SCOTTeVEST 237D Jacket Review

The SCOTTeVEST 237D is the updated version of the Three.0 Spring jacket that we reviewed about a year-and-a-half ago. We have been testing out the 237D in Seattle weather for much of December, and are finding that the 237D moniker - which stands for “237 days,” meaning you can wear it for 3-out-of-4 seasons per year - lives up to its name for the most part. The 237D features 33 pockets, and adds the Detachable Cargo Cache, built-in battery holders, addition magnetic enclosures, and two more pockets than the Three.0 Spring. Check out the full review after the jump.

 

DESCRIPTION

• Specialized pockets: earbud pocket, pen/stylus pockets, AA and AAA battery holder, and bottle holder.
• Some pockets can be combined to form larger ones by unzipping the pocket separators.
• Available in two colors: Stone and Olive
• Huge back pocket is great for magazines, files, and even a small laptop computer.

 

The SCOTTeVEST 237D is a yet another piece in the SCOTTeVEST 4.0 collection. The 237D, like all other SCOTTeVEST products, offers a wealth of pockets - 33 on this one - to store away your valuables.If you need help on what to store where, the company includes business card-sized notes in each pocket which provide examples of what can be stored where. Looking at the interior, you’ll find a host of pockets, some with mesh finishes and individual zippers.  The see-through mesh helps you in finding the item you need, which could range from flash memory cards, styli, or headphones. Other pockets are less obvious, keeping more expensive items hidden from view whether you have your jacket zipped up or not. A few pockets near the lower portion of the vest can open up to larger sizes via a Velcro strip.

There are some other nice touches, too.  You’ll find a few long pen pockets in the middle interior, along the line of the main zipper.  Some of the other interior compartments are small enough to hold spare change.  There’s also a stretchable spiral-cord with a key-clip inside one of the hand pockets.  On the exterior there are two pockets at chest level that could work for easy access to your cell phone and MP3 player—items we use more frequently.  The chest pockets are also two of the storage area that use the Personal Area Network, which we will look at next.

PERSONAL AREA NETWORK

It wouldn’t be a SeV product without their patented PAN (Personal Area Network) wire system.  This system allows you to string the cords for your devices inside the lining of the jacket in order to avoid entanglement.  You can run a headphone cord from a rubber clip near the collar of the jacket to the bottom interior pocket.  That way you can keep your iPod or cell phone in an interior pocket with the cord hidden, rather than flapping around in the wind while you walk.  If you switch often between audio-capable devices you’ll need to make sure the cord is long enough to accommodate it though, especially if you want to pull out a gadget to use it.  It may take you a little time to find the holes where you thread the cord through, but they’re there.  We found the interior pockets that contain the PAN holes to be a little on the large side; perhaps more suited to store a magazine than a portable music player.  Then again, devices come in all shapes and sizes and user preferences will vary.

The 237D also boasts a weight management system which distributes weight evenly across your shoulders. Although there are 33 pockets, we wouldn’t recommend stuffing them all with gadgets - however, you now have the option of having a dedicated pocket for all your wallet, receipts, change, pack of tissues, mints, etc. Don’t think of it as strictly a gadget jacket. The placement of the pockets allows for great personal customization - there is no way you will use them all at once (at least, not without some discomfort,) however, each person will use the choices given to them differently. That is the draw here - the personalization is a great touch.

FINAL VERDICT

For those looking for a durable jacket to port their gadgets in, the SCOTTeVEST 237D is it - especially if you don’t have the cash to spend on the SCOTTeVEST Milan. Our only gripe is that we have been testing it in late autumn, and we can’t say that the jacket kept us warm at all times. Most of the time it did a great job, but if it was particularly windy or frosty, the product didn’t protect us as well as we would have thought it would. Remember that we have a coupon code for 20% off all SCOTTeVEST orders through December 25th, 2005. If you spring for the 237D, that will get you $30 off. Just head on over to the 237D product page to pick one out, and use coupon code “GEARLIVE” during checkout to get your discount.

Product: SCOTTeVEST 237D
Price: $159 - $129 using coupon code GEARLIVE