Multi-pocket jacket to beat airline baggage fees

Chris4

You may remember back in 2010 Martin introduced the idea of 'wearing your baggage' to avoid budget airline fees URL="http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/travel/2010/08/multi-pocket-jackets-take-off-to-beat-airline-baggage-fees"]link[/URL and stores such as Debenham's reported a 350% increase in sales on multi-pocket jackets.

I'm usually fine with taking only carry-on, however I recently booked a return flight with WizzAir and it's going to cost us £27pp for a standard-sized cabin bag (yes, really) or £53pp for a checked-in bag. That could pay for a third person!

So to avoid this, I've been researching a multi-pocket coat / vest to store baggage, which MSE users have reported URL="https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3339962"]link[/URL gets around the restrictions no problem.

A lot of the links that were provided on the old forum posts no longer work URL="https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2577611"]link[/URL, such as products on SportsDirect, so I'm deal-hunting for a 2015 multi-pocket jacket.

The Rufus Roo is no longer available. There's a few AyeGear brand jackets designed for this purpose, but are £80+. Various reviews for multi-pocket gilets designed for outdoor use (fishing/hiking/camera) report they worked okay, such as this £23.98 one on Amazon. There's this £13 outdoor vest on dealextreme.

I think an ideal feature for me, which Martin pointed out, is having a large "poachers pocket" which will allow for a large quantity of items.

Has anyone done this themselves and have a recommended jacket? Or seen a decent-priced jacket that could do the trick?

torbrex

I have a billet that I picked up in Lidl a few years ago that I always wear when on flights.
Not exactly stylish but it has plenty of pockets and works for me.

PeacefulWaters

They do have a negative point.

They make you look like you've got a bomb strapped to you!

antenna

Seen for five pounds at my local market or at your local boot sale

tomtontom

torbrex wrote: »

I have a billet that I picked up in Lidl a few years ago that I always wear when on flights.
Not exactly stylish but it has plenty of pockets and works for me.

Do you mean a gilet?

Stevie_Palimo

Think I'd rather pay the additional charges than look like a clown to be honest.

richardw

There's no guarantee that there'll be space for it in the overhead locker if the flight is busy, can you pay for priority boarding on Wizzair? Or would you just wear it in your seat?

DUKE

I rather like the black one myself, a bit police wo/man-ish for anyone on a power trip. Although pickpockets would have a field day with these.

Chris4

Thanks for all your replies so far.

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Think I'd rather pay the additional charges than look like a clown to be honest.

richardw wrote: »

There's no guarantee that there'll be space for it in the overhead locker if the flight is busy, can you pay for priority boarding on Wizzair? Or would you just wear it in your seat?

Well that's the downside to this is - the possibility of looking a bit silly - but who says you have to wear it the whole time? I'd probably hang it over my suitcase in the airport until it was absolutely necessary (when getting on the flight?). And I'm sure there will be room to stuff it under my seat or overhead in the plane.

A month prior to the flight, there was practically no one else booked on my flight. I'm sure that will change closer to take-off, but not sure by how much. We have extra leg room seats right at the front, so we'll be able to get to our seats quickly.

callum9999

I never wore silly coats - I just get creative with normal coats. Stuff the arms with shoes/clothes, fill the pockets, fill the hood and close it with a drawstring. Then I drape it over my arm, which is also holding a small carrier bag with additional stuff in it, hidden from view by the coat.

Though since I got one of the cabin baggage max backpacks I don't really need to do that any more.

Chris4

callum9999 wrote: »

I never wore silly coats - I just get creative with normal coats. Stuff the arms with shoes/clothes, fill the pockets, fill the hood and close it with a drawstring. Then I drape it over my arm, which also contains a small carrier bag with additional stuff in it, hidden from view by the coat.

Yeah I was thinking about that. Good idea.