UTG Tactical Vest

This vest was surprisingly cheap, but even more surprisingly well made. It’s thick and comfortable and very adjustable. I use it for airsoft and it effectively becomes armor, can’t even feel it through the vest, at close range.

It’s got a removable cross-draw holster that works great, and plenty of pockets for anything you need. It’s got a radio pouch, but if you have a walkie with a ‘fixed’ antenna that sticks out, it’s not going to fit comfortably. You have to skew the walkie to get the antenna to stick out the side, but it’s not that bad.

Otherwise, very adjustable, you can go from a really big guy (me) down to just about anyone. The straps have a bit of a tendency to slide but if you re-loop them they’ll stay put.

Love this vest, I say go for it. The only difference between this one and much more expensive vests I’ve seen is that the adjustable straps on the side are leather string on the expensive ones, but that seems more likely to break honestly.
Rating: 5 / 5

Originally, my Sergeant bought a knock off this while we were in Iraq, I was impressed with the layout so I bought my own -I bought this EXACT one from UTG in ACU Scheme- He kept Shotgun Shells in his and I never did, I replaced with a Arabic/English Name Badge as we were working with the Iraqi Army. After some use and Sun, his turned an odd Reddish Shade of ACU while mine the UTG One stayed the correct ACU. It held up great holding all my Stuff, 8 30rd 5.56mm Magazines, 4 15rd 9mm Mags, my Sig 226, Radio, and my Knife, nice and secure with a Layout that I really liked. The only Thing I added to it was a Pistol Leash for my Sig.

Now it sits, Hanging up with the Same Layout, in lieu of the 2x 5.56mm Mags I have 40Rds of 8mm Mauser Ammo in each Pouch -as my Rifle now is a K98k, and no Radio… A just in Case thing I suppose. I love taking it when I go shoots.

It’s wayy better than even Mil Issue and Cheaper than the bigger Name Brands which don’t hold up as well.
Rating: 5 / 5

I was expecting the vest to be a bit of a step down from professional gear. Not so. I was very much impressed with the sturdiness of the materials and stitching. The webbing and mesh are very high quality and are almost heavy duty to a fault. Not very light weight. But that is precisely what I was looking for. So it worked out.

My primary purpose in buying the vest was for tactical target shooting practice “run and gun” scenarios with friends in a competitive timed environment, occasional paintball and most importantly as a GET OUT OF DODGE setup. I carry a mossberg persuader or and SKS tactical long arm and a glock 40 as a side arm. I was particularly interested to see if the 20 and 30 round SKS/AK mags would fit and they do well. You’re not going to fit two in each pouch but 1 is not a problem. Even for the 30 round. I put the 30 round under my arm and the 20’s in front. The 15 round Glock mags also fit very well in their intended pouches. My Glock 22 fits perfectly in the side arm holster. It would be a bit large for a smaller pistol. I think a desert eagle would even fit well. It also has 2 hidden inside pockets. It is easily worth the money.

A few minor dislikes: The velcro side arm holster should be stitched down. The vest comes with an alternative large 2 mag velcro pouch that could replace the side arm holster but I won’t need it so I may stitch it down my self. What I don’t care for is that the velcro makes a little noise as you move. It is continually attaching and reattaching. It’s strapped on as well so it’s not coming off. It’s just if you stand up and sit down with a large pistol in it you can hear a little velcro action. It’s a very minor point but one to consider if your “ops” require perfect silence. The radio pouch is a little small. I was able to slide my Blackberry Storm in the pouch but anything larger would have to be wedged in. Could be used for something else though I suppose. Most radios have a good clip and or ear piece anyway. The shotgun shell elastic loops are for 410 shells or smaller rounds only. 20 and 12 gauge shells will not fit. You could put rifle rounds here but unless you have a bolt action rifle (which would defeat the purpose of having the mag pouches) I don’t know why you would use it. My thought: Pull it off and use it somewhere else or put some other cool looking patch there. That’s my plan. I am able to fit 10 12 gauge shells inside the pocket itself though.

Overall verdict: I highly recommend because of the quality heavy duty construction and materials. This thing is sturdy and will hold up to serious use. Looks great. Fits well.
Rating: 5 / 5