Many people think that the only two good options they have to carry their handguns are IWB or OWB holsters. When in reality, concealed carry vests or CCW are a much better and more comfortable way of carrying your handgun. These vests either have a passage that lets you access your gun easily or come with built-in holsters.
However, to find the best one, you need to consider a range of aspects and select from a large variety of products.
Therefore, this article will make it easier for you by reviewing some of the best-concealed carry vests.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Concealed Carry Vests
- OUR TOP PICK: Legendary Whitetails
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: 5.11 Tactical Men's Covert Vest
- Rothco Plainclothes
Comparison of the Best Concealed Carry Vests
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When Would You Use a Concealed Carry Vest?
Since there are other holsters and gun-carrying options on the market, many people wonder why and when they should be using vests instead. It's an interesting question and consideration to make, and one must carefully decide whether a vest is the better option for gun carrying or not. Here are some instances and reasons why you should use a concealed carry vest.
Multiple Weapons
You should use a concealed carry vest when you have to carry more than one weapon. This means whether you are carrying a mini revolver and a bigger handgun, you can opt for a vest with multiple compartments to hold them. Plus, it can also be used when you have to carry other essential items such as documents, ID cards, and other hunting/shooting accessories.
Weather Limitations
Vests also act as a dress-up for certain weather conditions. If you're planning on going on a hunt or have to go out with your handgun in winter, vests are a good choice. Therefore, due to weather requirements, you would rather use a vest than use holsters.
Legal Requirements
Some states require you to conceal a hand weapon. Wearing OWB or IWB holsters does not do good enough because they still leave prints from under your shirt or clothes. Therefore, due to legal requirements, as common citizens or as law enforcement employees, you would need to wear vests to conceal a weapon.
What Should I Look For When Buying a Concealed Carry Vest?
If you have finally decided and are certain that you want to use a concealed carry vest for your handgun, then here are some important considerations to make when you are choosing the best one for yourself.
Capacity
It's important to make sure that your weapon perfectly fits into your vest. Make sure that the size of the compartments or the holsters inside matches your gun or firearm. In addition, if you plan on using it for other purposes, such as for carrying papers and gun accessories, then make sure to check for extra pockets, zippers, and compartments.
Material
The material of the vest is crucial. You will most commonly find vests made out of denim, high-grade cowhide, polyester, and cotton. The material you choose will depend on your usage and where you will wear the vest. For colder areas and use in extreme winter, you will need to go for thicker and better-insulated material. If you plan on using the vest somewhere damp or rainy, you should go for waterproof material. Polyester is more breathable and lightweight, so it can be used by people who need to move around a lot.
Weight
A carry vest should be all about convenience. And therefore, to ensure comfort and convenience for you, make sure that the vest you have chosen to buy has a lightweight yet sturdy construction. The bigger size of larger capacity should not mean that it is too heavy for you to move around in it easily. Therefore, the weight of the vest is another important consideration.
Review of the Best Concealed Carry Vests
Moving forward, we are now at an important part of the article. Here, you will find the top concealed carry vests on the market today, each reviewed thoroughly and divided into categories based on their core qualities.
Best Overall:
Legendary Whitetails
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers of this vest find the snap side pockets highly beneficial for concealed weapons. They report the snap buckles to be very sturdy and well-built, making it highly convenient and smooth to put your firearm in and out. In addition to this, buyers also find the vest to have a very good cut and shape, which gives them more confidence while wearing it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find the vest highly impressive due to its versatile construction material. It features a polyester lining with a 100% cotton outer built and also has an exceptionally comfortable quilted inner lining. As a result, this is one of the most comfortable and versatile vests we came across on the market.
Who Will Use This Most
We think that this is one of the most multi-functional vests that you can use. It is a suitable option for anyone who needs to conceal their weapon or has to go outdoors for hunting or sporty activities. However, it is not the best for people in colder areas and bikers.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this Legendary Whitetails vest is a complete package of essentials such as functional concealing pockets and extra added comfort. It is one of the best performing, most durable and well-built vests you can get your hands on.
Runner-up:
5.11 Tactical Men's Covert Vest
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A limited number of buyers of the vest found it to be of very thin material. Due to this, they experienced inconvenience as the thin material could not conceal the weapon properly. However, other buyers report that the vest is one of the best, most convenient ones for traveling purposes. They found the zippered pockets to be highly useful during their traveling as it allowed them to secure their documents safely.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The vest comes with an incredible design overall. Yet, its most distinctive and unique feature is the separate compartment for documents. This makes it more than just a CCW. It's highly multi-functional, which surely adds great value to your money as the buyer of this product.
Who Will Use This Most
We would highly recommend this vest to be used by people who frequently travel through airports. We also find it to be a good style statement as it is available in a great range of colors and has an exceptional design too.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this is a high-end vest that features extraordinary features, such as wind and water resistance. It's a great choice for anyone who has to travel frequently. Its document compartment is surely one of the many prominent and impressive features.
Best for the Money:
Rothco Plainclothes
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The buyers of this vest found it to be highly useful for summer, spring, and fall season. Moreover, the concealed carry compartments proved to be highly functional for the majority of buyers. However, some users reported that the concealed carry pockets could have been better as they might not accommodate larger firearms.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find the lightweight design highly impressive. It is rare to find a good vest that is good for tactical use as well as for everyday wear. The lightweight design makes it a versatile product that is suitable for both purposes. Therefore, this product has made it to our list.
Who Will Use This Most
This tactical vest is an excellent choice for hunters and other outdoor sports. It's also an ideal choice for everyday wear and for use during traveling due to its wide capacity and cargo pockets.
Bottom Line
This is one of the most affordable yet finest quality vests on the market. From a good color variety to a wide range of cargo pockets and a concealed carry compartment, this surely proves to be a budget-friendly option that meets extraordinary standards.
Best Lightweight Concealed Carry Vest:
Rothco Lightweight Concealed Carry Vest
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the recent buyers have highly appreciated the size options and variety this vest comes in. They also report that the sizes fit perfectly and were exactly as described. Moreover, buyers who got this vest for tactical purposes only positively commented on the comfort it provides and also reported it to be travel-friendly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The vest is very purpose-specific. It has a lightweight design that perfectly meets the needs of a hunter or an outdoor sport. It also offers great appearance and style with its 2 color options. All these features come at a rather affordable price that gives a tough competition to other alternatives on the market.
Who Will Use This Most
This is definitely the best vest for people who need to conceal a weapon in a vest specifically. It's a great choice for all outdoor enthusiasts and sporty individuals. It's also a good option for people who have a tighter budget but need a good quality and durable product.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, this is one of the most affordable and highly functional tactical vests on the market. They are perfect for carrying concealed weapons and firearms. With its two concealed carry pockets, you can easily carry 2 weapons at once.
Best Carhartt Concealed Carry Vest:
Carhartt Men's Mock Neck Vest Sherpa Lining
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The vest proved to fit taller users really well. People were surprised and highly satisfied with the perfect fit it gave to tall people. However, some people complained that it does not fit properly, and there were issues with the sizing. Other than that, buyers also reported the vest to be perfect for mild winter seasons. Some buyers reported the zip to jam and cause trouble. Despite these small troubles, users were very satisfied with how well it concealed the weapon and recommended it to others as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Other than the exceptional build quality with 100% cotton and a comfortable lining, the vest also offers the widest range of colors. Getting to choose from a variety of 8 colors not only lets you make this vest your style statement, but also helps in matching it with the rest of your setup and gear.
Who Will Use This Most
We highly recommend this for people who are likely to attend places with different types of weather and climate. Since this vest works well for both summer and winter and has a sturdy construction, it will work well for all kinds of purposes. Moreover, it proved to be highly beneficial and functional for concealing weapons.
Bottom Line
The Carhartt vest is manufactured by one of the leading brands on the market. If you are an outside enthusiast or own a firearm that needs to be concealed in a vest, then this is going to be a great choice for you. It's also available in 8 colors, which further makes it a good pick for everyone.
Best Cinch Concealed Carry Vest:
Cinch Men's Bonded Softshell Vest
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers have bought this vest in multiple sizes and have found it to fit perfectly. They love its cuts, along with its sturdy fabric that conceals a firearm really well. In addition, users also find the vest extremely affordable and therefore feel a lot of value-added to their money.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It's essential to keep in mind the style statement your vest will be creating. For this reason, we have added this brilliant vest on our list as it has embroidered logos that not only add a sophisticated and top-notch look to it but also has a softshell finish that adds a great feel to it too.
Who Will Use This Most
It is a lightweight, durable, and highly functional vest. We highly recommend this to anyone who wants to conceal any size of a personal firearm or handgun. The Velcro holster will prove to be really helpful and allow ease and comfort for the user.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this is one of the best, minimalistic vests on the market that feature a Velcro-based holster inside to conceal your weapon. It is surely going to add some style and a great deal of good appearance while also doing its job really well.
Best Women's Concealed Carry Vest:
Smith & Wesson Women's Technical Hybrid Vest
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
People who bought and used this vest reported that it has some odd fitting that might cause discomfort for some people on hunting and for those partaking in other outdoor activities. Meanwhile, the construction quality and the feel of the fabric was reported to be highly comfortable and of great quality. All in all, users really liked it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find the appearance as well as the practical design of this vest truly impressive. With 2 concealed carry pockets, not only does it guarantee safe concealment but also allows you to carry more than one firearm. In addition, it also has a zipper plus snap closure front, which secures the vest in place much better.
Who Will Use This Most
It's a great vest for any female outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you want to go hunting or camping, the vest will be highly functional. Moreover, you can also use this as a style statement. It's good for people in colder regions.
Bottom Line
Overall, this vest makes up a great choice for women. You can use it as a fashion clothing piece or use it for its practical design to hold and conceal your personal firearms. It has solid construction with an attractive design.
Best Concealed Carry Motorcycle Vest:
SOA Mens Leather Club Style Vest
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Many users were highly satisfied with the construction quality of the vest. More so, they were truly happy with its fitting. It fit everyone perfectly while also ensuring comfort and convenience when moving around. Buyers reported the leather to be of great quality and said that it also does not wrinkle after a lot of uses.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The reason why this leather vest stands out to us is its quality. It's one of the most top-notch vests on the market that feature a great build and design but comes at a good price. The high-quality leather construction, along with practical pockets and carry compartments, make this a great product overall.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a typical biker's vest. It's the best for bikers and people who are always on the go. Moreover, it is made of leather, so it's also a nice choice for people in colder areas.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this is a complete package of style, practicality, and durability. It's a premium-quality leather vest at a good price. With its functional pockets and a great appearance, it is meant for everybody.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Concealed Carry Vest
If you don't think that a concealed carry vest is not the one for you, look at some of its features and advantages that you might be able to enjoy.
Style and Convenience
Whether you go for a cotton vest or a stylish leather vest, you will always be in style. With such a wide range of options, materials, and qualities available, vests can revolutionize your appearance and style. Meanwhile, they also ensure comfort and convenience.
Protective
Vests also provide protection. If you go for rip-resistant and waterproof vests, you will find them highly protective and safe. Leather vests for bikers are another example, as they prevent scratches on your body while also keeping your clothes safe.
Multi-Purpose
The best part about using a concealed carry vest is that it is multi-purpose. This means that you can use it for more than just one firearm. Plus, it's stylish and also lets you keep other belongings.
Conclusion
By the end of this article, we hope to have helped you pick you the best, most suitable concealed carry vest for yourself. Make sure to make the important, afore-mentioned considerations so you can pick the best one. The final choice between various materials and kinds will always depend on your personal preference and usage.