Horsehide vs. Horsehide
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afrayedknot
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Horsehide vs. Horsehide
Has anyone with a Wested HH had the opportunity to compare it to horsehide from other jacket manufacturers? How do they compare in quality?
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viper80134
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Michaelson
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I know this is pretty useless, because I can't compare it to anything, but I have a horsehide, and it seems really high quality. The leather is very soft, despite being very tough, and feels high quality.
I'm no expert, but since there's been a lack of actual comparison replies, I thought I'd try and help out.
I'm no expert, but since there's been a lack of actual comparison replies, I thought I'd try and help out.
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Michaelson
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Ok.
I've had several examples of the Wested horse hide in sample material, and have owned a horsehide WIngs A-2. The HH from Wested has a smoother grain than the one I had from Wings. The Wings jacket reminded me of a lighter weight cowhide, but with almost the same grain as cowhide.
They were definitely different tanning processes.
Regards! Michaelson
I've had several examples of the Wested horse hide in sample material, and have owned a horsehide WIngs A-2. The HH from Wested has a smoother grain than the one I had from Wings. The Wings jacket reminded me of a lighter weight cowhide, but with almost the same grain as cowhide.
They were definitely different tanning processes.
Regards! Michaelson
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Indiana Johnson
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Just found this, so let me add my $.02. I have the Wested HH, and an Aero HH 1940 A2 (the modern day repro, not an original).
The Wested is definitely a good quality leather. It is soft and drapes well, but obviously tough and a good thickness. I've often described the color as flat and somewhat lifeless, lacking the vintage look that cow or lambskin develops quickly. I do love it and wear it often. The leather quality is head and shoulders above that of your standard department store leather jackets, and the custom fit is outstanding.
The Aero is much stiffer, but also noticeably thicker. I dont necessarily know if thicker is better, but this jacket feels darn near bullet proof. so I will ASSUME this hide will last longer, although I cant see my Wested wearing out soon. The drawback is that the break-in for the Aero is far longer, I've been wearing the jacket all winter and it is still stiff. I hear they take years to break in well, and this is only the first year I've had mine. I've resorted to beating it with a stick to attempt softening it a little. The color is outstanding, full of varying shades with tons of character. Do I love it? Absolutely.
The Wested costs around $300-350 US depending on current exchange rates. My Aero was well over $700. I would expect the Aero to be a better quality leather for that much of a price increase, and I believe it is. But the Wested is no slouch. Especially when you consider the price. I've owned around 15 leather jackets over the last 20 years, and would say for the price, Wested is the best quality there is.
DISCLAIMER: I've never sampled a US Wings or G&B horsehide jacket, my post reflects views obtained from only what I've owned or examined.
Cheers!
The Wested is definitely a good quality leather. It is soft and drapes well, but obviously tough and a good thickness. I've often described the color as flat and somewhat lifeless, lacking the vintage look that cow or lambskin develops quickly. I do love it and wear it often. The leather quality is head and shoulders above that of your standard department store leather jackets, and the custom fit is outstanding.
The Aero is much stiffer, but also noticeably thicker. I dont necessarily know if thicker is better, but this jacket feels darn near bullet proof. so I will ASSUME this hide will last longer, although I cant see my Wested wearing out soon. The drawback is that the break-in for the Aero is far longer, I've been wearing the jacket all winter and it is still stiff. I hear they take years to break in well, and this is only the first year I've had mine. I've resorted to beating it with a stick to attempt softening it a little. The color is outstanding, full of varying shades with tons of character. Do I love it? Absolutely.
The Wested costs around $300-350 US depending on current exchange rates. My Aero was well over $700. I would expect the Aero to be a better quality leather for that much of a price increase, and I believe it is. But the Wested is no slouch. Especially when you consider the price. I've owned around 15 leather jackets over the last 20 years, and would say for the price, Wested is the best quality there is.
DISCLAIMER: I've never sampled a US Wings or G&B horsehide jacket, my post reflects views obtained from only what I've owned or examined.
Cheers!
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nicktheguy
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I just received my HH last week- and I also have an Aero Barnstormer in HH.
The Wested HH is wonderful and wears well. You know you're wearing a tough jacked when it's on, but without the stiffness that the Aero HH brings. With the Aero, lifting your arms becomes a bit of a workout after a while as the hide is so thick - on the other hand if I was to fall off a motorcycle, the Aero would be the jacket I would prefer to wear. Saying this, the Wested hide is thick and tough, but not as tough as the Aero IMO.
The Wested is a beautiful jacket I must say.
The Wested HH is wonderful and wears well. You know you're wearing a tough jacked when it's on, but without the stiffness that the Aero HH brings. With the Aero, lifting your arms becomes a bit of a workout after a while as the hide is so thick - on the other hand if I was to fall off a motorcycle, the Aero would be the jacket I would prefer to wear. Saying this, the Wested hide is thick and tough, but not as tough as the Aero IMO.
The Wested is a beautiful jacket I must say.
Wested HH and Aero FQHH, they are both high quality, but very different. Its apples and oranges really. You would need the aero midweight hide to make a good comparison. Besides weight, the finishes on the hides Aero uses are very succeptable to wear (i.e distresses easily), and the wested looks new for some time. Both are tough, but FQHH is way at the top end.