Ken; “Choosing a vest/chest pack/waist pack” etc. is like choosing a new rod, reel or line or really ANY part of our obsession’s various paraphernalia… You can get a 100 different opinions, but it still boils down to personal preference.
Every one fishes differently, none of us carry the same amount, and/or, type of gear, accessories, or even sizes of fly boxes. So, the suggestion of “making sure, the one you buy, holds all the items you like to carry with you FIT!” is an excellent idea.
When it comes to buying one, then it will simply come down to “How much, do I want to spend, on my new vest?”
I’ve worn many, many styles and types and configurations of vests over the years I’ve fly fished. I’ve worn chest packs and waist packs, too.
For my personal preference, I think the vest I wear is every bit as important a piece of gear as my rods, reels and lines. I’m going to be in it, for probably all day, it has to carry all that I like carrying, hold up to brush, rocks, trees, fish slime,(on rare occasions) and water. AND, with all of this… above all… it HAS to be comfortable after 8-10 hours of having it on and I expect it last me for many, many, seasons.
So, when I decided I wanted a “mesh style/type vest”, I looked at many and settled, finally, on a Fishpond. “The Sagebrush” model, that Jeffnles mentioned. It’s built extremely well, sewn together tightly, the mesh is large enough to be very cool in hot weather, but yet, small enough not to be a problem in brush, etc.
The shoulder straps are fully adjustable for weight distribution, it has enough pockets,(inside as well as outside), that I actually, for the first time in many years, have an empty one and the many pockets of the vest are also laid out very well so the vest does not become too “poofy” out in front, or “bulky” at the sides, when fully loaded.
Others, as it should be, will have their own “favorite”. But, for “opinions sake”, the Fishpond mesh vest,(ONLY FOR ME PERSONALLY!), is a great vest and the best I’ve ever worn.