Do You Need a Vest for Laser Tag? (20+ Blasters Evaluated)

Vests are not always necessary for laser tag.

It just depends on the type of blaster you use. For instance, ArmoGear Laser blasters come with vests, whereas, the LASER X MICRO BLASTER DOUBLE SET and Nerf Official: Lazer Tag Phoenix LTX Tagger 2-pack don’t have any vests.

In this article, we evaluated 20+ blasters to identify the ones that need or don’t need vests.

We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from links on this site.

How Does a Laser Tag Vest Work?

Each laser tag gun emits parallel beams of infrared light when the trigger is pulled. As for the laser tag vests, these have a number of sensors or receivers on them which detect the beams of infrared light from the guns.

A lot of the time, the beams of light from the guns are “coded” to help identify which gun did the damage. Basically, when you fire a blaster, you shoot a beam of infrared light that contains information about you or your gun, which is then picked up by the receiver on the vest.

Here’s an image of the Laser X Original Blaster’s vest opened up to reveal the LED light at the center and the receiver at the bottom part.

Laser Tag Guns That Need or Don’t Need Vests

Not all blasters have vests.

Here are the ones that have vests:

1. ArmoGear four pack
2. ArmoGear Infrared Game Pack Set of 2
3. ArmoGear Rechargeable Guns & Vests Set of 4
4. LASER X 88016 ORIGINAL BLASTER DOUBLE SET
5. Laser X – 88016 ORIGINAL Four Player Gaming Set
6. Laser X Single Player Gaming Set
7. Kidzlane blaster
8. Play22 phaser
9. Squad Hero – Rechargeable Set + Innovative LCDs and Sync – 4 Infrared Guns & Vests  
10. POKONBOY phasers with Vests and Carry Case – 4 Gun Modes – (Set of 4)
11. Kidpal Infrared, Upgraded Blaster Toys with Vest (Set of 4)
12. Best Choice Products (Set of 4)

And here are the brands that don’t have vests:

1. LASER X MICRO BLASTER DOUBLE SET
2. Laser X Double Sports Blaster
3. LaserX Micro B Blasters (2 Pack)
4. Laser x MICRO B2 BLASTER DOUBLE SET
5. Nerf Official: Lazer Tag Phoenix LTX Tagger 2-pack
6. kolegend Laser Tag Set

And, you’ll notice that even vests come in different varieties, besides the differences between blasters that have or don’t have vests.

Firstly, you may have wireless or wired vests, as seen in these phasers:

Kidzlane Toy Gun

4 Interactive target vests.  

ArmoGear Rechargeable Guns & Vests Set of 4

Digital LED Score Display Vests

LASER X 88016 ORIGINAL BLASTER DOUBLE SET

receiver vest

Laser X – 88016 ORIGINAL Four Player Gaming Set

Receiver vest with cable connection to blaster

Laser X Single Player Gaming Set

Receiver Vest

POKONBOY Guns with Vests and Carry Case – 4 Gun Modes – (Set of 4)

Target vest.

ArmoGear Infrared Game Pack Set of 2

TARGET VESTS

ArmoGear – four pack

Wireless target vests

Then, different vests use different types of batteries. Some use AA batteries and others use AAA batteries.

Here’s an overview of the battery requirements of different vests:

POKONBOY Guns with Vests and Carry Case – 4 Gun Modes – (Set of 4)

Each vest needs 3 AA batteries.

ArmoGear – four pack

Each vest uses 3 AAA batteries.  

ArmoGear Infrared Game Pack Set of 2

Each vest uses 3 AAA batteries.  

Kidpal Infrared, Upgraded Blaster Toys with Vest (Set of 4)

Each vest uses 3*AA batteries.

That’s not all.

Some blasters can work either with or without a vest. One such brand is the ArmoGear blaster.

But there’s a lot more.

Different vests come with different types of features. In fact, some blasters have arm receivers instead of vests.

Here’s an overview of several brands:

LASER X MICRO BLASTER DOUBLE SET

2 Arms Receivers – Strap a receiver onto your upper arm.

NSI Laser X Morph Blasters Single Unit DOUBLE SET

BLASTER TO ARMBAND RECEIVER – The receivers pop out and are worn on the upper arm.

Laser X Long Range Blaster

chest receiver

Best Choice Products (Set of 4)

Players are eliminated when both guns and vest reach 0 health points.

POKONBOY Guns with Vests and Carry Case – 4 Gun Modes – (Set of 4)

Guns and vests are made from safe and durable ABS plastic. Target vest receives shots. The vest does not sync up with the gun.

Play22 phaser

LED vests that indicate your numerical score

Laser X Single Player Gaming Set

Receiver vest includes a game life indicator.

Squad Hero – Rechargeable Set + Innovative LCDs and Sync – 4 Infrared Guns & Vests  

The guns and vests are fully rechargeable! Your guns and vests pair together! Health points and team data are automatically synced, and vests have an LCD interface. Add unlimited guns and vests to a match.

ArmoGear Rechargeable Guns & Vests Set of 4

Target vests with a digital score display that indicates your numerical score.

Kidpal Infrared, Upgraded Blaster Toys with Vest (Set of 4)

The flashing lights on the laser blaster and vests can easily determine where the enemy is. To use more than one kit at a time, match the blaster and vest one by one and distinguish the teams from each other.  

Laser X Double Sports Blaster

Two arm receivers

Check Out This Blaster We Reviewed Recently.

Laser X - 88016 ORIGINAL Reviewed
	Pros: - Still good as new after 5+ years of heavy commercial use Cons: - no screws to open it up	Buy on Amazon

To read the full Laser X Review, click here.

So, Do You Need a Vest for Laser Tag?

The answer to this question is a little bit tricky.

It depends on how intense you want your laser tag experience to be. If you’re just looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends, then you probably don’t need a vest. However, if you’re looking for something that feels more like a real battle, then you might want to consider investing in a vest. It won’t completely change the game, but it will certainly up the ante of the experience.

A vest also allows players to customize their laser tag experience.

You can buy vests with different camouflage patterns so that you can pretend you’re part of an actual military unit. They also come in a variety of colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your personality.

Ultimately, the decision to buy a vest comes down to personal preference.

Why You Need a Vest for Laser Tag

Vests are a part of the laser tag experience because they take your game to the next level.

They can get you into the right mindset and diving right into the action. Vests let you decide where to place your shots, and they allow for accurate tracking of scores.

The best laser tag vests will allow players to carry more ammo and health packs. They should also be adjustable to ensure a comfortable fit. This is especially important if you plan on sharing the vest with other players.

Some vests come with built-in speakers that allow players to communicate with one another during the game. This can be a great way to stay organized and make sure everyone is on the same page.

When choosing a laser tag vest, consider the size and weight. If it is too heavy, it may be uncomfortable to wear for an extended period of time.

Finally, make sure to choose a vest that is durable and easy to clean. This will help ensure that it lasts for years to come.

What to Wear With Your Laser Tag Vest

Now that you know why you need a vest for laser tag, it’s time to consider what to wear with it.

There are a few things to keep in mind when putting together your outfit.

First, you want to make sure that the vest is the focal point of your outfit. It’s the most important part, so you don’t want to cover it up. You’ll also want to wear something simple and sleek on the bottom. Something like black pants.

And don’t wear anything too flashy on the top.

Second, you want to make sure that your clothes are comfortable and allow for free movement. You don’t want to be restricted in your movements during the game.

Your clothing should also not be too loose or else you will have a hard time controlling your movements and may accidentally expose areas that you don’t want exposed 🙂 . You can wear long sleeves, but it is best that you wear a short-sleeve shirt or have a good undershirt to avoid getting your clothing caught on something.

Third, you want to choose colors that match the vest. This will help create a cohesive look and make it easier for players to identify one another on the battlefield.

Finally, make sure that your clothes are appropriate for the environment. If you’re playing indoors, you’ll want to wear something different than if you’re playing outdoors. If you’re playing in the rain, you’ll want to wear a raincoat. If you’re playing in the snow, you’ll want to wear warm clothes.

Layers are the best way to go, so you can add or remove pieces as needed. You’ll also want to wear a hat and gloves, and maybe even some boots.

Pay attention to your surroundings, and dress appropriately. You’ll have more fun when you’re not worrying about whether or not your clothes are appropriate for the game.

When you’re playing outside, make sure that you’re protected from the sun.

When playing outside in the summertime, make sure that your clothing isn’t too tight. You don’t want to be sweating bullets while you’re trying to have fun. Wear something light and airy, like cotton, that will help you stay cool.

If you’re playing in the snow, make sure that you’re wearing warm clothes.

Additional Resources That can Help You

You may also be interested in the following useful resources.

Do Laser Tag Guns Hurt? (20+ Blasters Evaluated)

Click here to read more

Can You Play Laser Tag at Home? (10+ Blasters Evaluated)

Click here to read more

Does Laser Tag Work Outside?

Click here to read more