one of the potentially least conspicuous styles of vest for carry would be a hunting vest. Yes, hunting vests are often in bright, loud colors like orange, but that's the whole point, everyone who sees it will immediately dismiss it as "just a hunting vest" because that's precisely what it is. If that's too loud, then just wear something less colorful, but still "outdoorsy" in appearance, and preferably designed to be worn outdoors like on a hike. That way you can actually wear a vest with ammo pouches on it and everything else you might want in a carry vest, yet nobody will pay any particular attention to it during hunting season, so long as you aren't wearing it in the middle of a major metropolitan city or something. No need to be sneaky or attempt to draw attention away from your vest or its purpose, potentially drawing more attention to yourself in the process by acting all self-conscious and/or dressing in an unusual fashion.

Folks wear vests quite commonly in Autumn where I live, I often see advertisements for vests online or in catalogs, (although that may be a result of my interests based on my search history) and stores in my area often have vests on display this time of year, so unless you live somewhere in which nobody ever wears vests, you're better off just wearing a vest and not worrying too much about whether or not some extremely observant people on the street might be able to determine that you're packing heat, or that some of the most well-read, firearms enthusiast gang-bangers will recognize the brand and suddenly make the tactical decision to eliminate you before they go on a shooting rampage or whatever other extravagant nefarious deeds they may be plooting.
Otherwise, you run the risk of trying so hard to look inconspicuous in your vest that you end up dressed like Ernest P. Worrell in the process.
 
Forte Smitten Wesson said:
If anything, trying to make your vest blend in more by pairing it with a shirt of the exact same color sounds like the sort of thing that would only draw more attention to the vest, thus making it stand out all the more. You're better off embracing it as a part of your everyday attire and building outfits around it, using the vest to accent/compliment the rest of your clothing.

I honestly think that one of the potentially least conspicuous styles of vest for carry would be a hunting vest. Yes, hunting vests are often in bright, loud colors like orange, but that's the whole point, everyone who sees it will immediately dismiss it as "just a hunting vest" because that's precisely what it is. If that's too loud, then just wear something less colorful, but still "outdoorsy" in appearance, and preferably designed to be worn outdoors like on a hike. That way you can actually wear a vest with ammo pouches on it and everything else you might want in a carry vest, yet nobody will pay any particular attention to it during hunting season, so long as you aren't wearing it in the middle of a major metropolitan city or something. No need to be sneaky or attempt to draw attention away from your vest or its purpose, potentially drawing more attention to yourself in the process by acting all self-conscious and/or dressing in an unusual fashion.

Folks wear vests quite commonly in Autumn where I live, I often see advertisements for vests online or in catalogs, (although that may be a result of my interests based on my search history) and stores in my area often have vests on display this time of year, so unless you live somewhere in which nobody ever wears vests, you're better off just wearing a vest and not worrying too much about whether or not some extremely observant people on the street might be able to determine that you're packing heat, or that some of the most well-read, firearms enthusiast gang-bangers will recognize the brand and suddenly make the tactical decision to eliminate you before they go on a shooting rampage or whatever other extravagant nefarious deeds they may be plooting.
Otherwise, you run the risk of trying so hard to look inconspicuous in your vest that you end up dressed like Ernest P. Worrell in the process.
Click to expand...



Mine aren't "tacticooool" models ...... around town mine are navy blue and tan "Dry on the Fly" 4 pocket vests from Duluth Trading Co......

I actually still have my Banana Republic vests.... same colors,more pockets, worn more at the mountain cabin than my "Burb of the Burgh"

LOL had to look up Ernest P....................... :D
 
The character just sort of popped into my head when I thought about matching the color of a vest with other articles of clothing, (He always wore a blue denim cap, vest, and jeans.) so I threw it in at the end as a joke.
 
Forte Smitten Wesson said:
so unless you live somewhere in which nobody ever wears vests, you're better off just wearing a vest and not worrying too much about whether or not some extremely observant people on the street might be able to determine that you're packing heat, or that some of the most well-read, firearms enthusiast gang-bangers will recognize the brand and suddenly make the tactical decision to eliminate you before they go on a shooting rampage or whatever other extravagant nefarious deeds they may be plooting.
Click to expand...

That whole concept just irritates the snot out of you doesn't it?

I read an article by Claude Werner once in which he said if you really want to blend into the crowd wear a white Tshirt and a yellow safety vest. People won't even know you're there
 
There is one thing 5.11 makes that does not scream "I am a wanna be seal" and that is some of their jeans lines. There are a couple of extra pockets along the hip line that make a great storage place for a thin wallet, cash, or electronic key pass. I have a number of them and the 5.11 logo is so small that people never notice and they are very comfortable. Watch out for their "slim fit" as the legs are really snug and evrey time I get out of a chair I would have to bend over and pull them down.
Paired with a simple vest and you are good to go.
Defender-Flex Straight Jean - 5.11 Tactical
 
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