Leather thickness, density, weight....

[Tennessee Smith]

Hey all, I'm enduring a battle of the bulge so to speak. I'm working off 30+ pounds and my gift to myself is a new jacket. The only Indy jacket I've owned has been a brief one with Todd's $150 version. I had to send it back because it was too short but it was also really thin IMO.

I want a good thick, durable jacket that can be distressed without fear of destroying the jacket. I've read countless threads on this issue but a lot of people here have said that Todd's standard was a good weight on thickness but I want something more... I don't know, heavier, thicker, more dense.

If anyone out there has a standard and a different version they can compare to, let me know how different the weight is between the 2, 3 or what ever you own.

Thanks,
TS

[jacksdad]

I have the wested goat and it weighs about 3 pounds. Goat skin is very hard to distress. You want a jacket you can abuse and distress get the wested lamb.there are many posts on it on this site. You have the experts who can tell you how and what to use and not to use. They are very good and informative good luck

[Mulceber]

That's because Todd's is made out of lamb. There are some exceptions, but for the most part, lamb jackets are thin. If you want thick I'd go for either cow or goat. Both of those are thick and durable, especially goat. Also, horse might be an option to consider. :junior: -M

[Raider S]

Get a U.S. made jacket that will stand up to years of use. There are several great choices. Your choice will be the goat skin or cow hide. Both have their own good points!

[Rundquist]

Actually goat is not really thick as has been stated above. It is however one of the most durable leathers out there.

[PSBIndy]

My washed goat is actually just as thin or maybe even thinner than my lambskin. My G&B goat is much thicker...feels almost like cowhide.

[CM]

My G&B goat is soft and drapes very well and is wearing in nicely in a matter of weeks. Go goat. Go G&B.

[Tennessee Smith]

I've been leaning towards a US wings cow or a Wested Novapelle, now I'll have to look at the lamb. I'm just concerned they might be close to the thickness of the standard I got awhile back.

[delfloria]

Thin is good in regards to Todd's just so people don't get the wrong impression. I just bought a Todd's standard and I think it's great. Though it's lightweight, the color, and cut is very "Raiders". It even distressed well. As you know it's not a "rugged" jacket for everyday wear but it certainly looks and feels like the kind of costume jacket that would have been used in the film. The lightness of the skin gives it the ability to drape in the same way it would in "Raiders" This is obviously what Todd's was after when picking this leather. For a heavier jacket like the CS version, the Wested Novapelle looks like a good bet. I also took a look at the G&B goat version but the dark brown color had a strangely purplish red hue to it. It's a heavy duty jacket that would take whatever you could dish out.

[TomK]

I have a Wested HH and it feels like a coat of armour. Before I got it worn in and softened down a bit it would stand up on its own.

I initially ordered a Wested lamb and although it was one of the most beautiful jackets I've ever seen I returned it as it was just too lightweight and thin for my liking. I like a leather jacket to have some body to it. The standard cut was also far too short for me.

[BlueSkyz]

I too like a jacket with a little heft to it.....cow is my favorite. I've recently added a G&B dark vintage nappa to the herd and,while I seem to be the only one they will make one for,have a new favotite. It should be an option on their list for this jacket because,unlike goat,it ages and breaks in quickly with little work other than 'wearing' it.

[HDRnR]

Goat is highly abrasion resistant, so natural distressing will take a long time. Horsehide is probably the tuffest that will distress yet remain incredibly strong. I have horsehide jackets that are fifty years old and still tuff as nails. Cowhide probably easier than horse to distress but not as tuff, tho could be the right balance between distressability and tuffness. Lamb is for fashion mainly, might distress easily but I'd be wary of how hard its used and abused. I would think a lighter horsehide would be perfect, 4oz I think would be a bit too heavy for this type jacket, it would stand up on its own.

[bobjones]

.....I also took a look at the G&B goat version but the dark brown color had a strangely purplish red hue to it. It's a heavy duty jacket that would take whatever you could dish out.

I wonder if the fact that like my brown Aero, the G&B is also chrome dyed has something to do with the reddish/purplish tonality.

This is a bit annoying I must say, but it appears only when the jacket is viewed under strong direct sunlight. Would you agree?

[Tennessee Smith]

Thanks again for the replies everyone. Does anyone have a pic of the purple hue discussed on the G&B?

[delfloria]

Good catch. I've only seen it under hash direct sunlight.

[bobjones]

I read here that the G&B goat is 3 oz. The Aero FQHH, like Lost Worlds' stuff, is at least 5 oz., by comparison.

That being said, when one has the G&B lamb and Goat swatches in hand, the lamb feels very delicate compared to the goat. If you fold or scratch the lamb with a fingernail, it retains the mark, while the goat doesn't show either.

I am quite impressed with the G&B goat, at first I thought goatskin would be like wearing a leather shirt, but it is really quite tough stuff.

[weaponx24]

where does the wested site offer the novapelle option? is it only on the custom orders?

[CM]

I read here that the G&B goat is 3 oz. The Aero FQHH, like Lost Worlds' stuff, is at least 5 oz., by comparison.

That being said, when one has the G&B lamb and Goat swatches in hand, the lamb feels very delicate compared to the goat. If you fold or scratch the lamb with a fingernail, it retains the mark, while the goat doesn't show either.

I am quite impressed with the G&B goat, at first I thought goatskin would be like wearing a leather shirt, but it is really quite tough stuff.

I know others think differently, but any 5 oz. jackets I have had are almost unwearable, even with treatment, washing, etc. They are stiff heavy and uncomfortable. 3 oz. goat is soft and pliable and very very strong. The best of everything in one (unfortunate) animal.

[bobjones]

I know others think differently, but any 5 oz. jackets I have had are almost unwearable, even with treatment, washing, etc. They are stiff heavy and uncomfortable. 3 oz. goat is soft and pliable and very very strong. The best of everything in one (unfortunate) animal.

I can understand that. When I first got the Aero, I was like dang, how the heck is this Abrams tank ever going to be a wearable piece of clothing?

But I have put the fight into it hard, sitting on it, rolling it up, wearing it alot (from March to May outdoors and inside since) and it has softened up ALOT. It is still MUCH stiffer than the Expo, but one can start to see a significant change in only a few months.

The FQHH is a totally different "feel" of a jacket, the look of course is different, and is not to be thought of anywhere near a lighweight "Indy" jacket. A longer FQHH like mine is meant for colder weather where you need a thicker, heavier layer (whereas the shorter FQHH motorcycle jackets like the Highwayman have their own functionality...).

This is what helps me decide what to buy; namely when and how will the item be worn. I do love both the G&B and Aero, and will find plenty of opportunities to wear both over the coming 7-8 months.

Don't know how the Florida/So. Cal COWers keep their excitement in check, looking forward to those 3 days in January you can actually wear the jacket outside...

[scot2525]

I've been leaning towards a US wings cow or a Wested Novapelle, now I'll have to look at the lamb. I'm just concerned they might be close to the thickness of the standard I got awhile back.

The Wested novapelle gets my vote for a more durable every day jacket. I have one and love it. I also have a Wested lamb and love it as well except it doesn't fit me. I will definitely purchase another lamb skin jacket as well and I am currently leaning towards the Todd Costumes version.

[Raider S]

I've been leaning towards a US wings cow or a Wested Novapelle, now I'll have to look at the lamb. I'm just concerned they might be close to the thickness of the standard I got awhile back.

The Wested novapelle gets my vote for a more durable every day jacket. I have one and love it.

Don't know if I could agree one is more durable than the other. Are you simply talking leather or construction too?

[PSBIndy]

HH, Novapelle, Cowhide, and Goat are all very durable leathers. Let's face it, for 99.9% of the time when we wear these jackets, nothing's going to happen to these leathers....that is, unless you're crazy enough to deliberately try to cut holes in your jacket to see how tough it is. The way the jacket's put together (the construction) is the big unknown...the stitching, the lining, zippers, etc. However, if you buy these jackets from reputable dealers like Wested, G&B, USW, Magnoli, etc., it shouldn't be a problem.

[CM]

I know others think differently, but any 5 oz. jackets I have had are almost unwearable, even with treatment, washing, etc. They are stiff heavy and uncomfortable. 3 oz. goat is soft and pliable and very very strong. The best of everything in one (unfortunate) animal.

I can understand that. When I first got the Aero, I was like dang, how the heck is this Abrams tank ever going to be a wearable piece of clothing?

But I have put the fight into it hard, sitting on it, rolling it up, wearing it alot (from March to May outdoors and inside since) and it has softened up ALOT. It is still MUCH stiffer than the Expo, but one can start to see a significant change in only a few months.

The FQHH is a totally different "feel" of a jacket, the look of course is different, and is not to be thought of anywhere near a lighweight "Indy" jacket. A longer FQHH like mine is meant for colder weather where you need a thicker, heavier layer (whereas the shorter FQHH motorcycle jackets like the Highwayman have their own functionality...).

This is what helps me decide what to buy; namely when and how will the item be worn. I do love both the G&B and Aero, and will find plenty of opportunities to wear both over the coming 7-8 months.

Don't know how the Florida/So. Cal COWers keep their excitement in check, looking forward to those 3 days in January you can actually wear the jacket outside... :P

Had an Aero Highwayman for 4 years - I never liked it and could never get it to feel comfortable. Maybe it's like wool - some peoole are just never comfortable wearing it.

[bobjones]

Had an Aero Highwayman for 4 years - I never liked it and could never get it to feel comfortable. Maybe it's like wool - some peoole are just never comfortable wearing it.

Isn't Melbourne rather warm? A FQHH needs ALOT of wear and pounding to soften up; perhaps the climate wasn't conducive to daily wear for months at a time?

[CM]

Had an Aero Highwayman for 4 years - I never liked it and could never get it to feel comfortable. Maybe it's like wool - some peoole are just never comfortable wearing it.

Isn't Melbourne rather warm? A FQHH needs ALOT of wear and pounding to soften up; perhaps the climate wasn't conducive to daily wear for months at a time?

Melbourne can be warm but there are several months where it is cold. 6 to 10 degrees with a freezing wind. My background is European and I tell you Melbourne is as cold as I've ever felt.... No. teh thick leather just doesn't work for me. I've tried jackets that have been worn for 20 plus years. If it's too thick, I don't like the feel. I think that's why goat is so great for me. Maximum strength without the suffering and the wearing in. H***, with goat you could be wearing a fleece jacket....

[Indiana Strones]

where it is cold. 6 to 10 degrees with a freezing wind

You mean Celsius degrees? :

[Zombie Jones]

where does the wested site offer the novapelle option? is it only on the custom orders?

Yes; Novapelle is currently offered as an option for Wested's custom jackets only.

[gwyddion]

where it is cold. 6 to 10 degrees with a freezing wind

You mean Celsius degrees? :

He probably is: in all the other types of temperature mesurements it would get colder in Melbourne than it would get in the Netherlands, and that just doesn't sound right.

Regards Geert

[CM]

Yes Celcius - it's not Siberia but it is perfectly cold enough for any kind of jacket (and jumper/sweater). Melbourne ranges from 43 degrees farenheit to 108 Farenheit across the year.