Would be 5 stars if it weren't for ......This thing is exactly what I wanted. I'm a trim carpenter who install finish packages on brand new homes. My occidental framing pouch was just too big for what I'm doing. This vest keeps everything right where I need it and doesn't get in the way while I'm working. Doesn't catch on things as I squeeze by the other guys on the site. Everything has a down side so the ones here are easily gotten past. My only issues are the hammer hook had to be clipped in a few different places to find a spot that was comfortable and didn't cause it to catch on my belt and the knife holder is hard plastic to protect those who have a knife that does not retract which causes the knife to fall out when you bend over. I put my needle nose pliers there nowbut they still hit the ground every now and then. It would be better if it was leather but this is minor compared to the pluses this thing has. I'd recommend this to anyone who works in tight places or anyone who needs something to hold some hand tools but thinks a pouch is over kill. Get it!!!

By far, the most comfortable and useful setup I've owned in 30 years. Looked at it for a long time before springing for one, but very glad I finally did!
I live and work in the Mid-Atlantic region, and got it during the peak of the hot-sweaty-season. Not too bad even though it is a vest. The open back and front were very helpful, but it is warmer than just a tool belt.
Some notes on fit:
Some reviews complained about the fit, pressing on the back of the neck, for one. There are several adjustments on it. Two vertical in the back, tightening these up eliminates the neck problem entirely. The rear and front horizontal straps can easily be adjusted to fit the task at hand, and differences in clothing.
Feature notes:
The phone holster is useless if you have a current phone. I cut mine off and got a calculator case to clip in its place.
Some have complained that stuff falls out of the pockets when you bend over. Everything is up higher than a swinging belt so the possibility is there. I found adjusting the fit, and just being a little more aware of how I moved nearly eliminated the problem. Some of the adjustments and modifications mentioned below helped as well.
Modifications
1) I removed the clip on pouch on the left that is usually used for a tape measure. No matter how I adjusted the vest, it (and anything else I put in that pouch) would fall out. I replaced it at first with the leather tape measure holder, but needed something to clip a nail gun to when on a ladder, so I attached one of those Werner Lock in tool lasso's to hang a gun from. Easy to reach.
2) I added a magnetic pouch inside the lower pouch with the leather cover. Keeps loose items secure when leaning or bending at odd angles
3) There's a narrow vertical pouch on the left side with an Oxy tool shield for your utility knife or a chisel. Doesn't work well there. I removed it, and use it in a side pouch. Utility knife fits in the fabric pouch fine, and does not fall out. The tool shield grips a 1" chisel very well. Just clicks right in there.
4) Added two side pouches #8517 and #2010 to complete my setup.
#8510 is made for right handers, I'm a leftie. I wear it on my left side, and added a hammer holder on the edge opposite the leather one. Works fine for me. Perfect for whatever tools I need at the time, sometimes a lot of them.
#2010 is designed to wear on the left side, I wear this one on my right side. 4 divided pockets can handle a lot of fasteners, but I can just fit an 18v Panasonic drill in the main compartments. Works very well there.

The only thing I wish I could change (and this is just me), the clips on the bottom of the vest for the accessory pouches will allow them only to be attached near the front of the vest. I wish they had the correct spacing to allow the pouches to be attached more toward the rear. When I wore a belt, I liked having the pouches more toward my backside so they were out of the way when working low.
Fully loaded, I find this much more comfortable than a belt, you just have to pay attention to the fit, and how you lean/kneel/bend to keep things from falling out. It's nice to have some place to hang it rather than set it on the ground when you need to take it off.
Even with a few nits here and there, very well made, well thought out, and useful to me. I would certainly recommend one.

Much more comfortable than a set of bags when doing finish work. Only negative is the oxy tool shield it comes with is basically useless, noting fits in it tight enough to stay in when bending over, but i dont ding the vest for the tool shields shortcomings, I actually have 3 or 4 of those stupid shields never used floating around the shop....
I added the drill holder attachment to this vest, then took the pouch off if it, and put that pouch on the left side of the vest, then put the oxy clip on tape measure holder on the vacant spot on the drill holder. now i have tape and drill at my right hand and 2 nail pouches on the left. I love this set up!

The Occidental Leather 2535 Builder's Vest is pretty comfortable; way better for those who find the common tool belt painful on the lower back to wear. There are a few problems but I don't mind them, too much. Just like anything else, adjustment to routines are required. The accessory pouch that clips on (for the tape measure or whatever) is wide open, leaving your tape to get pushed out when you crouch. The hammer holder located on the back is positioned so that when in a crouched position the hammer has a tendency to flip around. Anything not secured or tightly fits in the vest can fall out when bent over (this is dangerous to workers when working on rafters or in high places). Again, be selective about placement of tools to eliminate this danger and inconvenience. If adjusted improperly, the back of the vest will dig into the back of your neck after wearing for long periods. And lastly, you will sweat in this vest in warm weather. Other than that, I would pick the vest over a tool belt any day. I recommend getting the click-on accessory pouches for nails, so they can be removed when not in use.

Happy building!