If you are a fly fisherman, then you know how important it is to have the right vest for your needs. This article will give you information about what to look for when purchasing a fly fishing vest and reviews of three vests that we believe are excellent choices for different types of fishermen.
Quick Overview – Best Fly Fishing Vest
- Best Fly Fishing Vest for Lakes and Rivers: Kylebooker Fly Fishing Vest Pack
- Best Fly Fishing Vest for Streams and Ponds: Flygo Men's Vest
- Best Value Fly Fishing Vest: Gihuo Men's Fishing Travel Vest
Quick Comparison – Best Fly Fishing Vests
What is the best fly fishing vest?
The best fishing vests on the market are all a great choice, but ultimately it depends on which type of fisherman you are and where you go fly fishing most of the time.
The first type of fisherman might be someone who likes to fish on larger bodies of water such as lakes or rivers. For this type, we recommend the Kylebooker Fly Fishing Vest Pack. It is a mesh back with seventeen pockets and plenty of room for gear; no matter how big your catch!
The second type might be someone who fishes in smaller streams or ponds where they can get up close to their prey. For this type, we recommend the Flygo Men's Vest. It has a detachable mesh back with fifteen pockets and is light enough to not be bothersome when you are trying to get that perfect shot of your catch!
The third and final type might be primarily concerned with a great price point. Let’s be honest, getting all that fly fishing gear adds up. Luckily, the Gihuo Men's Fishing Travel Vest combines quality with an attractive price point, offering great value!
Number of Pockets
An important characteristic for any fly fishing vest is the number of pockets. The more pockets it has, the better because this will enable you to keep all your things organized and in one place.
The average fly fishing vest should have at least three zippered compartments or two if they are mesh padded pocket instead but any less than that is not sufficient enough for adequate storage ability. As you can see towards the end of this article, if in doubt go for more storage!
But what else should you take into consideration when deciding on this important piece of gear?
Material
The fly vests that you find online are made up of a number of different materials. Choosing a good material is important as you have to wear the vest all day and you don’t want to end up getting rashes. There are two types of vest available online, namely traditional and mesh vests.
Traditional vests are typically made of heavy-duty material like neoprene or abrasion resistant nylon and are more durable and good for winters. On the other hand, the mesh vests are ideal for summers as they are more breathable.
A mesh vest can have mesh pockets and mesh interior, making for a lightweight and breathable day on the water. However, they may not necessarily be the most durable.
Durability
As you may be wearing your vest the whole day, it is important that the material is durable and of high quality. Ensure that you read the reviews of people who have bought the vest and this will give you an idea about whether the vest will remain intact with constant use and whether it will be able to withstand harsh weather conditions that you sometimes encounter on your fishing trips.
Be especially careful when getting a vest with zippered pockets. The zipper quality is essential, as these are typically the first to break and zippered compartments are quite useless when the zip breaks!
Weight
A fly vest should also not have any excess weight in it – you need to keep mobility when on the water! The best vests are lightweight but offer plenty of storage space for all your gear. You don’t want them getting heavy because this can affect how mobile you are while casting and reeling in fish!
Breathable mesh material has the added advantage of being lightweight, so go for a mesh vest if you are concerned about weight.
Water Resistance
Ensure that your fly vest has at least a few pockets that are water resistant. It is important because you don’t want your phone to get wet. Some models are available with flaps over the pockets as this prevents the water from seeping inside.
Color and Design
Most of the fly-fishing vests are available in camouflaging colors so that the fish do not get disturbed after seeing you. Contrary to popular belief though, these colors do not have to be greys and browns!
There are many options that you can choose from, such as olive green or any other variation of the color.
Rod Holder
A fly fishing vest can also function to store your fly rod and reel. Some of the modern day fly fishing vests have a rod holder within them, this simplifies your life and saves you from going back to carry it around with yourself all the time.
It is important that these rods are stored well in order to prevent any mishaps happening or damage being done. You can also get some accessories which will allow you to attach your rod without any issues whatsoever.
Size/Fit
Finally, it’s worth looking at sizing if possible as some companies will only offer one size (but they might expand their line soon).
Finding something that fits properly shouldn’t be difficult though since an adjustable shoulder part and adjustable straps are pretty common. A padded collar or padded shoulder straps are another plus for a comfy fit!
The Best Fly Fishing Vests – Our Top Picks
The Best Fly Fishing Vest for Lakes and Rivers
Kylebooker Fly Fishing Vest Pack
Pros
- Lightweight
- Lots of pockets
- Durable
- Available in a range of colors
- Reasonable price
- Rod holder
- One size fit most
Cons
- At this price point, really none. Better quality comes at a much higher price
Kylebooker Fly Fishing Vest is an amazing vest that comes with adjustable shoulder and waist strap design suspension structure and it can fit on anyone so you need not worry about the size. It is made of up of soft padded material making it comfortable to wear. The mesh backing makes it more breathable and all the more convenient to wear.
If you are planning to go for a day long fishing adventure then this vest is the best option as it not only serves as a conventional fly-fishing vest but also works as a back pack. Like to keep your stuff organized? This vest has plenty of pockets that help you keep your fly-fishing accessories in a simple and convenient way.
You can accommodate multiple fly boxes of different sizes, two easy access zip-down fly benches with mesh expansion for tippet spools. The vest also comes with a large mesh back that has additional zippered pocket for accommodating more gear.
The best part about Kylebooker Fly Fishing Vest is that it is not very bulky or heavy and the strap design provides a lot of support as you are standing out there for hours. If you are looking for a good quality vest that becomes a part of all your fishing and outdoor adventures then this is the right choice for you. The price is reasonable and it can be a wonderful gift for your father, son, or husband.
Looking for other fly fishing gift ideas? Check out this article.
Amazon
The Best Fly Fishing Vest for Streams and Ponds
Flygo Men's Vest
Pros
- Available in different colors and sizes
- Reasonably priced
- Breathable and durable fabric
- Lightweight
- Multi-purpose
- Detachable Back
Cons
- No rod holder
- Not as many pockets or D-rings as the Kylebooker
Flygo Men’s summer vest is made from a lightweight fabric blend. It has been designed to provide some waterproof protection and guards you from the early morning dew as you are all set on your fishing expedition. This vest is made up of 35% cotton and 65% polyester. Its unique design ensures that you are properly ventilated which is important specially in summers. Not only this, the vest is durable and dries up in no time. It ensures that you remain cool and comfortable while you are busy fishing.
Flygo Men’s Summer Outdoor Vest has 16 different pockets so you can carry different accessories in all shapes and sizes. These include Velcro fastening pockets and zipper pockets that can conveniently store your cash, keys, credit cars, as well as other possessions. This versatile vest can be worn to any outdoor activity from fishing and camping to hiking and safari. It is best for summer, spring, and autumn. Moreover, it is available in a variety of colors and styles that you can choose from.
Amazon
The Best Value Fly Fishing Vest
Gihuo Men's Fishing Travel Vest
Pros
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Mild waterproof plus quick drying
- Multi-functional
- Cheap
Cons
- The zipper is on the wrong side and may rip after constant use
The Gihou Men’s summer vest not only looks amazing but also comes in a variety of colors and styles including army, beige, khaki and gray. So, you can choose the one that suits you best. It is a sturdy vest either made up of 65% polyester and 35% cotton, 20% cotton and 80% polyester or 100% mesh nylon.
If you want a cheap fishing vest that incorporates all your accessories then this would be a good choice as it has 16 pockets. Travelling will be fun with Gihuo Men’s Summer Outdoor Vest as you have enough space to carry your cell phone, tools, keys, and much more. The vest has a neat stitching and its waterproof design makes it comfortable to wear when it’s pouring outside.
It is a multipurpose jacket that is not only suitable for fly fishing but you can also wear it while biking, hiking, camping, photography or any other outdoor activity. The Gihou Men’s summer vest is the best value vest available online because of its reasonable price, durability and light weight.
Amazon
What do you put in a fly fishing vest?
There are many fly fishing vests on the market but not all of them are created equal. As I mentioned earlier, these bags will vary by the type of angler they are intended for. Let’s take a look at what you may want to pack in your vest before going out:
- The first thing is that pesky fly line and rod which need to be stored somewhere safe when going fishing!
- Tackle boxes and/or lures need to stay organized
- Hook remover tools can also help when trying to remove hooks from fish mouths without having any accidents happen
Other items to put in your fly fishing vest include:
- A spool of monofilament or fluorocarbon leader material for when you need to tie a new leader on the fly line
- Tippet, which is used in tying flies and fishing lures onto your hook. You can reuse tippets if they are not too badly abraded (they may even be reused several times).
- Nippers will help cut away excess thread from knots that might otherwise weaken over time. They’re also helpful with cutting materials such as wire leaders
- Hooks typically come in packs with varying sizes so it’s best to keep them organized by size inside your bag. Keep this near the top where it won’t get tangled up with other items! Hooks should also be placed so they don’t damage your line.
- A lighter is a good thing to have on you, for drying hands and keeping small flies from getting wet as well as lighting the end of your leader if it’s too dark out
- Graphite powder will help prevent knots from seizing up and will also make tying more fluid
- An assortment of leaders in different lengths can come in handy since there are times where a longer or shorter one might work better than another. Lengths should range between 12 inches to 30 feet long. You may want to carry some thin monofilament material with you just in case! It could save the day by making an emergency leader that would otherwise not last very long due to abrasion.
- A fly patch is always a good idea to have on you when fishing. You don’t want the flies that are in your vest getting crushed and ruining them!
- A small knife can literally be a lifesaver. When you’re trying to make that last cast or change out your fly on the water, it can be difficult in some situations without one!
- A ring net can also be attached to a fly fishing vest. This is helpful because it will allow you to carry your net around with you and not have any issues at all about how heavy or big the rod would make things.
- A water bottle for a long day on the water.
While you might not be able to fit your bamboo fly rod, you can actually keep a variety of things in the vests such as flies, lures, hooks, weights, clipper, tippets, hooks, line cleaners, pliers, grippers and various other tools.
Are all the fishing vests waterproof?
Not all vests are 100% waterproof but you do have vests available online that have reasonable water resistance. Go for the one that has reasonable waterproofing as it will keep your phone, electronic, car keys, and other essential items dry.
Additonally, think about applying some waterproofing spray.
I like a fishing vest but it is heavy. Will I face any issues with it?
Some vests are made of heavy-duty material that is sturdy and lasts long. The mesh vests are made of perforated material and are usually lightweight. However, mesh vests may not be as durable as their conventional counterparts.
My fly fishing vest is too hot in the summer. What is a viable alternative?
Perhaps have a look at a chest pack instead.
Conclusion
Whether you are on your boat, standing besides a lake or in it (take waders in that case!), having a fishing vest helps you stay organized. A suitable fly-fishing vest will store all your small and medium fishing accessories as you are busy catching your favorite fish.
Regardless of which vest you choose, make sure it fits well so that it isn’t too big or small on your body; otherwise, you will have problems maneuvering in tight spaces while fishing.
We hope these reviews help provide some guidance for fly fishermen everywhere looking for an excellent quality yet affordable fly fishing vest!