I would have no real idea how many vests I have owned, but given they only last a year or two the flogging I give them, in 50 and more years of fishing I have gone through more than a few.
I have had a problem with vests since way back when I played as a front-row forward in a Rugby team. First I stuffed the vest with way too much gear, then slung this heavy load onto my shoulders. By the end of a solid days fishing my back was in lock-down mode and very painful. The problem got worse of course, all physical issues do as you get older.
Finally crisis point was reached and I had to endure a needle into one of my discs to shrink it. After the treatment the Doctor advised me to ditch the vest and get a hip or lumber pack.
So I tried a few. Most of the packs designed to be worn around the waist had a very big problem, for me and people like me. Not to put too fine a point on it those of us a tad past slim and trim and whose chest has slipped a bit.
For me packs that were deep just got the front edge pushed out, the bottom edge in, so it was impossible to to see into the pack to retrieve what I needed. Not goodness.
Then I got a chance to try the Simms ‘Headwaters’ Chest/Hip pack. Tried it – liked it – bought it.
At first sight it does not look to have enough space to fit a vest-full of gear, but it does – did not have to leave any of my needs or wants out. I normally have three to four medium-sized fly boxes, around four spools of leader, floatants, sinker gel, camera, split shot, no cell-phone, and a bunch of other stuff.
The pack rides easily on my hip, or around my waist under my gut. The pack can be used as a chest pack, but I have not needed or wanted to, so far. I have had no problem seeing and finding what I was looking for in the pack, once I got used to where I had stacked everything – but that takes time, even with a new vest.
There are a couple of things a pack of this size cannot allow for. There is no room for extra clothing or rain gear. Not too much of a problem in our Summer, but in Winter it could be a problem. But I guess if I was looking at a full day on the water I would throw on a very small, light day pack to hold extra clothes, and food and drink.
I find it much easier to walk in, and very much better when crossing or wading rivers, my balance is much better.
Best of all, no more back pain – wonderful!

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