The Best Survival Vest of 2023: Our Top 5 Picks to Keep You Safe

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Survival Vest Buyer’s Guide

Types of Survival Vests

You will find that the best survival vests usually aren’t marketed as survival vests. Most of the best vests for the purpose of surviving worst-case scenarios are listed as tactical vests. Law enforcement, fishing, hunting, photography, air force, and coast guard vests all work well as survival vests, too.

The MOLLE design is often listed as the best survival vests product description. MOLLE stands for modular lightweight load-carrying equipment. The MOLLE system allows you to customize your vest with attachment models to suit your needs.

You can easily weave compatible pouches with the MOLLE system, allowing quick access to your items and the ability to buy additional pouches for your vest.

Several types of pouches are referenced in MOLLE vests. Here’s a quick list of pouches you can buy separately to add to your vest:

• Magazine holders: These pouches are not for bringing reading materials (though you could fit a book in them if you wanted to). You will see Magazine or Mag holders referenced often because they are intended for carrying Plates and belts. Having extra Mag pouches helps ensure you never run out of supplies
• Medical pouches: Intended for separating your first-aid equipment from other compartments for easy access when you need it
• Utility pouches: Designed for multi-purpose use like carrying everyday personal hygiene items and water
• MOLLE Panels: Allow you to attach your pouches to an insert, so you can pull out all your pouches in an emergency
• Pistol pouches: Pouches for carrying handguns

Quality of Vest

You want a survival vest that can withstand the elements, so buy a vest with durable fabric like high denier or ripstop material. Polyester, Kevlar brand fiber, and oxford are all durable materials that will survive harsh weather conditions.

look for vests with double stitching and strong stitching. You want to be careful with cheap vests because they can rip very easily, and that’s the last thing you need when you’re in an emergency.

Buying online can be difficult to judge the quality, so it’s best to read your vest’s online reviews before purchasing to get an idea of how well the vest holds up.

Comfort and Fit

A vest shouldn’t be baggy, because it might get caught on branches. A vest that’s too tight might cause chafing.

You don’t want the vest to go below your belly button, so pay attention to the length of the vest before you buy it.

Pay attention to the word breathability. You want to be able to move freely, and it will be hard to do that in a stuffy, heavy vest. You want a lightweight, breathable vest that will be easy to wear on your excursion.

Adjustability

Interior flaps for adjustability should be present in the best survival vests. Buy vests that can be adjusted so you can be prepared for colder days and the layers you will need. You don’t want a vest that only fits in warm weather conditions.

Pockets

The pockets are the most important part of your vest! You want a vest with plenty of deep pockets in varying sizes for carrying a variety of items. What types of pockets should you look for? Here are some ideas:

• Large back pockets
• ID pockets
• Water bladder or canteen pouch pockets
• Body armor slots
• Life preserver slots

Many of the pouches mentioned purchased separately for the MOLLE system are also commonly included in survival vests, so be on the lookout for them, too. MOLLE attachments can end up costing an arm and a leg, so you can end up saving a lot of money if those pockets are already installed.

Purpose

When shopping around for the best survival vests, you need to narrow down your purpose(s) for buying the vest in the first place. Determining how long you plan to use the vest will help you decide how much you want to invest in the vest.

Do you enjoy playing outdoor shooting games? If so, you will want one that comes with or can include tactical plates.

Will you be using the vest for multiple purposes? If so, you may want to have a vest with removable pockets. Removable pockets can be useful for storing the vest when traveling as well.

Will you be using the vest during the winter? You will want to make sure it can adjust large enough to accommodate the layers of clothing you will be wearing under it. A heated vest may also be a good choice for avid winter survivalists.

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Survival Vest Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I wear a survival vest?

Aviators were the first wearers of survival vests. The idea behind a survival vest came from the concept: What if I’m ejected from a plane, what will I be able to take with me to survive?

Survival vests have been used in the U.S. military since World War II and are standardly issued for the U.S. Navy and Marine helicopter squads. These vests are gaining popularity among general survivalists because they are easy to wear.

These vests are ideal for preparing for worst-case scenarios. Think of them as your lifeline if you have to leave everything else behind but the clothes on your back.

The vests are comfortable so you’re able to move freely to get to safety. Their pockets make it easy for bringing your absolute necessities for survival with you in the event of a natural disaster.

What should I pack in my new survival vest?

Think of all the things you will need (and want) if you have to leave all your possessions behind. Here are some ideas for you:

• Firestarter
• Knife
• Compass
• Flashlight
• Whistle
• Mirror
• Emergency Food
• Cash
• Canteen
• Purification tablets
• Identification
• Radio
• Blanket
• Gun
• Notebook
• Keys
• Pepper spray

Do survival vests keep you warm?

Survival vests, other than the battery heated versions, aren’t intended to keep you warm.

Makers of these vests focus on keeping them breathable because it’s assumed you will be wearing warm layers underneath should you need them.

Invest in warm gear to wear under your survival vest in inclement weather.

Can a tactical vest stop a bullet?

They are bullet-resistant by typically providing Level IIIA protection, and the vests contain mag holders for extra plate protection. Level IIIA vests can stop most handgun rounds on the market.

How long does a tactical vest last?

While the answer to this question may depend on its overall quality, generally speaking, many vests have a life expectancy of five years. Pay close attention to the manufacturer’s service life recommendation. Do not use a bulletproof vest after its service time is up.

What’s the difference between MOLLE and PALS?

You will often see both MOLLE and PALS mentioned in the product description for tactical vests. PALS stands for Pouch Attachment Ladder System. It’s used to attach smaller equipment to larger platforms.

PALS is the webbing, and MOLLE is the actual attachment, so they work together to add pouches to your vest.

What’s the difference between a survival vest and a bug-out bag?

If you’re looking into buying a survival vest as an alternative to a bug-out bag, you might want to rethink that decision. Survival vests are best used in conjunction with bug-out bags because they take up less room, and they’re easier to take with you in a true emergency.

You won’t be able to pack nearly as much in a survival vest as you can in a bug-out bag, but you can keep essentials in your survival vest in case you lose your bug-out bag or have to leave it behind. Since survival vests can be worn like clothing, you’re less likely to lose them or have to leave them behind in an emergency.

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Wrapping up the Best Survival Vest of the Year

You’re ready to buy your new survival vest and start prepping for your excursion (or doomsday).

The FIREGEAL Tactical Weighted Vest has everything you need to survive, though all the picks above will help you survive your mission!

Looking for more common household items to pack in your vest? Read this list of everyday items that can become survival items.