best jacket for your money

ortiz344 · Post by **ortiz344** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:54 am

here we go, please no flame wars:
you got 400-
buy 1 jacket, the rest goes for whatever extra stuff ya want

what jacket do you buy....

<me> a wested rotla special , or a todds, as cheap as you can get and pretty accurate...

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:45 am

Buy Todd's standard, cheapest choice. That way you have a decent jacket and can spend the rest on something else, like an AB shirt.

Just an opinion.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:58 am

You need to define 'best'. Are you going for costume example or 'best' in performance overall?

I'm old school. I want something that will last beyond just 'looking good' or 'SA'. I want mil spec, as the 'details' don't bother me one way or the other. If it's not functional, it's just window dressing to me.

The only two that leaves on the table for me without question are either a G&B Expedition or a U. S. Wings. Yep, that blows the entire $400 budget, but it and the fedora are the most important 'tools' of wear in my book, and that's the way I think.

New contenders:

The Wested Horsehide is looking good, after reading Jens field report of his in use on his last dig. Actions speak louder than words, and his Wested HH appears to have made the grade for my requirements.

I've also been quite impressed with the performance of my Todd's custom to date, but haven't had the chance this winter to wear it enough to state it meets totally my criteria just yet. It's looking really good so far, though.....

That said, though, I own (or have owned) one or more examples of just about every jacket that's come down the pipeline since the beginning, and currently have a Todds Custom, U. S. Wings VIP, 2 Wested (cloth and custom 'Fedora' model) and a Magnoli custom cloth at this time.

Regards! Michaelson

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:27 am

If you are looking to spend as little as possible on a quality jacket, I would recommend Todd's Standard without hesitation. It was one of the most startling purchases I ever made. I expected it to be a bit flimsy and cheap-looking, but got a jacket that you can't even tell apart from Todd's $500 Custom jacket in photos.

I've never owned a jacket that more closely matches my idea of what the Raiders jacket should look like. And to cap it all off, it fits me like a custom jacket.

I can't guarantee you will be that lucky with the fit, but I've read very few critical reviews of the Standard to date. Most who buy them love them.

The one caveat is the thinness of the leather. As Michaelson suggested, if you prefer a real world jacket and don't care very much about SA, you may be happier with something from G&B or US Wings, but they would cost a lot more.

Jack

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:18 pm

Todd's if you aren't planning on going through a briar patch anytime soon, because the leather is thin. There are other more expensive choices if you want a jacket that is tough as nails, but it probably will look like half inch thick leather (I'm exaggerating a wee bit).

St. Dumas · Post by **St. Dumas** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:18 pm

Or $400 as the first of four layaway payments for a Tony Nowak Indy jacket.

SD

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:41 pm

I'm inclined to support the notion that Todd's standard is the best of the budget jackets. A word to the wise, though... if the pattern is based on his original one, it may not be a good fit for the "horizontally gifted" if you catch my drift. I found out first hand that his custom pattern does not favor those of the large persuasion, unless your Fit-but-Large. Todd did say he was working on a new pattern for that kind of body shape, but I don't know if the standards will incorporate that. Ask before committing to buy.

Otherwise, the Todd standard has my support.

CM · Post by CM » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:33 pm

Michaelson wrote:You need to define 'best'. Are you going for costume example or 'best' in performance overall? :-k

I'm old school. I want something that will last beyond just 'looking good' or 'SA'. I want mil spec, as the 'details' don't bother me one way or the other. If it's not functional, it's just window dressing to me.

Regards! Michaelson

Yeah! I don't want to wear an ornament.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:06 pm

I can't recommend one jacket maker over another since I've only really had experience with Wested, but IMO, what is most important to me is not the jacket itself, but its history.

To me, WHO made the jacket is what counts in the end, since let's be honest here: We're only getting these jackets since we want Indy's jacket, so who better to get it from than the guy that actually made it?

As such, I'd only go with either a Cooper ( US Wings?), Nowak, or a Wested. Since I've heard that Cooper's are too 'wide' for slim folks, I've been stuck with custom Westeds. However, hopefully after the new movie comes out, I'll be able to review a Nowak!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:08 pm

Since I've heard that Cooper's are too 'wide' for slim folks, I've been stuck with custom Westeds.

OOOoooo, that was cold!

(Wings fit me just fine!

)

Regards! Michaelson

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:10 pm

What you mean is that US Wings jackets are for more robust and huskier people (I got your back Michaelson )

-Nebraska

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:23 pm

Nebraska Brad wrote: What you mean is that US Wings jackets are for more robust and huskier people (I got your back Michaelson )

-Nebraska

People built like an ox.

rrhanselka · Post by **rrhanselka** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:46 pm

I'm constantly amazed by the folks who don't care about anything except the fact that their jacket "might" have been made by the same guy who 'Might" have made the jacket in the movie. WOW!!!! Folks, they are ALL replicas. Not a single jacket you buy are originals. Sure, I want a jacket that looks like Indy's, but I want a jacket that fits and looks good on ME, not Harrison Ford. I've got jackets from several manufacturers and there are some great jackets out there that are not made by Wested. There, I said it. Sorry Peter, don't want to make you mad, but your jackets don't fit as good as some others. I've got 3 Westeds, a G&B, and a Todd's Standard, and my next jacket will not be a Wested. As a matter of fact, keep a watch out, I may be selling some jackets soon, most of them brand new.

Many Thanks
Randoman

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:18 pm

hmmm well I agree with Michaelson

, you can have things as "SA" as you want but if its not functional there is no real point to it for me. Id rather have something that can be used in the real world and not just as a costume piece. That being said for me the leader would have to be (of whats currently available) the Wested Horse Hide, when you first pick it up you can tell it can take tons of abuse, and then after wearing it for a couple years it hardly shows any wear and has held up GREAT.

Now I do have to say the best "bang for the buck" I would have to say the US Wings special jackets came out quite awhile ago (that were $149 then dropped to what $75?) would take that title. I got that jacket in goat, stripped out the insulation stuff and love how "light" the jacket feels but is extremely tough. I took a fairly nasty spill while hiking when I was wearing it once and there are only a couple of very very light scratches on the jacket, my carhartts on the other hand got torn on some of the rocks

.

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:23 pm

rrhanselka wrote:. Not a single jacket you buy are originals. Sure, I want a jacket that looks like Indy's, but I want a jacket that fits and looks good on ME, not Harrison Ford.

i think you just might be my new best friend

Which of your varied jackets do you like best? What hide Westeds did you get and what didn't you like about them? I can completely understand about some jackets fitting better than others, I like the length of my US Wings better than my Wested but that is the only nit pick I have on my Wested. Are you also in the camp of wanting something functional not just SA?

St. Dumas · Post by **St. Dumas** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:31 pm

rrhanselka wrote:I'm constantly amazed by the folks who don't care about anything except the fact that their jacket "might" have been made by the same guy who 'Might" have made the jacket in the movie.

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you don't seriously think there's any members here who "don't care about anything except" the Wested pedigree. I personally wouldn't begrudge anyone for valuing the Wested higher than the others because it was made by the man who produced the Raiders jackets. For me, that lineage offsets a factor like which has the more screen-accurate inside pocket, which jacket fake distresses better, or which has the brown colour that best approximates how the jacket looked on the set and not on film.

We're all here for our own reasons, and, in keeping with the point of my post -- to each his own.

SD

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:39 pm

Man, that's a tough call! I've got 2 Westeds, and a US Wings, and whenever I think I've decided on my favorite, I put on of the others on and change my mind. They are all great jackets. In terms of styling, they all three have differences from each other and what is seen on the screen, but they are all great jackets. I will say, the one I seem to grab most often these days is my Wings dark brown goat. It's one tough comfortable jacket, and after 4 years it is looking really good. Heres a pic.

[img][img]http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/2293/1006358ij3.th.jpg[/img][/img]

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:43 pm

thats a darn good looking Weston! hard to believe its 4 years old with as little wear as it shows comparatively speaking that is

.

ortiz344 · Post by **ortiz344** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:30 pm

rebelgtp wrote:hmmm well I agree with Michaelson , you can have things as "SA" as you want but if its not functional there is no real point to it for me. Id rather have something that can be used in the real world and not just as a costume piece. That being said for me the leader would have to be (of whats currently available) the Wested Horse Hide, when you first pick it up you can tell it can take tons of abuse, and then after wearing it for a couple years it hardly shows any wear and has held up GREAT.

Now I do have to say the best "bang for the buck" I would have to say the US Wings special jackets came out quite awhile ago (that were $149 then dropped to what $75?) would take that title. I got that jacket in goat, stripped out the insulation stuff and love how "light" the jacket feels but is extremely tough. I took a fairly nasty spill while hiking when I was wearing it once and there are only a couple of very very light scratches on the jacket, my carhartts on the other hand got torn on some of the rocks .

i got one of those wings specials, for 79- bucks , it was awesome, waiting on my todds still, but im assuming they are very light ...

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:44 pm

In my opinion

Raiders
I think best value for money is Todd's standard.
Best money can buy is Wested's custom SA. Todd's special is runner up.
Best construction is Flightsuits.

TOD
Best TOD approximation is US Wings.

LC
Wested

KOTS
Wested (cause it's the only one available)

I have not handled US Auth or other makers so can't comment on those.

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:01 pm

ortiz344 wrote: i got one of those wings specials, for 79- bucks , it was awesome, waiting on my todds still, but im assuming they are very light ...

Did you order the standard Todds or the custom? I've been playing around with the idea of getting one of the Todds standards but then I honestly don't need another jacket at the moment

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:08 pm

.....then I honestly don't need another jacket at the moment

Who does, but that never stops anyone!

Regards! Michaelson

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:13 pm

Michaelson wrote:
.....then I honestly don't need another jacket at the moment
Who does, but that never stops anyone!

Regards! Michaelson

Stop saying things like that...I'm trying to behave myself and you know pay for school and my books and stuff

.

Heck this coming term I have 3 field classes, one at the fossil beds, one at the Columbia River Gorge and one at the coast. I'll have to to put together field reports for each...hmmm I think this might be a fun term

ortiz344 · Post by **ortiz344** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:24 pm

rebelgtp wrote:
ortiz344 wrote: i got one of those wings specials, for 79- bucks , it was awesome, waiting on my todds still, but im assuming they are very light ...
Did you order the standard Todds or the custom? I've been playing around with the idea of getting one of the Todds standards but then I honestly don't need another jacket at the moment

the 149- blue light special

that would be my third indy jacket, no need to splurge

Nameless_One · Post by **Nameless_One** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:18 pm

I'm in a similar situation, except

i don't even have 400 bucks to spend

.

I'm looking at getting a Todd's standard...but looking at the pictures on the website , they don't look like they have that great rich dark brown that the wested's had. I was curious if anyone could tell me how SA they look.

Also when you say Todd's Standard, you're talking about the "off the rack" non tailored jackets right?.

Just checking

.

Post by **Holt** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:25 pm

an of the rack yes

tailor is custom made

best
Holt

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:06 pm

Nameless_One wrote: I'm looking at getting a Todd's standard...but looking at the pictures on the website , they don't look like they have that great rich dark brown that the wested's had. I was curious if anyone could tell me how SA they look.

Just checking .

Todd's standard is off the rack. Here's a thread that shows the color. Scroll down to the tag photo for a good color representation.

viewtopic.php?t=26796&highlight=

Todd's is lighter, Wested's is too dark in my humble opinion. It often looks just short of jet black in photos.

Rex

Nameless_One · Post by **Nameless_One** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:21 pm

Thanks guys. I think I'm sold on getting a Todd's.

That's if i lose this ebay auction im bidding on...for this wested

.

Just trying to figure out if i should get a Medium or a Large. I've read up on it looked at past threads, but still am not sure. I generally wear medium jackets. I'm a little on the shorter side 5'7", but a little rounder heh. I don't want to get the larger size and have it be too "baggy, but if i get the medium i don't want it to be tooo tight...

EDIT- I did see that link rex, i do like the Wested dark a little more, but lighting is such a huge factor that...i probably wouldn't see much of a difference...plus with soem wear and tear it might get darker a little. I have to say i do like the "old skool" tag too

.

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:40 pm

PLATON wrote:In my opinion

Raiders
I think best value for money is Todd's standard.
Best money can buy is Wested's custom SA. Todd's special is runner up.
Best construction is Flightsuits.

TOD
Best TOD approximation is US Wings.

LC
Wested

KOTS
Wested (cause it's the only one available)

I have not handled US Auth or other makers so can't comment on those.

...is the KOTS on Wested's site anywhere?

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:49 pm

Nameless_One wrote: Just trying to figure out if i should get a Medium or a Large. I've read up on it looked at past threads, but still am not sure. I generally wear medium jackets. I'm a little on the shorter side 5'7", but a little rounder heh.

I would look on Todd's site. The sleeve lengths are there for the jacket sizes, measured from the center of the neck to the end of the cuff. The medium may fit you, but the jacket's do run slightly small, but I think that mainly has to do with the cut for screen accuracy. I'm not sure how a Todd's would fit on someone who's not a relatively lightweight guy like myself. The fit might not be the greatest.

DOHERTYJAX · Post by **DOHERTYJAX** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:19 pm

I just ordered my Todd's standard yesterday. Unfortunately I will have to wait, since they are out of my size.