Photographer's Vests for Cotton Carrier Vest

I love Cotton Carrier Vest. It really has relieved me from much pain in my aging neck and shoulders. However, I never felt comfortable wearing the Cotton Carrier Vest by itself in public. It's meshed back with two shoulder straps running across with velcro attachment is especially ugly and noticeable. Obviously, it's a personal thing. So, in my attempt to find a way to completely hide the meshed back and camouflage the front to make it look less noticeable, I decided to purchase a couple of photographer's vests, one for cool to cold weather and another one for warm and hot weather. Because I wanted something extremely light and well vented vest for warm and hot weather, I ended up getting a travel vest, instead, as opposed to a dedicated photographer's vest. Here are some photos of each:

Promaster Photographer's Vest over the Cotton Carrier Vest without the Camera

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …young-family/13336616283/

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …young-family/13336468305/

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …young-family/13336468225/

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …young-family/13336863444/

Very nice. That looks so much better with the vest on it.

The reason I would never consider owning the CC vest is because of its looks. No offense at all but without covering it I think it looks ridiculous. Your solution is perfect. And your reviews and pics are also excellent and I always enjoy reading your posts.

For me, I'm happy with a small backpack with an extra lens and flash, and the camera hanging from the rings on the shoulder straps. Also, it gives me the ability to put the camera away at times, especially if it starts raining.

MDJAK wrote in post #16777976
The reason I would never consider owning the CC vest is because of its looks. No offense at all but without covering it I think it looks ridiculous. Your solution is perfect. And your reviews and pics are also excellent and I always enjoy reading your posts.

For me, I'm happy with a small backpack with an extra lens and flash, and the camera hanging from the rings on the shoulder straps. Also, it gives me the ability to put the camera away at times, especially if it starts raining.

If I'm not using either of my heavy 70-200L and 100-400L lenses, then I'd go with a system like Peak Design Capture Clip or Spider holster or something similar. But when I'm hiking or birding when I need these long zooms, I couldn't find any easier (and quick draw and shoot) method of carrying my gear than the CC Vest. And I'm the one who used to scoff at the idea of wearing this vest!

This is a great idea. Like MDJAK, I'm not comfortable wearing mine in towns / cities because of the look.

My CC also has the side holster, I wonder if I could have a vest altered to have a Velcro opening for when I want to use the holster as well...

cutwater wrote in post #16779264
This is a great idea. Like MDJAK, I'm not comfortable wearing mine in towns / cities because of the look.

My CC also has the side holster, I wonder if I could have a vest altered to have a Velcro opening for when I want to use the holster as well...

That shouldn't be difficult at all as long as you carefully measure where the slit is going to be.

With the vests to cover the CC Vest, especially with a more stylish Columbia travel vest, I no longer have any hesitation to use the combo in towns/cities, indoor/outdoor events or even on international photo trips. In fact, the latest time I used it, people thought my camera gear was just hanging from my neck (I use an OP/TECH neck strap as a safety tether). With the camera on the CC Vest hook, the Vest is just about entirely invisible!

SYS, Columbia vest looks good. I think I will get one to replace worn Domke vest.

Jason Kim wrote in post #16788211
SYS, Columbia vest looks good. I think I will get one to replace worn Domke vest.

So far I'm really liking this vest. It can even be worn without photographic purposes. It's an ideal multipurpose vest, especially in summer months in L.A. and other places where temperature can rise pretty high. It's so light, though, that forget placing any lenses in its pockets. Its 10 pockets are ideal for carrying light stuff, like memory cards, some batteries, rocket blower and cleaner with microfiber cloth, etc.

Just ordered one from Amazon.
Thanks, SYS

What is it that you don't like about the look?

Thanks...Al

Methodical wrote in post #17294617
What is it that you don't like about the look?

Thanks...Al

Looking like a member of a SWAT is not the way I like to shoot photos out in public.

SYS wrote in post #17295320
Looking like a member of a SWAT is not the way I like to shoot photos out in public.

Gotcha. I guess it won't be so bad since I will use it at sporting events and I don't think the 4 legged animals will mind it when I am in the woods.

It's something I think would be handy while shooting a football game; 70-200 on my chest and if I ever decide to use a third body, I could have the 24-70 on the side.

I have a Crumplers vest already and it would fit perfectly, except the side holster.