Travel vests have gotten sleeker and lighter, but can still hold everything

White River Fly Shop Vest: Not strictly a travel vest, but recommended by frequent safari photographer William Cowger; has 12 pockets. Sizes S to 6X. $79 (www.Basspro.com, 1-800-227-7776).

ExOfficio Boracade Vest: 6 pockets with a version for men and another for women. Sizes XS-XXL, $99.95 (www.Rockcreek.com, 1-888-707-6708).

Filson travel vest: 17 pockets for men, 15 for women. Sizes XS-XXL. $185 women, $215 men (www.Filson.com, 1-866-860-8906).

Play it close to the vest.

That’s the motto of travelers who like to wear their valuables on the inside of a travel vest, today’s equivalent of sewing jewels into the seam of your skirt.

“When I went to Peru, I used it instead of using a purse, and I could walk around without feeling like I had to worry about someone grabbing at my purse or backpack,” says Melissa McTaggart, 41, a Sterling Heights, Mich., attorney who frequently travels the world and swears by her Scottevest travel vest. The garment has 22 hidden pockets and can even hold an iPad: “The reason I adore it so much is because no one would think to take this vest or even consider it has hidden pockets.”

Everyone has seen the guy stuffing 100 pounds of camera equipment into the bulky pockets of a travel vest, then lurching around like Herman Munster. Other vests are so sporty they look like a trout should be leaping from the breast pocket.

Some travelers don’t like the look. Or they don’t like the feel of their passport pressed against their beating heart.

“The only time I have seen someone wear one is on a safari when they have binoculars, camera and lenses to carry along with them. In a way, they can defeat the purpose, because we tell our members to blend in when they travel. If you are wearing one of these vests, you look like a tourist,” says Mary Bergeron, travel sales consultant at AAA in Dearborn, Mich., who prefers carrying a small messenger-style bag instead.

The landmark Scottevest, with a smooth-looking exterior concealing nearly two dozen interior storage pockets, has been widely copied in style; these vests are suitable for cooler weather. For hot destinations, travel vests continue to get lighter and lighter, such as the Magellan’s travel vest, which weighs 6 ounces and has eight pockets.

A good travel vest is washable and dries easily, travelers say.

It can easily be removed and put through airport security. It also is a way to skirt weight restrictions.

“We have heard many customers pack the pockets to go through (airport) security, using it as a second carry-on bag,” Staneff says.

A travel vest works great — as long as you don’t accidentally take it off, leave it hanging on the back of a chair and walk away.