Hydra-SAR vs. Aero-Vest

[Storm Chaser]

Thanks for all the replies. They were very helpful.

I've made my decision. I'm going to give the Aero-Vest a shot. I'm buying the hi-viz orange Urban model with the zippered pockets. This model also has the F.O.G. case and an extra flagging tape dispenser. Everything else is pretty much identical to the Wildland model. I'm also buying the matching Drink! Lynx hydration system, speed belt and Aero-Pack. I'm planning on putting the UDF gear and the most frequently used GT gear in the vest and the rest in the detachable pack. This will help keep things light when I don't need the extra gear.

I'll report back next month, when I get a chance to test it in the field.

[Jerry Jacobs]

I have owned both of the mentioned vests for about three years now, I was issued the Hydra-SAR vest from the County SAR team and got the Aero Vest Urban for CAP use, but after a couple of months I just switched to the Aero Vest for everything. Carrying a poncho, survival kit, 3 Liters of water in the back pocket of the Hydra-SAR vest caused it to ride up on me and would be pretty uncomfortable during those difficult field assignments.

The thing I really love about the Aero- Vest is the ability to wear them as thigh rigs allowing you to wear a proper 72 hour pack. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Storm Chaser]

The thing I really love about the Aero- Vest is the ability to wear them as thigh rigs allowing you to wear a proper 72 hour pack. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks. I do have one. Where did you buy yours? The manufacturer doesn't do direct sales and I have been checking multiple vendors. So far, the best price for each item (including shipping) seems to be from Fire-etc.com. However, they don't sell the Urban model on their website. I called them last week and was expecting call back, but never got one. Any thoughts on vendors?

[Jerry Jacobs]

I dont have any specific vendor I use for my gear. And the aero vest was a gift so I'm not exactly sure where the best place to get it is. However you can most likely find it on any website that sells wildland firefighting gear as True North vests are wildly used by wildland firefighters.

[Storm Chaser]

I ended up placing my order through Fire Etc (http://www.fire-etc.com). Joel was very helpful and worked with me to get the items not available through their website.

One note: the hi-viz orange Aero-Vest is being discontinued, although they still have some left in inventory. In fact, they did not have the Drink! Lynx Hydration System in orange through any of the normal channels. I called several vendors and, while they had the orange one listed on their websites, they did not have any in stock. I had to call the manufacturer who, after doing some search, was able to find one previously used in demos.

If anyone is interested in this vest, I suggest that you place your order now while supplies last. They are only discontinuing the orange models and will still carry the black ones.

[blackrain]

Does anyone know if the bigger pocket(s) on the Aero-Vest Wildland will hold a standard size David Clark headset? Also looking to see if the pocket will hold sectionals and approach plates etc. I'm looking for a vest to keep my flying gear organized in one grab and go set-up. I do like the open back to make sitting easier and keeping heat from getting trapped.

[Storm Chaser]

I don't think they are. I have an Aero-Vest Urban, which should be able to carry about the same amount of gear, although the pockets are slightly different; mine have zippers. I don't think any of the pockets is large enough. I can check tonight and confirm this with my David Clark headset. The headset would definitely fit in the Aero-Pack that goes on the back and attaches to the speed belt. Of course, that's an extra expense and you would have to remove it before flight.

[blackrain]

I don't think they are. I have an Aero-Vest Urban, which should be able to carry about the same amount of gear, although the pockets are slightly different; mine have zippers. I don't think any of the pockets is large enough. I can check tonight and confirm this with my David Clark headset. The headset would definitely fit in the Aero-Pack that goes on the back and attaches to the speed belt. Of course, that's an extra expense and you would have to remove it before flight.

Thanks....I hate to find out after buying something that it doesn't fit what I had in mind. I have a Sporty's Bag but it still means I'm fishing out gear for the flight and packing it back up at the end.....or reaching back for something during a flight. A vest means I have everything (or at least my most used items)in front of me from walking out to the aircraft to shutdown.

[Storm Chaser]

The front pockets on the Urban model are definitely not big enough for a David Clark headset. While the Wildland front pockets are shape slightly different, I suspect they won't be big enough either. The Aero-Vest has two side pockets (one on each side) that may be big enough to fit a headset. However, the opening seemed a bit small and I had trouble trying to get my David Clark headset in. I gave up because I figured that even if it fits, it would be a pain to get in and out.

[blackrain]

The front pockets on the Urban model are definitely not big enough for a David Clark headset. While the Wildland front pockets are shape slightly different, I suspect they won't be big enough either. The Aero-Vest has two side pockets (one on each side) that may be big enough to fit a headset. However, the opening seemed a bit small and I had trouble trying to get my David Clark headset in. I gave up because I figured that even if it fits, it would be a pain to get in and out.

Well I saved $140. I've been toying with different ideas from orange surveyor and hunting vests and using the back plan/game pouch for the headset. The headset has to come out to fly anyway so not too big a deal. I was also hoping for something that holds the military right angle flashlight where it can be used if needed during flight similar to the military flight vests out there.

Looks like finding what I want is certainly possible but likely north of $200 to start. There are actually Orange Nomex electrician vests I've seen out there that aren't cheap...and not ANSI compliant either.

[Jerry Jacobs]

Sectional will fit however it will be a tight fit. Headset as others have mentioned won't fit inside However you may be able to hang it from the drag handle and when you donn the vest simply hang it around your neck.

[NM SAR]

I'd say you have two options if you're really concerned about making a not-ANSI orange vest compliant. a) wear a 'vest' underneath that has sleeves with reflective material (google search for surveyor's vest), or b) get some reflective stripes from somewhere and sew them on. I did this with an old PT reflective belt. seems to work.

[SarDragon]

Compliance relies on background color and area of reflective material. You can't do it on your own as cheaply as the folks who mass produce the vests, and it still isn't really compliant, since it's not certified.

[Storm Chaser]

I have an orange ANSI II safety vest with additional reflective tape to wear underneath my hi-viz orange True North Aero-Vest. While some of the reflective material is covered by the Aero-Vest, most is still visible. In addition, the hydration system (also hi-viz orange) has a strip of reflective tape on the back. There are also two small reflective strips on the straps. Since the Aero-Vest has two 2x4" areas of Velcro® on the front pockets, I'm considering adding reflective material there as well.

I believe my current setup provides more visibility than most alternatives I've seen in the field. In most cases, carrying a backpack will cover half of your vest. And unless you have a huge vest, most won't properly fit over a backpack when worn. Even if you can manage to wear a safety vest over your tactical vest or backpack, you'll have other challenges when trying to get to your gear. I've already field-tested my gear/vest combination and it seems to work well.