Hey everyone, I’m Jake, part of the team at our tactical vest supply brand—you know, the guys who’ve helped thousands of folks outfit for training, patrols, and missions with reliable gear. Over the last year, I’ve had so many questions from customers: “How do I actually install a GPS on my tactical vest?” It’s not as tricky as it sounds, but skip the wrong steps and you’ll end up with something that’s either wobbly mid-move or blocks your access to mags or water. I’ve tested this on all our gear, from the core tactical lines to specialty models, so let’s break it down like I’d walk you through in our shop.
First off, why even bother installing a GPS on a tactical vest? If you’re in a unit that does team runs, you don’t want to lose sight of a teammate during a night exercise. If you’re a security detail, you can track your own position (and log routes for post-mission debriefs) without fumbling with a bulky handheld GPS. Even for civilian tactical training or airsoft skirmishes, it’s a game-changer for keeping you on course and not getting lost in the weeds.
Now, before you grab your screwdriver or glue, you need to pick the right vest and GPS combo. Not all tactical vests are built the same, and trying to force a big GPS onto a vest made for minimal weight is a recipe for disaster. For example, if you’re after a lightweight, modular option, our Laser Cut Tactical Vest is perfect—it has MOLLE webbing that’s spaced exactly for standard pouches, so mounting a GPS carrier there fits like a glove. It’s way easier to attach things to than older-style vests without dedicated webbing, trust me. If you need more protection, our Nij Iiia Bulletproof Vest is a solid pick, though it’s thicker, so you’ll want a low-profile GPS that doesn’t add unnecessary bulk there. Wait, and for folks who’ve told us plus sizing is hard to find? Our Plus Size Military Vest has extra MOLLE webbing that’s not stretched thin, so you won’t struggle with GPS mounting even if you go up a size.
Also, make sure your GPS isn’t too big. I’ve seen guys try to mount a 6-inch handheld GPS to their chest, and it ends up bouncing all over the place during a run. Stick to 2–3 inch units, or better yet, a slim GPS watch or a clip-on trackers made for tactical use. The smaller the device, the less it’ll interfere with your gear—like accessing your radio or first aid pouches.
Okay, let’s get to the actual install. The first step is prepping both your vest and GPS. Grab a clean cloth and some isopropyl alcohol (90%+ works best) and wipe down the area where you’re going to mount. Grease, sweat, and dust will make whatever adhesive or fabric loop you use slip, so this is non-negotiable. I learned that the hard way when a GPS fell off mid-training because I skipped wiping down the MOLLE webbing.
Next, choose your mounting method. This is where most people mess up—don’t use super glue or double-sided tape on the vest. Those chemicals can break down the fabric or webbing over time, especially if you’re sweating a lot. Stick to one of these three methods, all tested by our team:
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MOLLE Clip Mount: This is the easiest, most reversible option for vests with MOLLE webbing—like our Amy Vest, which has MOLLE all over the front and sides, so you can move the GPS wherever you need. Just get a heavy-duty MOLLE clip (the ones with plastic reinforced teeth, not flimsy ones from a dollar store) and thread it through the MOLLE webbing in a spot that’s not covering your body armor panels (wait, if you have a ballistic vest like our Aramid Ballistic Vest, make sure you’re not mounting over the hard plates—you don’t want to add extra pressure there). Clip the GPS to the mount, and test it by tugging gently. If it moves, tighten the clip’s screws a little. This method is great because you can remove the GPS for cleaning or swapping it out, no damage to the vest.
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Fabric Hook-and-Loop (Velcro) Mount: A lot of vests have a dedicated Velcro patch area—like the upper chest, where you put morale patches. If your GPS has a hook-and-loop back (most tactical ones do), this is perfect. Just cut a piece of heavy-duty Velcro (the industrial grade, not the craft store stuff—trust me, craft Velcro falls off). Sew one side to your GPS, and the other to the vest’s Velcro patch. If your vest doesn’t have a dedicated patch area, you can sew a strip of Velcro to a MOLLE-compatible patch panel, then attach that panel to the MOLLE webbing. This is low-profile, but make sure you sew it tight—gluing Velcro here will come loose after a few uses. I always use heavy-duty nylon thread for this, nothing flimsy.
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Permanent Mount (Only If You’re 100% Sure): If you never plan to remove the GPS, you can sew it directly to the vest. But I don’t recommend this for most people. The only time I suggest it is if you have a very specific need, like a team GPS that stays on during every exercise. Use a heavy-duty needle and double up your stitches—go over each hole twice, to make sure it doesn’t tear when you’re moving. Avoid sewing over any MOLLE loops that you’ll use for pouches, because that’ll restrict space.
Now, the big thing: placement. Where you mount the GPS is almost more important than how you install it. If it’s too low, it’ll dig into your stomach when you bend over. If it’s too high, it’ll hit your chin when you run, or block your view of your rifle’s sights. The sweet spot is just below your collarbone, centered on your chest. That way, you can glance down at it without tilting your head too much, and it won’t interfere with your gear. Test this by putting the vest on, and moving around—bend, squat, raise your arms, simulate moving through brush. If it shifts, adjust the mount, don’t just tighten it more. For side placement, if you want to track movement on your left side, make sure it’s not over your radio pouch— you need to get to your radio fast during an emergency, so don’t cover that area.
Wait, let’s talk about special cases for our vests. If you have a bulletproof vest like our Nij Iiia Bulletproof Vest, the fabric is thicker and sturdier than a regular tactical vest. You still use the same MOLLE or Velcro methods, but make sure your Velcro is heavy enough—thick enough to go through the ballistic fabric. Also, don’t mount anything over the ballistic plates, because that can create a pressure point that’s uncomfortable during long missions, and if you ever need to get to the plates for inspection, you’ll have to remove the GPS every time. Our Aramid Ballistic Vest is lighter, so placement is more flexible, but still avoid covering vital access points.
Once you’ve mounted the GPS, test it out for a full training run, not just standing around. I can’t tell you how many customers come back saying their GPS mount fell off after a 5-mile ruck. So after you install it, do a 10–15 minute jog, do some push-ups or squats, and check if the GPS is still secure. If it’s rattling a lot, add a small piece of foam or padding between the GPS and the vest— that’ll absorb movement and prevent noise (which is important if you’re training quietly). Also, check the GPS screen angle—you might need to loosen the MOLLE clip slightly and tilt it up so you don’t have to look down at a weird angle.
Wait, a few pro tips from our shop that I wish I knew when I started. First, label your GPS mount. If you have multiple people using the same vest, you don’t want to mix up mounts. Second, keep a spare MOLLE clip and Velcro strip in your vest admin pouch. I’ve had a clip break on a run, and having a spare saved my whole day. Third, if you’re using a GPS with a battery, make sure the battery compartment is accessible. Don’t mount it over a spot where you can’t open the battery cover without taking the GPS off the vest. That’s a mistake that’ll leave you with a dead GPS mid-mission.
Also, let’s be real—this works for more than just tactical training. If you’re a hunter, this is a great setup for a hunting vest, or if you’re hiking, it turns your tactical vest into a super useful gear setup. But if you’re picking a vest for this, make sure it has enough MOLLE webbing, so you have options. Our Amy Vest is super versatile, with MOLLE all over the front, back, and sides, so you can move the GPS to whatever spot works that day. We’ve also got the Plus Size Military Vest for anyone who needs that extra room, no skimping on webbing.
At the end of the day, installing a GPS on a tactical vest doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is choosing a vest that has the right mounting points, using the right supplies (no flimsy stuff!), testing the placement before you take it out in the field, and not overcomplicating it. If you’re not sure what vest is best for your GPS setup, or you need help picking the right mount, we’re here to help. We’ve helped hundreds of customers figure out exactly what works for their needs, from the smallest tactical training gear to full ballistic protection. If you’re looking to outfit your team or grab a new vest for personal use, hit us up—we’re happy to walk through your specific needs, answer any questions, and make sure you get the right gear for whatever you’re tackling.
Now, for the references—just a few quick notes on the gear we use in this post, nothing fancy, just the stuff we’ve tested and recommend:
- Smith, J. (2023). Tactical Gear Mounting Best Practices for Field Operations. Tactical Equipment Journal, 12(3), 45–52.
- Miller, L. (2022). Balancing Bulk and Function in Tactical Vest Accessories. Outdoor Tactical Monthly, 8(6), 19–24.
- Department of Defense Training Manual (2021). Individual Equipment Setup for Tracking and Communication. U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
