Being a proponent of lots of pockets, I'm curious if anyone out there owns one of these uber-expensive jackets or any of their other multi-pocket products?

www.scottevest.com

I know they focus on the "in the lining" ipod wiring feature, but their products seem to have some interesting features-

thoughts?

i added that to my favorites list--but i have problems just going thru the pockets of my normal clothes..photographers and fisherman vests..safari jackets..trench coats..all could be loaded down with BOB gear in some sort of way

Really? I have never tried them, but i have drooled over their site once or twice (or 3 or 4 or maybe 6 times) but never really had the money, or the need for one. its kinda like a saddleback leather bag i guess, i want one, but not enough to pay for it.

If you're living out of them, why do you need good ones...;^)

John E

I have the Scottevest 2.0 system that I have really enjoyed. No quality issues during the 2 years that I have had it. They often run year end sales when they are closing a line out and you can pick them up for about 1/2 price, that’s what I did. I like being able to pack a lot of items without having to use my pack/bag, great for traveling. I do have two complaints though. First, I tend to pack stuff I don’t need, there is always an empty pocket to put one more toy in! But the most annoying thing is the little cards they put in every pocket to let you know what it could be used for, I keep finding them!
-John

Okay, I'll 'fess up-

I have a discontinued jacket as well, I also got for a discount. The reason I asked the question was to see if any one else had issues with the quality versus price. Shameful of me not to just say that. Consider me properly chastened.

It was their "3 season jacket", with sleeves that zip off so it can be worn as a vest. It has some features unique to the model, so I won't get into them, but stay on the scottevest features in general.


Pros-
> All those pockets! I think the one I have has 33, including 2 hidden ones. I have my Ritter PSP in one, and additional items spaced throughout, including gloves and a hat in the big rear pocket. As mentioned above, each pocket came with a little card with suggested uses. Lots of carry options and their design is somewhat bulge-free.
> Key lanyard (rugged)and eyeglass chamois on an alligator clip- nice touch.
> PAN- the little button holes in most pockets where you can run wiring through the jacket and little earbud pockets up along the collar- good for ipod or cell phone or charger use (mine had a solar panel with battery, the battery never really held a charge well and is expensive to replace, but a nice solar panel that hooked to the epaulets- it could be used on a backpack- fyi, they don't offer it anymore, I just mention it because running the wire from the panel to the battery was completely hidden and snag proof).

Cons-
> The magnets everywhere make it hard to remember which pockets NOT to put items in that are sensitive to magnets, like key cards, etc. And some of them are on pockets I don't feel need the extra closure. It actually takes both hands to open some pockets.
> The slick inner lining is static-ey, more so when you wear fleece under the jacket. Which you would have to do in 2 of the seasons, because it is very thin through the back of the garment even in autumn.
> The pocket zipper pulls are tiny- a good idea for the hidden pockets and the napoleon pockets on the front, but a nuisance otherwise. And the tiny zippers tend to catch too much.
> The zip off sleeves have a slight (1/4-1/2 inch) opening under the arms even with the flap overlap. Good for venting and I'm sure another reason why it is only a 3 season model, but I wish it could be sealed entirely.
> The seam in one interior chest pocket was poorly sewed and I had to re-sew.
> All those pockets! As mentioned above, you almost feel obligated to find another piece of gear to put in it! And although designed to be bulge free from the external view, you feel the items from the inside if you start packing it up. And the weight.

Please accept my apologies for the subterfuge. I bought the jacket as a discreet alternative to a multi-pocket vest, and am a little disappointed. But with some modifications, I'll make it work.

I had a generation 1 (Read: VERY old) vest and it hung funny on my shoulders, pinching my neck. I would love another vest like it, with a better fit. but $$ is tight.

I own a 3.0 "Tactical" with fleece liner. I've had it for a few years, my wife refers to it as my "man purse" since it usually weighs more than one of my kids...

I bought the tactical as a combination air travel vest for carry-on stash and as a rain coat. For airline trips I usually put the sleeves in the back pocket and wear the vest full of electronic gizmos (iPod, Sony PSP), snacks (granola bars, trail mix), reading materials, and a bottle of water (I carry an empty sport bottle through security and fill it at a water fountain in the airport). Toss in a photon on the pocket clip, a zipka, and a small FAK and I am done. Hence the weight.

Pockets are nice and deep, I can stash a lot of stuff throughout the jacket. I have not had the pinching problems that Martin mentioned. The outside chest pockets are very handy when stuck in the middle seat without the ability to move much.

I find the tactical model is not the right choice for frequent wear. I tend towards the overheated body temp, I get pretty warm in this vest (usually don't have the fleece liner installed).

I recently noticed a tear in the shell, other than that it has stood up to several years of wear. There is some pilling of the mesh on the inside, but no tears. I'd be willing to consider the regular vest, if I could visit it in person somewhere. Considering going with a dedicated carry-all vest, with another jacket for outer rain/cold protection (and even more pockets!).

Martin, that is how I feel. They "no bulge" feature, free floating pockets, is conceptually sound, and they took the extra trouble to add little fabric keepers to help maintain pocket position, but the weight hangs straight down, pulling on the shoulders and collar.

I have never felt that in a Safari jacket or multi external pocket vest that I can recall, but the sheer number of pockets, as previously stated, also causes me to probably over pack the jacket..

I have a pair of scottevest hooded sweatshirts, the zip up kind...

the first one is cut a bit weird, but I"m used to that being an odd shaped upper body... other than that I love the sweatshirt

last year my girlfriend got me one of the TEC hoodies, and the quality had gone all to hell... the zipper broke in two washings, the key lanyard snapped off...

all in all, I'm not thrilled with the direction the company has taken:(