So how did I come to using combat webbing as an alternative to a standard type fishing vest? Well to be a hundred percent honest, again I was strapped for cash, I needed a vest, and combat webbing I already had. So I fulled it with fishing gear, strapped it on and got down to the business of fishing.
There’s a heap of different types and styles, but the one you see above is made by a company called Webtex in the UK, as far as I know. The good thing about this sort of kit is it’s generally readily available through an army surplus store, which makes it a cost efficient alternative if you buy second hand. The construction of this vest is pretty darn good, I’ve used it fishing for about the last fifteen years, not treating it all that well to be fair, and it still looks like it’s come straight out of the box.
It’s a little bit hard to show in photos but it can take a heap of gear and is still really comfortable to wear. You can carry two litres of water, enough food for a day, and all the rest of your fly fishing gear no trouble at all. Another good thing about this webbing is that you can attach accessories such as a day pack or an extra hydration pack. Also you can easily wear it while driving, which can be a draw back of some more traditional types of webbing.
It may not be everybody’s cup of tea but for me it ticks all the boxes. Of course all this is only my opinion and what I’ve found.