DeWalt Class 2 Heavy Duty Surveyor Vest

Field use, lots of pockets, and real visibility

After a season of field days and a handful of pre-dawn site walks, I’ve come to rely on the DeWalt surveyor vest as my go-to Class 2 high-vis layer. It’s a straightforward piece of kit—mesh body for airflow, a zipper front, and reflective where you need it—but the difference is in the details: reinforced webbing where vests usually tear, a surprisingly useful plan pocket across the back, and thoughtful storage up front that keeps essentials organized without turning the vest into a floppy toolbox.

Build and materials

The vest is a polyester mesh body with solid twill pockets. In hand, the mesh feels more robust than the typical disposable safety vest; it’s closer to a light utility garment than “handout PPE.” DeWalt reinforces the main circumference with 1-inch webbing and uses heavier stitching at stress points. Those two touches matter. On most vests, the bottom hem and front edges are the first to fray or stretch. Here, they hold their shape and resist sag, even when the pockets are loaded.

At roughly a pound, weight is reasonable for a surveyor-style vest. It’s not a featherweight, but I never found it cumbersome. The zipper is full-length and locks firmly; it’s easier to manage with gloves than snap fronts, and less prone to accidental opening than breakaway strips. Just note: because it’s a zipper closure, it’s not a tear-away design. If you need quick-release for specific hazards, this isn’t that.

The black contrast trim does a good job hiding grime, which keeps the vest looking presentable longer than all-neon designs.

Visibility and compliance

This is an ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 Class 2, Type R vest. In practical terms, it’s suitable for roadway and general construction where Class 2 is specified. It uses 2-inch heat-transfer segmented reflective tape with a 3-inch contrasting background. The segmentation isn’t just a style cue—it noticeably improves flexibility and breathability over continuous bands, especially when bending or reaching. In rain and low light, the retroreflective pops as you’d expect.

If your environment requires Class 3 (sleeved garments) or flame-resistant/arc-rated apparel, this vest doesn’t cover those bases. But for typical day/night roadside and site work, it checks the right boxes.

Storage and organization

DeWalt gets the pocket layout right. Up front, there’s a radio chest pocket with a clear ID window and a segmented pencil pocket that actually holds pencils without them disappearing sideways. Two lower front pockets with flap closures (hook-and-loop) handle gloves, a small notebook, or tape. Inside, two open tablet-sized pockets are large enough to slide in a standard 10-inch tablet or a clipboard; I’ve been using one for a tablet and the other for permits. Across the back, a full-width plan pocket is the star—folded drawings, flags, or a rolled site map fit without fighting the opening. For anyone who still carries paper plans (or needs somewhere to stash survey stakes and flagging), that pocket alone is worth the “surveyor” label.

Dual mic tabs at the shoulders keep radio cords tidy, and there are small grommets for tethering and flagging tape. A rear D-ring pass-through works cleanly with a harness—no bunching—and is cut large enough that I don’t have to fish for attachment points.

Storage count is listed as seven pockets; functionally, it’s “7 plus pencil slots,” which is a fair description. Nothing exotic, just a well-thought-out layout.

Comfort and fit

Fit is true to size in my experience. The cut is generous enough to layer over a hoodie or light jacket without ballooning. The mesh body breathes well, especially paired with the segmented tape; on hot days, it’s noticeably less swampy than solid-fabric vests. On windy mornings, it doesn’t flap like tissue paper. The webbing-reinforced hem adds a bit of structure so the vest hangs straight even when the back pocket is loaded.

One subtle win: the zipper tracks smoothly and doesn’t catch the mesh, which is a common frustration with cheaper vests. The collar line is low and doesn’t rub on a bare neck.

Durability on the job

Surveyor vests live a hard life—loaded pockets, snag hazards, and frequent on-and-off cycles. After steady use, the high-wear zones on this vest (lower hem, front edges, pocket corners) show minimal fraying. The twill pockets are substantially tougher than mesh pockets and haven’t blown seams or deformed under load. The heat-transfer reflective has stayed adhered without peeling, though I’ve been careful about laundering: cold wash, hang dry. If your routine is hot dryers, any heat-transfer tape will be at risk over time.

The zipper is worth a specific note. Mine has remained solid—teeth aligned, pull tab intact, and no separation under tension. Still, as with any zipper-driven vest, this is a single point of failure you’ll want to inspect periodically. If you’re issuing these to a crew, I’d recommend a quick arrival check to catch the odd dud.

Little touches that add up

• Dual mic tabs and a dedicated radio pocket keep comms consistent day to day.
• The clear ID window is actually readable without glare, which is rarer than it should be.
• The harness pass-through is well-placed and preserves the reflective pattern.
• Grommets for tether points and flagging tape are small, but helpful for keeping the front uncluttered.

None of these are headline features on their own, but together they make the vest easier to live with.

What I’d change

• Breakaway option: A zip-front is secure and convenient, but in certain environments a breakaway version is preferred. Offering both would be ideal.
• Pocket flap depth: The lower front pocket flaps could be slightly longer for better closure when the pockets are stuffed with odd-shaped items.
• Care guidance: Clearer laundering guidance on the garment tag would help extend the life of the reflective and mesh. Many users will default to hot dryers; the tape would benefit from an explicit “hang dry only.”

These are minor in the context of the vest’s solid performance, but they’d polish an already well-executed design.

Who it’s for

If you’re a surveyor, inspector, utility worker, or anyone who needs a Class 2 vest with real storage—and you don’t want to wear a tool belt just to keep track of paperwork and a radio—this is in the sweet spot. The tablet pockets and back plan pocket are especially handy for foremen, field engineers, and site supervisors who bounce between the office trailer and active work. It’s also a good pick for anyone doing roadside tasks or long walks near traffic who wants more than a flimsy, one-season vest.

If your job mandates Class 3, FR/AR garments, or a tear-away design, look elsewhere or plan to supplement. This model is about durable utility in the Class 2 category.

The bottom line

The DeWalt surveyor vest strikes a practical balance: durable where it takes abuse, breathable enough for long shifts, and organized without being fussy. The reinforced hem and stress-point stitching address the typical failure modes, the storage layout supports real work, and the segmented reflective tape keeps visibility high without turning the vest into a sauna. After steady use, it’s held up better than most Class 2 vests I’ve worn in this price and weight class.

Recommendation: I recommend this vest for pros and serious DIY users who need a Class 2, Type R option with meaningful storage and day-in/day-out durability. Buy it for the rear plan pocket, the tablet-sized internal storage, and the reinforced build; keep in mind it’s not a breakaway or FR garment, and treat the reflective tape kindly in the wash to maximize lifespan.