Kryptek Vesuvius Vest
By Justin Crossley, Rokslide Assistant Editor
In most states, hunters are required to wear fluorescent orange during rifle hunting seasons whether it be orange vests, coats, or hats. Through the years, I have used all types of vests. From the lightweight perforated style, to the big, solid, orange panel type, to different camo/orange options. Depending on your state, some of these may or may not be legal.
This year, I used the new Kryptek Vesuvius vest. The Inferno camo breaks up the orange well, and looks pretty sweet too. I wore the vest for about 20 days of deer and elk hunting, and it still looks new. There are no snags from brush or abrasions from my pack rubbing. Most of the rifle seasons I hunt are later in the year when the weather starts to get wet and cold.
I had the vest out in the rain, and snow quite a bit, and was very happy with how fast it dried. I was also happy with the breathability when the weather was warmer. Here are some of my thoughts on it.
PROS
• Besides quiet, the vest is reversible, with Kryptek Inferno camo on one side, and solid blaze orange on the other. This is a nice feature since some states like Colorado don’t allow the blaze to be broken up in a camo pattern.
• The reversible zipper is a YKK that is sized perfectly, and slides easily.
• There are two easy access cargo pockets inside and out.
• Two hand warmer pockets inside and out.
• The vest is made from 100% polyester, which helps it to dry very fast.
• Quality is top notch on this vest. The seams and trim are all very clean, and straight. The material seems to be very abrasion resistant
•The Inferno camo is just plain cool looking!
CONS
• Because this vest comes with a lot of features, it is heavier than I like for my backcountry trips. Not a big deal for day hunts, but every ounce counts when hiking long distances into the mountains.
• The vest sizing runs really big in my opinion. For example, I normally wear large shirts, and even with my heavy, late season gear underneath, I had to size down to a medium, and the medium is still a little on the big side.
• At $100.00 retail, this vest is one of the most expensive orange vests on the market. Not surprising with all the features it contains though. **Update** Kryptek has lowered the price to $59.99.
Overall I really like the vest, and will continue using it for all of my day hunting, and some of my shorter backpack trips where the weight isn’t a concern. If you’re looking for the lightest, most packable vest out there, this is not the one. If you’re looking for a really nice, long lasting vest with pockets, and breathability, the Kryptek Vesuvius is a great option.
You can discuss this article or ask Justin questions here
