Looking for the best fly fishing vest? We’ve got you covered. If you’re new to fly fishing then make sure you check out our fly fishing gear checklist to make sure you have all the gear you need for your first trip.
Fly fishing is one of the greatest ways to enjoy the beauty of the natural world. There’s not much better than flicking a fly back and forth for a few hours.
One of the few things that can spoil the experience, though, is not having your gear at hand.
The last thing you want is to realize you’ve left an integral piece of gear back on shore while you’re wading. Worst of all is when you have a fish on the line, and your landing net is in your backpack 100 meters away.
There’s an easy way to prevent this problem from happening. All you have to do is invest in a fishing vest. You’ll have quick and easy access to all your gear even if you’re standing up to your waist in a river!
Check out this list of the best fly fishing vests on the market today. I’ll cover some of the main features you want to keep an eye on, plus I’ll go into more detail for each vest.
There’s a good range of vests on the list, from budget to premium, heavy-duty to lightweight, and I’m sure there’s one on there for everyone.
Fishing Vests Buyer’s Guide
A fly fishing vest is one of the best, most useful pieces of equipment you can add to your fly fishing toolkit.
Not only does a vest give you instant access to the rest of your gear, but it’s a great way of keeping things organized. Once you start using a vest, you’ll wonder how you ever fly fished without one.
Fishing vests vary in price, quality, and features. Check out this brief buyer’s guide to get an idea of what separates the best vests from the rest.
Material
The material is one of the features with the greatest variety when it comes to fishing vests.
While most vests are a combination of synthetic mesh and fabric, some higher quality vests are made out of a blend of synthetic and natural materials.
Mesh backs provide breathability, perfect for cooling you down on a hot day.
Other vests are more heavy-duty, with padding and lining to provide extra warmth and comfort. Other vests are water-resistant and are better for colder, winter fishing.
One small, but important, feature on fishing vests is the zippers. Some vests come with toggles on the zippers to help grip them even if you’re fingers are cold or wet, or you’re wearing gloves.
If you can, it’s worth splashing out a little on a fishing vest. Budget vests tend to rip and tear more easily, and their zippers always break first.
Pockets and Gear Clips
One of the best things about a fishing vest is the pockets. The number of pockets is seemingly inexhaustible, and you’ll be amazed at the variety and specific use of the pockets on fishing vests. Some vests come with zippered pockets, while others are Velcro or poppers.
Similar to pockets, the range and application of gear clips are one of the amazing features of fishing vests.
With most vests, you’ll find clips for needle-nose pliers, a hat, a water bottle, pretty much anything you can attach a carabiner to.
Some fly fishing vests also come with D-rings and loops designed to carry your landing net and rod.
Premium fly vests tend to have pockets and clips designed specifically for fishing gear, whereas some of the budget multipurpose vests come with generic pockets.
Top 5 Fly Fishing Vests
Bassdash Vest
The Bassdash Vest has the reputation of being one of the best fishing vests out there. For a reasonable price, it gives you everything you need, from total customization with its adjustable shoulder and waist straps to 7 different color options.
The lightweight material dries fast, and the mesh lining gives excellent breathability. It comes loaded with 18 different pockets, 14 of them zippered with smooth conceal zippers.
One of the nice features of the Bassdash vest is the toggles on the zippers, providing a comfortable grip even if your fingers are freezing.
If your gear won’t fit in one of the 18 pockets, Bassdash has supplied plenty of loops and clips to attach equipment to, including a D-ring for a fishing net on the back, rod holder loops, a strobe holder, a knife lash tab, and more.
Bassdash has made a solid fishing vest at an even better price.
Click here to check out prices, pictures, and reviews of the Bassdash vest.
Flygo Vest
Flygo has come out with a nice, low-costing multipurpose vest that’s popular with fly fishers on a budget. Its lightweight, made out of a cotton and polyester blend, and it dries fast too.
With a breathable mesh back, it’s useful for keeping you cool even on those hot summer days.
The Flygo vest comes in 7 different color options, from khaki and beige to black and army green. You can also get it in 5 different sizes, from S to XXL, so you’ll be able to find the perfect fit.
With a decent number of handy pockets, you should have more than enough storage for your gear.
As the Flygo vest isn’t explicitly designed for fishing, it lacks some of the unique features that come with some of the more specialized, but also more expensive vests on the list.
There aren’t rod loops or d-rings for a net, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive, frills-free lightweight vest, the Flygo is a solid choice.
Click here to check out prices, pictures, and reviews of the Flygo vest.
Maxcatch Vest
Maxcatch’s entry is hands down one of the best fishing vests out there. If you’re willing to pay a little more, the Maxcatch will not let you down.
There are plenty of reasons why it regularly tops lists and gets some of the best customer reviews online.
One of the best standout features is its 10year warranty and lifetime repairing warranty. There aren’t many companies offering this feature, and it’s helped Maxcatch build one of the strongest reputations in the industry.
Along with the warranties, Maxcatch has decked out their vest with tons of specially-designed pockets that are perfectly designed for everything from fly boxes to tippet spools, as well as a large mesh back pocket.
The Maxcatch comes in plenty of sizes and designs, so you’ll have no problem finding the perfect one for you. It’s made out of lightweight, breathable fabric.
Plus, it only weighs 24.5 ounces, so even fully loaded, it never gets too heavy.
Click here to check out prices, pictures, and reviews of the Maxcatch vest.
Allen Gallatin Ultra Light Fishing Vest
If you’re looking for a minimal fly fishing vest, then look no further. The vest from Allan Gallatin combines practicality with a great design, cutting out almost half of the material of other vests.
Its lightweight design and padded neck-strap keep it comfortable even when fully loaded.
With multiple pockets designed specifically for fly fishing gear, you can fir a surprising amount of kit into the Allen Gallatin vest. Plus, there’s a handy D-ring for a landing net too.
The heavy-duty molded zippers feel sturdy and unlikely to break.
The Allen Gallatin vest only comes in one size, about a medium or large in other vests, but because of its design, you can easily tailor it to your size if you’re bigger or smaller.
It only comes in one color, as well. The Allen Gallatin is a superb minimalist, lightweight vest that can fit a surprising amount of gear.
Click here to check out prices, pictures, and reviews of the Allen Gallatin Ultra Light Vest.
Anglatech Fly Fishing Vest
The fishing vest from Anglatech is a beautifully designed, high-quality vest that, if you’re willing to pay a little extra, would be a superb addition to your fly fishing arsenal.
Made from premium materials, the Anglatech vest is durable but lightweight.
It’s also one of the most comfortable vests out there. Its mesh back provides plenty of breathability and airflow to keep fishers cool and dry.
It comes in one size, but you can easily tailor it to your body with its adjustable shoulder and waist straps for the perfect fit.
With so many perfectly-designed pockets, D-rings, and clips, the Anglatech vest feels almost like a backpack with how much gear you can fit. It even has a water bottle holder, a feature that most vests don’t come with.
With two sweet color options (forest green and sand khaki), the Anglatech vest is one of the best premium vests on the market. If you’re looking for quality, the Anglatech vest will not let you down.
Click here to check out prices, pictures, and reviews of the Anglatech vest.
Time To Go Fishing
Now you should have a better idea of what type of fly fishing vest you’re looking for. There’s a pretty broad range of styles, qualities, and price ranges on this list, and I’m sure there’s something for everyone.
A good fishing vest will quickly become one of your favorite pieces of equipment and should last you for years.
Don’t forget, if you’re new to fly fishing then make sure you check out my fly fishing gear checklist to see my personal recommendations.
Good luck and happy fishing!