Getting tackle prepped for a fishing trip is therapeutic for most anglers. Having things pre-packed ahead of time in a fishing vest or backpack streamlines prep time and reduces the chances of forgetting key items.
Simms’s new Flyweight Vest Pack attempts to bridge the gap between traditional fly fishing vests and backpacks. It boasts a lightweight, vest-style design with a backpack compartment, aiming for comfortable carry and easy access to gear.
The Flyweight Vest Pack (not to be confused with the Flyweight Fishing Vest) lives up to its name with a thin, 150-denier nylon fabric and a weight of 1.5 pounds. It's comfortable for long days on the water.
I have tested the Simms Flyweight Vest Pack in a wide variety of conditions from snow to sweltering heat. Through unforgiving cedar swamps and dense alder thickets, my testing has quite literally brought me “over the river and through the woods” (although Grandmother’s house was not my destination).
When I first received the Flyweight Vest Pack, I was impressed by the layout of the pockets and the weight of it. Weighing in at a mere 24 ounces, the Flyweight Vest Pack is lighter than most fishing vests on the market.
Read also: Flyweight Access Wading Boots - Simms
The previous generation of the Flyweight Vest Pack looked more like a running vest, seemingly overemphasizing light weight over function. I immediately noticed when unboxing the new Flyweight Vest Pack that it was more robust; built more like a fishing vest than a running vest.
So when Simms released the new Flyweight Vest-Pack, I had to check it out. Weighing a mere 680 grams, (I looked that up) the new Simms Flyweight Vest-Pack combines the two essential on water storage elements into one. If you are looking for a way to carry everything you need in one go, this is the piece of kit you need.
The Flyweight Vest-Pack combines loads of pockets in front with more than enough storage in back to carry everything you need on the river. What you will notice straight off the shelf is that the Vest-Pack is made from great looking material.
If you don’t want the combo Vest-Pack, then split it and get the Vest or just the Pack. The new Flyweight Vest is perfect for those anglers who prefer a dedicated vest. It’s got loads of deep pockets with plenty of attachments for nets, zingers, and all the expected vest items. I find that Vest operators usually couple their vest with a Simms waterproof day pack or they grab one of the many popular Simms larger backpacks.
You can combine the Flyweight Vest with the new Flyweight Backpack which has 25 litres of storage and it’s made of the same waterproof, rugged, lightweight material that the others are made of.
Read also: Flyweight Waders: A Review
Comfort and Fit
After getting the vest fitted and loaded with my initial kit, I rehearsed lure swaps, grabbing pliers and all that to ensure I was comfortable with how I had the Flyweight Vest Pack configured. The adjustable dual sternum straps and compression bungees on both sides provided a custom fit after some adjusting.
The S/M size fit my 6’0,” 180 pound body as well as a 5’5,” 140 pound female just fine. I would almost say the S/M size is “too large” based on how I have to adjust the sternum straps. Although not a design flaw, I thought I would be somewhere in the middle of the sizing instead of near the smaller end.
The Flyweight Vest Pack has been comfortable to wear, even with a thin t-shirt. The mesh interior mitigates pressure points from seams as well as promoting airflow to regulate temperature. The spacer mesh back panel allows for breathability, keeping you cool during long hikes.
Unlike a traditional backpack, the vest-style harness hugs your body, distributing weight evenly and reducing shoulder fatigue.
There’s a couple of straps for upper chest and shoulder comfort and there are compression bungees on the side that let you dial it in for your specific fit.
Read also: Lightweight Comfort and Protection
The flyweight waders are incredibly light, stretchy, and are the best ‘shape’ of any wader I’ve used. They just fit so well and are the best looking I’ve used. Zips, to tighten the waist if needed, give a slim and comfortable fit.
Storage and Capacity
As a conventional trout angler, I found the fly fishing-designed pockets to adapt quite well for my modified kit. On the front, in the vest section, you get two large, quick access, drop pockets and four zippered pockets. These pockets were perfect for my two fly boxes as well as tippets, leaders and the like. There’s also two small stretch mesh pockets for anything and everything else you need access to on the river.
The lower pockets are quite roomy and fit a Plano 3449-22 double-sided tackle box perfectly. The backpack provides 15 litres of storage, which is more than enough room to cover a full day on the river. I chucked in lunch, some snacks, and an extra layer. A couple more mesh pockets on the backside allowed me to add a rod tube and another water bottle. There’s also an internal sleeve if you like to use hydration bladders instead of water bottles.
The vest portion offers a good amount of organization. Pockets of various sizes provide space for fly boxes, tippet spools, and other essentials including a perfect pocket for my mirrorless Sony camera which I’ve been seeking for years. Two expandable mesh pockets on the sides can hold water bottles, a rolled-up jacket, or rod tubes. The backpack compartment itself offers 15 liters of storage-enough for a day's worth of food, rain gear, and additional fly boxes. Pockets of various sizes provide space for fly boxes, tippet spools, and other essentials including a perfect pocket for my mirrorless Sony camera.
The simple yet effective roll-top design of the Flyweight Vest Pack held all the gear I would reasonably expect to load it with. Jacket, food and other items fit well, and with the compression straps adjusted, the load felt much better than I expected.
If additional storage is needed, the Flyweight Vest Pack has a deployable “stuffit” pocket that can hold sweatshirts, rain jackets or other lightweight, bulky items to save space inside the main storage compartment. A common use for the stuffit pocket would be to hold a larger net.
I attach my net via a magnetic holder affixed to a D-ring, so I generally keep the stuffit pocket stowed, keeping the pack streamlined for busting through brush. The Flyweight Vest Pack has plenty of small, well-thought out storage options. Small mesh pockets on the outside of the chest pockets are designed to hold fly floatant and other small items.
If using a hydration bladder, expect slight moisture from sweating/condensation during high output activities, as the bladder will reduce airflow when pressed against your back. With a 3 liter hydration bladder stashed inside, I found the back to bulge quite a bit. This is not a fault of the Flyweight Vest Pack, as Simms designed it to only carry a 2 liter bladder. Loading the hydration bladder about halfway (so it only contained 1.5 liters) felt great.
The hydration bladder sleeve provided enough protection to ensure that the contents inside the rear storage compartment never got wet from condensation. Given the minimalistic nature of the Flyweight Vest Pack, odd heavy items such as a camera stored in the rear compartment need to be positioned carefully to avoid pressure on your back without a hydration bladder providing padding.
I have thought about inserting a thin piece of pliable plastic into the hydration bladder sleeve to disperse the pressure but, I felt using the product as designed would give the reader the best understanding of how it performs.
Areas for Improvement
The side storage is the area I am most critical with the Flyweight Vest Pack. In order to provide breathability to the sides of the vest and allow for load balancing, the side pockets are placed slightly more rearward than most setups. This makes accessing a water bottle very difficult without taking the vest off.
I found using the hydration bladder eliminated the need for quick access to water bottles but, when going out for a quick trip, I do not want to deal with the maintenance of draining and drying a hydration bladder.
The bottom sternum strap comes unfastened when I wear my Simms G4Z waders. This is due to the zipper; I went with a larger size with the Simms G4Z waders to accommodate layering in below freezing conditions.
Durability and Additional Features
The 150-denier nylon face fabric has held up quite well. The cedar swamps and alder brush I hike through to get into secluded streams seem to get enjoyment from tearing up gear. Zippers on the pockets continuously operated as designed. I never encountered any malfunctions or jamming of the zippers.
If you are into backpack camping, the Flyweight Vest Pack fits comfortably under hiking bags such as the Mystery Ranch Marshall. Be sure to keep the rear storage of the Flyweight Vest Pack empty when wearing the hiking pack.
A hydration bladder is not included. I prefer this because it allows the angler to repurpose ones they already own. It also reduces the cost of the Flyweight Vest Pack.
Although I found the 15 liter size to be adequate for most day trips, there are times I would have liked a bigger pack size. Simms does have a Flyweight Backpack that is 25 liters if you find yourself needing the extra storage space in lieu of the vest functions.
Comparisons with Other Vests
I grew up hauling my flies and tackle around in my dad’s old fishing vest. Once I finally wore his vest out, I tried some sling and hip packs, but neither felt as convenient as the vest. Then I tried out the Orvis Chest Pack and changed my tune. Last year, though, I toyed with the idea of going back to the fishing vest. The chest pack is great, but at times, it’s too small.
I picked three vests to try out. I wanted to compare features across price points, and see if the more expensive vests are worth the money.
The Sagebrush Pro is a feature-packed vest, including the most useful feature of all: a pull-down Tacky fly dock that zips away when not in use. This is the perfect spot to put flies you use often, or to set flies away when switching rigs. It’s light-years better than the old wool drying patches you saw on older vests.
Moving on, this is a mesh-based vest, so it’ll breathe well even during hot summer days. The shoulder straps are padded and easily adjustable, so you can quickly size this vest to your liking. Most importantly, the adjustments are hidden. There’s an integrated net slot and a D-ring, if you prefer attaching your net to a magnetic leash.
Fishpond also includes a reach-through back pouch that’s perfect for storing extra food, water, or layers. Finally, there are 17 pockets built into the Sagebrush Pro. Unloaded, the Sagebrush Pro clocks in at 1.6 pounds, which is plenty light. Even full of fly boxes, tippet spools, split shot, and all the other fly fishing accoutrements, it doesn’t feel heavy or bulky. Even though this a mesh-based vest, it feels durable.
This vest packs the features as well as any on the market, and does it for $84.99. I’m not a fan of the monochromatic color scheme, but it’s clear this vest is designed with the end user in mind.
You’ll find plenty of pockets (11 by my count), and all the outer-facing pockets are vertical, which should accommodate many different-sized fly boxes. While I appreciate the loop zipper pulls, I did find my fly line catching on them more than on the other two vests. Following a trend like most other vests, though, this is mesh-based, so it’ll be great during the summer months.
As the name implies, the Simms Flyweight Vest is seriously light, clocking in at just over a pound. This vest isn’t mesh-based, but instead is made with water-resistant 150-denier nylon. That means you can stash your fishing license, phone, or wallet in this vest and not worry (within reason) about it getting soaked.
This vest also includes enough room to house a two-liter hydration bladder, which is a wonderful touch for those who want to go as light as possible when spending an entire day on the river. You’ll find a single-entry rear pocket that’s large enough for some snacks or a light layer, and a D-ring for attaching your net (there’s also an integrated net sleeve).
The only downside to the Flyweight Vest is its fit. It only comes in two sizes, and can’t be adjusted vertically. It sits a bit too high for my liking, so this is definitely a vest I recommend trying on before you buy it.
Overall, I’m impressed with where fly fishing vests are now, compared to the ones I used growing up. They’re more comfortable, functional, and significantly lighter. The inclusion of net sleeves, hydration bladder sleeves, drop-down fly docks, and tool docking stations are great features that add to an angler’s experience with the product. Of the three vests, the Fishpond Sagebrush Pro is my favorite. It has a wonderful mix of features and fits me the best.
Final Thoughts
During my field testing, I thought the retail price of the Flyweight Vest Pack would have been around $250-270. I was pleasantly surprised it came in at $199.95.
In motorsports, they say you can only pick two-fast, inexpensive or reliable. Unfortunately, that same saying can be applied for many fishing products today. The Flyweight Vest Pack has been a 4-season workhorse. I have historically never been a vest angler, relying on my wader pockets to carry whatever tackle I need. The Flyweight Vest Pack changed that. Having everything I need for fishing as well as snacks and a jacket gives me less of a chance to forget key items for fishing.
The Flyweight collection from Simms has always been the best choice for ultra-light fly fishing gear.
If you are looking for a way to carry everything you need in one go, this is the piece of kit you need.
In conclusion, the Flyweight collection suits me here in New Zealand as we cover often serious km’s (I know I do!), and having some serious weight trimmed off your gear, while being modular for flexibility in use, make them is a no-brainer.
The new Simms Flyweight Vest-Pack is available for $399.99, the Vest sells for $299.99 and the Backpack is $349.99.