Last night, my friend Joel emailed to say that he thought I would be a perfect candidate for an upcoming geek/techie makeover edition of the Maury Show; I didn’t know whether to laugh or be insulted since he mentioned that I might get a new wardrobe out of the experience. I don’t think that I need a makeover (does anyone ever think that?), but I do know what the perfect wardrobe option should be for any stylish geek or techie – especially now that cold weather is fast approaching.
Fellow geeks and techies, I present to you the new SCOTTEVEST Signature System, a dual jacket solution that will keep you looking great and comfortably warm when the wind is biting, and it’s freaking cold outside.
The SeV Signature System comprises two brand new TEC garments, the Fleece 5.0 and the Quantum Snowboard Jacket. When worn together, these two jackets become one comfortable, toasty warm, water-resistant, and wind impervious garment with over 50 pockets…and no, you are not expected to fill them all.
The Quantum Snowboard jacket features a breathable, lightweight, and waterproof nylon shell. As we have all come to expect from SeV garments, there are pocket’s-a-plenty, but these seem to be even more purposely placed than usual. Two large sectioned handwarmer pockets on either side and two vertical chest pockets finish out the jacket’s front; there is a large zippered back pocket on the rear.
Of course, the jacket’s exterior is only part one of the story. Inside, an extensive pocket system incorporates the headset and earphone wiring access that we have come to expect from SeV. Because the pockets have been specially hung from the seams and supported by other pockets and hidden stitches, weight is distributed nicely when heavier gadgets are carried. One of the coolest features is the Clear Touch Fabric used in the two inner breast pockets; these allow you to control an iPhone, iPod, or Touch without removing the device from its pocket. There are a map and travel document pockets, an ID pocket, pen slots, and places to put just about everything electronic or otherwise; my favorite is the eyeglass chamois pocket, which even includes a glasses’ cleaning cloth on a clip.
I’ve never been skiing or snowboarding, although I am supposed to do the latter this spring. When I go, I suspect that I will better appreciate the hidden waist-cinch/powder skirt, which explains the odd snaps you see dangling from the bottom interior in the above photo. Snapping them together will help keep snow from getting under the jacket when the wearer wipes out…not that I’ll ever wipe out or anything, riiiight? 😉
The interior of the Quantum Jacket is lined in mesh, which is both comfortable and cooling. At the neck, polar fleece folds over wires running through the CollarConnect system, and there are red elastic loops and small mesh pockets to help manage earbuds. The mesh-lined hood is removable, and it can be stored in the huge rear pocket on the back of the jacket when it is not needed. I like to keep mine on because I never remember to bring along a stocking cap, and my ears get cold easily.
All zippers and cord pulls are finished so that they will be easily grabbed when wearing gloves.
There is a convenient sleeve pocket on each forearm that allows instant access to keys, cash, tickets, or other important items one might want to store there.
The sleeves have SEV branded Velcro tape, which I have to say looks sharp and is nicely done. Speaking of branding, it all seems to be discreetly and tastefully placed on this jacket, more so than others past.
Because the Quantum is meant to be worn over the Fleece 5.0 or other layering garments, it is generously sized and quite comfortable. When worn on its own, it makes an ideal windbreaker, without a lot of bulk and without being too heavy. This is the jacket I grab when I am headed to the ranch, where winds can reach 30 – 40 miles per hour on any given day.
The Fleece 5.0 is my new favorite layering garment, bar none. Since fall began and our days have gotten a bit nippier, I have depended upon it to keep me warm. Notice that there are two vertical chest pockets and two deeper handwarmer pockets, and a pocket on the left sleeve. My favorite happens to be the “secret side-seam pocket” on the right side, which is where I generally keep my iPhone tucked.
On a guy, using one of the Clear Touch Fabric inner pockets to carry an iPhone would probably make the most sense – and believe me, I tried it. Unfortunately, curvier females will find that unless they want to go up a jacket size, putting an iPhone in one of these chest pockets will make the front of their jacket lay improperly. Ah well, there are lots of other things that can be easily tucked in those spots. Other interior pockets are properly sized to hold digital cameras, navigation devices, IDs, pens, tickets, documents, a book…really anything that you might want to carry; the Fleece also has my favorite eyeglass and chamois pocket.
The Fleece 5.0 is one of the most comfortable I have ever owned, and as much as I liked the SeV 4.0 Fleece, I believe that this one is even better. To start, I like the shape of this one so much more; it has a longer tail, and there are no loops sewn onto the sleeves. There are newly refined connectors and cabling systems sewn into the jacket’s interior. Even though nylon is used for the interior pocket system, anything that will touch the skin is covered in soft polar fleece. Simply put, this jacket is snuggly.
All of the zippers have pulls so that they can be opened and shut when wearing gloves…
…and once again, exterior branding is minimal and very tastefully done.
The sleeve openings are not adjustable, and they are missing the old inner 4.0 system fastening loops; this greatly pleases me. The jacket is streamlined, fashionable, and very, very comfortable.
Okay, it’s time for some pictures of the system in use. This is me, at 5’10”, wearing a men’s medium. It fits me loosely, but not too loosely.
Both the Fleece 5.0 and the Quantum are available in XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, and XXXL; unless you are an abnormally petite woman or an abnormally large man, you should easily fit into one.
I really like how the fleece’s back is a bit longer than the front; that extra little bit of coverage when bending over is nice!
Putting the two jackets together…
…getting everything situated…
…and getting zipped up is easily one of the quickest ways to make sure that you’ll stay warm while keeping any biting winds at bay. This is exactly how I wear the jacket when riding the 4-wheeler; no chilly winds can get through, and other than my cold hands (because I have inevitably forgotten my gloves), I am quite comfortable.
The Quantum Jacket’s is also slightly longer than the front, which will hopefully help keep my butt from getting too wet when I wipe out snowboarding.
Scott Jordan is calling this set a Ski/Snowboarding Jacket, and I do not doubt that it will excel in that area, but those who will never go near the slopes shouldn’t dismiss this system just because they think it is only for winter sports. If you need a three-season jacket system that will safely and effectively manage your everyday gear while keeping you toasty warm and dry, then you need to look no further. The SCOTTEVEST Signature System is a set of layers that will allow geeks and techies to carry their gear, stay warm, and perhaps most importantly – look good…no appearance on a Maury makeover show necessary!
The SCOTTEVEST Signature System is available directly from the manufacturer.
MSRP: $340 (purchased separately, the Quantum Jacket is $250 and the 5.0 Fleece is $140)
What I Like: Very well thought out dual jacket system which keeps the wearer warm and dry through three seasons; extremely comfortable while managing the wearer’s daily gear; extensive pocket system; all of the goodies we have come to expect from SeV TEC clothing; minimal and tasteful branding
What Needs Improvement: I am hard-pressed to think of anything that needs improving; this is easily my favorite casual jacket set