RE: new vest?
My least favorite vest on the market is the MO Elite / Super Elite. (Sorry Paul!... They're just too hot for a fat man like me. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>)
I prefer a vest with shoulder straps over a solid vest. The one made by H.S. is hard to beat for price. Also, Cabelas makes several vests in the 40-50 dollar range.
Personally, I use the Bucklick Creek "Guide Series" lounger vest. Many pockets... comfy with padded shoulder straps... and it adjusts anywhere from a 30" to 65" waist. (Big enough to fit a man even larger than I am! LOL But, at $70 it's probably not what you're after.)