5 Best Tactical Vests Reviewed – Affordable & Durable [2023]

In this post, we’re going to review the best tactical vests on the market and provide you with some pros and cons for each one. We’ll also provide some tips for choosing the best tactical vest to fit your needs.

What are the Best Tactical Vests?

One of the most important pieces of gear you’ll need on the battlefield is a good tactical vest.

Not only does it provide a platform for carrying your sidearm and ammunition, it also offers additional storage for other critical pieces of gear that you might need.

It can truly mean the difference between life and death in a high-stress situation. You’ll use it to carry survival essentials like a radio, your flashlight, a first aid kit, and other necessities. And the easiest way to carry these items when entering an emergency situation is through your tactical vest.

So to help you survive, we’re going to analyze some of the best tactical vests available. We’ll talk about:

• The different types of tactical vests
• The benefits and drawbacks of each one
• The top brands you should consider

Equipped with that information, this guide will help you find the perfect best tactical vest to fit your needs. Let’s begin!

#1: UTG 547 Law Enforcement Tactical Vest

UTG 547 Law Enforcement Tactical Vest Review:

The UTG 547 Tactical Vest is one of the most popular tactical vests on the market, and for good reason.

It’s designed for law enforcement, and has enough pockets and storage capacity for pretty much any piece of tactical gear you can imagine.

Pistol mag pouches, rifle mag pouches, a pistol holster, a heavy duty pistol belt, and everything else you could possibly need for any operation or emergency situation.

And one of the best things about this tactical vest is that it’s fully adjustable to fit most people of all shapes and sizes. Big or small, this tac vest should work for you.

It’s made from 100% polyester, which means the vest it very breathable while still being water resistant and tough enough to resist against basic wear and tear.

In short, it’s tough as nails, extremely durable, and can handle anything you throw at it. Water, hail, sleet, or snow, the UTG 547 is the way to go.

The storage capacity is plenty and the options are endless. It’s got a pocket or place for pretty much everything you’re going to need.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can carry:

• 3 to 6 rifle mag pouches
• 4 to 8 pistol mag pouches
• ID
• Radio pouch
• Hydration bladder
• Cross draw pistol holster
• Back panel for additional gear
• Plus whatever you can fit

And if you don’t have that many magazines, you can always use them as utility pouches and or a flashlight pouch, etc.

The only real downside to this vest is that it is not customizable. You can’t mix, match and swap the pouches around and put them wherever you like them.

That’s not a deal break for most people, but if being able to customize the loadout to fit your exact needs is a requirement for you, then you should probably consider a different tac vest than the UTG 547.

Overall, it’s going to fit most people’s needs and is a great tactical vest for those seeking an all-in-one solution. But if you want to customize, this isn’t the vest for you.

UTG 547 Law Enforcement Tactical Vest PROS:

• Has a pouch for everything you need
• Highly durable material that lasts
• Fully adjustable to fit almost any size

UTG 547 Law Enforcement Tactical Vest CONS:

• It’s not customizable

#2: YAKEDA Tactical Vest

YAKEDA Tactical Vest Review:

This is the #1 most sold and reviewed tactical vest on Amazon, and after reading this review below it’s easy to see why.

First let’s start with the weight and materials. The Yakeda is a lightweight tactical vest made out of 6ooD polyester which is both water resistant and tear resistant.

It’s very breathable, and the front and back inner vest sleeves are designed with an open mesh material to help keep you cool in hot weather or when you’re on the move.

It even has additional drain holes to accommodate extra water that might get into the pockets of the vest when doing operations near water or in heavy rain.

It’s also fully adjustable and allows you to adjust the width, length, and belt to suit most sizes. The minimum waist size is 35 inches, and the maximum waist size is 57 inches, so most people will be covered and have full freedom of movement while wearing the vest.

There are plenty of mag pouches and even a spot for a cross draw pistol holster and two large utility pouches that you can use to store larger items like first aid kits, etc.

One extra feature that’s pretty useful is the hydration compartment that’s similar to a Camelbak. There’s a tube that runs the full length from your back to the shoulder straps that can help rehydrate and get a cool sip of water when you need it.

This is a great feature for extended games or operations where there might be a long time in between water breaks. This feature helps you save some space that would otherwise have to be used by a bulky water bottle.

With so much to love, there is one major downside to this vest. At only $45, you shouldn’t expect to get high quality stitching and extended longevity from the materials.

While this might make a great vest for outdoors or an airsoft game, it’s not really practical for intense tactical operations or daily use in military or law enforcement type scenarios.

So if you’re getting it for fun and games or the occasional adventure, have at it. But if you need a high quality tactical vest for when your life is on the line, you should consider other options.

YAKEDA Tactical Vest Pros:

• Lightweight and breathable material
• Loaded with plenty of storage options
• Can’t beat the price of under $50

YAKEDA Tactical Vest Cons:

• Not suitable for actual tactical operations

#3: GLORYFIRE Tactical Vest

GLORYFIRE Tactical Vest Review:

Another great all-around option for a tactical vest is the GLORYFIRE tac vest. Originally known for the gun cleaning kits, the brand has also expanded in creating hunting knives, rangefinders, and now tactical vests.

Like many other tactical vests in this range, it’s made of 600D polyester with a mesh underlaying to make the vest lightweight and extremely breathable.

But unlike the Yakeda, it seems to have better quality stitching that can hold up to regular heavy use. I once read a review where the owner had a seamstress friend take a look at the vest upon arrival, and she gave the stitching quality her seal of approval.

Adjustable shoulder straps and side straps help you get a personalized fit and allow for full freedom of movement while wearing it. If you’re a little on the larger size, the belt is also adjustable or even detachable so you can remove it if needed.

It has plenty of pockets and rifle magazine pouches for everything you need. And the cross draw holster is one of the very best we’ve ever seen.

It allows for plenty of room for various full size pistols: 1911, Sig Sauer, Beretta, you name it. Some you can even fit with the tac laser and light combo attachment on it.

And probably the best feature of this vest is the MOLLE webbing and design that allows for more customization. Unlike velcro, your pouches and compartments aren’t going to get knocked off when you’re bouncing around and moving about.

Probably the only downsides for this tactical vest is that while the pistol holster is great, it can be a little hard to remove or install for some people. And the vest tends to be a little too small for tall people.

But overall it’s a great vest that will suit most people’s needs. However, if you’re north of 6 feet tall, you probably want to consider another tactical vest instead.

GLORYFIRE Tactical Vest Pros:

• Molle webbing and design
• Pistol mag pouches big enough for other items
• Easy to adjust with shoulder straps and belt

GLORYFIRE Tactical Vest Cons:

• Too short for taller people

#4: Blackhawk Omega Elite #1 Tactical Vest

Blackhawk Omega Elite #1 Review:

Designed by a former Navy SEAL with input from elite operators, the BlackHawk Omega is the premier elite tactical vest on the market.

The standout feature that make this one of the best tactical vests available is the STRIKE webbing on the front and back of the vest.

Most tactical vests use MOLLE webbing, and STRIKE webbing is an upgraded version for a more adjustable and secure storage system.

This was designed by the founder of BlackHawk who is a Navy SEAL veteran. He came up with it after experiencing several critical failures of standard issues tactical vests in the field. He was committed to ensure that would never happen again in a situation where his life is on the life, and the BlackHawk Omega Elite tactical vest was born.

Another added feature most tactical vests don’t have is the inclusion of a reinforced drag handle. This allows your team members to drag you to safety in the case of an injury without having to worry about the vest falling apart at the seams.

If that happens with some other cheap vest, the only way to extract you out is to pick you up and carry you to safety. But this reinforced strap makes the job a million times easier.

Plus, the vest has all the high quality you’d expect in this price point. Heavy duty zippers, breathable materials, and adjustable straps to fit your size.

There are cheaper, lower quality vests on the market. And while they may be more popular with the enthusiasts for airsoft games and fun, this is the vest you need when your life depends on it.

Blackhawk Omega Elite #1 Pros:

• Extremely high quality and durability
• Designed by actual tactical operators
• STRIKE webbing allows for enhanced customization

Blackhawk Omega Elite #1 Cons:

• Limited color options
• Too expensive for buyers on a budget

#5: OneTigris Multicam Tactical Vest

OneTigris Multicam Tactical Vest Review:

If you’re looking for a tactical vest with amazing features and a plate carrier to feel more bulletproof, then the OneTigris Multicam Vest might just be for you.

It’s made out of 500D Cordura Nylon, which is a synthetic material used by the industry to make military tactical vests like this one. It’s highly waterproof, which makes this vest a good choice for wetter operations.

But despite the intense waterproofing, the vest is also highly breathable and lightweight at only about 2 lbs. It has comfortable shoulder pads to make extended wear more manageable, and the ergonomic design makes it a breeze to take off when the mission is over.

It comes with a highly efficient MOLLE webbing system to increase your storage capacity and allow you to customize the vest to your needs. Mag pouches, shotgun shells, pistol holder, everything you could possibly need.

One downside is that if your waist is under 36 inches, it might not offer the best fit. And there’s no padding to cushion against the plate carrier, so it might be a little uncomfortable for some wearers.

Another great thing about this vest are the color options. It comes in black, coyote brown, and range of other camouflage patterns to suit your needs.

This is great for when you’re roleplaying in an airsoft game or military simulation, because you’ll really look the part. But if you’re an actual member of the armed forces or law enforcement, it will give you the official need you to look to fit in as well.

Overall, the OneTigris Multicam Tactical Vest is a great option that can serve many purposes, and it’s a regular favorite among professionals and enthusiasts alike.

OneTigris Multicam Tactical Vest Pros:

• MOLLE webbing system for customization
• Many color and camo options available
• Breathable material and extremely lightweight

OneTigris Multicam Tactical Vest Cons:

• Too large for most waists under 36 inches
• No padding to cushion against the plate carrier

Conclusion: Buying the Best Tactical Vests

When shopping for a tactical vest, there are many options to consider, and you pay most importance to it’s durability, customization, and sizing to get the right tactical vest for you.

By considering the factors and reviews we mentioned above and doing your own research, we’re sure you’ll quickly find the right tactical vest for your needs.