Concealment garment/vest for CCW and IDPA?

[Warners]

What do you guys recommend as far as a concealment garment that would work well for IDPA, but not make me look like Rambo when walking around at the grocery store? Just a long button up shirt? What do you guys wear?

Thanks in advance,

Warner

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've spent the last 40 years using a unbuttoned work shirt or zippered hoodie, depending on the weather, for a concealment garment...my current shirt is from the San Diego Zoo with a Panda embroidered on it. Other times I'll slip into a 5.11 BDU style shirt, depending on what I'm wearing or where I'm going.

I've used both for IDPA and the only thing I really feel I'm giving up, to the guys in vest, is the large side pocket to drop partially spent magazines into when doing a Tactical Reload in the seated or Low Cover position

 

[GJSchulze]

I wear a vest. Whatever you wear, it must cover the gun and magazines with your arms outstretched to the side, parallel to the ground.

 

[JShirley]

For CCW, I wear a heavy long- sleeved shirt over a t-shirt.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I wear a vest. Whatever you wear, it must cover the gun and magazines with your arms outstretched to the side, parallel to the ground.

Do you get odd looks in stores or in businesses?

 

[ATLDave]

Men used to wear these things called sport coats or suit jackets. They easily conceal a gun. They have large, hip-level pockets that one could dump magazines into. They are a little warmer than vests, but are pretty socially acceptable.

 

[camsdaddy]

I remember my dad wearing a sport coat

 

[Sam1911]

I wear a vest for matches by any number of various garments for street use. You're allowed to own more than one cover garment...

 

[1KPerDay]

I wear a kimono.

 

[USAF_Vet]

A couple years ago I picked up a kangaroo tool vest. As a tool vest, it sucked. I've considered it.for IDPA, if I ever get into it (which I will when ammo recovers). Would I get a lot of odd looks wearing it anywhere but the range? Yes.

For CCW, I typically wear a button up shirt untucked, or a hoodie.

 

[asia331]

Men used to wear these things called sport coats or suit jackets. They easily conceal a gun. They have large, hip-level pockets that one could dump magazines into. They are a little warmer than vests, but are pretty socially acceptable.

This man still does...even with jeans and boots.

 

[mdauben]

What do you guys recommend as far as a concealment garment that would work well for IDPA, but not make me look like Rambo when walking around at the grocery store?

I don't do IDPA (althought I'd like to give it a try), but I do CCW. I've got a number of different cover garments. In the summer I usually go with a loose fitting Hawaiian/Camp shirt over a tee shirt. Once the weather starts to cool, I go with sweat shirts, hoodies, sweaters, and insulated vests.

Do you get odd looks in stores or in businesses?

I've got a "safari-style" vest that I have been known to wear for CCW on occasion. I usually use it in outdoor settings (hiking, bird watching, nature photography) where its less out of place. On the other hand I've worn it into gas stations, casual resturants, etc. while traveling to or from my outdoor activities and I've not noticed anyone paying particular attention to me or my outfit.

Personally, I think the idea that things like vests or fanny packs "scream gun" is way overblown. Sure, many of the people here might suspect someone with a vest of fany pack is carrying, but we are in a vanishingly small minority. At most, the vast majority of people might think you dress odd, but most of them won't even notice or think about it if they do.

 

[Warners]

I don't do IDPA (althought I'd like to give it a try), but I do CCW. I've got a number of different cover garments. In the summer I usually go with a loose fitting Hawaiian/Camp shirt over a tee shirt. Once the weather starts to cool, I go with sweat shirts, hoodies, sweaters, and insulated vests.


I've got a "safari-style" vest that I have been known to wear for CCW on occasion. I usually use it in outdoor settings (hiking, bird watching, nature photography) where its less out of place. On the other hand I've worn it into gas stations, casual resturants, etc. while traveling to or from my outdoor activities and I've not noticed anyone paying particular attention to me or my outfit.

Personally, I think the idea that things like vests or fanny packs "scream gun" is way overblown. Sure, many of the people here might suspect someone with a vest of fany pack is carrying, but we are in a vanishingly small minority. At most, the vast majority of people might think you dress odd, but most of them won't even notice or think about it if they do.

You're probably exactly right, Mike....

Warner

 

[hardluk1]

Own nothing that say's tacicool or CC. It depends on wear if I need anything. long shirt, very little jacket to a carhart chore coat. No vest.

 

[Resist Evil]

I own a CC vest from Concealed Carry Outfitters that I bought in '06 which I use at IDPA matches. I don't wear it anywhere else because I don't think it works to enhance the gray man image I try to achieve while out and about. I am content to wear a button-front shirt in warm weather to provide necessary concealment. In cooler weather, obviously, I opt for something more substantial.

 

[GJSchulze]

Do you get odd looks in stores or in businesses?

Not that I've ever noticed. Certainly no one has ever said anything. I'm retired, so it's not a matter of going to work with it on. In the cooler weather I just wear a jacket. I'm of smaller stature, so even if I have a shirt over the XD 9mm subcompact, it still shows; maybe not the outline, but it looks like a big lump worn at about 4 o'clock in a IWB holster. If anyone ever asks about the "lump" I figure I can say 1) it's a tumor, 2) "Oh, I forgot to empty my colostomy bag again", or 3) "it's my twin brother than didn't develop at birth, but I can't bring myself to part with him." If someone ever asked about why I wear the vest, I'll just say "pockets." My new jeans just don't have any room in the pockets to carry more than change and keys.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I like all those responses

It would look strange around here, most likely because I live in the suburbs of a metropolitan area

 

[Armored farmer]

Check out Duluth Trading Post. They have a "Presentation" jacket that has multiple pockets to accommodate just about anything. I have one and i like it.....more importantly, it passes the mrs kb test inspection usually.
you can pocket carry, iwb, or owb carry with it on.

 

[Warners]

Check out Duluth Trading Post. They have a "Presentation" jacket that has multiple pockets to accommodate just about anything. I have one and i like it.....more importantly, it passes the mrs kb test inspection usually.
you can pocket carry, iwb, or owb carry with it on.

Thanks....I'll give that a look....

Warner

 

[Deaf Smith]

If it's in the winter I'd go to a Goodwill type store and buy a old suit jacket.

Yea, use that in IDPA and wear one around town.

Or a windbreaker. Again get one at a garage sale or thrift shop.

Or a very thin quilted sleeveless vest.

Summertime? Hah! Just wear a baggy T-shirt.

Deaf

 

[Dave/hoff]

Fleece vests from the Gap. Nothing that says 'gun-carrier'. Mine has slash pockets with zippers to keep accessories close at hand. Works with jeans or 'business casual' attire.

 

[KenW.]

I wear a Duluth Trading presentation jacket. You can get them in twill or firehose canvas, and you can carry ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in all those pockets.

I'm a plain clothes detective and can fit all my gear in the jacket.

You might also look at the scott evest. Those have a plethora of pockets and hidden compartments too.

 

[btg3]

Just remember... Image is everything.

 

[BCRider]

For this time of year in Chicago? I down jacket would be my choice! Or at least would soon be...

In summer I've got a long hemmed Hawaiian shirt I use for a cover garment. For winter I've used my upper thigh length Gortex rain jacket. This IS the Pacific North"Wet" after all... One particularly sloppy and cold mid winter day I wore my full length Australian Outback oilskin coat and wide brim Outback hat. Conditions were hellish that day with heavy rain for the entire match. The long coat kept me reasonably dry and more or less comfortably warm. I looked a lot more like a displaced cowboy than I did an IDPA shooter though. But I was far more comfortable than some of the "drowned rats" around me....

 

[Blue Thunder]

I have many short sleeved shirts from Tommy Bahama that I wear outside of the pants that cover everything nicely. When the temperature starts to drop below 50 degrees I add a Scott Vest over the shirt which is then tucked in. The vest has many pockets inside and out. In black it does a good job of a gray man vision towards the public. No flash just good concealment. I carry a third mag in the right front pocket to clear the holster if needed. The other two are one weak hand and one strong side on the belt. That is 61 rounds of Ranger T for my G-19, and no sag to boot.