Occidental Leather 2500 Stronghold SuspendaVest

I've loved the Occidental belts and bags I've had and decided to try this out instead of buying a new belt. I'm glad I did. My tool bags fit right on it, and like everything I've owned by Occidental- The quality is unbeatable. Pricey, but man is it good stuff. I do small remodels, and custom installations.

First off I love anything occidental, and prior to purchasing this vest (solar electrical work) I had the snickers vest. Now the snickers vest was overall more comfortable but the pockets just weren't good as tools tend to fall off. This vest is almost perfect, but as others have stated the area around the neck can be uncomfortable. I've adjusted mine and still can't really figure it out, I carry as little as possible and each pocket is filled with a tool as it should be but definitely think it could be a design flaw. I personally have gone on average 4-5 hours with it on the days I am required to do specific tasks, you can get used to it and if it's something that you can look past this vest is perfect for smaller jobs. Just carry what you need and nothing more. Durability and build quality is exceptional as expected from occidental.

Love this tool belt. No pressure around my waist makes squatting over alot easier. Fits great and very nicely made.

Still getting used to it. First impressions were damn well made but the neck is not at all comfortable. I’m chalking some of that up to the fact I’ve always worn waist belts. Occidental might consider some fur (fake of course) to line the neck.

I'm a carpenter. I make furniture in a shop and do other things, like trimwork.This tool vest is great.Very comfortable once you adjust it right.Its the only tool vest I've seen that is this open and breatheable, which is great.You can keep all your basic tools on it...square, pencils, sets, pliers, chisel, trim bar, scribe, etc...whatever you use a lot.Plus its got a hammer loop...and a scabbard for a jab saw, flush cut saw, tin snips, etc...The leather straps allow you to add bags.So you could add a fastener pouch, drill holster, nail gun hook, electricians pouch, etc...whatever you want.This is where you could attach a tape pouch if you want...idk, i always just keep mine clipped to my belt.The price is fairly high on this obviously...but its a great brand. The quality is top notch and this will last for a very long time...

Professional electrician and this thing is absolutely perfect. Been going strong with it for a couple years now. Only a few minor Rivet repairs every once in a while.

I got this as a birthday present for my son who is an oilfield electrician. I got one tool bag to go with it and let him customize it with other ones as needed. He LOVED it! He’s a big guy and it fit him fine. It’s well worth the price. It’s VERY well made and I’m sure it will last a long time.

I wanted to love this thing so bad. Wanted to just post a lazy review and just say buy it. Some stuff I can honestly say just buy it, you won't be disappointed. But I can't say that this time. I actually feel a slight social pressure to post a useful review for any potential buyers. I'll even try to address a few design issues that ought to earn me a free sample of the new improved vest :-PIt's hot! All black. 3 layers of that thick stiff nylon that holds its shape a little too well. There is no way I could wear this all day in the hot part of summer. Yes it's heavy but not heavier than your tools. I'm an internet installer, my tools are light and minimal, even including an impact driver which I carry on the left side in a rudedog bolt bag I ordered from the same seller.My dewalt 20v impact driver jumps off of the empty belt on the right side of the vest whenever I bend or squat. The vest is stiff and attached to your shoulders and strapped to your body so if you bend the whole vest tilts to match the angle of your body. Unbuckling the strap in the back can alleviate some of this but not all. If I squat, the placement of the belt puts the impact driver right in place for my knee to knock it off the belt. Not a design flaw at all. A drill carrier of some sort is a required to safely carry a drill. I think I've set my heart on another of the rudedog bolt bags due to the versatility, can carry way more than just a drill, deep enough to do so safely, can be lashed shut any way you like due to being thick canvas. I only mention it because I really think these bags compliment this vest...The yoke is the real cumbersome part of the whole thing. I adjusted the suspender straps up about four inches which causes the whole vest to ride higher but pulls the yoke down in the back giving the room needed to more comfortably wear this, definitely a design flaw imo but does not render the item totally useless. While the pouches are very thick and heavy they really don't restrict movement that much. That said a thinning and lightening up is due for this design. Pockets on the pouch are indeed tight but not small. I think this will lend to a custom fit for the tools you will carry in the pouches. Glove pocket is a little bit much and imo it should be removed from the design altogether or made into a modular design so the user could remove if wanted. The top wide phone pocket is quite accessible and handy and present on both sides, albeit a little tight. Some users may appreciate this quality of tightness throughout the garment.The front chest strap is located directly above the suspender strap pencil pockets. I wish they had been sewed to the back of those straps.Now I can certainly say lots of good things about this vest and for me the biggest thing is the tool placement. If occidental would please make an oxy light version of this it might be perfect. Even being a bit cumbersome the tool placement on this vest is ideal for a worker who uses a handful of different tools repeatedly. I could use a couple more small pockets on the front suspender straps but it's not a problem to just use another spot for a couple of things. Again I already have one of the big canvas bolt bags and will probably get another for the other side which is currently bare and I didn't pay $162 to only use one side. I was just undecided about what other bag to use and after wearing the vest a couple of days I believe the bolt bag is the way for me to go atm. That could change if I find myself doing something else so the ease of bag changes is a big plus.The price on this is a high one. I'm not saying it's a bargain. But again it is very heavy duty. Seems to be way more heavy duty than any bags I've ever seen. That said, at $162, if it ever breaks which is what tools do, it would be worth having fixed at a leather shop. Would be a great opportunity to have a mod or two done as wellI will refine and add to this at a later time. These are initial impressions and the item is definitely high quality. I can certainly see this being a five star deal for some people.

Ive been wearing it without bags and it’s been almost perfect for my application.The big metal hammer loop is permanently attached and gets caught on things which is my only con (might cut it off and sew on a hammer sleeve instead.)I would love to see Occidental make a more light duty vest like they used to make.

I purchased this vest with mixed feeling on how it would work for me. I can honestly say with the work I do (finish carpentry and cabinetry) it has exceeded my expectations. Alot of people have said that it opens weirdly at the front and is too stiff. From my understanding it's designed that way so you can kneel, crouch or sit without it digging in. It cleanly wraps around your torso when not in a standing position. I don't think I will add any big pouches to it but maybe some small clip ons for fasteners etc. I have all the pockets loaded and the weight feels very minimal. I'm 6' 3" and 180 lbs and I have tried many pouches and vests and this clearly wins from a best bang for your buck stand point

I've been looking at this rig for years now.I love my belt and bag's in the summer Months.But in the winter with heavy workwear and bulky clothing a belt simply doesn't work.I love it and as an added bonus when I am doing interior trim out and cabinets, the bags come off easily so I'm not banging up finishes.I'd say it may not be for everyone, but it suits me perfectly.

Build quality next to none. I do find it very uncomfortable around the neck and shoulders, I wish it had some stretch very disappointing for the price you are paying.

I wish I would have bought sooner. Added the FatLip fastener and FatLip tool bags and did some modifications and now it’s designed for every tool I carry. It’s so much easier to take in and off compared to tool belt with suspenders and no more tool belt around the waste. I’ve only been using it for a couple weeks and loving it. My shoulders are taking a little to get used to but no regrets buying.