Travel Smith Jackets = bob?

[Lost In Shuffle]

I was thumbing through a travelsmith catalouge and found an interesting item... Its a jacket thats has 12 pockets and one "top secret" one. I was wondering, If it has so many pockets wouldnt it be more conveinent to carry your gear in a jacket thats more concealable/functional than a big bag?

discuss...

 

[Rainmaker870]

Depending on where I'm going and what for, I sometimes load up a Duluth Trading Company Presentation Jacket - which also has lots of pockets - when the gear I'd normally carry some other way. The body's cut a little large for my 50" chest / 36" waist, and with all that crap in the pockets it drapes pretty well. I don't substitute it for my BOB but it's pretty handy when I'm carrying a handgun and other supplies along with some basic gear.

Downsides
1 - most jackets aren't built heavy enough to handle a constant full load, and you may find yourself walking around looking like the Michelin Tire Man.
2 - "Now which pocket did I put my snakebite kit in?"
3 - It's not a great summer option in KS, but sometimes it's the only thing that fits the bill.

Upsides
1 - your stuff is with you
2 - you don't have to lug a separate bag around
3 - It's an option that works better than anything else - SOMETIMES.

Neutral
I haven't tried flying with one yet. I'm curious/apprehensive about the reaction one would get from the TSA folks. I suppose as long as there's nothing in the pockets that's prohibited they'd just have a good time exploring all the stuff inside them, eh?

I haven't seen the Travelsmith catalog - what's the material used for the jacket? I'd like to see one made of heavy canvas, but I haven't come across a resonably priced example of that.

 

[cardimon]

I haven't tried flying with one yet. I'm curious/apprehensive about the reaction one would get from the TSA folks. I suppose as long as there's nothing in the pockets that's prohibited they'd just have a good time exploring all the stuff inside them, eh?

I've heard that people who send jackets through the conveyors will get their jackets back, followed by little piles of stuff that used to be in their jacket pockets. The pockets are dumped out and their contents inspected. The contents are not placed back into the pockets. You get to do that -- juggling jacket, carry-on, an armload of pocket gear, and whathaveyou -- while you're running to catch the flight for which you now late.