Exterior vest carriers

Who here wears exterior vest carriers, and what are your thoughts on them?

We had a rep bring some to us last year and every officer that put one on love them, but because we didn't like the admin's choice for color, they just scrapped the whole idea.

We wear light blue uniforms (ugh) and all of the officers (the people that would actually be wearing the carriers) wanted navy blue to match our pants. And those of us on nights wanted them because they were darker. Admin wanted light blue to match our uniforms shirts.

What do you think about them? Pros? Cons? Which looks better, contrasting colors (lt. blue/navy) or matching colors (blue/blue, brown/brown, etc)?

I would love to wear one, but we're so old fashioned with the uniform itself, it'd never fly.

In my opinion, if I were wearing your uniform I'd prefer the darker color. Not so much because of contrast, as it would be less likely to look dirty or worn in areas the equipment would be carried. That, and a light blue outer vest carrier would look weird.

My new department authorizes them and they are very popular. I've ordered mine and I'm waiting for it still. I can't wait to get some of this crap off my belt.

We have dark blue pants, light blue shirts, and the vest is dark blue to match the pants.

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Originally Posted by Xiphos

My new department authorizes them and they are very popular. I've ordered mine and I'm waiting for it still. I can't wait to get some of this crap off my belt.

We have dark blue pants, light blue shirts, and the vest is dark blue to match the pants.

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Our lt. blue's are very similar. That's exactly what we wanted, but admin balked at it for some reason.

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Originally Posted by Pudge

That, and a light blue outer vest carrier would look weird.

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I absolutely agree

We have them here in Philly. We wear dark blue pants and light blue shirts. We are allowed to wear black outter carriers and baby blue ones. They are very popular. I personally like tue black ones. I think thry look really nice,havent ordered one yet. They are nice though cause tgey are all custom made and u can put whatever pockets in that you want. Thumbs up from me.

I think im gonna keep the under just cause i think it looks cleane/more professional but they stil ll look nice.

http://homernews.com/images/101608/12297_512.jpg

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Originally Posted by Xiphos

http://homernews.com/images/101608/12297_512.jpg

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That has "bad ass" oozing from it.

Mine is the same dark blue as my uniform shirt and looks like the picture Xiphos posted. A lot of people don't notice it's a vest. I find it to be a lot more comfortable and a lot more convenient. It's no where near as hot, and when it does get hot, I just open the side panel a bit and let some air in. When I'm in the office, it's as easy to put off and on as a jacket. The down side is that because it's not tucked-in anywhere, it tends to "ride-up" in the car.

In the UK most officers now wear overt body armour in uniform.

Every force either wears black or hi visibility yellow carriers.

This is a link to a company that sells ex police body armour

Thompson Group Support Services - One Stop Cop Shop*::*BODY ARMOUR & TACTICAL VESTS*::*Hi Viz Second Generation Ex-Police Body Armour Stab & Ballistic Vest

Thompson Group Support Services - One Stop Cop Shop*::*BODY ARMOUR & TACTICAL VESTS*::*Aegis Ex-Police Body Armour Stab & Ballistic Vest

I wish we could get those here where I work. Our admin. is so freaking out of touch, they would never allow us to wear them. We tried to get something simple like being allowed to wear long sleeve shirts without ties during dayshift in the winter time, but they would not allow it saying that it does not look professional. Bunch of assfucks....

They do allow them here for patrol, but we have to buy our own, unless you came back from a special unit like Jaguars that are issued them. I would love to have one, but I don't have the 500 bucks to buy it.

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Originally Posted by McCrackhd

They do allow them here for patrol, but we have to buy our own, unless you came back from a special unit like Jaguars that are issued them. I would love to have one, but I don't have the 500 bucks to buy it.

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My external carrier was only $80.00 from Badger Uniforms. It's very well made and heavy duty. My vest panels fit well and stay in place.

I found one at a "local" LE store for $170 that seemed really well made. Just drop the panels from your vest into the carrier and it's ready to go.


But, we still can't wear 'em, so I left it hanging.

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Originally Posted by jmur5074

I found one at a "local" LE store for $170 that seemed really well made. Just drop the panels from your vest into the carrier and it's ready to go.


But, we still can't wear 'em, so I left it hanging.

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That's how mine works. Check out the Safariland catalog. They have a few different options for outside carriers there.

Ours are custom designed and built so they run about $200.

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Originally Posted by keith720

My external carrier was only $80.00 from Badger Uniforms. It's very well made and heavy duty. My vest panels fit well and stay in place.

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Sweet! How do they fit it, though? Do you have to go to the local cop supply store and get your measurements for it?

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Originally Posted by McCrackhd

Sweet! How do they fit it, though? Do you have to go to the local cop supply store and get your measurements for it?

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Ours just did a tracing of the panels and measured it over the shoulders while I was wearing it. That could probably be traced as well, or the measurement taken by you.

When they measured me for the vest, thay made the outer carrier to fit.

Well I've been hounding the boss man and he's agreed to revisit the external vest carrier topic.


He has not let up on them being light blue...but honestly I don't even care anymore. I think it will look stupid, but it will be so much more comfortable so I'm gonna roll with it anyway.

He told me he can't find a company that had the exact same color shirt we have (and I doubt he will) but someone told me they "heard" of a company that you send your uniform shirt to them, and they build your vest carrier out of said shirt.

I cannot find such a company online. Anyone ever hear of that?

On Second Chance's website they said their carrier fits of "color matched" shirts....I'm not sure if that is the same thing or not.

Second Chance's site says they can do custom colors for the uniform style external carriers so I assume they can match yours.

JG Uniforms offers two light blue colors, and I've heard they do custom colors.