The value of a shooting vest?

[Questor]

Generally I dress like the fashion editor of the Hobo News but I do draw the line by not wearing some very unflattering clothes. An example of such silly looking garments is the shooting vest used by trap shooters. What is the function of this vest? Assuming that it is indeed a practical garment,  is there a better looking way of getting the same function? I'd like something with a recoil pad built into the shoulder. I don't really need pockets for holding shells.

[jbmi]

A good shooting vest will give you additional pockets for gloves, shells, choke tubes, glasses and other things that may come in handy while on the line or without having to go back into the clubhouse or your car. It also provides a place for your  hulls if you save them. The padding will help some with recoil, but not much.
I use to wear one but switched to a belt with a shell box holder and hull bag when I got more experienced. I see about 50/50 at our club. It's what ever floats your boat.
And you're right some of them are down right ugly, while others look much better. There are a number of different models available, if you look hard enough you may even find one that you like.

[dougk]

I have never been a vest person.  Hence I dont wear vests.  Jbmi has some good points about the the value of vests.

Doug

[rbwillnj]

I like a vest when I'm shoot sporting clays, but never wear one for Trap.   For Trap I use a belt with a pouch and a shell box holder.  Some people wear a vest for Trap just to keep their shirts clean.

[Straight Shooter]

Primarily a skeet shooter here.

Used a vest all the time as a kid, but now use a belt and pouch.  Literally grew out of it.  Never replaced it

[Graybeard]

I practically NEVER shoot any clay sport game without a shooting vest. I'd be lost without my vest. In fact I just love vests and tend to wear them even as daily wear when going most anywhere. I'd hate to take a guess at how many vests I own but I'd say it's likely more than any of your wife's own pairs of shoes. Yup I'm a vest kinda guy. I'd as soon go shooting without my gun as without my vest.

[Cement Man]

I like my vests as well.  I shoot clays and use the pockets for my shells and empties, glass case, gloves, bug juice, and ear protection..  I like the non-slip patch on the shoulder for a consistent gun mount.  I also have many vests - like the pockets.
Never occurred to me to worry about style at the clays course.  My son-in-law does, and he's always asking me for things I carry in my vest.  I say "no".

[james25889]

i dont use a vest anymore but if you want more padding they make shirts with the pad sewn in them i use a shell box holder and a small net like holder to hold the emptys