What is the favorite leather choice for a jacket?

Prof. Ed · Post by **Prof. Ed** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 7:41 am

Hi all,
Now my curiosity is up. What do you folks think is the best leather for the jacket and why?

Thanks for your explanations in advance,

Prof. Ed

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:33 am

It all depends on what you're looking for.

I'm very happy with my goat jacket though. It is tough as nails and it has broken in nicely by now. It is not as soft and dressy as lamb though, but will live a little longer through wear and tear and has natural water repellency characteristics. I've been told that the goat of today's Wested is very similar in thickness to what the lamb was in the 80's, so that's another good sign I think.
You will probably hear many opinions on the subject. Horse hide seems very nice aswell and I would probably go with that if I were to buy another jacket. It seems very tough, yet softer and more drapy than the goat.
I think Cow is said to keep you a tad warmer then the others aswell... Not sure.

Regards,
Swindiana

IndyMo · Post by **IndyMo** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:34 am

My LC version is Goat - The texture of the leather is soft but very durable. The color and the way it drapes also makes this a nice choice.

Mike

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 1:02 pm

Has anyone seen a Horsehide next to a Cowhide? Which is thicker? I've seen a Cowhide and it seemed bulletproof!

The lamb is a thing of buttery beauty, but the goat is more practical day to day and every day. I think it is a good compromise between 'the look' and reality!

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 4:37 pm

I love the goat. The weight, feel, drape, water repellency and toughness makes it all most perfect IMO.

I spent today out hiking. I was sure I was doing some serious distressing to the back panel as I was squeezing through a crevasse. Low and behold when I took it off and looked I hadn't added a scratch to it. Goat skins is tough.

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 4:52 pm

Goat is the best qualities of being hard wearing, while having some of the softness & drape of Lamb to match what you see on screen

Mr. Das · Post by **Mr. Das** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 5:43 pm

I started with a lamb, got a goat, sold both and bought a lamb. I've been wearing it for a while now, and I really miss my goatskin jacket.

Rusty Jones · Post by **Rusty Jones** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 12:03 am

Its hard to say what's 'best' because different people want different jackets but if I had to nominate a leather to run for president it would be goat... great look/feel with good durability... and because we're talking about leathers I'm gonna go ahead and add my 2 cents that I add whenever i talk about them:

I've only owned 1 jacket but to me dark brown looks more screen acurate than authentic brown...

But I havent been here too long, but I've never heard of someone who got goat wishing they got a different leather...

Axel · Post by **Axel** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 3:34 pm

I wore a cowhide Cooper Indy jacket for about ten years until it was ruined by a dry cleaner during a cleaning. I replaced it with a goatskin Expo from G&B. The goatskin has a smoother feel to it and is much lighter. I like it very much.

Axel

JAN · Post by **JAN** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 3:39 pm

Skippy wrote:

Goat is the best qualities of being hard wearing, while having some of the softness & drape of Lamb to match what you see on screen

So If You want an Indiana Jones jacket, You´ll get a lamb

Best regards

JAN

Last Crusader · Post by **Last Crusader** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 3:53 pm

For leather jackets in general there is nothing better than horse hide. I own several aviator jackets made of horse hide or steer hide. The horse is warm and the most durable and long living leather. And when you wear it often it becomes very soft.
For every day wear I recommend the goat leather for the Wested. For screen accuracy and distressing go for the lamb.

Gobler · Post by **Gobler** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:43 pm

Well folks I must say that the new goat from Wested is the best. As many people will tell you (when they get back) that it's soft and drapes like the lamb. Dr.J was more then impressd

If you never have ordered a jacket or you have a lamb then I strongly suggest the goat. My 2cents.

Cheers,
Jeff

Indyjim · Post by **Indyjim** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:55 pm

Goat!........no, cow!..............no, lamb!............no uh

Seriously, I have all three. They're all nice, they're all different. Depends what you want and what you might use it for.

IllinoisJones · Post by **IllinoisJones** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:58 pm

GOAT is awesome, I think GOAT would be the best bet. I love my WESTED GOAT. GOAT is soft but durable, making it ideal I think for a more realisitic material for the Indy jacket. If you remember anthing from my post let it be GOAT. Illinois Oh and did I mention GOAT?!!!

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:33 am

I have to chime in on the horsehide....toughest leather I have ever owned. It was a bit stiff when new, but pliable when worked with the fingers, after about 2-3 months of wear, the leather is "relaxing" a bit and some wonderful grain has started popping up all over.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:13 pm

I spoke with Peter Botwright several times about this at the QM and he said that his Horsehide is tough as nails, yet supple and thin. He also said that it is a great color. Peter selects the hides himself.

I am getting a new jacket at Christmas and horsehide is the direction I am leaning toward.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:15 pm

I'll own one someday. It was _ and myself that talked to Peter about offering horsehide YEARS ago, and I'm pleased he finally came 'round to offering one.

Regards! Michaelson

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:48 pm

Hemingway Jones wrote:I spoke with Peter Botwright several times about this at the QM and he said that his Horsehide is tough as nails, yet supple and thin. He also said that it is a great color. Peter selects the hides himself.

I am getting a new jacket at Christmas and horsehide is the direction I am leaning toward.

Anyone have one you got to see?

With all that gear there where must have been a show and tell!

Whenever I've met another gearhead we end up comparing jackets. It's all very worrying.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:07 pm

Michaelson wrote:I'll own one someday. It was _ and myself that talked to Peter about offering horsehide YEARS ago, and I'm pleased he finally came 'round to offering one.

Regards! Michaelson

So, Michaelson, you think that's a good direction to go? I was thinking along the lines that my lamb is taking a beating! -You know how supple they are. Horsehide is along the lines of what was actually worn in those days, so I thought it would hold up better to some of the natural distressing I am putting my jackets through.

Templar, no one had Horsehide, though I was very impressed with the goat and the cowhide. The cowhide is not nearly as heavy as some cowhides I have felt. It is a very good weight.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:11 pm

Yes, it is. You'll probably never have to buy another jacket in your life...as long as the seams hold out.

Goatskin is a close second, but it won't color naturally with use like the HH will.

Like I said, my all time 'dream' hide for a Wested, but one that's been out of reach all these years. Ah well.

Regards! Michaelson

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:49 pm

Hemingway Jones wrote:So, Michaelson, you think that's a good direction to go? I was thinking along the lines that my lamb is taking a beating! -You know how supple they are. Horsehide is along the lines of what was actually worn in those days, so I thought it would hold up better to some of the natural distressing I am putting my jackets through.

Templar, no one had Horsehide, though I was very impressed with the goat and the cowhide. The cowhide is not nearly as heavy as some cowhides I have felt. It is a very good weight.

Hemingway,

Over the last 15 years or so I have owned some cheap jackets and some good ones; in cow, goat and lamb. Although I have never owned any of the Indy jackets in any other hide, I can't stress enough what a remarkable leather the horsehide is...its supple for its weight and is very strong as Peter described. And as I stated above, with wear, it has started to take on loads of character-wrinkles and patterns in the grain coming through. And I can only wait for the coloring to come through as Michaelson describes. I would get one if I were you - you won't be disappointed.

If only I lived a bit closer I would have considered the QM summit...but the financials weren't in the picture

I'll try and post some pics of my jacket again to show some of the things I describe.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:52 pm

Thanks for the information, BJones. I appreciate it. Yes, I get a bonus at the end of the year and part of it will go toward this jacket (and to pay off this new computer. 8-[ ).

VP · Post by VP » Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:49 am

Hemingway Jones wrote:this new computer. 8-[

Specs?

Dr._J · Post by **Dr._J** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 12:58 pm

Gobler wrote:Well folks I must say that the new goat from Wested is the best. As many people will tell you (when they get back) that it's soft and drapes like the lamb. Dr.J was more then impressd

The goat that Wested now uses is by far the BEST they have ever offered. It's soft with an incredible drape, AND built to last! It's softer than my Flightsuits goat that I've owned for over three years (and have manually softened every way possible)! Plus the color is similar to the authentic lamb. I was going to get an authentic lamb, but now I'm thinking...

Regards, Dr. J

P.S. Jeff, you'd better lock up that jacket. I know where you live.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 4:59 pm

VP wrote:
Hemingway Jones wrote:this new computer. 8-[
Specs?

Sure, VP. You know me, and that I am an Apple guy. I bought an iBook 1.42 Ghz PowerPC G4 with 1 GB of SDRAM; 80 Gig Harddrive; Superdrive CDR and DVDR; Bluetooth, running OS 10.4.3. It sure is an improvement from my 10 Gig Firewire Clamshell.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:13 pm

Hemingway Jones wrote:
VP wrote:
Hemingway Jones wrote:this new computer. 8-[
Specs?

U sure he wasn't commenting on your new avatar?

Nice machine HJ It's faster than my AlBook. Bet the clamshell seems like a sloth on valium in comparison. OSX is brilliant but you need power. (Ohh, just had a Biff Tannen flashback).

On topic, anyone find out what leather Peter was wearing?

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:17 pm

Thanks KT,
The funny thing about that Clamshell is you get attached to it; it had a nice feel. I actually felt bad retiring it, but it was 6 yeats old and I was due for a new one.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:21 pm

Kt Templar wrote:
On topic, anyone find out what leather Peter was wearing?

Did you mean Peter Botwright? He was wearing polo shirts just about everytime I saw him. Excellent fellow.

VP · Post by VP » Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:47 am

Hemingway Jones wrote:80 Gig Harddrive

Hmm, pretty small. Mine is 240.

Back on topic. My favorite thus far is lamb, but my opinion may change in the future when I get more jackets.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:33 am

VP wrote:
Hemingway Jones wrote:80 Gig Harddrive
Hmm, pretty small. Mine is 240.

Back on topic. My favorite thus far is lamb, but my opinion may change in the future when I get more jackets.

Well that is huge for a lap-top, young man. That is a ridiculous amount of storage to be lugging around with you, entirely superfluous for a portable.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:00 am

Hey VP that's not on a laptop? They don't do laptop HD's that big do they? My desktop has 2 x 250gb in it.

On topic, yes there are quite a few pics of Peter B wearing his jacket wondered what he was sporting. Surprised he didn't brind a sample of each leather and colour just for general reference.

VP · Post by VP » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:20 am

Mine is a desktop one, yes. 1*80+1*160

Prof. Ed · Post by **Prof. Ed** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:04 pm

Well, gents: Now I know what kind of leather to get and I'll see if the computer stuff is an extra available from the jacket maker! LOL

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:42 pm

Sorry Prof. Ed! I must admit the horse has me intregued.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:53 pm

If it is any help or encouragement, I am going to order a Horsehide in a few weeks. I was fortunate enough to have Peter measure me at the QM. You simply cannot pass up a chance like that. I'll probably order mine in early December, or maybe next week; who knows!

Dr._J · Post by **Dr._J** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:51 pm

Tone,

Do you have a goat AND a lamb? I saw your distressed jacket at the QM and assumed it was Lamb.

Regards,

Dr. J

Dr._J · Post by **Dr._J** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:00 pm

That new goat is awesome! Gotta get me one of those.

Regards, Dr. J

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 5:02 pm

Indiana_Tone wrote:Always love to see the horsehide pics go up here! I'm on this dark brown kick (new goat is dark brown) and the horsehide looks too non-dark brown, I guess. But BJones has one and that thing looked terrific!

I'm glad I got a goat though. It's been getting chilly in the mornings, lately.

Thanks Tone it keeps looking better as it breaks in! Yeah the HH is a bit lighter than than the dark brown goat or lamb, but its darker than the authentic from what I can tell, and that was enough for me.

Way to go Hemingway! You are SOOOO gonna love that jacket when you get it!

Today I think I found the lower temp limit on the Wested...it was 27 degrees F this morning when I left for work, and it came right through the jacket....I think the coldest I would wear it comfortably would be about 35 degrees F. Throwing a fleece vest under it helped quite a bit, bit wearing layers has never been very cozy to me....

Dr._J · Post by **Dr._J** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 5:33 pm

Bjones,

How's about a picture of the horsehide Wested?

Regards, Dr. J

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 5:42 pm

Dr._J wrote:Bjones,

How's about a picture of the horsehide Wested?

Regards, Dr. J

You can find pics of mine brand spankin' new here:

viewtopic.php?t=12237&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I'll try to post some recent ones to show some break-in this weekend when I get time.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:36 pm

Thanks Bjones!
I'll probably be ordering it so. Just think about it is driving me MAD!!!!

Yours looks awesome.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:45 pm

Bjones wrote:Today I think I found the lower temp limit on the Wested...it was 27 degrees F this morning when I left for work, and it came right through the jacket....I think the coldest I would wear it comfortably would be about 35 degrees F. Throwing a fleece vest under it helped quite a bit, bit wearing layers has never been very cozy to me....

Your exactly right. Freezing is about as low as you can go with a Wested without something heavy underneath. I had pretty much the same experience today as well. Although the air temp was about 30F the wind chill droped it down to about 20. It was a bloody cold walk to class and back this morning. It had me looking at a few of Aero's wool lined horsehide jackets when I got home.

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:04 pm

Yeah, I think an Aero is my next purchase. Now that I have a horsehide jacket, the lure of the heavy front quarter horsehide is calling. Either the Cossack or Half-belt (reg or long-can't decide) with the Alpaca wool lining. There's just something about horsehide in general that really appeals to me now-I've got the HH bug. I don't think I'll ever buy another jacket in cow or lamb again.

VP · Post by VP » Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:37 am

It was 30 degrees Fahrenheit today, and I was fairly comfortable in it. I had a sweater, a T-shirt and a scarf under the jacket.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:19 pm

Sweather is the key word there VP.

With something heavy like that under may Wested I can take some pretty cold temp. Its just when you try a t-shirt on a cold day that it doesn't work.

VP · Post by VP » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:20 pm

I wear a sweater almost all the time except in the summer.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 7:52 pm

Hmm, goat is sounding pretty good. Is there much color differnce in Lamb and goat? I've seen several say they got a dark brown goat. (HH sounds kind of nice too, but rather untested at the moment)

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:42 pm

J_Weaver wrote:
Your exactly right. Freezing is about as low as you can go with a Wested without something heavy underneath. I had pretty much the same experience today as well. Although the air temp was about 30F the wind chill droped it down to about 20. It was a bloody cold walk to class and back this morning. It had me looking at a few of Aero's wool lined horsehide jackets when I got home.

Leather is not the warmest of fabrics. I have a goat-skin and Thinsulate lined Flying Tiger jacket from LL Bean. I wear it when it gets Boston cold. My lamb is good with a light wool sweater, but I wouldn't wear it beneath, 30 degress F, especially if I going to be standing around.

What is the favorite leather choice for a jacket?

What is the favorite leather choice for a jacket?

Get Your Goat...