Occidental Leather2535 Builders' Vest

By far, the most comfortable and useful setup I've owned in 30 years. Looked at it for a long time before springing for one, but very glad I finally did! I live and work in the Mid-Atlantic region, and got it during the peak of the hot-sweaty-season. Not too bad even though it is a vest. The open back and front were very helpful, but it is warmer than just a tool belt.Some notes on fit:Some reviews complained about the fit, pressing on the back of the neck, for one. There are several adjustments on it. Two vertical in the back, tightening these up eliminates the neck problem entirely. The rear and front horizontal straps can easily be adjusted to fit the task at hand, and differences in clothing.Feature notes:The phone holster is useless if you have a current phone. I cut mine off and got a calculator case to clip in its place.Some have complained that stuff falls out of the pockets when you bend over. Everything is up higher than a swinging belt so the possibility is there. I found adjusting the fit, and just being a little more aware of how I moved nearly eliminated the problem. Some of the adjustments and modifications mentioned below helped as well.Modifications1) I removed the clip on pouch on the left that is usually used for a tape measure. No matter how I adjusted the vest, it (and anything else I put in that pouch) would fall out. I replaced it at first with the leather tape measure holder, but needed something to clip a nail gun to when on a ladder, so I attached one of those Werner Lock in tool lasso's to hang a gun from. Easy to reach.2) I added a magnetic pouch inside the lower pouch with the leather cover. Keeps loose items secure when leaning or bending at odd angles3) There's a narrow vertical pouch on the left side with an Oxy tool shield for your utility knife or a chisel. Doesn't work well there. I removed it, and use it in a side pouch. Utility knife fits in the fabric pouch fine, and does not fall out. The tool shield grips a 1" chisel very well. Just clicks right in there.4) Added two side pouches #8517 and #2010 to complete my setup.#8510 is made for right handers, I'm a leftie. I wear it on my left side, and added a hammer holder on the edge opposite the leather one. Works fine for me. Perfect for whatever tools I need at the time, sometimes a lot of them.#2010 is designed to wear on the left side, I wear this one on my right side. 4 divided pockets can handle a lot of fasteners, but I can just fit an 18v Panasonic drill in the main compartments. Works very well there.The only thing I wish I could change (and this is just me), the clips on the bottom of the vest for the accessory pouches will allow them only to be attached near the front of the vest. I wish they had the correct spacing to allow the pouches to be attached more toward the rear. When I wore a belt, I liked having the pouches more toward my backside so they were out of the way when working low.Fully loaded, I find this much more comfortable than a belt, you just have to pay attention to the fit, and how you lean/kneel/bend to keep things from falling out. It's nice to have some place to hang it rather than set it on the ground when you need to take it off.Even with a few nits here and there, very well made, well thought out, and useful to me. I would certainly recommend one.

Would be 5 stars if it weren’t for ......This thing is exactly what I wanted. I’m a trim carpenter who install finish packages on brand new homes. My occidental framing pouch was just too big for what I’m doing. This vest keeps everything right where I need it and doesn’t get in the way while I’m working. Doesn’t catch on things as I squeeze by the other guys on the site. Everything has a down side so the ones here are easily gotten past. My only issues are the hammer hook had to be clipped in a few different places to find a spot that was comfortable and didn’t cause it to catch on my belt and the knife holder is hard plastic to protect those who have a knife that does not retract which causes the knife to fall out when you bend over. I put my needle nose pliers there nowbut they still hit the ground every now and then. It would be better if it was leather but this is minor compared to the pluses this thing has. I’d recommend this to anyone who works in tight places or anyone who needs something to hold some hand tools but thinks a pouch is over kill. Get it!!!

good vest but it has its flaws. First off, as other have mentioned before, I had a problem with thing falling out of the pockets when bending over to far, mainly whatever was in the Oxy tool shield and small open clip on bag on the left. The tool shield really doesn't grip many utility knife, even the yellow lutz knife that they have pictures with the vest (I bought one separately) Fortuntely the shield that comes with the lutz knife fits perfectly in the sleeve where the Oxy shield goes and I haven't had a problem since. I also would not put a tape measure in the side bag, (only place I saw to put one) as it too will fall out when you lean over. It is good for holding screws and various fasteners but considering adding one of there clip on tape measure holders. The overall quality of the vest is great, the material is durable and I had no problem adjusting it to fit perfectly. There are plenty of smaller sleeves to put screwdrivers, drill bits etc and the bag on the right is roomy as well as keeps everything in because of the leather flap.All in all I love the vest, it is well made although not a standalone system. Additional attachments and gear are going to be needed in order for this vest to work perfectly for you but is a great base from which to build on. Occidental makes great products that I am happy with, I have there framing bags as well.Also the phone holder is kind of useless forholding any type of "modern" phone but my leather man tool fits perfectly and my iPhone 6 fits well in the pocket adjacent to it.

Excellent. My first Vest. For construction. Been building for 25+ years. My old belt worked its life out ..use to leave me with a sore back. This vest is comfortable and has many configirations. I can easy see it up for framing or switch ot to finish work in just minutes. The top has a built in sturdy triangular loop to hang ot in my shop. Adjusts easily for fit. And very well made. I did my research and I am not disappointed. This is possibly the best in the business. Seen other vests. Similar. But watching fellow construction workers. Bend and have thing fall out. This vest keep everything in its place. The phone holder. Is a lil small. My s10 just fits. But I that's a minor issue. Easily can put you own holder on The vest. Made in the USA and damn proud to buy it. Worth the money all day long. Will last another 25 years in comfort👍🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇸

I have reached the age and years of trades experience where a pouch really aggravates my hips so I can't wear them. I thought the vest might work by carrying the weight on my shoulders instead of low back and hips. The vest is much easier to carry around for the day. Some of the pockets can leak when you bend over but pouches do that too. Overall I am happy with the purchase.

Love this vest! I want to alter the front clip placement to be more chest level. I find myself leaving it undone more than clipping it up as it’s a little constricting. Chest level would let it open when crouching and bending.