I needed a lightweight travel vest with lots of pockets to hold my iPhone, tickets, passport, etc.
After surveying the options, I chose this utility vest from Duluth Trading.
It’s marketed as a gardening vest but I think it makes a great travel vest.
It would also work for bike riding, dog training, horseback riding, hiking, etc.
It’s not perfect, but it serves the purpose.
What I like:
- plenty of pockets, 12 to be exact: 2 zipped pockets on the inside (lower); inside slip pocket with velcro fastener for a cell phone; 2 zipped chest pockets on the outside; 2 deep front pockets with snaps, and a few smaller pockets
- the large lower pockets are elasticized to keep items secure
- you can unzip the vest from the top and the bottom
- there is a bit of shape to the vest
What I don’t like:
- the back of the vest is a synthetic mesh fabric
- the lower outer pockets are narrow for many items
- the inner cell phone pocket is hip-level, rather than chest-level
The fabric is 70% cotton/30% nylon. It is stain- and water-resistant with UPF 50+ protection from UV radiation.
The womens’s travel vest is on sale through March 9, 2014 for $49.50, $10 off the regular price of $59.50. Use promo code T14W039P to get free shipping for orders of $75 or more.
There is also a men’s version of the vest, with 17 pockets. It’s on sale for $54.50 through March 9; regular price $64.50.