Short version: Scott Jordan understands geeks. Or at least, he understands what geeks want in clothing. The Evolution Travel Jacket takes the same basic concept as the other Scottevest products, and refines it. The Evolution is a jacket with more pockets then most people will ever need, and could quite easily replace a backpack or messenger bag when traveling.

Pros:

• 25 pockets
• Personal Area Network wiring system
• Adaptable to warmer weather
• Ideal for layering

Cons:

• Sometimes it feels like too many pockets

Scottevest Evolution Travel Jacket

I like Scott’s clothing line. I dig the cotton hoodie, and I really like the Evolution Travel jacket. It’s lightweight enough that it’s a great spring/early summer jacket, and it’s cut it such a way that it’s ideal for layering as well. I hate to sound like too much of a fanboi, but the TEC clothing line really speaks to me and the way I live. In addition to being a blogger, I’m also a photographer, so I usually have at least one camera with me as well as other gear. I recently went out to shoot at a historical site, and let me give you an idea of exactly how much stuff I carried inside my jacket.

• Cell phone
• iPod
• 50mm lens
• 35mm lens
• external flash with wireless trigger
• 6ft flash cable
• extra battery pack
• 10 inch netbook
• Gorillapod
• wool gloves
• beanie hat
• water bottle
• first aid kit
• notebook and pen
• wallet

Normally to carry this much stuff you’d need backpack, and if you tried to put that much stuff in your pockets with a normal coat you’d bulge oddly in places. That’s not the case with the Evolution Travel. The pockets are there, you’ll know you’re carrying stuff, but you won’t look like a fool doing it (that’s why I refuse to wear a photography vest). If anything, until you work out a system of always putting things in one place, you might have difficulty with all the pockets. Another thing I noticed with the jacket as compared to the cotton hoodie, the jacket feels more refined. It’s not anything you’d notice unless you’ve worn both, but the way the pockets are put together feel more thought out. For example, in the jacket, the cell phone pocket closes with both a zipper on the side and velcro at the top. This is really convenient, since a phone is something that you need to get in and out of your pocket quickly. The way the wires for your headphones work better as well; it’s like the jacket is just slightly higher quality, but it definitely makes a difference.

I really don’t have any complaints with the Evolution Travel jacket. I did try to find something I didn’t like, since for a review we always try to find at least one point to complain about. I was even thought the price was quite reasonable. If you compare the Evolution to other jackets in this market segment (like Columbia for example) $150 isn’t out of line. It’s designed to be part of a system of course, so don’t go skiing and expect to be able to wear just the one jacket and not freeze, it’s not intended to be worn by itself during colder weather. The jacket is also adaptable to warmer weather, as the sleeves zip off to turn the jacket into a vest.

I do recommend the Evolution Travel, it’s a great jacket. It looks good, fits comfortably, and definitely holds all your gadgets and gear. MSRP is $150, but Scott frequently runs deals on his clothing so make sure you friend him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.

As someone who measures their air travel mileage in the hundreds of thousands each year, I am quite particular about what I tote when I fly. Everything must meet a specific need or it gets tossed. My disclaimer up front, I own almost every piece of Scottevest gear that’s available so just because I favor one over the other does not mean that I am unhappy in any way with my other Scottevest purchases.

I originally purchased a Scottevest Evolution to be my “go to” travel jacket. I found however that at times it was just a little cumbersome during a daytime flight. So I picked up a Scottevest Ultimate Hoodie Microfleece. Light and comfortable and perfect for flight day or night…except for one thing, pocket deficiency. On the surface, 11 pockets sounds like more than enough. But no, not for me. With my Evolution, I loved my Travel Document Pocket. I loved dropping the latest issue of Men’s Health or my Kindle into my Pub Pocket. The Hoodie was missing these valuable pockets. Enter the Scottevest Travel Vest. 22 Pockets including my old faves, Travel Document and Pub. Interestingly enough, the only deficiency of the Travel Vest is the lack of a removable hood (like the Evolution had). The Hoodie Microfleece complements the Travel Vest in this way perfectly.You may ask why I didn’t just remove the sleeves of the Evolution and make a “hooded” pseudo travel vest. Well, with the Evolution you are either wearing it or you are not.Given that we cannot control the cabin temperature of a plane, sometimes you want to wear “a little bit of a jacket” sometimes more. With the 2 piece Travel Vest/Hoodie Microfleece combo, you have a little more versatility and control over how much you wear. Together, the Vest/Hoodie amalgam gives you 33 pockets, all the comfort of the Hoodie and all the pocket power of a Travel Vest. Worn together, this Scottevest Duo makes one awesome travel jacket.

Scottevest Travel Vest 22 Pockets $100
Scottevest Ultimate Hoodie Microfleece 11 Pockets $70

Found of course at Scottevest, Travel Clothing for the Trip of Your Life.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 8:46 pm and is filed under Fashion, Gear, News, Style, Technology, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.