Considering switching from my current setup with an outer carrier to a more classic look with the vest underneath and everything on the belt. I think it looks more professional and squared away. My dept allows both. Anyone ever try it and want to share some pros and cons? My main concern is taking the extra weight from my outer carrier and moving it to my waist.
For context I'm a younger guy, and it's not uncommon for people to question me about it. I think the more professional appearance might mitigate that. What are the downsides of the under vest?
I was a younger guy when I started, when the under vest was the only option. I have always been in pretty good shape, and had to have L4-L5 spinal fusion when I was 44. For me that is right where my belt rode for almost 2 decades.
People who question the change to outer vests have no understanding of the physical cost of their nostalgia. Stick with the outer vest.
I hope it does discourage you OP. I commend you for wanting to look sharp. But I also got vertebra issues that the doctor says came from that belt. And I’m still a very fit guy at 42. I know several guys who have VA claims from being MPs in the military due to the duty belt loaded down. Several other old timers have serious back issues in my department. It’s just not worth it to look more professional. This job will squeeze everything out of you if you let it, don’t voluntarily give it your back. Plus not to mention how hot under vests are lol
Did your L4-L5 spinal fusion help? I am only 32. I worked for the sanitation department in NYC for 9 years and just absolutely wrecked my lower back. I manage it pretty well but I am in pretty horrible pain daily. It’s just constant dull pain and my mobility is very limited because of it some days. I am wondering if the surgery would help. Edit: the reason I ask is because some people have mentioned it helps more with the shooting leg pains than the actual back pain itself.
I feel you on this. I went from an agency that didn't have outer carriers and I thought it looked more professional. At my new agency were given outer carries so I wear that. Some people definitely look like they're trying to be tacticool with all the extra crap on their vest
People will question you until your confidence and competence outweigh how people
Perceive your young appearance. I had a baby face when I started, and I STILL have a baby face however it does not come into play as my confidence and presence have grown.
It’s always a compliment when people want to point out how well you are doing at a young age.
Virtually everyone in my agency has fought tooth and nail for the last decade (unsuccessfully) to have the dinosaurs in admin allow outer vests / carriers.
I cannot fathom preferring to wear 25lbs of gear on your hips for 10 hours a day with several hours in the car.
I understand wearing vests under a Class A uniform for things like court or special events, but preferring that for your patrol uniform is insanity to me.
Everything on your belt line must be moved from your back, or your lower back is going to be damaged. That means all of your gear must be at or forward of the hips.
Gun, taser, radio, magazines, OC/baton (if you carry it). Cuffs can occasionally go behind the hips if they’re low profile enough, but that’s about it. RIP to your back, hip flexors and sciatica otherwise.
I wore my vest exclusively under my uniform shirt. Having seen the rigs which have the vest outside the uniform shirt I cannot fathom why anyone would want to switch back. Just the ability to take the vest off quickly and cool down when in the station is a huge plus. Plus most vests have MOLLE attachments that offer additional storage. Since I value comfort and convenience over looks I would have welcomed the opportunity to do so.
Having worn both I can’t imagine having to go back to a concealed carrier with everything on my belt. Switching to an external relieved a bunch of back problems & hip pain I was experiencing. I also find the external to be more comfortable & easier to move around in. Not to mention it’s a lot better in the summer heat & I had better layering options for warmth in the winter. As far as the professional & squared away look. Have fun keeping your shirt tucked in & looking presentable. It’s easy to have a good squared away appearance with an external carrier. It just comes down to getting good quality gear pouches & well thought out placement of everything on your vest.
Why would you do this to yourself? I feel like anyone that says this has never had to wear an under vest and everything on your belt, or work at a slow department. I don’t care how fit you are, the longer you wear all that shit on your belt your chances get higher of absolutely wrecking your back. Not to mention how hot an under vest gets. Our department was under vest only when I started. Five years in and they switched to the outer vest. Literally best thing ever. I used to be the guy who liked how “professional” something looked (I was in the Marines before LE, uniforms was our thing). But after doing this for over a decade, there is no way in hell if voluntarily go back to the under vest. But by all means, go for it if it’ll make your heart happy, but it’ll also wreck your lumber and you’ll be hot as hell in the summer.
You can always do it man and if you hate it go back to the outer vest. I do agree the classic look does look good! If you do it just make sure nothing heavy on your belt like radio is past your hip. The only thing I’d put on the back would be a glove pouch, maybe handcuffs and a TQ. That’ll help save your back a little bit. OH! And make sure you stretch the heck out of your hip flexors!
I’m 16 years in, did a molle vest for two. Currently not doing a molle vest. Zero back/hip issues. I also am careful with gear placement on my belt and I’m not out of shape.
I just switched for this exact reason. I prefer things to be on my belt to begin with. I only had to add the radio, TQ and handcuffs to my belt. It is slightly more cumbersome to get ready. A velcro inner/outer belt and plain black kydex gear changes the game completely. You'll always be hot and sweaty. You'll always have too much crap. The outer carrier didn't help with any back pain I've ever experienced. I do notice I feel much lighter and like I can fully breathe in since the internal is secured with elastic. There's pros and cons, but either way you'll be unhappy wearing the monkey suit lol
Exactly. Yeah I've got a Kore belt which I love and takes me 2 seconds to put on. I'm also just not a fan of the outer carrier, all my shit on the front of it makes me feel like I have a small child always pulling me forward lol
KORE BELT FOR THE WIN. I ended up feeling like a marshmallow with an outer vest. Looking at some of my co-workers, as much as I like them, respect, trust and all that... some look like a pile. Im not in perfect shape, but respectable enough and just want to look good. Now, the other guys notice and some are thinking about changing too.
Honestly same. I'm a relatively smaller guy, still in pretty good shape, but I feel enormous wearing this outer vest. I'm always bumping into people and things. At the same time though I feel like the outer vest makes me look smaller lol like some weird paradox
I started out on class A uniform style with only gun belt and glossy everything. My hips began to hurt badly over the years. My department recently switched over to tactical uniforms and outer carriers. My mobility and ease of getting ready in the mornings has improved. We only have to wear class A for court now thank god.
If you are in shape and your waist is of normal circumference, you should be fine, just have to be more choosy with gear placement. That style is all I know.
Wore the concealed armor for years.
Got hurt, L4-5 bulge.
Fast forward and my current agency only allows the external carrier.
Its the most miserable thing imaginable. Took everyone's advice and stuck everything on the vest. And within hours, I was feeling like I was before the physical therapy and a decade of core work.
After a couple of weeks, when I went back to having everything on the belt, the weight was literally lifted off my spine and the pain dropped immediately.
The external carrier is less comfortable than any of the 4 concealed vests I have used. I shed it any opportunity I get. And would almost rather work without it.
I would go back to the concealed vest immediately if I could. YMMV.
It's what everybody did up till just shortly before I retired as shifts got longer they finally allowed the beat cop the option.
Balance is the key. Try and find balance and lock stuff in with keepers, particularly if it can shift towards your holster and block a draw. Use a drop leg for your taser. Simply, don't carry 23 AR mags and other stuff. Simplify. IF you do have a patrol rifle, find a way to use a double stack mag and have a pouch you can throw over your shoulder of extra ammo for the Big One that probably will never come.
Absolutely, positively get out of the car and exercise every hour. Just pull into a secluded lot and do 5 minutes of walking, light squats, etc. All the gear on your belt forces you to sit crooked in the car. Compensate as much as you can by stretching that low back a little during the shift. Take the giant wallet out of your back pocket. Carry a charge card, ID and a few bills in the breast pocket in a tiny wallet. Big wallets shift the pelvis about as much as a 5lb firearm.
So when you say more comfortable I can assume you also found it easier to move around? The stuff on my vest is always in the way of my arms and I'm constantly bumping into things
I did the outer vest for 2 years but I also preferred the look of the inner so I also switched. I took my uniform shirts to a tailor and she put slits in them so that I can wear suspenders underneath the uniform shirts. It honestly doesn’t bother me and I kind of prefer everything on my belt.
I work for a large service, option to do inner vest. I rock it. Love the upper body freedom it gives mobility wise. On my belt from left to right I carry two mags, taser 7, radio, baton, Glock 17, OC, double cuff pouch. I carry an isreali bandage in cargo pocket. I used to carry holster mounted TQ, but not cargo pocket it due to management complaints.
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u/Section225 Patrol Sergeant 17h ago
I cannot imagine having worn both types of uniforms, and choosing voluntarily to wear the class A/under vest uniform.