Brand: Safety Apparel, LLC
SKU: PC15XPY
WARNING - This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.
I've been wearing the Party Chief PC15X for about 4 months now. Here are my thoughts.
Things I like:
Well thought out selection of pockets. Sizes, orientation, flaps, velcro, etc. all seem to be in the right places.
Breast pockets are very secure and I don't drop things when I kneel down.
I don't use them often, but I really like the side hand pockets too.
I like the large main YKK zipper.
Things I don't like:
This vest is HOT! It reminds me of wearing a flack jacket while in the military. It does not breath at all. Even in 80 degree weather I sweat excessively. When the weather gets above 100 degrees (which is usually about 20 days per year where I live) it is almost unbearable.
This vest is heavy. On my digital scale my (size large vest) weighs just over 2 lbs. empty!
The horizontal piece of webbing on each lapel is a bit narrow. I wish the webbing was wider to support various clip on items better (knife, radio microphone, etc.)
The rear pocket is a bit odd in that there are actually two of them. I've tried using both, but I tend not to be able to find the non-zippered one without using two hands, if the zippered one is open...so I usually just leave the zippered one zipped. I really wish there was a side radio pocket instead of two back pockets. The side cam-buckles don't work anyway and therefore are not needed.
Quality control is lacking. Within the first week or two I had seems coming apart on the Scotchlite material. Within a month the main zipper was coming off (only single stitched.) I immediately contacted the vendor where I purchased and was offered little support. Then I emailed the manufacturer directly and it was recommended that I use a lighter to melt the remaining threads to prevent more separation. Then the vendor then emailed to inform me that though there was no warranty the manufacturer agreed to repair my vest if I send it in. This was not really a valid option for me as I use my vest daily and didn't want to use my old one while I waited.