So you got an iPod.  You and everybody else!  Now you're looking to accessorize.  May I make a recommendation?  The folks at SCOTTEVEST had MP3 aficionados in mind when they designed their new Ultimate Hoodie.  Folks who thought that a vest stuffed full pockets would be too geeky (is there such a thing?) to hold their new white plastic treasure, are going to love this hoodie.

First Impressions

My friends at SCOTTEVEST sent me a dark gray hoodie to try out.  It comes with a full zip front.  On the back is an enormous SeV logo, that says, "Get Wired!"  It's very cool looking.  Even my wife approved.  The cloth is of a nice thick quality such that the Ultimate Hoodie can keep you warm on a cool day as well as hold on to some of your favorite gadgets.

It's About the Pockets

Those of you familiar with SCOTTEVEST products know that they're famous for having more pockets and technological doodads than any other clothing on the market.  While the Ultimate Hoodie is definitely part of the SeV family, it's refreshingly less complex.  On the front are the two pockets that are traditionally included in hoodie-type outerwear.  But reach your hand inside these pockets and you'll know this is a Technology Enabled Hoodie.  In the right hand pocket is a tether and clip to hang onto your keys.  Also there's an elastic loop that can be used to hold your iPod safely in place while you're on the go.  There's also an elastic loop in the left pocket for you lefties.  You can also fit a PDA, bottled water or whatever in these loops.  They're very handy.  Both of these front pockets are kept secure by magnetic closures.

Also on the front of the hoodie is a discrete zipper that conceals a smaller pocket that would be perfect for storing an iPod sync cable, remote, batteries or whatever.  Look deeper inside this pocket and you'll find another zipper that conceals a pocket within a pocket.  Great place to stash anything you don't want others to find.

Part of what makes SeV products so technology friendly is their Personal Area Network.  This is a fancy way to say they're sewn so you can run wires throughout their clothes to interconnect your gadgets without all those cables being visible or in the way.  The Ultimate Hoodie has a simple and useful PAN implementation.  Each of the front pockets and the zipper pocket has an opening for the wearer to run their headphone cord through. 

Then comes my favorite touch on this hoodie.  Up in the base of the hood are two small elastic loops just right for holding earbuds or canalphones.  Just run the cord out of the pocket where you're hiding your iPod, up through the inside of the hoodie and hook those 'buds in the loops.  That way they're always available to give you a portable music fix.

Conclusion

Because the SeV Ultimate Hoodie isn't as uber-pocketed as its vest cousins, it's actually better suited for the casual gadget freak.  With my big SeV 4.0, I actually had to go through about three pockets before I found my MP3 player last time it needed a charge.  Mostly my fault, I know.  But with the Ultimate Hoodie you'll know right where your music is and your earbuds are always handy for listening.  And there's still plenty of places to store other related stuff and still look great.

Final Grade: A

Pros: Simple, stylish design, great for portable MP3 players, still has plenty of pockets.

Cons: I'd like to see this available in more colors.

The Ultimate Hoodie and other Technology Enabled Clothing is available at www.scottevest.com.   SeV products are also showing up in more brick and mortar retail locations.  You can find them at Neiman Marcus, Magellan's, Silver Creek Outfitters and others.