Appraisal Matters

Many moons ago, I started a little project where I wanted to find a way to carry all my field gear with me on inspections. Specific items I had in mind were my large 100 foot measuring tape, an electronic indoors measuring tape, cell phone, business cards, pens, a bottle of water, extra batteries for my camera, flashlight, sanitary hand wipes and gloves… at the least. Ah, but we only have two hands.

So my first thought was to get a police belt and add various attachments to the belt. Sounds good in theory, but trying to find all the right carrying containers to fit a 2 inch belt was almost impossible. They’re usually all leather too, so you could wind up spending lots of money.

Then I stumbled on the Tactical Jacket sold by scottevest http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/40_Tactical_Jacket.shtml (no, unfortunately the model in the photo is not I). What a find! I now have a black jacket that holds all these items plus I can put my clipboard and sketch paper in a pocket behind my back. It’s really warm, too. I can also wear it with the fleece or in the Spring, just use the fleece by itself. I just love this jacket. Yeah, with all my gear I look like a cross between a cop and the Terminator, but that works in my favor.

I can’t recommend their jackets any more highly. Now if only someone on ebay would buy all my cop gear;)

John Simpson, MAI