When I'm on a long trip that requires me to check luggage I absolutely hate to have to worry about a carry-on. Moving through the airport and in and out of security and customs with a bulky carry-on can be quite a hassle, especially when you reach the destination and then have to pick up your checked bag as well. On a recent trip to London I decided to find out if I could manage to get there without bringing a carry-on. I knew that I would need to bring a few items along, and that I would also need something to carry my gear around while I was out enjoying London, but I didn't want to necessarily carry a bulky bag or a backpack. I decided to take the next logical step and opted for pockets.
Lots and lots of pockets.
I found all of the pockets that I could possibly need at
SCOTTEVEST. They design and sell apparel with all sorts of pockets. Need to carry your phone? Your passport? Your camera? Your headphones? A guidebook? Some extra money? You'll find clothing on that site that will allow you to do that and more. I ordered the
Tropical Jacket/Vest, which has 18 pockets and is one of the lighter weight items that SCOTTEVEST sells. The jacket also allows you to carry a bottle of water upright, and it has a pocket large enough to hold an iPad.
That's me in London wearing my SCOTTEVESTNow here's what you're probably thinking: "
Wow, that guy must have looked ridiculous with all of those things crammed into his pockets." You may be right about me looking ridiculous, but it was certainly not because of the jacket. The jacket was a basic black windbreaker with nothing strange or noticeable about it. I loaded up all of my gear into the jacket and was pleasantly surprised. It was designed to conceal everything so well that you could hardly tell that I had anything inside my jacket at all!
My least favorite part of flying is going through airport security. The jacket made getting through security a breeze. I was able to simply slip the jacket off along with everything in it and put it into the bin. I picked it up and put it back on when I got through and was on my way to the gate. It made for the most convenient TSA experience that I've ever had.
Personal security is always an issue when you're traveling internationally, and I think that SCOTTEVEST's products stand up well here too. You can carry your passport and spare currency or credit cards in an inside pocket that is reasonably accessible, yet is secured with a zipper and would be very difficult for a pickpocket to access without you noticing. Never again will you need to wear one of those inconvenient belts that require you to remove clothing in order to access your money.
If you're going to go the SCOTTEVEST route, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. Buy it a size larger than what you normally wear. After all, it's not just you that will be fitting inside; it's you and a dozen of your favorite travel items. In addition, I would recommend opting for a lighter option rather than a heavy one. In London the mid-November temperature was considerably warmer than normal and with all of the walking and moving in and out of the Underground stations I never felt like I needed anything heavier. I even removed the sleeves at times and just wore it as a vest over a long sleeved shirt. If it does get cold, you can always add another layer of clothing inside the coat since you selected a larger size. I would also recommend that you consider also carrying on a small bag if you're taking along a tablet or netbook. Even though many of the SCOTTEVEST products have pockets designed especially for these technology devices, the weight of those items compared to everything else makes the jacket a little awkward.
I paid for my SCOTTEVEST out of my own pocket and this is not intended to be an advertisement for SCOTTEVEST or its products. It is, however, definitely something to consider when you're trying to make traveling hassle free. Not interested in a jacket? There are many other choices available as well, including both men's and women's apparel, shirts, hats, ties and even undergarments that have concealed pockets. I think that anything that can help you get through security a little quicker and make your traveling a little more convenient is a good thing.
Would a SCOTTEVEST product be a good option for your next trip? Let me know what you think.
Those looking to travel light can check out these two sturdy bags that airlines’ requirements for a carryon luggage and can transport all your gear. TheAeronaut Maximum Carry-On Travel Bag by Tom Bihn weighs only 2.71 pounds and can be used as a backpack, traditional suitcase, or duffle bag depending on one’s needs. For wheeled luggage, check out Travel Pro’s 22″ Expandable Rollaboard (R) Suiterwhich weighs only 8.7 pounds, and can be easily lifted over one’s head and placed into the overhead compartment of a plane or train..
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 10:49AM
