Sure, you could leave your valuables locked in your bag, but when you are away from home losing a credit card or passport, let alone your phone, can ruin your trip.
At A Glance: Our Top Travel Jackets with Hidden Pockets
That is why a good travel jacket (or vest) with hidden pockets can help keep your things secure. That way you can carry all your essentials and not have to worry.
And in this review I will cover the best options travelers have available – those with enough pockets and hidden places to let you focus on the things that matter when you are traveling – enjoying yourself!
Check out our best picks below, or use the quick navigation to jump to the relevant section (men or women) for you.
Top Pick for Men
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Top Pick for Women
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While it’s great to have everything within reach, the SCOTTeVEST Travel Jacket pays special attention to weight management. That way, even if you have all 25 inner and outer pockets full, you won’t feel lopsided or bulky. Often an issue with this kind of jacket.
The cotton blend material keeps this jacket light and airy and the Teflon treatment makes it water and stain-resistant. It also has detachable sleeves for a hotter climate, but it doesn’t have a hood. That means you better reserve one of those pockets for a small umbrella in case it rains.
The organization is good with this jacket despite the many compartments. Outside, there are two large chest pockets with hidden zippers at the top. Inside, a padded pocket can hold an iPad or tablet and a special pocket is fitted with RFID blockers to secure against credit card and data theft.
Two large hand-warmer pockets can also hold a water bottle and extendable/detachable key-holder in the right pocket and ZIP-PIP (zippered pocket-in-pocket) to keep items segregated in the left pocket. There are two interior clear touch pockets so you can use touchscreen devices without taking them out, and several smaller pockets for sunglasses, IDs, pens, and travel documents.
The SCOTTeVest Windbreaker Travel Jacket is one of the most affordable options from SOTTeVEST. Which might explain why it’s so popular. And you know you are getting a great travel jacket. After all, they are the brand for travel jackets with pockets!
This model comes with 19 pockets, 14 interiors, and 5 exteriors. Of course, that means you have a spot for just about anything. From your pen and sunglasses to your tablet and phone. I won’t go into detail on all 19, you can read it on their website.
It’s made from 100% Polyester and is also quite a bit lighter than some of the others SCOTTeVest offer. It is 1.2 lbs, so easy to carry around with you in case of a change of weather. It also packs into its own pocket, so it’s easy to stash in a backpack – just in case!
The Versatyl Unisex Travel Jacket is another decent option when you don’t like the SOTTeVEST options. It’s a little on the heavy side, but still waterproof so will keep your gear dry while you are out and about. There is also a warm hood, and some slide-out hand warmers, so if you are going somewhere cold, this might be a great option.
The biggest highlight of this jacket aside from its reasonably stylish look is the 18 pockets you get. Yes, that’s right – 18! From Napoleon-style chest pockets for things, you want close by to all sorts of internal pockets for more secure items. There are also some less handy pockets like those on the forearm, but you might still find a use for them.
They have also thought about the most essential items like your phone, wallet, passport, and documents. And, there is a handy loop for hanging your wired headphones on the upper inside of the jacket, for when you aren’t listening to your tunes on the go.
Just one major thing to be aware of when purchasing this softshell jacket – it runs small, so grab one size up otherwise you might be busting out of it! Although the zippers are quality YKK affairs, you don’t want to break them.
The BOMBAX Travel Jacket is a pretty nifty travel jacket. Not only does it carry a lot of stuff in 10 functional pockets, but it also has some fun extras to make your travels more comfortable.
There’s an outer pocket with a flap and another one with a zip. Inside, there are 10 practical hidden pockets where you can hide a tablet, passport, sunglasses, phone, water bottle, power bank, cash, and even a blanket. Once you’ve stashed all your valuables, the built-in inflatable neck pillow keeps you comfortable during a long flight.
When you step outside into cold weather, the built-in gloves will keep your hands warm and that’s one less thing you have to carry around.
The jacket is made of polyester and is water-resistant too. It’s a great windbreaker that can protect your jacket and everything inside it from being soaked by rain. So, it’s great for cold and windy climates, but it’s not made for warmer weather.
Not everyone likes wearing jackets, especially when it is warm enough out. That is why a secure vest with hidden pockets is also worth considering. It can be carried around and used, or not, depending on the weather conditions too.
This vest from AyeGear has been well thought out in more ways than you can imagine. It has pockets enough for everything you are carrying. Including specific ones for your phone and tablet, along with clear plastic so that you can not only read them but also interact with them! How handy is that?
It’s also designed to be taken off at airport security, so if you want to wear it to/from your destination – no problem at all. Just toss it (lightly!) into the security scanner containers, along with any other electronics, etc.
And in terms of weather, it is wind and waterproof, so in many cases with also means you don’t have to carry another jacket.
When it comes to travel jackets with hidden pockets, SCOTTeVEST has a wide range of designs and uses. Their Women’s Essential 2.0 Jacket is a no-frills travel jacket that helps you carry everything you need.
There are 25 external and hidden pockets meant to house all your gadgets and essentials. There are also dedicated pockets to hold phones, tablets, wallets, keys, accessories, water bottles, and sunglasses.
Like all SCOTTeVEST products, its Weight Management System is the kicker to avoid bulging and uneven weight distribution.
It’s also a versatile jacket with detachable sleeves if you want to convert it to a vest. The material is Teflon coated for water resistance, but the jacket has no hood. It’s more suitable for light weather with lots of sunlight, or just carry a folding umbrella in one of the many pockets.
A jacket you will love while traveling for sure, this one from Bombax has the ever-important hidden pockets, of course.
But also, a built-in blow-up pillow and eye-mask so you can keep it on and still fall asleep on the plane or bus. Without worrying about all your belongings! And before you wonder what you are going to do with the hood, you can remove that too.
There are 10 hidden pockets, as well as 6 standard pockets on the outside, so you will have more than enough space for all your gear. Yes, space for your phone, tablet, documents, passport, and more.
Oh, and there is an earphone hook on the top, so you can pass through security without having to remove everything or just listen to those peaceful in-flight announcements we all know and love.
For winter travelers, the SCOTTeVEST Women’s Chloe Hoodie Jacket will keep you warm and cozy with a heavyweight fleece. It’s made with 100% polyester and is a lightweight way to keep warm while you are traveling.
It has a decent number of pockets 14 to be exact. This means there is plenty of space for all your gadgets, gizmos, and personal items. There are also a couple of external hand-warming pockets and one specifically for change.
The addition of a hood on this particular travel jacket means that it adds that extra warmth when things get cold or windy. This is always a bonus when you are out for the day in a foreign city and don’t want to go back to grab another sweater.
And, unlike a lot of the other jackets from SCOTTeVest, this one is super affordable at just under $100.
The SCOTTeVEST Women’s Trench Coat is a great addition to any wardrobe. The classic style is great for any travel but also works for daily wear whether casual or business.
With the longer garment than a jacket, the coat’s 18 pockets are larger, easier to access, and can hold a lot more items equivalent to a travel purse. While it’s still not the best replacement for a bag altogether, it significantly lessens the number of items you have in your purse or carry-on.
As with all SCOTTeVEST garments, the Weight Management System keeps the coat from being too heavy or bulky. Add to that the sleek lines and the belt and you will have a slimming shape even if your pockets are full.
The coat is water and stain-resistant, so you can walk through a downpour and keep yourself and your gadgets dry. The length of the coat also offers more protection than a jacket.
Despite its construction and material, it’s still machine washable making it easy to maintain and store. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a hood.
Also, knowing where you put your phone can be a challenge at first because some pockets are too deep and will be more troublesome than convenient.
The Baubax Travel Jacket is a startup hit, crowdsourcing a total of $9.2 million on Kickstarter and $11.5 million on Indiegogo On Demand.
It comes in four styles: windbreaker, sweatshirt, blazer, and bomber jacket. Of all the versions, the Bomber jacket is the most well designed, does NOT look like a travel jacket, and will fit any urban or adventure setting.
It is heavier than the other styles, but it’s thicker and sturdier and will hold up well even in cold climates.
It’s built with lots of features and pockets to keep you from having to dig into your bag the whole time. The jacket has nine utility pockets (six of which are hidden), an attached pen stylus, built-in gloves, and hand warmers, and a built-in neck pillow and eye mask. Yes, it has everything!
Sizes run small for Bomber jackets, so make sure you get the measurements right. The material doesn’t stretch, but it’s machine washable.
The main point of finding a jacket with hidden pockets is fitting everything you need inside. More pockets are not necessarily better. Some pockets are too small to be functional. Too many pockets will also just give you a more difficult time looking for what you need. Too few, on the other hand, leaves you with items that have no place in the jacket.
There are some pockets with plastic panels so you can see your phone without taking it out. They are super-handy, but come at a price, If you need to machine wash or toss the jacket in the dryer, this plastic panel can melt. So, be careful.
Also, make sure that closures are secure so your items don’t accidentally fall out of the jacket. This could just mean a zipper, or similar, but have a think about what you are going to put where, and how secure (in terms of falling out) it is going to be.
The jackets in this review are made from a variety of materials, so it pays to know what you want it to do, in terms of warmth or weather, before you buy it.
Not all travel jackets are water-resistant or waterproof. For example, there are travel jackets made like a sweater, so it will keep you warm but not dry. So, you will need another one to go over the top if it rains (or you can simply use an umbrella)
Waterproof jackets will keep you dry but can be too hot if you’ll be traveling to warmer climates or doing lots of exercises. It pays to be flexible in what you wear when traveling, so keep layering in mind.
A lot of jackets have hoods, which can be great against the wind or to sleep in a plane. But they are not a style everyone likes, as they are quite casual.
Others have built-in features like pillows and eye masks, but can be too bulky when not in use. So, don’t overdo it on the features unless you really need them. Find a design that fits your style of travel the best.
If you don’t need a hood, then hoodless jackets can still be a great option. And bells and whistles are often more hassles than they are worth. Stick with what you need, and focus on the security features that are going to protect your most important possessions.
There are two reasons why you are looking for a travel jacket with lots of pockets: convenience and fewer baggage fees.
Travel jackets are similar in many ways, but the way these pockets are designed and secured makes all the difference. The best lookout when choosing your jacket is how easy it will be for you to get your stuff out of the pockets and, of course, how much protection you can get from the climate.
For men, the Bombax Travel Jacket has everything you need. The built-in pillow and eye mask are great for long-haul flights or emergency naps. It has enough pockets to store your things, and it’s weather-resistant to protect you from rain and cold weather. The manly and modern design also makes you look stylish wherever you go.
For women, the SCOTTeVESTJacket is light, functional, and versatile. It has detachable sleeves should you find things getting a little hot, and it has ingenious pockets to keep everything you need close to you. It’s also very easy to pack thanks to its lightweight material if you decide not to use it sometime during your trip.