NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Other => Topic started by: Frank Fremerey on April 17, 2018, 19:23:16

Title: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Frank Fremerey on April 17, 2018, 19:23:16
I want to buy one of these jackets with big pockets to reduce in flight weight in the cabin baggage

which do you recommend?

For Granada only 6 Kilogram cabin baggage are permitted and I want to take some extra lenses
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: elsid on April 17, 2018, 19:50:31
Hello Frank,
Check the site of this British company: www.countryinnovation.com/. I own one of their vests, very practical for travelling and on the field.

Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Frank Fremerey on April 17, 2018, 23:46:31
Hello Frank,
Check the site of this British company: www.countryinnovation.com/. I own one of their vests, very practical for travelling and on the field.


I like the Linnet Jacket for 300 UKSterling, seems just like what I am looking for.

Other alternatives?
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: MFloyd on April 17, 2018, 23:58:10

I like the Linnet Jacket for 300 UKSterling, seems just like what I am looking for.

Other alternatives?

Yes: don’t cheat
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Hugh_3170 on April 18, 2018, 00:09:04
Hi Frank, the US photo company TAMRAC make what you are after.  I paid around $US100 for mine if I remember correctly.  The Tamrac has model number 53 on it.

Another alternative is a fly fishermans vest, which like a photo vest has a multitude of pockets - inside and out.

I have successfully used both for your stated purpose.  The Tamrac is made for American customers who are larger than I, and is designed to "breathe" in hot weather, whereas the fly fishermans vest is quilted and is preferred in cold weather. 

Both, as noted,  have pockets both inside and outside the vest.  Many are zippered (Tamrac), Velcroed (both), or have locking buttons (fisherman's vest).  Both have external eyelets for hanging small stuff, e.g. fishing stuff such as flys and pliers, your photo GPS (if you use one), or filter or card pouches etc

Good luck with your trip.
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on April 18, 2018, 00:20:00
Billingham (UK) makes very good photo vests. They are sturdily designed and take a lot of extra stuff in- or outside. However, beware of trying to mimic the "Michelin Man" :D

I have a very nice and light weight Nikon-labelled photo vest with mesh fabric that allows "breathing" in warmer climate. I just might bring it with me to Spain, but will not wear it during the air flights. Not that becoming :D but definitively functional.

A supercheap suggestion is getting an army combat vest from a surplus store. I used Russian vests before and paid next to nothing for them. One of them even allowed my carrying a 300/2.8 in the inside pocket !!
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Frank Fremerey on April 18, 2018, 11:14:23
Yes: don’t cheat

Is that a company, a brand, a make, a shop?
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Frank Fremerey on April 18, 2018, 11:32:16
I found a photo jacket and vest series called "Páramo Halcon"

Chris Dees recommended "Stealth Gear", but I could not find them in Europe

Anyone here has experience with these?
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Frank Fremerey on April 18, 2018, 11:45:29
A supercheap suggestion is getting an army combat vest from a surplus store. I used Russian vests before and paid next to nothing for them. One of them even allowed my carrying a 300/2.8 in the inside pocket !!

I wrote an Email to Billingham. Their photo vest product is discontinued but the still have stock in my size...

I will check a brick & mortar outdoor fashion store now to check if they have something useful available...
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Frank Fremerey on April 18, 2018, 13:25:45
Billingham does not make their photo vest anymore, also the Stealth Gear Extreme Photo Jacket which seemed to me the really right stuff is a discontunued item. My outdoor store delisted all photo gear last year, because the topic seemed to be too special. Country Innovation? I did not find proper reviews of their product...
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on April 18, 2018, 13:32:04
Do you not have any checked lugage?
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Bruno Schroder on April 18, 2018, 21:06:27
Hi Frank,

I bought a Vestrap cheap on Ebay which is well made https://www.befr.ebay.be/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_blrs=spell_check&_nkw=vestrap&LH_PrefLoc=2&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

Unfortunately, there is no listing at the moment but if it is only for this trip, you have a choice on Ebay.

I also remember Ann uses that trick and has a quality supplier.
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Frank Fremerey on April 18, 2018, 21:20:02
Do you not have any checked lugage?

only clothing
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: BEZ on April 18, 2018, 22:56:02
I have two that I bought for flights, I thought I might of worn them for photography but never do.

First was a Billingham vest, well made and will carry a lot of lenses. Second was a Manfrotto jacket (Pro Field Jacket) that will carry less but looks better. The manfrotto looks like a normal jacket, that is why I bought it. I always feel a bit of a berk wearing the Billingham vest.

But they both are suitable for getting lenses and stuff onto the plane. So I wear the vest if the destination is hot, or the jacket if it is cooler.

Cheers
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: rosko on April 19, 2018, 08:39:30
So I wear the vest if the destination is hot, or the jacket if it is cooler.

Hey Frank !

This is something to be considered.

Grenada is very hot place in may. I would go for something cheap like that : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fishing-Vest-for-Men-Quick-Dry-Multi-Pocket-Photography-Light-Weight-Hunting/222600512584?hash=item33d4064448:g:z~4AAOSwvApaHmXH
If it doesn't meet you requirement, at least you wouldn't lose big money... ;)
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Frank Fremerey on April 19, 2018, 10:33:02
thank you, Francis. I bought the cheapo vest just to get through weight control

all the good stuff seems out of production. The paramo stuff gets very mixed reviews online
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Anthony on April 19, 2018, 10:47:03

all the good stuff seems out of production.
Yes, I noticed this.  I was going to recommend my Dome vest, but that is out of production as well.  I wonder why these vests seem to be losing popularity.
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Frank Fremerey on April 19, 2018, 11:41:26
Yes, I noticed this.  I was going to recommend my Dome vest, but that is out of production as well.  I wonder why these vests seem to be losing popularity.

My cheapo vest has already shipped!
Title: Re: Jacket to decrease weight of in flight baggage
Post by: Ann on April 19, 2018, 19:41:45
Quote
I also remember Ann uses that trick and has a quality supplier.

I still do that: the splendid Vested Interest vest (which was custom-made for me with huge pockets that are big enough for a 70-200mm 2.8) is still in excellent condition after some nine years of use.

Unfortunately, the Vested Interest company itself (they were part of Storrie Parachute Works in Denton, TX) seems to have closed its doors and it's domain name is vacant.