TECH & TRAVEL TIP: How I Reinvented the Airport Security Shuffle
Traveling through airport security is a ritual I’ve perfected over decades — and I genuinely can’t imagine doing it without my SCOTTeVEST. If you’ve ever stood in a TSA line juggling phones, wallets, belts, watches, and chargers, you know the drill: shoes off, laptop out, liquids in a bag, everything in the gray bin. It’s chaotic, especially if you’re carrying a backpack or roller bag.
I travel differently. Before I even approach security, I load my vest with every loose item: watch, wallet, keys, passport, sunglasses, chargers, earbuds, and yes, sometimes even a small laptop or tablet. Anything with metal goes in a zipped pocket. My passport and credit cards go in the RFID-blocking pocket. By the time I reach the conveyor belt, I remove my vest in one smooth motion, place it in a bin, and I’m done. No pat-downs. No “wait, where’s my phone?”
Once I’m through security, I put the vest back on and everything is exactly where it was. No reloading a backpack, no fishing around in seat-back pockets mid-flight. And because TSA counts a vest as clothing, not luggage, I can carry far more essentials without paying extra baggage fees.
This works especially with any of our vests and jackets — men’s, women’s, and of course my personal favorite, the Tropiformer — but the principle is the same: your pockets become your carry-on. If you’ve ever envied that one traveler who glides through security like they’re on autopilot… this is their secret.
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BEHIND THE SEAMS: Tariffs & Transparency
Tariffs are import taxes that affect nearly every apparel brand selling in the U.S., including us. Over the past few years, these tariffs have shifted frequently and significantly, creating real challenges for companies like ours that produce highly detailed garments overseas.
For context: U.S. apparel manufacturing simply isn’t viable at scale. The craftsmanship and specialized skills needed to produce SCOTTeVEST’s 20+ pocket designs don’t exist domestically in a way that can match quality, cost, or capacity. For years, we relied on China’s manufacturing expertise. More recently, we’ve shifted a large portion of production to Mauritius, which offered duty-free benefits — at least, it used to. Even that landscape is changing.
The unpredictable nature of tariffs makes planning incredibly difficult. We’ve absorbed significant cost increases without passing them on to customers. Up to this point, we’ve resisted raising prices because I believe in offering fair value. But like many other companies, we can’t ignore the reality forever. If you're interesting in shopping before any potential price increases, now is the time. Click here to shop the entire line.
This isn’t a political statement — it’s simply transparency. Tariffs are paid by us, not foreign manufacturers. And like any business, we adapt. That might mean shifting production to new countries, renegotiating supply chains, or finding creative ways to keep costs down. It’s not always visible from the outside, but it’s a big part of what keeps your SCOTTeVEST gear reliable and available.
TIME HOP: From Chicago to Sun Valley: A Defining Moment
Twenty-two years ago this month, Laura and I made one of the biggest decisions of our lives: we packed up our Chicago apartment, grabbed our cat Wolfgang and our toy poodle Kelly, and boarded a plane to Sun Valley, Idaho.
At the time, SCOTTeVEST was still young — just a few short years old. Chicago was busy, expensive, and didn’t feel like the place where we’d build the next chapter of our lives. We wanted space. We wanted mountains. We wanted to build something meaningful together. So, we took the leap.
The scene at the airport was classic: luggage carts piled high with inventory boxes, personal bags, and two slightly confused pets. I remember looking at Laura and realizing that this wasn’t just a move — it was the moment we were truly all in.
When we landed in Sun Valley, the pace of life shifted instantly. We were younger, scrappier, and had no idea what lay ahead. But it worked. Sun Valley became the foundation for our business and our lives. It’s where we grew SCOTTeVEST, where we built our home, and where we still live today.
Looking back, that move was the catalyst for everything that followed. It’s wild to think how much has changed since then — technology, travel, the brand itself — but the spirit that brought us here hasn’t changed one bit.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: Tropiformer 3D
This isn’t just convenient; it’s transformational. (Pun intended.) The magnetic sleeve system makes it effortless. No zippers, no fuss. It’s lightweight enough to layer, has a hood for light drizzles, and can be treated for extra water repellency. It’s my constant companion on road rallies, flights, and hikes alike.
I’ve tested it everywhere — from Pikes Peak to Patagonia — and it’s never let me down. If you’re looking for a single, do-everything layer for fall travel, this is it.