Brad Adrian
11-28-2003, 06:30 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/30p_finetex_system.shtml' target='_blank'>http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/...ex_system.shtml</a><br /><br /></div>Over the past few years, we've seen and discussed all kinds of Pocket PC-related gadgets and tools on this site. We've also seen a lot of cool technology-related stuff that's not necessarily Pocket PC-specific, but which is pretty nifty anyway. As you may know, one particular piece of technology-related accoutrement (that's French for "stuff") of which I am especially fond is <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2342">my SCOTTeVEST</a>. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/SeVthree_logo.jpg" /><br /><br />I've had various SCOTTeVESTs for years, and even though there have been some "upgrades" to the SCOTTeVEST over time, I figured that (as much as I like them) Scott Jordan, the founder and CEO of SCOTTeVEST, Inc., had pretty much done about all that can be done when it comes to creating a garment with tons of useful pockets. Until, that is, I got to test the new Version Three.0+Finetex SCOTTeVEST "system... "<!><br /><br /><i>Okay, I admit it. I have a "thing" for pockets (Why else would I love my Pocket PCs so much?!?). I think it all started when my first son was a toddler and it seemed like I always had too much junk to carry around: pacifier, <a href="http://www.cheerios.com/">Cheerios</a>, juice, extra diaper, moist towelettes, Barney toys, college selection guides, etc. And then, once I started to carry around my own "toys," like my Pocket PCs, it seemed like there was always "just one more" piece of paraphernalia (that's Canadian for "stuff") that I needed to carry with me.</i><br /><br />So, the SCOTTeVEST has always been a godsend for me. Each incarnation has fed my insatiable need for pockets just a bit better than the one before. This new Version Three.0+Finetex SCOTTeVEST has been a quantum leap forward, though, and puts me in pocket nirvana.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/vestthree_full.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: The Finetex shell has TONS of interior pockets.</i><br /><br /><span><b>Materials</b></span><br />To start off, calling the Version Three.0+Finetex SCOTTeVEST a "vest," a "jacket" or even a "multi-pocketed, textile-based, technology-enabled garment" does nothing to adequately describe this newest version. It is, by all accounts, a true "system." It is actually comprised of two garments, a <a href="http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/30p_finetex_shell.shtml"> Finetex outer shell </a> and a zip-in <a href="http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/30_fleece.shtml"> fleece liner jacket </a>. Each can be purchased and worn separately, but the combination of the two together is what makes this system shine. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/vestthree_1.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 2: The outer shell is styled like a sleek ski jacket.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/vestthree_4.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 3: The fleece liner has a few tricks up its sleeves, too!</i><br /><br />The outer shell material, Finetex, is a nylon fabric that has excellent waterproof, insulating, windproof and ventilation properties. It's a lot like Gore-Tex, but not nearly as expensive, and I found the outer shell to be very smooth and soft to the touch. The inner liner is made of the same kind of fleece that companies like <a href="http://www.patagonia.com/ "> Patagonia </a>and <a href="http://www.columbia.com/ "> Columbia</a> have made famous over the years. It is soft and lightweight, but delivers incredible warmth. In fact, one of the things that surprised me the most about the Version Three.0+Finetex is how much it had moved from earlier versions, which are lightweight jackets, to a real all-weather system. Wearing the shell and liner, either together or alone, can keep me comfortable in just about every clime.<br /><br />The new Version Three.0 is also available made Microfiber and leather.<br /><br />The styling and cut of the shell and liner are what you would expect with a ski-type jacket. They both reach a bit below the waistline, allowing plenty of unrestricted movement. I sometimes prefer a jacket that is cut a bit longer so that my aging kidneys and bum are sure to have plenty of cold-weather protection, but that is really a very minor nitpick.<br /><br /><span><b>Specific Features</b></span><br />Rest assured, the shell and liner remain true to their "vest" heritage; the sleeves can be zipped off both. So, with all the possible ways to wear the Version Three.0+Finetex -- shell with liner, liner alone, shell without sleeves, etc. -- it's easy to see why you have to consider this a true system and not simply a vest.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/vestthree_2.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 4: After all, this is still a SCOTTe<b>VEST</b>.</i><br /><br />As I've pointed out in my other reviews of SCOTTeVEST products, the best part of these garments is the attention to detail that is shown. The seams are flawlessly stitched. There is reflective piping sewn into a few of the hems to aid nighttime visibility. The fabrics used are all top-notch. The liner and shell match perfectly so there are no uncomfortable bunches of fabric anywhere when they're worn together. Scott has even made sure that each sleeve has a little "left" or "right" tag sewn into the hem (That might not seem like much, unless, like me, you've ever spent the better part of an hour trying to zip a "left" sleeve to a "right" shoulder). The list could go on and on, but my point is that I truly have not been able to find a single flaw in materials or craftsmanship in the Three.0+Finetex. <br /><br />Of course, the most important feature of the Three.0+Finetex is its POCKETS. And, does this version live up to the SCOTTeVEST tradition of providing more pockets than you can ever need? You bet!<br /><br />Both the shell and liner can function independently as a pocket-rich garment; the fleece liner has a total of 12 hidden pockets and the outer shell boasts another 30. That means that, between the two, the Three.0+Finetex system delivers a whopping 42 pockets! Zowie!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/vestthree_3.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 5: Most of the pockets are built with a specific function in mind.</i><br /><br />I won't give you a complete listing of exactly where all 42 pockets are, mostly because they're built into practically every nook and cranny of the garments. It's important to remember, though, that the people at SCOTTeVEST haven't simply sewn a plain, old pocket wherever they can. These pockets are very intelligently designed and ergonomically built. For instance, there is a special transparent pocket for holding and displaying identification cards. There are pockets made just to hold pens and styli. There are other mesh pockets that make it easy to see what's inside. There are pockets made just for holding small memory cards and another that holds a <a href="http://www.camelbak.com/rec/recreation.cfm "> Camelbak hydration system </a>. Heck, there are even tiny pockets in the sleeves for holding things like keys and credit cards.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/vestthree_5.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 6: Even the sleeves have pockets.</i><br /><br />Now, I'm not saying that anybody would ever, by any stretch of the imagination, actually need a total of 42 pockets at one time. Having that many pockets available, though, means that users have incredible flexibility in how they wear and use the garments. I've probably never used more than 15 or so pockets on any given outing, but the beauty of having that many pockets is that I can adjust how I use the SCOTTeVEST to the specific situation and to the specific stuff (that's Tennessean for "stuff") I need to carry. (In all honesty, though, whenever I get a new SCOTTeVEST in the mail, I have yet to resist the urge to immediately put it on, cram every pocket as full of electronic gadgets as I can and stand in front of the mirror while contentedly humming the theme song from "Office Space.")<br /><br /><span><b>Gotchas</b></span><br />In case you haven't noticed from my enthusiasm, there isn't much about the Three.0+Finetex that I don't like. As I mentioned earlier, some people like me who do not require as much unrestricted movement might like a bit longer cut to the shell. And, the fleece liner has a bit of bright yellow accent on its collar that clashes a tad with my flowing strawberry-blond hair. These are pretty minor nitpicks, however, and don't make or break the deal with me.<br /><br />The Three.0+Finetex system is a high-quality garment and as a result may not fall within everybody's budgets. The FineTex shell usually costs $249.99, but at this writing is being offered for $199.99. The fleece liner usually goes for $149.99 but is currently being sold for $129.99. If you buy <a href="http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/30p_finetex_system.shtml "> both at the same time </a>, there is an additional discount, bringing the total to $309.98. You really do get what you pay for, however, and the quality and features provided make this system fairly priced.<br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />I think that this is a great system and that anybody investing in the purchase of a Three.0+Finetex system will be wonderfully pleased. I love the versatility that's built into the system at every turn: flexible pocket use, different layering possibilities and zip-off sleeves. In fact, the biggest problem that I have with the system is that I'm going nuts waiting for colder weather so I can wear it every day!