Brad Adrian
04-09-2004, 06:00 PM
<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/evestjacket0.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> Hardware<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <a href="http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/30_sport_jacket.shtml">SCOTTeVEST</a><br /><b>Where to Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/30_sport_jacket.shtml">SCOTTeVEST Web site</a><br /><b>Price:</b> $249.99 USD<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b><li>TONS of pockets;<br /><li>Very well made;<br /><li>Even more pockets;<br /><li>It's from SCOTTeVEST;<br /><li>Did I mention the pockets?<b>Cons:</b><li>Only available in navy;<br /><li>Might be too conservatively styled for some people's tastes;<br /><li>Might be beyond some people's budgets;<br /><li>Doesn't attract attention like other SCOTTeVEST products.<br /><b>Summary:</b><br />The SCOTTeVEST company has always been able to amaze me with the great gadget-carrying gear they invent. I thought I had seen it all...until I saw the new SCOTTeVEST TEC® Sport Jacket! <br /><br />Read on for the full review!<!><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>What Concept!</b></span><br />It’s no secret that I really like my SCOTTeVESTs; I’ve owned one for a couple of years now, and I still can’t get over how useful it is. I used to only wear a SCOTTeVEST for specific occasions, like attending User Group meetings or when traveling. Lately, though, I’ve noticed that I wear my SCOTTeVEST stuff nearly all the time, for a wide variety of situations.<br /><br />As much as I think my SCOTTeVESTs are suitable to just about any occasion, I’ve been reluctant to use them in situations demanding “business” or “business casual” attire. I may like the look of the many pockets, zippers and closures, but the I’m left with the problem that the “statement” they make is most definitely “casual.”<br /><br />Never one to leave a market need for techno-clothing unanswered for long, SCOTTeVEST founder Scott Jordon has solved this very problem. Scott has developed his newest article of technology-enabled clothing (TEC®), the SCOTTeVEST Sport Jacket. This little number provides all the pockets and gadget-focused design a technophile like me wants, but wraps them in a sport jacket aimed at fitting just the kind of upscale occasions today’s businessperson are faced with.<br /><br />Before I actually saw the finished product, I was a bit skeptical about what a sport jacket version of my beloved vest would look like. I (erroneously) envisioned either a suit coat with a bunch of extra pockets stitched all over the place or a more traditional SCOTTeVEST made out of fancier fabric, like wool or silk!<br /><br />Luckily, Scott has shown a lot more creativity than me in selecting the design and materials of his new TEC® Sport Jacket. <PAGEBREAK> <br /><br /><span><b>What Workmanship!</b></span><br />None of the earlier SCOTTeVEST products have ever skimped on the quality of the materials used in their production, and the new Sport Jacket holds true to that tradition. The exterior is made of an attractive worsted wool blend that is very smooth to the touch. The fabric’s weave is very even and neat, giving the Sport Jacket a look and feel every bit as nice as any of the wool business suits already in my closet. At least for now, the Sport Jacket is available in only navy and is currently being made in men’s sizes only.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/evestjacket.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: The jacket has a classic design and cut.</i><br /><br />The jacket’s lining is comprised of what SCOTTeVEST calls “gold silk-feel” fabric; that translates to “polyester/nylon blend.” Fancy name or not, the Sport Jacket lining is smooth and silky and makes slipping the jacket on and off quickly, a breeze. <br /><br />Of course, the stitching throughout the Sport Jacket is impeccable. I scrutinized each and every seam throughout the jacket (and there are a LOT of extra little seams, what with all the extra pockets, tunnels and cubbyholes) and the only flaw I could find was one slightly less-than-perfect interior sleeve seam. I hesitate to even mention it, because it was hidden from view and didn’t affect the jacket’s usefulness or durability in any way. As with every other SCOTTeVEST product I’ve owned, the craftsmanship of the Sport Jacket is simply top-notch.<br /><br />I’ve always been partial to worsted wool, both because of its breathability and resistance to wrinkling. I wanted to put this fabric to the test a bit, though, so I decided to take the Sport Jacket with me on a recent business trip to Tampa, Florida. I don’t always care to lug a large garment bag around with me, so I decided to really put the Sport Jacket to the test by packing it in my large suitcase. I folded it carefully, using the same old packing tricks I’ve always used to reduce wrinkling and sent it on its way. When I took it out of the suitcase approximately 12 hours later, it did have a few wrinkles. However, after putting it in the closet on a hangar for a while, all of the wrinkles disappeared. Now, THAT’S the way worsted wool is SUPPOSED to behave!<br /><br />The fabric also behaved the way it’s supposed to in keeping me comfortable. Most of the time I wore the Sports Jacket in Tampa I was in an air conditioned hotel, but I also ventured outside for a walk on a breezy, 50-degree afternoon. The worsted wool blend kept me from getting too warm indoors and kept me warm enough outdoors. <PAGEBREAK> <br /><br /><span><b>What Pockets!</b></span><br />One of the advertising messages that SCOTTeVEST is using with their new Sport Jacket is “Imagine what would happen if Giorgio Armani and Bill Gates were stranded on a desert island, and you’ll have a good idea of what the TEC Sport Jacket offers.” Unfortunately, every time I try to imagine the two of them trying to eke out a living in the wilderness, my brain can’t get past a Gilligan’s Island-inspired image of Bill and Giorgio trying to work together using a sewing machine built from bamboo and coconuts. The analogy works, though, because the Sport Jacket does have features that are both stylish and geeky.<br /><br />The Sport Jacket has a sleek, European cut and style to it, but is still markedly traditional. I prefer this more traditional look, mostly because the situations in which I wear suits and sport jackets require a conservative style. I also think this makes the Sport Jacket more versatile, but this may not suit the tastes of men preferring very contemporary design.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/evestjacket2.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 2: Inside are all SORTS of cubbyholes, pockets and extras.</i><br /><br />Of course, the true value and uniqueness of the Sport Jacket lies in its pockets and other “Personal Area Network” (PAN) features:<br /><br />Fourteen hidden pockets – These are designed to be much more discreet than the pockets in the more casual SCOTTeVESTs. There are the usual exterior slit pockets, interior breast pockets, and so on, that most “normal” sport jackets have. In addition, the SCOTTeVEST Sport Jacket has large, zippered interior pockets above and below the breast pockets; the lower pockets are actually large enough to easily hold a paperback novel. A large pocket in the back is large enough to hold an 8” X 11” notepad, and one especially well-concealed pocket serves well to store cash or car keys. There are also useful pockets for things like pens and earbuds/hands-free sets.<br /><br />Improved PAN – Earlier vest versions concealed cables and wires in Velcro-closed flaps. That adds to overall bulk, so the Sport Jacket instead allows you to thread the wires through buttonhole-like openings into the jacket lining. I found this to be a much more versatile way to run my wires, but it also takes more time. Once you thread the wires into your Sport Jacket, you’ll want to leave them there.<br /><br />BadgeGrabber – This is a clear plastic pouch that you can insert your work ID or convention badge into. On my trip to Tampa, it kept my conference badge at the ready, but also allowed me to flip it into the front breast pocket once I left the tradeshow floor, thus eliminating that goofy “still wearing his nametag” look.<br /><br />Key Holder – Like most other SCOTTeVESTs, the Sport Jacket has a coiled-cord key holder in the right pocket. Some people may find this especially useful, but I seldom use it. In fact, I’d prefer to be able to remove it and replace it as my needs change.<br /><br />Collar Loops – These are little elastic loops at the top end of the collars that help keep hands-free and earbud wires organized. I almost always use a hands-free set with my SCOTTeVESTs, so I find this feature especially nice. <PAGEBREAK> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/evestjacket3.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 3: Inside the other lapel are even more nifty features. It's important to notice, too, that were it not for the bright arrows, most of the zippers and pockets would be nearly invisible.</i><br /><br />Lens chamois – As a nice little touch, the Sport Jacket also comes with a very soft cleaning cloth, attached to a pocket with a lanyard. It’s of nice enough quality to use for cleaning the lens of a digital camera, eyeglasses or Pocket PC screen. It’s not what I’d call a necessity, but it is one of those things that I always forget to toss into my gadget bag or suitcase.<br /><br />As I’ve said in reviews of other SCOTTeVEST garments, the vast majority of people would never need to use every pocket, cord and holder. On the other hand, the versatility offered by having so many features lets me easily carry a Pocket PC, Dell Digital Jukebox, two mobile phones, all related cables and cords and a few personal items like coins and a wallet, all without looking like an overstuffed Thanksgiving turkey. In fact, nobody can even tell I’ve got all that cool stuff with me.<br /><br />As you might expect, a garment of this quality and versatility does not come at a bargain-basement price. The Sport Jacket normally sells for $299.99, but at this writing it’s being sold at a $50.00 discount, for $249.99. Like all quality suits, you’re sure to get just the right fit because of the variety of available sizes for the Sport Jacket:<br /><br />• 36<br />• 38<br />• 40 (tall also available, add $10)<br />• 42 (tall also available, add $10)<br />• 44 (tall also available, add $10)<br />• 46 (tall also available, add $10)<br />• 48 (tall also available, add $10)<br /> <PAGEBREAK> <br /><span><b>What Gotchas?</b></span><br />There really is not much about the SCOTTeVEST Sport Jacket that I don’t like, or would even consider changing. There are a few things, though, that might not suit everybody’s preferences. As I stated earlier, the styling of the Sport Jacket is conservative. While I prefer a traditional cut to the more transient European styles, some people may find the Sport Jacket a little “square.”<br /><br />Also, the limited color choices might be a drawback... people who don’t like navy will miss out.<br /><br />Then there's the price. Even though the $249.99 price is definitely justified by the unmatched quality of the design and materials, it will not fit within everybody’s budget.<br /><br />Finally, the Sport Jacket may be a bit too stealthy. Unlike the other slightly more flamboyant SCOTTeVEST garments, the understated nature of the pockets and features of the Sport Jacket doesn’t attract as much attention to the wearer as it deserves. The whole time I was wearing the Sport Jacket at the conference, I wanted to grab people and say, “Hey, look! This seems like an ordinary jacket, but I’ve got a TON of toys stuffed into the pockets!” <br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />To be honest, when Scott Jordon first described the SCOTTeVEST TEC® Sport Jacket to me, I had misgivings about a suit jacket loaded with extra pockets. Luckily, what I envisioned turned out to be the exact opposite of what Scott has delivered. The Sport Jacket fulfills its purpose perfectly: to give us gadget freaks a pocket-laden garment that is sophisticated and stylish enough to fit any situation.