Whether you’re off to the shooting range, a paintball game or a hunting trip, you need a reliable tactical vest. I’ve tested and ranked the best options for the money in 2023.
FYI, Prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. FIREGEAR - Tactical Weighted Vest
Top-rated: 446 ratings | 39 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Various sizes, from S to XXXL, with a waist circumference range of 32 to 52 inches.
Helpful review: "Purchased as an entry level vest, and it exceeded my expectations. This seems to be an option for anyone from the beginning stages of airsoft fandom, to the home grown operator. The packaging was not as expected, a big bag in a large box wasn't awe inspiring, but not a big issue; it gets the job done.
I appreciated the information included that helped me understand that the manufacturer's goal was to satisfy customers. Then we get to the main event - the vest! It appears to be higher quality than I anticipated, and looks very nice. The feel is sturdy, and each strap/clip/snap all operate properly, and fit securely. The vest holds its shape and keeps form without bunching sloppily.
The vest itself is like a gift that keeps on giving. As you go throughout the vest, it has extra compartments and pockets that just keep appearing. The vest allows for customization to your preferential load out, which is expected, but nice that it was delivered.
The plate pocket has more than enough material to keep an optional plate in place, as well as additional material to snug it down in the pocket itself. The shoulder straps have an included pad which can be removed - again, you can make it your own!
There are enough pockets, MOLLE webbing, and mag carriers included to get you started in whatever you're interested in. Time will tell if it has great durability and maintains appropriate comfort levels, but for now, it seems to be a winner. All in all, it seems like a great addition to the collection and a great bang for the buck!
MY FRIEND’S REVIEW:
Bought this along with two 8.75 lb plates to both go running and rucking in as well as to do some of the Hero WODS from CrossFit. This makes the vest weigh about 20 lbs. Not using it for battle or airsoft like most other people on here are.
I have only had it a few days but it’s super adjustable. I’m 6’2” and 220 lbs, I had no problems with adjusting the “cummerbund“ tighter to fit my torso. I also like the quick release on these cheaper vests as I don’t want to worry about Velcro ripping or becoming unstitched as I have read about in other reviews about similar style vests.
I also took the shock cord off of one of the magazine pouches and it now doubles as my cell phone (iPhone 14 Pro Max) holder for when I’m out walking or running. I used one of the other magazine pouches as a holder for my wallet and AirPods case, but left the shock cord on that one. Overall I like this vest, but only time will tell in terms of durability.
A FEW WORDS FROM A NEIGHBOR:
This is a high quality vest, much better than I expected. It is heavy duty with sturdy stitching. I guess you can tell I like it very much. It has pockets and more pockets. If I filled them all it might get a little heavy lol. Nice shoulder pads on straps for weight distribution. Easy on easy off. A lot of the reason I like it so much, the fact that it is comfortable. I'm a big guy 275 lbs. I was worried if it would fit me as it is one size fits all. But not only did it fit but I extended it to as large as possible, I had to adjust it back down, so it can fit people larger than me. This was a BIG surprise. Not only would I buy again but I'm going to recommend this to family and friends." — Cam Coleman
Get it from Amazon now: $83.99 & FREE Returns
2. OneTigris - Multicam Tactical Vest
Top-rated: 1,098 ratings | 171 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Ideal for training, airsoft and CS game.
Helpful review: "I am very pleased with this vest. It’s well-constructed, feature-rich, and comfortable. I’m 6’ tall and around 230 lbs, and this fits me pretty well, though it does leave a lot of lower abdomen exposed.
On shorter, smaller people, this carrier offers considerably lower abdominal coverage, but like all carriers of this type (particularly the real ones), it’s designed to cover heart and lungs, and it does that well, even at my size (and girth). For others, the carrier can accept a Joey pouch or lower abdomen panel (like from AR500).
I plan to get one myself pretty soon, but I could easily do without, just as well. The replica plates are lightweight but dense and do a great job of absorbing and distributing the impact of the BB, so while you feel a thump, it causes no pain or welting - my lower abdomen wasn’t so lucky, but that’s the price you pay for maneuverability! All in all, I would buy this product again.
Also, I reached out to OneTigris with a product suggestion, and they actually contacted me back within 24-hours with two actual, custom responses from an actual representative - very nice to see and pretty rare this day in age!
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
Wasn’t sure about getting a plate carrier from amazon. But it’s surprisingly very good and I would recommend it to anyone who is going to use it on a daily basis with level 3 plates. The only issue I had was I used large level 3 plates and they were a little too big for the carrier but I was still able to close it. If you have medium plates it will probably work perfectly. 5/5." — John A. Hicks
Get it from Amazon now: $119.99 & FREE Returns
3. vAv YAKEDA - Tactical Airsoft Vest
Top-rated: 975 ratings | 126 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: The special structure of the fabric gives it excellent wear and tear resistance.
Helpful review: "Not too bad of a vest. I know some people have complained about the quality, but I don't see a single thing wrong with the item I received. I am a bigger guy (5' 10", 230 lbs), and this fits a little tight on me, but that is to be expected, because let's face it, I'm fat. Despite that, it is actually pretty comfortable.
All the pouches work fine, and secure the mags nicely. One thing that I dislike is the pistol mag pouches on the front, they are secured with snaps on the straps, instead of velcro. I do not like that, as I have always had issues with the snaps not holding very well.
It will hold standard 10 X 12 armor plates, front and back, with no issues. The 6 X 8 side plate pouches are a little snug, but do fit. I am not an "operator", nor have I been in the military, so I have no reference to judge this against. From what I have seen, however, it's well made, and is a quality item. Oh, and 40rd p-mags will just BARELY fit, but they stretch out the elastic A LOT, and I would NOT suggest using them. Stick with the 30rd, and you will be just fine.
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
This plate carrier is a great value for the money. I do force protection in Afghanistan and wanted a more comfortable plate carrier than the one issued. After searching here on Amazon, I found this one. I’ve been wearing it daily for about a month and it’s still very comfortable. The magazine pouches that come with it are great as well. I’m actually using one of the magazine pouches as a SIG 320 pistol holster. The pistol stays secure. I’m very happy with the purchase.e
MY NEIGHBOR’S REVIEW:
Was skeptical about this. I bought this to substitute a high end plate carrier for real world training. I am impressed. This carrier is comfortable, durable and easy to take off and put on. It held up to rigorous training. Had many pouches. However, the mag pouches in back were sort of not practical. The molle held up fine with a gas mask clipped on it. This plate carrier is definitely worth the price. I just wanted something lighter and suited to my needs. It did that and more. Our MILES gear easily attaches to it. Comms attached easily as well. For the price you can't go wrong." — Robert Pike
Get it from Amazon now: $135.99 & FREE Returns
4. GLORYFIRE - Modular Assault Vest
Top-rated: 1,271 ratings | 147 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: The detachable design of the pistol holster makes it versatile (for both left- and right-handed people).
Helpful review: "After trying three other brands of tactical vests, this one finally fit my needs. I'm glad I spent a bit more; my other attempts were $30-45 USD. I paid $80 for this one and it was definitely worth the upgrade. GLORYFIRE hit the sweet spot between value, features, workmanship, and durability. Vests in the $100-200 range may be comparable, but none seemed to really offer anything that this one didn't.
I'm an averaged-sized, somewhat athletic, right-handed male. 5'-10", 170lbs. Other vests were all too girthy, restrictive, and cumbersome, even without being fully loaded, and I questioned the durability of their stitching and materials. The belts all hung too low, interfering with other hip-belt accessories. Their cross-draw holsters were all too tight for my pistol with its tac-light/laser attachment, and two of them used only velcro to attach it to the vest, which simply could NOT hold up to fast walking, much less running. In all these areas, the GLORYFIRE got it right.
The shoulder adjustment straps were accommodating to my torso size, without feeling awkward once doubled over into a tighter fit. The belt did not hang too low; I'm able to attach other accessories to my pants/hip belt with relatively good accessibility. When fully loaded, it's surprisingly comfortable and free-moving.
The crossdraw holster is the best I've seen on a vest. PLENTY of room for full size pistols: 1911, Beretta, Sig Sauer (even WITH its tac laser/light combo). It's MOLLE (no velcro) so it's not going to bounce off while running and you can shift it around on the grid some for placement flexibility.
Unfortunately, it's a perpendicular grid; I'd prefer it was canted to 45 degrees for better draw access. But I was able to manipulate the MOLLE straps for a slightly better angle. I also added a couple of Velcro straps to secure it better to the webbing. Holds nice and snug now and bounces FAR less than without them.
The four rifle mag pouches all hold two AR-15 30-rd magazines (albeit snugly) or a single AK-47 30-rd magazine.
The four pistol mag pouches on the chest and holster all easily accommodate 15-rd Sig Sauer or Beretta 9mm magazines. However, they only barely fit in the two pistol mag belt pouches. I'd not trust them running or prone. Best to use these for other items (e.g. flashlight, knife, or small mags for a compact backup pistol), or remove them entirely (they snap off quickly) and make room for other accessories on the belt (e.g. cuffs, baton, other mag pouches).
The MOLLE webbing on the back was an added bonus. I mounted a shotgun scabbard and was impressed with how comfortable and easy it was to withdraw from. If other, cheaper makes are falling short for your needs, give this one a try." — Anthony D. Bowling
Get it from Amazon now: $75.99 & FREE Returns
5. MG FLASH FORCE - Tactical Airsoft Vest
Top-rated: 2,190 ratings | 121 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: 1 triple rifle magazine pouch, 1 map and flashlight pouch, 2 communication pouches, and 1 tool pouch.
Helpful review: "Just got it and definitely like it. The vest is made from very durable material and the seams are all well sewn together. Just feels high quality. Plenty of attachment points and comes with a good variety of pouches and pockets for mags, batteries, and coms. There are plenty of points for adjusting the fit so it fits my teenage son and I both, even though there is a 100 lbs difference between us. Happy with the buy.
MY FRIEND’S REVIEW:
Bought for Airsoft and it will suit that purpose very well. Stitching looks good and the Molle is actually straight and evenly spaced. I wear an XL shirt but have a fairly large chest/gut and this fits well. This could easily fit a much smaller person and could accommodate a XXL sized person as well. I didn't much care for the included mag pouch so I attached my own and think it looks, and feels, much better. I run a HPA setup and keep the tank high on my back, this vest has enough natural 'padding' that it cushions the tank very nicely and even after a few hours playing it doesn't bother me like the cheap harness I used to wear. Most importantly this will keep the sensitive areas on the front of your chest and the tender areas on your back protected. I'm not one to complain about taking a paintball or bb to the tender spots but every so often one pops you just right and boy howdy do you know it. This helps with that, a lot!
A FEW WORDS FROM A NEIGHBOR:
I’ve played around 10 games with the vest on. With everything included with the vest, I have room on my person for 5 rifle mags, 2 pistol mags and a speed loader. Included Multipurpose/medic bag is great to carry my phone or extra bbs. The list goes on too, what u can add to this vest. If it ever gets dirty, my baby-wipe usually does the trick to clean it up! Hope this helped some of y’all looking for a budget friendly comfortable vest." — Jeff Gilbert
Get it from Amazon now: $41.99 & FREE Returns
6. vAv YAKEDA - Tactical Outdoor Vest
Top-rated: 404 ratings | 36 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Designed to be a lightweight and versatile low profile vest; offers enhanced mobility without compromising protection.
Helpful review: "I'll start this review by stating I'm more likely to be on Meal Team 6 then Seal Team 6. This carrier fit my Level 3+ Spartan Armor Advanced Swimmer Plates. The pouches I took off right away and used HSGI Taco's so I can't say much about them. I used this in a bunch of training and it held up just fine. I don't think i'd take it to Iraq but for the Cul de sac Commandos this will work fine. I'd happily buy this again." — Backwoods406
Trending review: "This was a real steal! When I bought mine it was $20. Great comfort and quality, really for $20 bucks I couldn't believe it, no wonder the price went up! However, this is not made for SAPI plate. Medium SAPI is 1/2 inch too long. Civilian commercial plates should work great. The measurements as described are true. The medium SAPI will kinda fit. I was afraid the closure would not have enough retention being the SAPI was a 1/2 inch longer than the dimensions. But for the price if you could stitch a bit more on the closure it would definitely fit." — Andy Y.
Reassuring review: "This my first plate carrier so I’ve nothing to compare it too. That said, it is comfortable, fits my Botach level IV 10x12 plates perfect. The Molle straps are in spec and it is minimalist as I wanted. As long as it holds up, I’m thrilled with it. Will update if any problems rise. Great starter vest. If you’re on the fence, go ahead and pull the trigger." — Christopher W. DeVore
Get it from Amazon now: $39.99 & FREE Returns
7. Himal - Lightweight Combat Vest
Top-rated: 4,195 ratings | 101 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Only weighs 2.5 LB. Light and comfortable to wear.
Helpful review: "I initially bought it initially thinking that if I were to end up opening the package and realizing that I may as well have ordered from Wish, I could just hand it over to a nephew or grandson and try it again elsewhere. However, my son snatched the package from me and took the honor of being the first to get a good look at it and trying it on. Right out of the box it fit him perfectly. Once he was willing to part with it, I put it on and it too fit me with no need for adjustment. It has all the versatility I need, and my only difficulty with it is that I have to wear it around for a while to get it to mold to my body, as it is not light in material, and is a bit stiff. As if that's a serious problem... As with anything else, its base design may not be perfect for everyone, but for my needs, it is perfect. In fact, I'll be ordering another one for my son, as he's impressed enough to want one for himself. Best of all, it's a perfect match with my shooting backpack and other accessories. Neither interferes with the others, and everything fulfills my needs" — Ed Moran
Trending review: "I bought it for use in Off Duty LEO work. The vest comes with keepers and a belt. The keepers attached to the vest takes weight of duty belt, weapon, etc. off of my hips and is borne by my shoulders. Made a world of difference as am on my feet a lot. I would buy again and have recommended it. I just do not like the placement of the radio pouch under my left arm. Antenna is in the way and the pouch is permanently attached. I have a molle radio pouch but the only loops are on the back of the vest and are too narrow to accept molle straps. I would like a pouch designed to hold an i phone that could be fastened with velcro to the front. I do like the pouches that are velcro removable from the front of the vest. Actually, way more than i can use. I do like the vest and I would buy again if I needed to. Thank you!" — John Henley
Reassuring review: "I was surprised with the versatility and build quality of this product. There is Velcro all over. All the modules can be pulled off and rearranged. You can easily reconfigure the arrangement to meet all project needs. Other than weapons, this vest would be useful to anyone who has to carry an arrangement of items. If you cook, do craft projects or fish, there are pockets for all your stuff. There are even zipper pockets inside each panel for more stuff. I took off the additional pockets that were on the belt to streamline the setup. The webbing construction is nice so it won't get hot in the summer and with all the adjustments it will fit over any jacket then tighten up if you are just wearing a t-shirt. Beyond your to-go bag, this vest makes a great addition for those who want to be prepared. The only con is loading it up with too much stuff and seeing if I can pick it up!" — Brandon Rubin
Get it from Amazon now: $29.99 & FREE Returns
8. Marmot - Mesh Vest with Detachable Belt and Holster
Top-rated: 1,780 ratings | 113 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Zipper closure.
Helpful review: "I've always wanted a Tactical Vest that would make a day at the range easy and fun. Going to the range with a few different firearms, this Marmot tactical vest will definitely help carry all the different types of magazines I have for my rifles. The material is very well made and the stitching is not cheap. Now for the zipper, which is surprisingly very strong for the price, it's an unbeatable vest. The utility belt allows you to carry more mags, flashlights, or what ever will fit. The Inside pockets are the perfect spot for emergency supplies, maybe a map. Under the shotgun shell holder there's another pocket for extra mags or even a safety kit. The fact that it also has an emergency pull strap on the back shows you that Marmot though about this vest very well and their quality control is on point. So if you're looking for a vest that is well made, gets shipped super fast, and is from a company that cares about its products - then Marmot tactical vest is a no brainer!" — Tomas Santiago
Trending review: "This is a great tactical vest for what you pay. Excellent construction, highly adjustable with lots of pockets and pouches, 2 of which are removable, as is the holster and belt. The belt is seriously heavy duty and adjusted to my 34" waist without issue and could go several more inches with ease. I saw some negative reviews about the holster mounting and size of the shotgun shell holder. I had no issues with either. The holster came mounted in the right hand draw position and was easy to adjust and remove. I like that it can be removed and used with a belt mount or drop leg rig allowing for the addition of another pouch or 2 in case I need to carry extra gear. I had no issues fitting 12 gauge shotgun shells in the removable shell holder either. They're tight, but they're supposed to be. There are 3 pockets for armor plates as well, in the event that you want to add them. This vest is an awesome value for the price. I'll be ordering another one just to have on hand. If you're looking in this price range then this is the one to buy." — Robert McAvoy
Reassuring review: "The quality of this tactical vest was much better than I expected. I purchased this as a gift and the recipient was extremely pleased. Especially with the positioning and number of holders/compartments. I'd highly recommend this tactical vest." — Stonehenge
Get it from Amazon now: $48.99 & FREE Returns
9. GZ XINXING - Law Enforcement Airsoft Paintball Vest
Top-rated: 2,472 ratings | 202 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Comes with a lot of useful pockets with zippers or buckles; provides large storage.
Helpful review: "I do hunting walkabouts with a "sporting rifle" or shotgun. I always have a larger caliber pistol with extra mags as a back-up in case of an aggressive predator such as a bear or mountain lion. A vest fits the bill for my gear. I was a little nervous about ordering this vest. Over days, I had viewed a dozen or more similar items, comparing the photos and studying the details of each. The problem is that nearly all of the vests were almost identical in design! Many were obviously cheap and low quality with skimpy mesh and fabric, plastic snaps, and lightweight buckles and webbing. I did NOT want a paintball vest. After much diligence, I made this choice. Result: I was COMPLETELY and pleasantly surprised at this vest's high quality and rugged construction. The mesh is strong and sturdy - won't stretch or rip. The camo fabric portions are very strong and thick with backing. All stitching is strong and precise. The webbing and polymer buckles are tough, thick and substantial. The 30-rd and pistol mag pouches are mil-spec with excellent detailing and retention. The holster is strong and reinforced to hold its shape. It has a padded lining, too. My only critique of the holster is that it cannot really be canted for a better cross-draw position. It is attached by Velcro on the back with top and leading edge straps, confining it to a vertical position. The pro is that tested with full size Glock and Springfield XD, fit and retention is perfect. The shotgun shell holder - 6 round - has strong elastic and will not stretch out of shape anytime soon. The belt is off-the-chart thick, rigid, and strong enough for an additional side arm or other accessories. The retainers and main buckle are military quality. The front zipper is ultra heavy-duty as are the inside, smaller zippers for the large mesh map and document pockets. The fact that the back of the vest will accommodate a 2.5 litre hydration bladder is awesome. As far as comfort goes, I am an XL and the vest fits great. Remember that fully loaded, there will be some weight to it. Once I have the straps and all dialed in, I could see adding some padding to the shoulder points. Conclusion: Don't hesitate to purchase this vest - It is high quality with fine detailing and functionality." — Kelly
Trending review: "My teenage son thinks he's some type of Ninja. He and his buddies run around in the woods behind the house shooting each other with paintball guns. When he told me how this vest would increase the amount of ammo and gear he could carry thereby improving his odds of winning the battle, I cheerfully handed my card over. After all, it gets him away from the television and video games where he's inside shooting people and encourages him to go outside with his friends where they shoot each other. When he unboxed the vest I heard squeals of delight that usually come from a teenage girl who has just met her idol. Then he got on his video game mike to tell his buddies to head outside for a battle. I heard phrases like "my mom is awesome" and "this is so cool". Shortly afterward he walked slowly by me - the vest packed in every pocket and crevice. That was a few days ago and I guess the vest did a great job of carrying a lot cause I haven't seen him since. I've heard him yell at his buddies as they all run away and hide but this vest seems to have made my kid the undisputed leader of his paintball world. **Just to give an idea of how big it is, my Son is 6"2 and weighs about 220lbs. He wears this vest over a hoodie and it fits him perfectly." — KimDee
Get it from Amazon now: $39.99 & FREE Returns