DeWalt Class 2 Standard Surveyor Vest

Why I reached for this vest

After a week of field checks in mixed conditions—cool mornings, mid-day sun, and a breeze that kicked up dust—I kept grabbing the DeWalt surveyor vest. It isn’t flashy, but it does the fundamentals of visibility gear right and adds a few small touches that make long days easier.

Build and materials

The vest uses a solid front panel with a mesh back. That combination makes sense: the solid front gives structure to the pockets so they don’t sag, and the mesh back keeps air moving when you’re hauling gear or wearing a backpack or harness. The fabric is 100% hi-vis polyester, so it’s light, dries quickly, and doesn’t soak up sweat. The zipper front is straightforward and feels sturdier than hook-and-loop closures I’ve seen on cheaper vests, especially when the pockets are loaded.

DeWalt uses 2-inch segmented, heat-transfer reflective tape laid over a 3-inch contrasting black trim. The black edge does two things: it sets off the reflective for better daytime contrast and hides grime a bit longer than an all-lime face. The segmented tape flexes with movement, which helps comfort and reduces crinkling you get with continuous sew-on bands.

Visibility and compliance

This is a Type R, Class 2 vest under ANSI/ISEA 107. Translation: it’s appropriate for most roadway construction, utilities, and general jobsite work where vehicle speeds are moderate and you’re not in the highest-risk traffic conditions (that’s where Class 3 comes in). The layout is one horizontal band around the torso and two vertical stripes up the chest. At dawn and dusk, the reflective pops as expected, and under headlights the segmented strips return light evenly without hot or dead spots.

If you’re often in low-light roadside work with higher speed limits or heavy traffic, consider a Class 3 garment; otherwise, this Class 2 coverage is solid.

Organization and pockets

The pocket layout is practical without trying to be everything to everyone:

• A radio pocket with a clear ID holder: The ID window avoids a lanyard around your neck, and the radio pocket handled my mid-size handheld comfortably. Wide radios with extended batteries will be a squeeze, but most standard units fit.
• A segmented chest pencil pocket: Dividers keep pens, a scribe, or a Sharpie from pooling at the bottom.
• Two lower front pockets: Deep enough for gloves, a compact tape, a small notebook, or a folding rule. These are open-top; I wish there were flaps or zips for securing smaller items when bending or climbing.
• Two inside open pockets: These are large, flat sleeves. I slid an 8-inch tablet into one and folded half-sheets and permits into the other. The inside pockets are unstructured, so heavier tablets will bounce unless you keep the vest zipped.

Dual mic tabs on the shoulders handle a radio mic on one side and a badge reel or secondary mic on the other. They’re stitched firmly, and the placement doesn’t interfere with the reflective.

Comfort and fit

Worn over a T-shirt, the vest feels light and breezy thanks to the mesh back. Over a hoodie, it still sits flat and doesn’t bunch at the shoulders. The cut is generous enough to go over layers; if you’re between sizes and mostly wearing it over a single shirt, consider sizing down. Sizes run from M through 5X, which covers most crews well.

The solid front does retain a bit more heat in direct sun than a full-mesh design, but not enough to be a dealbreaker—especially given the benefit of structured pockets. The segmented reflective helps the vest flex when you twist or reach, so it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a crinkly sandwich board.

Durability and stitching

Stress points—pocket corners, mic tabs, and the zipper base—are reinforced. After hauling a radio, phone, and a compact tape measure for several days, I didn’t see threads pulling or seams creeping. The heat-transfer reflective is tidy and snag-free, which reduces peel risk compared to stitched tape edges, but you do need to treat it properly in the wash to avoid lifting (more on that below).

The mesh resisted snagging better than I expected around tie wire and ladder rails, though any mesh can catch if you’re careless. The black trim does a nice job of camouflaging scuffs where vests usually show wear first.

Safety integration

A rear D-ring pass-through is a thoughtful addition. If you wear a harness, you can keep the vest over it and still access the dorsal D-ring without punching holes or fighting fabric. The pass-through is well-aligned and large enough to work with standard connectors. Because it’s a pass-through and not a sewn-in attachment point, it doesn’t compromise the vest’s structure, and it makes swapping between vest and harness quick.

Care and maintenance

To keep the reflective intact and the color bright:

• Close the zipper before washing.
• Cold wash on gentle with mild detergent.
• Skip fabric softeners and bleach.
• Hang dry. High dryer heat is the enemy of heat-transfer reflective and can shorten its life.

Follow that routine, and the tape stays put and the lime color avoids the dingy look that plagues neglected vests.

What I’d change

• Pocket security: The lower front pockets are open-top. Add a flap or zipper and you could trust them with smaller hardware or bits without worrying about losing things while climbing or kneeling.
• ID window clarity over time: Clear windows tend to scratch and fog with grit. This one is decent, but plan on replacing cards rather than wiping the window endlessly.
• Inside pocket structure: A little reinforcement or a strap would tame a heavier tablet or a thick field book.
• Class options: It’s Class 2 only. If your work demands Class 3 visibility, you’ll need a different vest.
• No FR rating: This isn’t flame-resistant. If you’re around energized equipment or in environments requiring FR garments, look for a certified FR option.

None of these are dealbreakers for typical construction, survey, and utility work, but they’re worth noting depending on your tasks.

Who it’s for

• Field supervisors, surveyors, and inspectors who juggle a radio, pens, and paperwork or a small tablet.
• Crews that wear harnesses periodically and need clean D-ring access.
• Anyone who prefers a zipper closure and wants better breathability than a fully solid vest without sacrificing front pocket structure.
• Teams standardizing on Type R, Class 2.

Who should look elsewhere: workers needing Class 3 coverage, FR protection, or fully secured cargo-style pockets with zippers across the board.

Day-to-day performance

The vest disappears in the best way: it stays put, keeps staples organized, and stays visible without fuss. The reflective does its job at dawn patrols and night checks, and the contrast trim helps on cloudy days when bright fabric alone can wash out. The mic tabs hold shape, and the zipper tracks smoothly even with gloves. I liked that I could slide folded plans and permits inside without mangling them, then pull them out cleanly for sign-offs.

On hot afternoons, the mesh back was noticeable—in a good way. Standing in a slab-pour heat haze or walking a long perimeter, the airflow kept me from feeling overheated. When the wind picked up dust, a quick rinse back at the truck restored the color without leaving soap marks.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt surveyor vest for crews and individuals who need dependable Class 2 visibility with practical organization and harness compatibility. The solid-front/mesh-back construction strikes a smart balance between structure and breathability, the segmented reflective tape is comfortable and effective, and the pocket layout covers radio, ID, writing tools, and a small tablet or paperwork without turning the vest into a cluttered toolbox. Its shortcomings—open lower pockets, non-FR fabric, and Class 2 limitations—are real but situational. If those aren’t requirements for your work, this vest is a reliable, comfortable choice that holds up to daily use with minimal fuss.