11-28-2003, 06:30 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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The Newest SCOTTeVEST Is Much More Than a Vest
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 my SCOTTeVEST.
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... "
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, Cheerios, 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.
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.
Figure 1: The Finetex shell has TONS of interior pockets.
Materials
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 Finetex outer shell and a zip-in fleece liner jacket . Each can be purchased and worn separately, but the combination of the two together is what makes this system shine.
Figure 2: The outer shell is styled like a sleek ski jacket.
Figure 3: The fleece liner has a few tricks up its sleeves, too!
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 Patagonia and Columbia 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.
The new Version Three.0 is also available made Microfiber and leather.
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.
Specific Features
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.
Figure 4: After all, this is still a SCOTTeVEST.
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.
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!
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!
Figure 5: Most of the pockets are built with a specific function in mind.
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 Camelbak hydration system . Heck, there are even tiny pockets in the sleeves for holding things like keys and credit cards.
Figure 6: Even the sleeves have pockets.
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.")
Gotchas
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.
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 both at the same time , 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.
Conclusions
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!
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11-28-2003, 06:48 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 718
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I own a Scott e-Vest 2.0 or 2.5 or whatever it is, I forget the number. It is a great jacket, one of the best I have ever had. But I have to say, $300 for a geek jacket is a bit much 8O
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11-28-2003, 09:39 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 449
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I'm thinking of getting one of these (I just have to wait until I find out where I'm going to college), but I don't want to neccessarily spend $300 for the whole thing, how warm will just the FineTex jacket keep you? Thanks.
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11-28-2003, 10:07 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 80
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Warmth of FineTex
Thanks for the review!
The FineTex is similiar to GoreTex, breathable and waterproof. The interior is lined with Dupont Coolmax. It is fairly warm alone, but you can always wear a sweater underneath on real cold days. I have been skiing with just the FineTex jacket (with turtle neck shirt underneath) in 15 degree whether and have been fine.
Scott
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11-29-2003, 12:39 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by DaleReeck
...But I have to say, $300 for a geek jacket is a bit much...
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Of course, $300 doesn't fit everybody's budget. Remember, this is more than a jacket; it's every bit as warm and more functional than my Columbia "system," and it cost almost as much as the version three system.
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11-29-2003, 02:29 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 566
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brad Adrian
it's every bit as warm and more functional than my Columbia "system," and it cost almost as much as the version three system.
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It's a little weird, but the one reason I don't foresee me purchasing one of these is it's functionality. And not because of any lack in same, but rather exactly because it is so functional. I'm afraid I *would* get hooked on it over the winter. And then what do I do when next summer's midwest 90 degree temps and 60% humidity roll back in!??!
And just as an aside.....With the ability to tote the Camelbak hydration system (I'm assuming just the bladder portion) in the system, it would seem to me there are marketing opportunities available for this above and beyond 'geek gadget garb'. Mountain bikers, for instance. It's not uncommon for them to have a CamelBak 'system' with them that may not only have the water bladder, but an assortment of trailside maintenance tools as well, and possibly a couple spare food items. And that's common for just near home day trips. I've done several backcountry guided tours in UT and the Grand Canyon where list of gear in my Camelbak grew to more like an emergency survival kit. In fact, if our group does any more of those type trips, that may be the impetus I need to take the plunge.
So, it would seem this concept is readily adaptable to any number of 'active lifestyles'.
__________________
-= Sass =-
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11-30-2003, 02:07 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by SassKwatch
...it would seem to me there are marketing opportunities available for this above and beyond 'geek gadget garb'...it would seem this concept is readily adaptable to any number of 'active lifestyles'.
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Scott Jordan is starting a discussion forum for people interested in SeV stuff (I've been known to post there a few times...). If you want a few examples of how the SeV works in diverse situations, read some of the "Vestimonials" here:
http://www.scottevest.com/community/...p?s=&forumid=9
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12-01-2003, 06:49 AM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,616
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:drool:
Me wantee!
I just returned from a trip to Vancouver, during which they had the worst rain they've had in a very long time. Needless to say, I was unable to wear my trusty ScotteVest 2.5 that day and (sadly) had to resort to my Columbia shell.
__________________
iPhone 4! ☠☠☠ Mid-2010 15" MacBook Pro! ☠☠☠ Gateway LT2102h! ☠☠☠ Dell XPS M1210!
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