Product: Scottevest Fleece 7.0.
What it is: A fleece jacket with 23 pockets and a built-in map of how to use them. The map is printed on an eyeglass wipe fastened to an elastic cord stowed behind the eyeglass pocket. The jacket is loaded with utility for a traveler and would be like a holy shroud for a gadget geek.
The good: It’s not often you wear a jacket that requires a map, but this jacket has so many compartments that I actually lost my wallet in it for a short time. On the positive side, that has to work against pickpockets, especially with high-quality zipper enclosures. The smartphone pocket with a plastic window lets you operate the phone without removing it. That pocket also has a jack and wire connected to earbuds stowed near the collar.
The fleece was surprisingly stout against a stiff wind with temperatures in the 30s. With sleeves that zip off, it can be worn as a vest. It also works well as a midlayer under a shell.
The bad: To get the most out of it, you really do need to study the thing. I also noticed some slight pilling on the back where a backpack was creating serious friction, but that seems to be typical for fleece.
Cost: $160.
Available from: scottevest.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
