traveler24

Need opinions on concept of using "travel" vest for plane trips.
My brother really likes his for stashing plane tickets, boarding pass,wallet.I Phone etc.
I, being a girl, have always used a purse...problem is ends up being a BIG purse.
Tried using a small purse and back pack as carry on items. Seems I spent lots of time searching through the many compartments in back pack. I know travel vests have lots of pokers but at least would be on my body..Be sides the usual documents, I MUST have with me on plane are medicines with back-up supple, and pair of shoes. My "plan" use small tote(which would fit under seat) shoes, I Pad and long term Medicine supply. Use vest for all other stuff..wallet,glasses,i phone, documents, ear buds, pen & paper (seems like there would be more) just can't think of what. Would pack my regular purse in suitcase which I check. (SWA does not charge for bags.)
Am I overlooking something??
appreciate any feedback.

suze

well I would rather just use a big purse myself
but I don't see anything wrong with the vest idea if that's what you want to do.

Just seems like it might be a little bulky to wear sitting on the plane with all that stuff in all your pockets. Or if you take the vest off, then you'd need to be extra careful what you do with it since it's got your wallet, passport and important stuff in it.

thursdaysd

I use a day pack. My current one has two compartments, and the front one has a set of small pockets. Before this one I had one with three compartments and a set of pockets. I have not found it particularly difficult to find anything in them.

I agree with suze. What do you do with the vest once you're on the plane? This is especially relevant on long distance/overnight flights.

Why do you need a pair of shoes? Aren't you wearing a pair?

NewbE

I just met a woman who swears by her travel vest, and says she almost never takes it off. That does not appeal to me, but to each her own.

Reading the OP's post, though, it seems to me that having stuff stashed in two places, whether they be a vest and bag, or two bags, is a recipe for confusion. I know I'd be rifling through my vest AND my bag wondering where I stashed my earbuds!

So I use one carry on bag and keep all my stuff in it. Yes, if it gets stolen I am screwed, but that seems unlikely as I keep close track of it at all times. That carry on serves as my day bag, and I pack in my suitcase one small--very small--purse for going to dinner and such.

I would not want to wear something that holds essential stuff because I would not want to feel forced to wear the same thing all the time, or keep it on if I'm too hot or cramped.

Hobbert

I grabbed my LL Bean field jacket (http://m.llbean.com/product.html?skCatId=82662#82662) for a recent trip to cool temps and it was fantastic. I also carry a small backpack with an iPad, snacks, chargers, keys, etc but it was so convenient to have my passport/ID/tickets and cell phone right to hand. I fully endorse a travel vest or jacket.

traveler24

Really good, thoughtful comments. especially one about having to "wear" vest constantly. Really do feel more comfortable with a purse...so plan to use smaller back pack--less compartments to confuse me.
Shoe requirements....since I check a bag...If i lost, I would be really hampered for rest of my trip....as I require one specific type shoes..can't just buy in any shoe store.. Therefore my need to carry a pair with me.
Thanks for help.

suze

My rule of thumb is to do things when I travel as similar to how I do them at home as possible. I carry the same purse, wallet, etc.

Because I think often where things can go wrong is trying to reinvent the wheel, then it's more easy to forget or lose things if you aren't used to carrying a certain bag, or keeping track of your 'vest' because it has valuables in the pockets, etc.

NewbE

That's a good rule of thumb, suze. My favorite carry on is a purse that is large-ish for every day, but I use it all the time because its pockets suit me and my stuff--and so it works great for travel, too.

traveler24, maybe you can put your smaller backpack into use a few weeks before your trip, just to get more comfy with it?

aliced

My husband always travels in his black Scottevest, which has something like 17 pockets. It is convenient to just take it off, put it into the bin for TSA screening, rather than empty pockets with change, glasses, phone. Everything remains on it fastened closed. It is cozy & comfy on the plane; if he is too warm he folds it and puts it into seat pocket or above his seat, not a problem. I have a Columbia one in a sage green with fewer pockets but it is handy through TSA, as well as going to the airplane bathrooms which are miniscule. I keep a tote/purse as well at my seat, but it's easier to access lipbalm, glasses, earbuds from my vest than keep pulling up my tote or large purse onto my lap. For long flights, probably the only things I need that don't fit in my vest are my Bose Headphones, Kindle, folding shoe slippers, magazine, snacks, which go into tote underseat. Vests are very convenient for hikes where you may not need a daypack and more comfy than small crossbody. Bringing mine to France this September. The ones in the travel catalogs are rather bad, look at Eddie Bauer, Columbia, REI.