SCOTTeVEST TEC Hat review

REVIEW – Last summer I reviewed the first version TEC Hat by SCOTTeVEST, and while I really liked the idea of a hat with a hidden compartment and Personal Area Network (PAN), the TEC Hat just didn’t work for me because it was too small – in fact it fit me like a beanie.

This summer, Scott is at it again. He has released the next version of their TEC Hat, and this time I am much more pleased with the fit. In keeping with the new design, there is a newer, updated logo patch on the front.

Once again, the TEC Hat is composed of a cotton shell treated with Teflon to repell water and lined in Cool Max. It is available in Stone Charcoal Gray and Hunter Green, which as you can see is the color I received. The basic design of the new style is reminiscent of the first version, in that there is a zippered pocket on the right side of the cap that opens to reveal a mesh-lined area large enough for a credit card, bill, or a key.

This is a really convenient feature because it can eliminate the need to carry a wallet when the user is at the lake for the day, or any other place where one might be inconvenient. The back is still finished with an adjustable leather strap that slides into a matte brass colored keeper.

The interior of the hat is lined in Cool Max mesh. The only fault that I can find in the construction of this new version, which may or may not be an issue with anyone else, is the new leather inner head band. I liked the way the old version had the cushy Cool Max mesh on the part that actually touched the wearer’s forehead. It’s been replaced in V2.0 with a leather band, which is fine on cool days, but when it is warmer the band will get slick if the wearer is outside and breaks a sweat.

The V2.0 cap also features the same PAN loops as the original; these are perfect for holding earbud wires. Here’s something cool that I discovered – really small digital music players, like this

1GB MPIO, can be tucked into the zippered compartment. Adding a set of earbuds on a shortened wire would create a digital music hat. All that’s needed to accomplish this is a small reinforced cable opening somewhere in the lining of the pocket. How fun would it be if the digital music player’s controls could be integrated into the bill of the hat? But I digress…

The bill of the TEC Hat has a compartment that secures with Velcro. It is large enough for small loose items, such as ticket stubs, smaller sized keys, coins and the like.

What sets this new version completely apart from the original is the way that it fits. The first version barely covered the top of my head, whereas this new one fits exactly as I like my caps to fit.

The TEC Hat worn with the SeV T-Shirt

This newest version has made the TEC Hat a cap that I am happy to wear. I like the added functionality of the zippered pocket and the earbud loops, and best of all – I like the way that this cap fits. If you spend a lot of time outdoors and you want a hat that complements your gadget addiction, then the SeV TEC Hat should do quite nicely.

Price: $19.99

Pros:
Fits my head the way I like my caps to fit!
Hidden pockets
Quality materials
Innovative design

Cons:
Leather headband will get slick when the wearer sweats