vests vests would be equipped like other role weapons so you have a choice help your team or help your self. vests would come in different types (see bellow). Not all vests are just cosmetics for the role weapons like the medic armor some give armor or allow players to go into dangerous areas.
Original rebel concepts for HL2 used as reference (images seen where on the hl2 wiki)


The vests.
basic this is what the rebels spawn with it has no slot and no advantages so I will not post anything about it you already have it.
medic: same as basic only this one is give with health kit (already in 1.3.0)
combine vest
SHORT DESCRIPTION: this gives players armor. this vest doesn't respawn when armor is out and player model will change to normal when vest is used up.
seen in image: rebels 6-9, 13, and 17
passive ability: gives 25 armor that can't be regained if armor is ) weapon will be dropped and will not respawn if dropped wile it still has armor the next palyer to pick it up will gain that armor.
use: allows yo fire more take cover less useful when pinned down by combine.
ammo belt
SHORT DESCRIPTION: comes with an ammo case for emergency ammo supply used like the rebels in hl2 give you ammo.
seen in image: rebel 1
passive ability: none this vest comes with a weapon
weapon it comes with: ammo case (for emergency ammo like the medkit only for ammo)
weapons use: giving ammo to team mate when pinned down and unable to reach an ammo spawn
notes: this has happened to me 2 times so far a ammo case would be nice.
burglars kit
SHORT DESCRIPTION: comes with hack tool if its ever implemented.
seen in image: rebel 15.
Passive ability: none come with hack tool if ever implemented
weapon it comes with: hack/emp tool (a possible weapon)
hazmat suit
SHORT DESCRIPTION: allows rebels to inter specific hazard zones like gassed rooms or toxic polls with out harm. used for choke points where one rebel has to go across a zombie filled toxic lake and lower a bridge wile the rest give them cover fire. will respawn after rebels death.
seen in image: image 2 rebel gas mask
passive ability: allows the rebel with this to go through specific trigger damage areas, map specific.
what for: not every where is gonna be safe the battle field will some times have obstacles from gas lines to toxic pool and sense the rebels do not have HEV suits they improvised and brought in old HAZMAT suits.
dev notes: not only would this require modeling and coding it would require s special trigger_hurt that will not harm rebels with this armor role.