Gear Review: Three Great Fly-Fishing Vest Options

L to R: Simms Flyweight Vest, Jackson Hole Fly Co Adjustable Mesh Fishing Vest, and Fishpond Sagebrush Pro Vest.

I grew up hauling my flies and tackle around in my dad’s old fishing vest. Once I finally wore his vest out, I tried some sling and hip packs, but neither felt as convenient as the vest. I was content using a vest forever, and bought one of the old-style ones with solid panels, no mesh, and bulky zippers.

Then I tried out the Orvis Chest Pack and changed my tune. I loved the idea of trimming down my tackle to only the bare essentials, and I appreciated how light the pack was, too.

Last year, though, I toyed with the idea of going back to the fishing vest. The chest pack is great, but at times, it’s too small. And, I was curious how gear manufacturers had taken the vest into the modern age, since my last vest was a relic that looked as if it belonged in the ’90s.

I picked three vests to try out. I wanted to compare features across price points, and see if the more expensive vests are worth the money. With functional outerwear, you generally get what you pay for, but I wasn’t sure what to expect out of the vests.

Let’s take an in-depth look at each vest and see how they stack up against each other.

Fishpond Sagebrush Pro Vest

The Sagebrush Pro is a feature-packed vest, including the most useful feature of all (pictured above): a pull-down Tacky fly dock that zips away when not in use. This is the perfect spot to put flies you use often, or to set flies away when switching rigs. It’s light-years better than the old wool drying patches you saw on older vests. There’s a lot to love about the Sagebrush Pro, but this fly dock is its best feature.

Moving on, this is a mesh-based vest, so it’ll breathe well even during hot summer days. The shoulder straps are padded and easily adjustable, so you can quickly size this vest to your liking. Most importantly, the adjustments are hidden. This reduces the number of areas where your fly line can snag while casting.

There’s an integrated net slot and a D-ring, if you prefer attaching your net to a magnetic leash. Fishpond also includes a reach-through back pouch that’s perfect for storing extra food, water, or layers. Finally, there are 17 pockets built into the Sagebrush Pro. It’s almost too many, because I’ve found myself rifling through them while looking for where I stashed a certain fly box.

Unloaded, the Sagebrush Pro clocks in at 1.6 pounds, which is plenty light. Even full of fly boxes, tippet spools, split shot, and all the other fly fishing accoutrements, it doesn’t feel heavy or bulky. The vest does a great job of distributing the weight, and it’s quite a bit more comfortable than the last vest I wore.

Even though this a mesh-based vest, it feels durable. The pockets are built from a sturdy fabric, the zippers are smooth, and I have no doubt this thing will last me for at least as long as my old chest pack.

The Sagebrush Pro retails for $159.95.

Jackson Hole Fly Co Adjustable Mesh Fishing Vest

This vest packs the features as well as any on the market, and does it for $84.99. I’m not a fan of the monochromatic color scheme, but it’s clear this vest is designed with the end user in mind. You’ll find plenty of pockets (11 by my count), and all the outer-facing pockets are vertical, which should accommodate many different-sized fly boxes. Jackson Hole Fly Co includes some loops for attaching tools.

While I appreciate the loop zipper pulls, I did find my fly line catching on them more than on the other two vests. Following a trend like most other vests, though, this is mesh-based, so it’ll be great during the summer months. Jackson Hole Fly Co also built in a waist adjustment, so you can cinch this vest around your middle, in addition to adjusting its length.

Finally, there is a D-ring for attaching your net, and a reach-through back pocket, as well.

For $85, this is a great value, but it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles other vests do.

Simms Flyweight Vest

As the name implies, the Simms Flyweight Vest is seriously light, clocking in at just over a pound. This vest isn’t mesh-based, but instead is made with water-resistant 150-denier nylon. That means you can stash your fishing license, phone, or wallet in this vest and not worry (within reason) about it getting soaked. I fish in a few places that still issue paper licenses, so waterproof pockets are a great feature.

This vest also includes enough room to house a two-liter hydration bladder, which is a wonderful touch for those who want to go as light as possible when spending an entire day on the river. You’ll find a single-entry rear pocket that’s large enough for some snacks or a light layer, and a D-ring for attaching your net (there’s also an integrated net sleeve). The Flyweight also sports two stretch-mesh pockets on the rear that are perfect for storing water bottles (if you don’t have a hydration bladder) or extra gear.

The only downside to the Flyweight Vest is its fit. It only comes in two sizes, and can’t be adjusted vertically. It sits a bit too high for my liking, so this is definitely a vest I recommend trying on before you buy it. The Flyweight does have great side-compression and sternum straps, though, so you can dial in that fit to ensure the vest doesn’t move while you’re casting.

The Flyweight Vest will set you back $179.95.

Wrapping Up

Overall, I’m impressed with where fly fishing vests are now, compared to the ones I used growing up. They’re more comfortable, functional, and significantly lighter. The inclusion of net sleeves, hydration bladder sleeves, drop-down fly docks, and tool docking stations are great features that add to an angler’s experience with the product. I wish every vest had at least one waterproof (or water-resistant) pocket, and I applaud Simms for going in that direction.

Of the three vests, the Fishpond Sagebrush Pro is my favorite. It has a wonderful mix of features and fits me the best. (I could stand to lose 25 pounds, though, so take my comments on fit with a grain of salt.) Regardless of which one you choose, I think the vest deserves consideration from every angler, because they’re better now than they’ve ever been.