Occidental Leather SuspendaVest 2500 (Honest Tool Vest Review)

[@PortlandChocolate]

This is the best vest period. Used it for over a year and love it. I never noticed 2 side pockets you mentioned... Will check it out tomorrow.

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

They’re hard to get at- but could be useful 👍

[@jamescostello2644]

Bought one on impulse. Two things I have learned. you sweat a lot more. you have to reach way down to accesses the lower pockets of the pouches. All in all I love not wearing two belts. Thanks for your review.

[@threepe0]

I've been really interested in this vest for a while, and there seems to be a few things that would really bring it to the next level. 1. The thing you did: Magnetic attachment for hardware 2. The second thing you did sort of: really make the chest strap area useful by adding molle attachments, and come out with a series of attachments for the chest/shoulders. Modular pouches should be orientable vertically or horizontally: It's much more natural to reach up and pull a pen, flashlight, or knife out horizontally than it is vertically. Some things you want vertical for security or range-of-motion reasons, and some things you'd want horizontal for ease-of-access. 3. Add belt loops at the waist and sell a buckled belt for distributing some weight to hips. This would help keep the lower side from swinging around too. 4. Add additional attachment points on the lower outside for adding pouches. Make them easily and quickly disconnected so a tradesman can go from a stripped down set of tools to a more complete set quickly. 5. Make that hammer loop detachable, or just trade it out for a modular attachment point. It's great to have a hammer loop until it's catching on everything, and this looks like it'd be a pita in that regard, especially when sliding in between small spaces. Hoping someone figures this stuff out. I've been looking at military suspender setups, they seem to be the most flexible in a lot of ways. But Occidental makes quality stuff and are so close to what I'm after, I hope they make some improvements.

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Hey, GREAT input! Sounds like you’ve got some solid ideas. This system is designed to be the BASE for additional pouches/setups, so definitely investigate the different options/setups they have available before looking elsewhere (if you haven’t already) 👍

[@Metal_seer]

Thanks for the review. I am co sidering ordering the version with bigger pockets, but $189 is a stretch for me. So, I ordered a $39 oxford cloth vest from TooCust, just to see if I like wearing a tool vest vs belt pouches or shoulder harness pouch. If I like it, I might splurge for the Occidental Leather one later.

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Hope you enjoy it! And thanks for the kind words👍

[@anon.carpenter4201]

Thanks for the review. I want to focus on framing so I think I'm gonna stick my oxylights on the buckaroo belt

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Have you guys ever tried a ‘belt-less’ tool system (like this tool vest) before? What did you think? Let us know 👇👇

[@someguy6135]

I got one. And I like it. I do get sore, but I’m getting use to it.

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

You’ll definitely get used to it 👍 thanks for the feedback

[@squintstintarantino5946]

km about to buy my first set of occidentals and I'm torn between the suspendavest or a belt with suspenders! after some time how do you like it now? what attracts me is the beltless system, ive seen a lot of guys on one of my big job sites have them and I have sciatic problems from just a tool belt(which is why I wanted to go with suspenders and a thicker belt if I went that way) I also like the idea of not always having bags on because as a sparky sometimes we don't always need our bags on but the vest looks like it'll cary the things I need and even changing out the bags for a impact holster if I didn't need my bags on. The decision is tough too make but I also don't see a lot of reviews on this vest so that's why I'm hesitant from what Ive seen is that it can get hot from wearing them though

[@wombat1011]

Looks cool...but I love my tool belt! Thanks for sharing you experience with it!

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Thats awesome! What kind is yours?

[@edisona.543]

THANK YOU for the video ,not a lot videos of it, if you have some free time and show how all of it pocket and how you have it set up. or what we see in this video all you carry. thanks again

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Great idea 💡 👍 We’ll see what we can do!

[@NICK112o_o]

Yo bro great video! Side note, what kinda pants you rocking my guy? Im desperate need of a new cargo pant brand

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Thanks! We’ve tried a wide range of pants for work. H&M, Old Navy, Blaklader, Bad, Duer, and these days we’re working with TrueWerk. Very comfortable workwear.

[@therabman_5606]

If I mm not wearing my tool belt I just wear snickers workwear trousers the have attached tape and hammer holder slots and the pockets are great. This shoulder only set up looks like it’s trying to be the best if both worlds

[@snakeplisken2123]

I’m left handed I was thinking about getting the right handed one for HVAC. Will a duct knife stay in the leather sleeve that’s on the back left, would a drill fall off the hammer loop if it was hanging from a hook, last are all other pockets symmetrical?

[@wildhorse4]

Great review buddy! Makes me want to get one now!

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Go for it!

[@PortlandChocolate]

A must. Had 1 for over a year now, and can't think of anything better.

[@vruvalcaba24]

Mine pinches my neck vein when i lift my right arm any idea of how to make it more pliable so its not so stiff other than that little issue i love it

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

No we didn’t really have the problem, that’s not ideal! Try playing with the adjustment straps at the back, see if you can get it to sit on a different part of your shoulders 🤷‍♂️

[@Rooster000]

i like the idea but i wonder how it compares to the atlas tool vest.

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Great question! We haven’t tried that one, so we couldn’t say 👍

[@DEKARKS]

The large/deep pockets on the side and on the front are tough to use just like you mentioned. I may add a second lower strap across the front so it doesn't stay so open. also gonna give your magnet idea a shot for that front pocket.

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Great idea! Let us know how it goes 👍

[@HamiltonMechanical]

I'm thinking about getting one. i have a 28" waist with no hips, so tool belts don't work for me, can't even find one small enough to fit me without modifications. So either going suspenders or vest, haven't decided yet. I'm worried that at 5'7" the vest might sit too low on me so when I bend down to do receptacles *I'm an electrician* i'm worried it will get in the way. What do you think here? Thank you for the video!

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Sounds like this might be a great solution for you 👍. I don’t think bending will be an issue (there is nothing connecting the vest near the waist, so it should just slide out of the way when you bend over). It’s also quite adjustable, so the height thing shouldn’t give you any problems. Without adding any pouches, you really won’t find anything that holds this many tools at or above your waist. I say give it a shot 👍

[@duglasjohel]

👏 I’m tired of heavy bags I’m buying this one better I just sold my occidental bags

[@davebona9592]

Tried one, my back didn’t like it one bit. Framing required it to sit differently

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

I could totally see that. Honestly I was surprised how long it took to get used to wearing it. Thanks for the input 👍

[@MistAtsiM]

Speed square falls out from that slot

[@agentchodybanks9120]

Still like it? Any changes of opinion in the last year?

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

Have to say i like it even more now than i did then. I’ve added a few things, found the right spot for all my ‘everyday’ tools, and it’s held up remarkably well. 10/10 would recommend 👍

[@tallswede80]

yea it sticks out too far on the right side.

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

it does initially for sure- gets little better with time for sure 👍

[@stevechavez5882]

I want one

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

You should get one 👍

[@stevechavez5882]

How much just for vest

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

@@stevechavez5882 in Canada it retails for around $250 (you can find it a little cheaper if you shop around) 👍

[@stevechavez5882]

R they heavy

[@RefreshHomeImprovements]

@@stevechavez5882 only if you load it with heavy stuff 😉