See full article here: http://www.examiner.com/article/gay-friendly-alaska-airlines-offers-discount-...
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
@trailsnet shares an awesome review of his SeV Travel Vest! Check it out here:
See Full Article Here:http://trailsnet.com/2012/06/19/scottevest-trail-vest/#comment-1289
Monday, June 18, 2012
Keynote Speaker @cc_chapman shares his experience at #TBEX. What a great guy!
See full article here: http://www.cc-chapman.com/2012/i-had-a-great-time-at-tbex/
I Had a Great Time at TBEX
posted on June 18, 2012
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I still remember the first time someone told me about TBEX. I was confused and asked them a bit shockingly, “What in the world is the teabag conference?”
We shared a laugh and then I learned that it was the conference focused on travel writing. As this is something I want to do more of, it instantly went on my radar and I thought about going last year in Vancouver.
Last week when I was asked to give the opening keynote speech at this years TBEX12 in Keystone, Colorado I jumped at the chance.
It was a bit of a whirlwind trip on top of all the other recent traveling I’ve been doing.
Landing at the airport and rushing to make a shuttle to the resort and then battling car sickness on the almost two hour drive to the resort wasn’t the best way to start out. It didn’t get better when I got there and was told to get off at the wrong location and then walked over to the right location where I had the “fun” of feeling my first effects of being at such a high altitude.
The Keystone Resort is nothing short of gorgeous. With over 3,100 acres making up the resort and beutiful views in every direction I quickly forgot the troubles and focused on the beauty around me. I mean how can you be frustrated when this is what it looks like around you?
Once I picked up my badge and checked in with the team so they knew I safely arrived, I took some time to check out the conference center.
I wanted to get a feel for the room I’d be speaking in and see how everything else was set up. Vendors were just starting to set up in the expo hall, but I got a chance to finally meet Scott from ScottEVest. They did a very smart thing and were giving out free vests to all the attendees. Speakers like myself also got a couple of other goodies from them and I’m looking forward to trying out their products in the field to see if they live up to the hype or not.
Everyone was talking about how backed up the gondolas might get to take us up to the evening festivities, so I headed over early. I got right on and began making my way up the mountain. I took time to get off and enjoy the scenery which was even more breathtaking at this altitude. Being at over 11,000 feet at the time really took my breath away.
I stopped to enjoy a band playing and people watch some visitors to the resort who were not there for the conference. As I boarded the last of the gondolas to take me to my final destination I was handed a glass of champagne and a warm chocolate chip cookie. Not a combination I had ever thought about consuming, but somehow it worked.
The night was filled with a taste of the Vail Resorts.
The variety and quality of the food was top notch. While it was hard to pick a favorite, I have to go with the suckling berkshire pig ragout over house made pappardelle pasta with peach preserves from Beano’s Cabin. It was nothing short of amazing. So was the wild board shoulder from Alpenglow Stube and the corned buffalo sliders from Keystone Ranch.
Of course all of these might have been slightly overshadowed by the chocolate creations that filled the dessert tent. Everything from brownie hamburgers to chocolate coffee cup cappuccinos were awaiting everyone. Best part was I talked to the pastry chef for a bit and found out he was from Cape Cod.
I had hoped to stay and chat with more people for longer, but my altitude induced headache was not going to let it happen. Knowing I had to get up and rock the stage in the morning meant I had to get off the mountain and hope that I felt better in the morning. It was extremely peaceful to descend on the gondolas as the sun was setting and by the time I arrived at the bottom to be blanketed in darkness.
I awoke the next morning feeling better than the night before. Coffee, a granola bar and one final check of my slide deck meant that I was ready to go.
I packed up everything into my GORUCK GR2 since I’d be leaving directly from the conference center and headed on over.
The walk was beautiful with just enough chill in the morning. I chatted with a woman from the Loudoun County Tourism Board. I guess I never thought about Viginia having a wine country until that morning. Adding it to my long list of places to visit someday.
There is nothing like the rush you get just before taking the stage in front of a packed room of people.
My keynote went off without a hitch and the audience seemed to be really into it. I had lots of people approach me after the fact to thank me for coming to the conference. I kept thanking them for having me!
While my presentation style depends on me talking and not on the slides themselves, I thought I’d share what my slide deck looked like for the keynote.
Thankfully I had a few hours to check out the other sessions going on at TBEX. I popped around to check out several so I could get a feel for what the vibe was. Happy to report that it was one of learning on all levels. The conference organizers had done a really nice job of mixing up the sessions so that there was something for everyone.
While I would have loved to stay for the second nights cowboy themed party and the whole second day of the conference, I had to leave early in the afternoon in order to get home for Father’s Day. I wish I had been able to talk with more people and make more contacts there for paid writing and speaking engagements, but family always comes first.
The next TBEX happens in Costa Brava, Spain this September and will be back in the States next year. If you have any desire to get involved with creating media around travel and tourism this is the conference for you to attend. Thank you to the entire team behind the show for putting on a great job. I’m hoping the next one is not at such a high altitude since I know I wasn’t the only one who ran into problems with such a short stay.
If we didn’t get a chance to talk one-on-one at the event and you would to hire me to create something for you, speak at your event or invite me on a press trip, I’m only an e-mail away and I look forward to talking to you.
Thank you to everyone at TBEX for letting me become part of your community.
Photo Credit of me speaking – Dave Cynkin
We made Jessica LOVE our Travel Vest! Check this out! #TBEX
See full article here:http://www.suitcasesandsippycups.com/2012/06/review-of-scottevest-womens-travel-vest-you-made-me-love-you.html#comment-6440
Review of Scottevest Women’s Travel Vest: You Made Me Love You
There is a palpable buzz and twitter(not the social media kind, although the tweets are flying) energizing the dimly lit room as 700 travel bloggers and travel industry representatives gather for the opening address of TBEX (Travel Bloggers Exchange) 2012. When you gather that many adventurers and globe trotters in one place there is a guaranteed enthusiasm that percolates through the air, but the excitement about the opportunity to collaborate with other travelers is just part of the story. If we are all honest, everyone is also just a little bit excited by the promise of conference swag.
Scottevest ponied up with some of the best swag of the conference by offering attendees a free Scottevest to review at registration. While this line of “obsessively engineered” clothing has a strong following among serious travelers, I was unimpressed. Any garment that has umpteen pockets specified to carry every wired gadget in existence is certainly any tech geek’s idea of a good contraption, but could it be functional, or fashionable?
~Scottevest Women's Travel Vest in Red~
I almost changed my mind when I learned that the vest was available in neutral gray and black, but also kicky red. Still, I remained resolute! Pockets for gear were good for backpackers and photogs, but would never work for me. I know that I will probably never be mistaken for a fashionista, but with four kids I am already pushing the limits of frump-dom and I can’t afford any fashion missteps. If I am going to wear something when I am traveling, it has to be comfortable, and let’s face it-cute!
While I was still skeptical about the aesthetics, I couldn’t help but be amazed by the engineering. There was a pocket for everything-a pocket for sunglasses, a pocket for my I-Phone, a pocket for my camera, even a pocket to fold and store the vest. Surprisingly ,I started to get a little geeked out at the possibilities for all those pockets, but I still wasn’t certain I wanted to wear it. Then I noticed that of all those pockets, only two showed from the outside, and the rest of the vest was fashionably designed with a waist slimming cut and a design that skims the hips for a figure flattering fit. So, I tried it on and…it was cute! Cute from the front, cute from the back, super cute with boots and a scarf. It was a garment that I would actually want to add to my wardrobe, but with all the added functionality of the pockets galore.
~So cute, right? This is Scott, the creator of Scottevest.~
After a day of wearing the vest just to feel fancy, I wanted to try it out for functionality. For my plane trip home, I loaded the pockets with my I-Phone, headphones, tickets, glasses, granola bars, and a notepad and paper. I admit I felt a little like Inspector Gadget when I reached into one of the pockets for my gear, but I loved having everything right at my fingertips. With the weight management system, I didn’t feel at all like a pack mule, although I was certainly carrying enough. I especially appreciated being able to have everything accessible to check in for my flight, but then keep in all intact and just slip off the vest to go through security. No need to cram everything into my bag and then spend time digging it all back out. This vest is my new (free) carryon bag.
~Extra Cuteness when worn by a baby, but I won't be sharing any time soon. It's mine, all mine!~
After wearing this vest for just one weekend, I feel like I am just beginning to really understand the value of the oodles of pockets( did I tell you there was a lipstick pocket?) One thing I do know is that this vest will be a regular part of my traveling wardrobe, and I will be looking cute while I wear it. Go, go gadget Scottevest!
~I know that I already mentioned that I received the Scottevest Ladies Travel Vest for free, but just because I love the FTC, so much, I’ll say it one more time. The vest was free. I wanted to hate it, but I love it!~
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Another great review of our women's #Trench Coat! Check it out here.
See full article here: http://thegermanbrazilianlondoner.blogspot.com/2012/06/excess-baggage-rescue-...
Excess baggage? Rescue is here!
Being a traveller for many years, I have always been daunted with the prospect of having to pack my suitcase (and hand luggage for that matter), even after thoroughly investigating each individual airline's baggage regulations...
But recently, I stumbled over a travel clothing brand which holds the promise of avoiding such agonies in the future:It's called SCOTTEVEST Travel Clothing and sells the most gorgeous Women's Trench Coat (18 pockets!!!) I have ever seen. Must have had me in mind when they designed this ;-)
Oh and for hot weather, they even have trousers and dresses or shirts for my Brazilian summer adventures!
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Frugal Traveler: Extreme packing measures to save on baggage fees
See Full Article Here: http://www.macon.com/2012/06/11/2056073/the-frugal-traveler-extreme-packing.html
The Frugal Traveler: Extreme packing measures to save on baggage fees
Published: June 11, 2012
With budget airlines beginning to charge for carry-on bags, the need to pack light has reached critical mass. Factor in technical gear such as laptops, camera lenses and power packs, and it becomes obvious that more extreme packing strategies are in order. A three-pronged approach generally serves me well.
Clothing: Items that store flat and suit a variety of situations make my personal short list. Pack a pashmina scarf, for example, and you've also got a colorful belt, stylish head covering and a dressy wrap. For men, swim trunks styled like cargo shorts create wardrobe flexibility. Tilley makes a smart-casual pub cap suitable for both genders that's space efficient and looks great with a variety of outfits. My recent purchase of a specialized women's trench coat from a company called Scottevest was strategic. The $150 price might seem steep, but the piece's 18 pockets hold everything from my touch-screen phone and passport to my sunglasses and a small tablet device, providing valuable additional room in my under-the-seat baggage.
Friday, June 08, 2012
Check out this great review of our Travel Vest by #photographer Peter Bates!
See full article here:http://stylus.batescommunications.net/productreviews.htm#scottevest
SCOTTEVEST Men's Travel Vest – An Excellent Photography Vest
I had been looking for a multi-pocketed vest that I could use for my photography gewgaws when I went on shoots, or to simply traveled with my gear. The last time I went on a shoot I had to ask my friend to carry my gadgets for me, so I wouldn't be fumbling with my equipment. The SCOTTEVEST Men's Travel Vest appears to be the solution. It has 24 pockets. Wearing it means means I can easily a flash, a flash bounce card, a notepad, an extra lens, model releases, and remote trigger on every shoot. I don't ever have to dig into a camera bag for them. One of the pockets even has a lint-less cloth attached to a small cord so it doesn't get lost while I use it for wiping lenses and glasses.
To my delight, a minimum of the vest's pockets use Velcro. This annoying and noisy substance is used in only three small locations: two translucent polyethylene iPod pockets and the wire groove surrounding the collar. (It is designed for winding earphone cords the wearer's neck.) Otherwise, the vest's zippers are so silent the average nature photographer will not scare off any wildlife.
I particularly like the magnetic latches on the two main side pockets. They flop into action instantly, automatically holding any contents safely in place. Of course, you can always choose to zip up the pockets as well, for double security. The jacket itself is not particularly hot in the summer months, yet it kept me warm in the chilliest of air-conditioned rooms, such as a movie theater. About the only caution I would cite for this vest is don't give into the temptation to fill it too much. Heavy is still heavy, whether it applies to a vest or a backpack.
Note that SCOTTEVEST is having a Father's Day sale that includes this vest.
For more information:
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Lee-Reid Family Travels: My Scottevest and Other Clothing Items
See Full Article Here: http://lee-reidfamilytravels.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-scottevest-and-other-clothing-items.html
Dreaming of summer, 2012...
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
My Scottevest and Other Clothing Items
When it comes to clothing, I may not be the person to look to for fashion advice. Like a lot of guys, I don't particularly care what I look like much of the time, as long as I don't look disheveled or foolish. And I don't waste a moment wondering what I might be seen wearing in travel photos. While I don't hide from the camera, I also don't particularly care to be in the photos. When I see a photogenic or iconic site, I want a photo of it, not me standing in front of it. I do care about packing lightly, however.
It's not just about avoiding schlepping around unwanted weight, though that certainly matters. It's about striving to keep all things unrelated to the travel experience I seek, as simple as possible. I don't want clutter. I want my mental check list of things I have to keep track of (that I have any control over) as short as possible. Because lord knows, the list of other things I have to keep track of is long.
So when it comes to standard items of clothing in the climate of Italy in the summer, I'll be keeping it very simple;
- 5-6 newer t-shirt style shirts in various earth tones.
- 1 pair long lightweight cargo pants
- 1 pair khaki pants (dressy style, very light microfiber)
- 2 pair short pants - 1 cargo style, 1 a bit dressier
- 1 light long-sleeve button-down shirt to be worn over a t-shirt on a cooler day
- 5-6 pair of thicker socks to help cushion the feet
- 5-6 pair new underwear
- Timberland hiking boots
- Sandals for warm, non-hiking days
- Scottevest convertible travel jacket/vest
- Tilley hat
So yes, there will be frequent laundry to do. Since our trips are not short, there is never any possibility of avoiding doing laundry. If you have to do it, you might just as well do small amounts frequently rather than accumulating large piles of smelly, dirty clothing. Everything on my list will dry overnight if the weather isn't overly wet. I have learned to avoid jeans since they are heavy to carry, bulky to pack, bulky to wash and take forever to dry.
All of those items (except for the change of clothing I wear on the plane) get put into my Rick Steves backpack. We all have one - specially designed to be very light and to meet most carry-on luggage requirements. You wouldn't want to have it on your back while hiking 20 miles in the mountains. It's not that kind of backpack. But it works really well to carry from a train station to your lodging. There will still be plenty of room in the pack for some basic non-clothing items as well.
Why would I want to wear a travel vest in summer? Partly just as a convenient place to keep my camera, iPod and a few other items with me without having to revert to using my cargo pants/shorts. But also for security. I don't obsess about the risk of pick-pockets while in Europe, but Italian cities are known as being somewhat higher risk. I don't use a money-belt or any of the related devices. The jacket - with all of the pockets zippered and most of them interior - is a very safe place to keep valuables. As a bonus, it's a great way to get extra stuff on the plane without having to worry about carry-on restrictions of either size or weight. Since it's clothing and not a bag, you can put anything in there that will fit. I may not need to take full advantage of that characteristic, but it's nice to know it's there.
As a way of demonstrating this ability, I made a little video. Remember all that electronics stuff I wrote about in my last blog post? Well, watch this...
Obviously, I would never be carrying around all this stuff with me (why would I need three cameras and five iPods?) but this was just for fun.
One more thing; This post and the previous one refer to many somewhat expensive items used for travel. Lest you think this all adds up to an obscene additional cost, rest assured that each item (well, except for the travel backpacks) get used very frequently at home as well. And almost none of the items I have noted was purchased at regular price. Some of them were purchased at deep discounts during sale periods. Many were purchased slightly used on eBay. Overall, I would guess we paid about 60% of the retail price for all of these items, spread out over the last few years.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Travel Items All Men Should Have | 52 Perfect Days http://www.52perfectdays.com/perfect-travel-gear/travel-items-men/ via @52perfectdays
See Full Article: http://www.52perfectdays.com/perfect-travel-gear/travel-items-men/
Travel Items All Men Should Have
Red Sun Chaser Travel Bag made by Red Oxx
This bag is very hip and sports like but designed so it can be used as a stylish weekend bag or overnighter. It has many pockets that have good capacity and sizes that are useful. The shoulder strap is covered in soft rubber for comfort. The price point for this bag is about $155, considering you will use it forever, it’s a pretty good deal. One of the company’s tag lines is “This product is guaranteed forever, be sure to include it in your will”. I love a great marketing campaign and a company with a sense of humor.
Redd Oxx Travel Bags are sold direct and range from $120 to $300.
Connect with Red Oxx
Website: http://www.redoxx.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Oxx-Bags/28851603721
Twitter: @RedOxxAffairs http://twitter.com/#!/RedOxxAffairs
ScottVest Clothing
Lightweight Vest for Men
This vest is awesome! You could go anywhere and utilize this vest efficiently in warm or cool climates.
22 pockets. You can even carry your ipad in it. It’s a must have travel item because you don’t need to carry all your items around in bags or a backpack, they are secure on the deep pockets and secret compartments of this great travel vest. It’s made of a lightweight polyeser fabric that is really nice and does not need special treatment as it’s machine washable. The mesh lining keeps you cool when it’s warm out and it actually does a great job keeping you warm in windy weather and adds a nice layer to the outfit. The fabric is Teflon treated so it does not stain easily and it’s rain resistant.
Scott Men’s Three3 Vest is available on Amazon for about $60
Ultimate Cargo Pants
These really are amazing. The offer 16 pockets for almost any item you would need while traveling. The fabric is lightweight and really breathes well, with a soft yet strong feel. The legs of these cargo pants zip off, making them awesome shorts and even more useful. They have magnets in the pocket flaps, I am not sure if this is good or bad. I do know that when I walk by cars the pants are mysteriously drawn to the metal doors. Kind of a new sensation but nice features never the less. Long pockets, short pockets and elastic waist band for comfort. These pants are also good for a game of golf or a casual night out on the town. Or if you zip them off into shorts they are great for a big old fashioned BBQ.
SeV Bamboo Polo
This shirt is super comfortable. Did you ever think that Bamboo could be soft and a pleasure to wear? It’s lightweight and wrinkle resistant. The colors are rich and unique, offering a great mix and match option with your wardrobe. Casual yet functional, the shirt offers three hidden pockets; one in the side for a billfold or credit card and keys, a shoulder pocket with a cord path for ipod headphones. These pockets are all so well concealed they are not visible to the person standing next to you, I even had a problem finding the zippers and all. Good design on this shirt, form, function and sustainability.
Scottvest Products are avaialble at their website scottvest.com
Connect with ScottVest:
Website: www.scottevest.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SeVTravelClothing
Twitter: @scottevest
Monday, May 21, 2012
What do you carry when you wander around? Check out this review by @MichaelW_Bklyn #Travel
see full article: http://michaelwtravels.blogspot.com/2012/05/product-review-scottevest-fleece-50.html
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Product Review: ScotteVest Fleece 5.0 Jacket
I was asked by travel clothing company SCOTTEVEST/ SeV to write a review of one of their products for their weekly Pocket Guide newsletter. I am happy to announce that this post will be featured there!
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| Making great use of my ScotteVest in Beacon, NY |
I think I may have come across a great solution to my problem- ScotteVest.
ScotteVest is a company that designs a line of clothing which uses TEC- Technology Enabled Clothing. A patented system of pockets, wire management and specialized features for clothing.
I first came across ScotteVest while reading one of my favorite blogs, Everything Everywhere written by Gary Arndt. Gary has been traveling around the world for the last 5 years and is a big fan of the brand which got me interested.
Seeing ScotteVest founder Scott Jordan on the ABC show Shark Tank made me more curious. (Scott was trying to raise $500,000 for TEC, not ScotteVest.)
About a month ago I decided to reach out to ScotteVest to find out some more about their products. I was offered a product to test and review and selected the Fleece 5.0 Jacket.
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| Fleece 5.0 |
The Fleece 5.0 has many nice features:
- 24 pockets so it can hold a lot of gear
- It's Convertible- zip-off sleeves convert it from a jacket to a vest
- Personal Area Network (PAN) for wiring headphones through jacket to avoid getting tangled in loose wires
- The material is a soft, mid-weight micro-fleece with anti-static treatment
- Many pockets have small picture-tabs to show what is intended to go inside
- Reflective Accents
I was impressed with the 5.0 from the moment I opened the package. It is a really good looking jacket that fit me perfectly and is also very comfortable. It really is amazing how much this jacket can hold. There are pockets for a cell phone, camera, passport, sunglasses, ID, two pen pockets and it can even hold an iPad.Here's what I love about the jacket- the amount of pockets! Even if you don't use them all for the intended items, there is plenty of room for just about everything you might want to carry with you. The ones I appreciated the most were the keyring clip and cord, the eyeglass pocket, the camera pocket and the front chest pocket.Keyring Clip & Cord
A really smart touch with added protection from losing your keysEyeglass Pocket
One of my favorite pockets. I do not wear glasses but this pocket is perfect for my sunglasses when I don't want to carry a case. Also, I don't like wearing my sunglasses on top of my head when inside, so this solves that problem. An added bonus in the pocket is the cleaning cloth attached to the pocket on an elastic cord.
Camera Pocket
Perfect size and easy access for compact cameras. There is also a small pocket with a velcro closure within it for storing an extra memory card.Chest Pocket
A really smart touch with added protection from losing your keysEyeglass Pocket
One of my favorite pockets. I do not wear glasses but this pocket is perfect for my sunglasses when I don't want to carry a case. Also, I don't like wearing my sunglasses on top of my head when inside, so this solves that problem. An added bonus in the pocket is the cleaning cloth attached to the pocket on an elastic cord.
Camera Pocket
Perfect size and easy access for compact cameras. There is also a small pocket with a velcro closure within it for storing an extra memory card.Chest Pocket
I actually liked this pocket to hold my phone. I found that it was easier to access my phone then when in the Clear Touch Pocket. More on that later
I was curious to see what the jacket would look like with all my stuff in it. I read the that the pockets are designed so that you can't see anything sticking out (ScotteVest calls this NoBulge engineering). First I tested a small water bottle in the water bottle loop located in the front pocket of the jacket. While it did add some bulk you couldn't really tell what was in there.
Next I tested the fleece with my iPad inside. It fit nicely and was pretty much unnoticeable with the jacket open or closed. However, it was clear that something was there when the jacket was zipped up and I was sitting down. The tablet also made it a bit uncomfortable due to the weight in the jacket pulling on that side. However, I'd definitely use the tablet pocket at the airport or when going out for a short walk.
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| X-Ray View |
Inside the chest area are two Clear Touch Fabric Pockets. They are intended to be used for your cell phone, music player or other similar device. The idea of the pockets to me are better than their actual function. I tried my iPhone inside the pocket a few times and found that it fit very well. However, I found it hard to get the phone in and out due to the velcro closure on top and half zipper on the side. I like how you can use the touch screen of the phone through the pocket but I found it hard to read the phone's display through the Clear Touch. If I plan to just use my phone to listen to music, then this pocket is perfect when wired to the PAN.
I prefer keeping my cell phone in the outside, vertical chest pockets. They are roomy, provide easy access to my phone and have a small pocket within it if I want my phone more secure inside the pocket. Overall, the Fleece 5.0 is a well thought out jacket that is a great addition to my wardrobe for travel or for day to day use. I especially look forward to wearing it in the airport. I think it will make getting through security a much easier process. Try filling the pockets with ScotteVest's intended use (refer to the included Pocket Map) or customize it to suit your needs!The ScotteVest Fleece 5.0 retails for $140.
Find out about the fleece and all of the other products offered at ScotteVest.com.**Check back in the upcoming weeks for my wife Kim's first blog post: A review of the ScotteVest Molly Jacket.
Find out about the fleece and all of the other products offered at ScotteVest.com.**Check back in the upcoming weeks for my wife Kim's first blog post: A review of the ScotteVest Molly Jacket.
****Disclaimer- The item reviewed in this post was given to me for the purpose of a fair & honest review but it in no way has any bearing on my views****
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Need a light-weight, warm jacket to store all your #Gadgets? Check out this review by @thegadgeteer http://ow.ly/aTPqX
See Full Article: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/05/13/scottevest-lola-womens-jacket-review/
SCOTTEVEST Lola Women’s Jacket Review
Streetwear for Men and Women. Huge Savings on the Hottest Brands!
Although it’s the middle of May here in Indiana, we are still having a few 40 degree mornings. Instead of dragging out my winter coat, I’ve been enjoying the comfort and gadget storage of the SCOTTEVEST Lola Jacket. Wearing this jacket allows me to hide all my gear in the jacket and leave my shoulder bag at home. Let’s take a closer look.
Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.
The Lola jacket is made of 100% quilted nylon with DuPont Teflon fabric protection that repels both water and oil based spills, while remaining machine washable. It is available three colors: Rhapsody, Sparkle and Fluff. The jacket is sized for women and comes in X-Small up to XX-Large. Guys don’t need to feel left out. SCOTTEVEST has a men’s version of this jacket called the Puffer which is available in Red and Black and sized from Small – XXX-Large.
I was sent a medium sized Lola in Rhapsody, which is a stylish Purple/Blue color with bright Yellow trim.
SCOTTEVEST products are famous for their pockets, so the Lola jacket lives up to that tradition. This jacket offers 16 pockets that allow for great gear organization.
With the jacket zipped (btw: I love the long metal zipper pulls), you have access to two zippered hand warmer pockets.
Inside the Right pocket is a removable extendable key holder, a wide elastic bottle holder and a lipstick / chapstick pocket.
In the Left pocket you’ll find a small change pocket.
The cuffs have a narrow elastic band to keep them from shimmying up your arm.
Like other SeV jackets, the Lola has a built in PAN – Personal Area Network that you can use to route your earbud cables. In the inside collar area, a flap of the quilted material is held in place with Velcro. Opening this channel will allow you to place your earbud cables so that you can easily access your music while on the go. Small rubber holders add additional cable management. This system works fine, but I did notice that if you don’t arrange the flap correctly, that the Velcro in the collar might scratch your neck. For this fact, I’d prefer just having a hole that I could fish the wires into, instead of a flap. I like the SeV Chloe jacket PAN system design a little better than the Lola’s design.
The pockets on the Left side of the jacket include a Cellphone / MP3 playerpocket at the top, with a pen pocket next to it near the zipper. This pocket is large enough to comfortably hold an iPhone 4S or Motorola Droid X with room to spare. There’s a conduit in the pocket to route the connector from your earphones.
A little lower is a zipper that opens into a large 8.5 x 8.5 inch pocket that extends to the bottom of that side. This pocket can hold a small tablet orebook reader like the Amazon Kindle Fire.
Another zipper allows access to a smaller 8.5 x 4 inch pocket on top of the 8.5 x 8.5 inch pocket. This pocket is meant to hold your passport and your ID (in the small pocket on the outer layer). The pocket works great for holding a Field Notes notebook or Moleskine Cahier notebook too.
On the Right side, you’ll find two large zippered pockets.
The upper pocket, which is accessed with a vertical zipper holds your sunglasses and includes a handy chamois cloth that is attached to an elastic cord.
A horizontally zippered pocket below the sunglasses pocket is meant to hold your digital camera. There’s even a smaller pocket inside which you can use to hold extra SD flash cards. It’s possible to place a CF sized card in that slot, but you won’t be able to Velcro the top closed.
I should note that all the interior pocket zippers have nice hard plastic pulls on them, while the exterior zippers have metal pulls.
You’ll also notice that there’s an adjustable bottom cinch cord that willhelp keep the wind and cold from blowing up your back.
Speaking of the back, that’s where the largest pocket of this jacket is located. It’s an open topped stretchy mesh pocket that is large enough to hold an iPad. I don’t think I’d want to walk around with an iPad bouncing against my back, but it also works great for holding a standard sized magazine.
I love the Lola jacket. It allows me to carry quite a bit of gear without having it all stuffed into two side pockets, which is what I usually end up doing with non-SCOTTEVEST jackets. I don’t carry tons of gear, but it’s nice to have my keys, wallet, phone, earbuds, lip baum, sunglasses clip, pen and a Field Notes notebook all stowed in the jacket so I don’t have to carry a bag. I also like that the jacket doesn’t have a lot of SeV branding. What it does have is subtle… the SeV logo on the interior lining and then a rubber SeV logo sewn into the back of the collar.
I was very surprised by how comfortable and light weight this jacket is, while still providing adequate protection from cool weather. It’s so cozy that I keep hoping for more cool mornings so I can wear it to work. It seems like the perfect weight for Fall and Spring weather, but not quite heavy enough for the dead of Winter… unless of course the winters in your area are not too cold.
The Lola jacket is made very well. I could not find any defects in the material or construction. I’m a fan of this jacket and expect it to hold up to everyday wear and tear for many cold seasons to come.
Product Information
| Price: | $190 |
| Manufacturer: | SCOTTEVEST |
| Pros: |
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