One Police Officer Invents Way to Wear Body Armor Comfortably: Part 3

What Users Say About Maxx-Dri Vest 

This month I shared the story of Maxx-Dri Vest, from its beginning 10 years ago—when I, then a police officer, resolved to find a way to wear body armor comfortably—through its evolution to today’s Version 4.0, which defines the state-of-the-art in body armor ventilation. 

Maxx-Dri Vest is a phenomenal success, with some 250,000 purchased by people wearing body armor in law enforcement, military, private security and other fields. Their enthusiasm has resulted in more than 20,000 5-star reviews. Many of these can be read on our site. Following are some highlights. 

Cooling Airflow in Hot Weather

The Maxx-Dri Vest is designed to keep you cool and dry, even in extreme heat, by creating space between your body and your armor with a mesh material that lets perspiration escape and fresh air to enter. The cooling-airflow benefit may sound too good to be true (i.e., marketing hype), yet users are quite explicit about it in their reviews. 

Jorge C. says "it’s like magic," describing how he can "literally feel air going through the vest and keeping you from a sticky sweaty shirt." Michael K. also experiences the cooling effect, saying, "I actually can feel a breeze crawling up my front and back! I now go home less sweaty and have more energy at work." Craig M. states, "It’s been two weeks in 100 plus weather and I can actually feel a cool breeze blowing under the front and rear of the vest!" Darcy E. highlighted the vest's compatibility with different carriers, saying, "Works great at allowing airflow to circulate which helps keep your temperature cool. I have worn the vest with my external and internal carriers and have noticed a huge difference in temperature."

Comfort During Long Hours 

Many customers appreciate the comfort Maxx-Dri Vest provides during long hours of wearing body armor. Aaron L. shares, “On June 24 we have Wheels and Wings in Ebensburg, PA Bike Rally! I wore it for 10 hrs and it kept me comfortable! That was 6 hrs of foot patrol!!”

Nathan D. experienced "instant heat relief" and said he’s tried it with "two different types of protective vests and it’s made both more comfortable to wear all day." Aaron finds it to be the "most comfortable and cool I have ever been." Nathaniel S., who works in Louisiana heat, says that with Maxx-Dri Vest, “I still sweat,” but "it’s a lot less and my job would be more miserable without it." Paul R. exclaims, “I love this thing. Taking my vest off when I get home no longer feels like peeling off an outer skin and my undershirt doesn’t come off drenched in sweat.”

Stop Odor and Rashes

I resolved to find a solution to the problem of wearing body armor when I broke out with a severe rash one day after wearing my armor for many hours. The material of Maxx-Dri Vest is anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and does not retain moisture, so sweat doesn’t even get to your armor vest. This keeps it dry, odor-free, and minimizes the need for laundering. 

Kara G. affirms that Maxx-Dri Vest, “Stops the stink. This product has saved me soo much time and effort. No more tearing apart the vest to constantly wash it because the funk coming from it is enough to knock a buzzard off of a gut pile.” And Brad G. says: “It’s been 90 everyday since the Maxx-Dri vest arrived. It is absolutely amazing. I used to have heat rash and a smelly vest at the end of the day. Now it feels like it’s 75 and my ballistic vest is nearly dry.”

A Game Changer 

“Game Changer” is an oft-used phrase in Maxx-Dri Vest reviews, because it has truly revolutionized the way users experience wearing body armor. “I have been a cop for 33 years,” says Michael K. “I now walk a foot beat and carry 27lbs of gear in the summer working outside events....OMG ! This is a game changer!!

Juan B. echoes the same sentiment: “Total game changer! I’m a person who gets overheated very easily, I soak through my uniform shirt and my vest carrier is wet at the end of my shift. The Maxx-Dri 4.0 has changed my life. Now at the end of shift I’m not rushing to take my uniform off because my of being uncomfortable, now I am amazed that my shirts are dry and my vest isn’t wet at the end of a warm day.” 

Version 4.0: A Great Solution Made Even Better

Reviewer PhoenixRizez is an experienced Maxx-Dri Vest user, starting with our first iteration of the product. His testimonial: South Florida in Summer is HOT, like Amazon jungle, 99% humidity, 100 degrees (while riding a Police Motorcycle wearing Kevlar) in the blazing sun HOT. When I found the original Maxx-Dri vest, I was amazed at the difference it made; it was truly night vs day when I had it on under my vest. When the Maxx-Dri 2 came out, it was a great upgrade that made it better. I just received the new Maxx-Dri 4.0 and I was amazed that they could make an already-awesome product that much better. The built-in keepers on the shoulder, the Velcro adjustable and breathable sides, the slightly lower neckline and slightly taller length all make this the most comfortable, best fitting, and easiest to put on/take off version yet.

If you use Maxx-Dri Vest, I’d love your opinion. Is there anything you feel could improve its performance? I’m also working on several other innovative tactical products and am looking for customers willing to provide feedback in the development process. Please feel free to reach out to me.

Respectfully and Forever Grateful,

Suresh