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Travel jackets with lots of pockets

Greetings! I will be moving to Europe next year for work (yes, visa stuff will be sorted out through my company, so no Schengen worries here) and will fly nonstop to my destination. I'll have to take a lot of stuff in my carry-on that one normally doesn't have to take with them when traveling as a tourist, like my laptop, paperwork related to the move, a couple of sentimental things that I won't check or ship, etc. Plus, I like to include 1-2 days worth of clothes in the case of missing checked bags which will include a professional outfit or two since I'll have to report to work the day after I arrive. I'll also be traveling with a small pet and again will need to pack a few supplies and veterinary paperwork for her.

So, since I'll be traveling with more than the usual amount of stuff this one time, I'm considering a jacket designed for travel that has a lot of pockets so that I might be able to include some of the things that I might want on the plane and that would normally go in my carryon or personal item to free up space for some of the other things I'll need to pack. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with either the Scottevest Trench or the ExOfficio FlyQ Trench? Any other recommendations? I'd like to be able to use the jacket again under other circumstances, so the khaki safari-type jackets and vests with all of the pockets on the outside aren't going to work for me.

Posted by
507 posts

Sarah,

I purchased a Sterling Scottevest for Women for Christmas for each of my daughters who travel overseas for business. You may want to read the description for yourself.

I chose this jacket for several reasons.
1) It has 23 pockets and the interior pockets are various sizes.
2) It converts to a vest as the sleeves are held in the armhole with magnets.
3) It will keep one warm in temperatures down to 55 degrees F.
4) It is stylish.
5) I received a 20% discount by using the Code FB20 (which you can use on any Scottevest product).

My ladies know they are getting a travel jacket for Christmas although they do not know the features. I needed to call each one for her choice of color and her size. I will be able to give you their reviews after they open their presents on Christmas Day.

I hope this helps somewhat with the Scottevest item you are looking at.

Good Luck on your move!

Posted by
1531 posts

a short plumpish friend of mine bought scottevests for herself and her husband before their trip to the holy land a year ago. also relevant is that she was just recovering from a significant back injury. anyway, she LOVED the vest......felt it was easier for her to manage than a carryon.
good luck moving with your pet. cat? dog?

Posted by
787 posts

I have a several Scottevests --- two trench coats (in different colors) and the q.u.e.s.t vest. In fact, I am wearing the Quest right now. The Quest has more pockets, but the Trench holds more stuff.

The Trench is comfortable and practical, and it looks great. The only issue is that I had to have the sleeves shortened considerably. I will confess that I have short arms, but the sleeves were exceptionally long.

Posted by
32363 posts

Sarah,

In Europe for a whole year - lucky you!!!

I've been using a Tilley Vest (Canadian product, eh!) during travels for many years and it's always worked well. They have a couple of women's models and one of those may work for you. The 12 pocket Legends Outback Vests have a lifetime guarantee.

I bought one ScottEVest coat a few years ago, but the zipper malfunctioned shortly after I bought it, and they wouldn't stand behind their product in any way, so I will NEVER buy anything else from them.

Posted by
108 posts

Thanks for the feedback, ladies! It's quite helpful.

On the Scottevest jackets, how have you found the sizing? Reading through reviews, some people say they run true to size, some say size up to put things in the pockets, etc.

Edit to add: The pet is a cat. Flying with her will be an entirely different adventure. :P

Double edit to add since Ken posted while I was typing: Thanks for the tip on the Tilley vests. I'll consider them, but they look a little too expedition-y for my tastes. I'm looking for something that I might be able to use for business travel, too. I've heard some of the same issues about the Scottevests, which does give me some pause about them, and was part of the reason I wanted to hear from people here. Thank you!

Posted by
9018 posts

Sarah, I know two middle-aged women (not assuming you are) with Scottevests, who found they run small. I think they are designed for trim people, so depends on your fitness level. They love the vests anyway, They don't look "expedition-y". Black looks best.

Posted by
787 posts

I find that the Scottevests run true to size if you don't overload them. You might want to go up a size just to give yourself more room to stuff things into the pockets.

Posted by
787 posts

I agree with Stan. Black is the best color for the trench coats.

Posted by
507 posts

Sarah,

How soon do you know if they are "true to size?"

I have M and L Scottevest SeV jackets that will not be tried on until Christmas Day. My ladies can tell me how well they fit.

A couple things I forgot that other posters reminded me of are:
Scott Jordan gives a $1,000 warranty against pickpockets for at least the Sterling jacket if not for all the jackets/vests he sells.

Even though I purchased my jackets in November, I have until January 7 because of Christmas to return for an exchange or refund.

Have fun shopping with so many choices!
{Edit: I was wrong that SeV would repair a jacket within 2 yrs of purchase. This is their guarantee.

"SeV guarantees all merchandise to be free from defects for 2 years from date of purchase. We stand by our products. Defective claims are handled within 1-2 business days. To start a claim, please send photos of the defect, your current shipping address and the 4-digit PO# on the care tag to: [email protected]."

"We accept exchanges and returns up to 30 days from the original purchase date. Items must be unworn, unwashed and with hangtags still attached."

Posted by
108 posts

Thank you all for the feedback. It's been very helpful!

Posted by
1531 posts

i moved a cat for grad school from st Louis to boston by plane.....no difficulties.

dear friend of mine was relocating a dog, a cat, and 2 small sons overseas while her husband was in the army, cat wiggled out of the carrier in the dark basement of the st Louis airport....eventually was found, given to me for safekeeping, and reunited with her "Mom" in another week. anyway, I recommend carrying on the pet if allowed......and good luck! perhaps cat will fit in a pocket of the scottevest???

Posted by
797 posts

I have the Scottevest Chloe hoodie, my go to for travel. With a rain jacket over it, all I need. Size, I think true. I have an xl Chloe, fits snug but comfy, and I fill most pockets.. The xxl trench I have is a bit big; I am a size 16-18. The Chloe is what I use most, home and away. It is great for the long flight, most small things I need are in my coat, earbuds, hand wipes, a thin silk scarf, tiny pill container gor headache stuff, tissue, gum, mints..........

Have a great year there!

Posted by
108 posts

Doric8 - I definitely plan to bring her in the cabin with me. I've heard too many horror stories of pets escaping or of bad things happening to them under the plane, so since she's small enough, I plan to take her in the cabin with me. She might be a smidge too big for a pocket though. ;)

Thank you all for the feedback. I really appreciate it!

Posted by
452 posts

If you do decide to go with Scottevest and plan on ordering online, be very carefully on sizing. I ordered some Tshirts and sized them based on their advice, and they came way too big. Being in Canada, I was charged shipping the first time, had to pay shipping to send them back and pay shipping again to get the smaller size. The Tshirts ended up being VERY expensive, not that comfortable with the hidden pocket (it was kinda under the armpit) and the material was snaggy.

Posted by
715 posts

Flying home from Italy one year the woman in the seat next to me, who I had previously met in the terminal, had four, yes four, Chihuahuas in her carryon bag. They slept peacefully. At one point just before takeoff, a woman two seats over from her was talking very loud, and being rather obnoxious, the woman with the dogs turned to me, smiled and said, "and you thought I was going to be the passenger from hell."

Posted by
11613 posts

I moved my cat to Italy several years ago, paid about $80 for a place in the cabin (in her carrier under the seat). There were only a few cabin spaces available for pets.

I also use a rain-resistant jacket with many pockets, I put everything I can into them, zip the jacket up before putting it on the screening tray, and don't worry about wallets, etc. dropping off the tray. Once I reach my destination, I expand my rolling carryon and put the jacket in the bag.

Posted by
507 posts

Sarah,

I received rave reviews from the people I gave the Sterling Scottevest to for Christmas!

It is lightweight & good for temps down to 55 degrees F. It is made up of 65% nylon/35% cotton & coated with Teflon for water resistance. The sleeves zip off so it can be used as a vest.
My 3 ladies range in age from 28 yrs to 40 yrs. To get a rave review from them in person is unusual. Usually it is a "Thanks, Mom." {Add: They fit to size :-) }

I wish you fun on your transfer & happiness in your new location!