I've been waiting for my piggy bank to tell me that I'm ready to get my first Indy jacket, and up until this point I'd been pretty set on a Wested Raiders. However, after seeing Holt's ToD Magnoli (which looks beautiful), finding that the Wested customization options have fallen dramatically, and noticing that there is a pretty strong G&B fan club out there I am looking for a price/quality comparison between the three. Who gives you the best bang for you buck, and is the nicest to work with? Magnoli vs. Wested vs. G&B.
I'm going for a Raiders jacket (with the trim 80's cut) hopefully in Goat.
Please weigh in. This will probably be the only indy jacket i can afford for a while.
I'm sure all are nice jackets, but one thing to consider is durability - will you want to wear this thing for 10 or 15 years? Of the 3 makers you mention, which do YOU think will give you the most value for the money? Would you rather spend an extra $100 - $200 on something that might be of better construction?
For me, how something is made and how long it will last trumps quite a bit of SA and also trumps getting the cheapest in price.
Durability and Quality definitely trump the cheapest price, but I also think that with that philosophy I can only afford to but a jacket once. lol
Given that, my first priority is aesthetic quality, is it going to look good on me if it lasts for 15 years, second is durability--could it last for 15 years especially if adventured in, and third is screen accuracy. But screen accuracy (at least within reason) would certainly be nice.
Well, my advice is to make up your own mind. You've read all the threads, you know what people think, so why can't you now do what you feel is best?
There are a lot of "what should I buy" threads. You will get people who are fans of all the jackets and still be no closer to your answer.
If I could only have one out of the three you mention I'd probably go with G&B given it's made to military specs and made in the U.S. That's my answer but don't know if it should be yours.
As far as price, again I look at how it's made as the determining factor. I see some jackets that cost a thousand bucks just because of the name. Really, how much more are you getting for that extra four to five hundred? Then again I've experienced $300 jackets that I would have only been comfortable paying $150 for at most.
But honestly, I think the questions of the accuracy of all these jackets have been answered many times. If you need to save a little longer to get something that may last longer, is that such a bad thing?
If you could have only ONE jacket for the next 10-20 years, I'd saved up for Tony Nowak........yes, it's expensive, but you get unmatched durability, unmatched SA (for a CS jacket that is), and a customized fit. It's also sure to be a prized collector's item for years to come. A customized Wested jacket is my 2nd choice (as far as bang-for-the-buck is concerned).
I have a Wested custom Goat. I think it´s awesome. I don´t own any of the other makers out there, but I swear I feel this is one durable jacket. Personally, I think just about any jacket is going to be pretty unpresentable after 10 or 15 years of decent use. If anything the lining will probably be torn up on most jackets by then anyway. So why not just go for something of quality that´s not going to cost an arm and a leg? Just my two cents. I love my Wested Goat. It´s perfect. Not too heavy and not too light. I can wear it in 75 degree weather down to probably 30 with a good sweater under it. Plus it was made by the same people who created the Raiders jacket in the first place. Good luck to you.
IndianaGeo wrote:Personally, I think just about any jacket is going to be pretty unpresentable after 10 or 15 years of decent use.
Make that after 5 years or so!
Truth be told, I think some gearheads here actually would be rooting for that unpresentable look.... I mean, look what they do to their brand new jackets! Seriously though, linings can always be replaced, it's the leather and the stitching you should be worried about.
yes, it's expensive, but you get unmatched durability
Surely we don't know this as they have only been sold for 2 months. An expensive price tag does not mean it is the best product.
I have a Wested Novapelle and the leather feels tough as nails and the workman ship is supurb. I'm confidant it will last for years and was half the price of a Nowak.
But you have to go with your own choice and circumstances.
If you ask me, I would imagine that a "standard" (so to speak) Nowak jacket would not last as long as most would hope, due to the predistressed nature of his "standard" jackets. Considering that here you have a jacket that's already had the heck beat out of it as a hide, and then even further abused after it was made, all this before it arrives at your door, would probably make for a very short life-span.
*Note: I'm using the term "standard" here to refer to jackets from Nowak which have not been specially requested to be UNdistressed.
Well, If you're looking into G&B, you might was well throw Magnoli into the mix.......similar price range, but Magnoli is more customized.....and Holt's TOD looked fantastic!
I don't think current USW jackets use the elastic.
But back to the original question, is it really so hard to make a choice of a jacket to buy? There are literaly thousands of posts here to answer any questions plus a ton of photos - your going to get as many opinions as there are members here.
I wear a seven year old wested lamb. It's had a pretty hard time of it, i've never protected it and this month its had its first ever pecards. If you want to see how a wested lamb hold up before making up your mind, i can emal pics to you.
I went to the links you posted, right clicked the pictures, clicked "properties," and took the URL (trimmed off the "?=v0" flickr added, so that the url ended in .jpg) and posted them in the code just like you did.
After seeing all of the Wested pics (especially KT 's 10 year old beauty) I think I'm going to go with a wested goat. It certainly seems like a testament to their durability and construction. Also, they made the original Raider's jacket, and a bit of a sucker I'm a sucker for "authenticity"
Now I'm trying to decide between getting a Special Offer Raiders or buying a Custom Raiders . Does anyone have both who can offer comparison advice and pics? I understand that they are made from different patterns and slightly different specs, so I think now it comes down to pics.
P.S. I have also posted this as a new topic on the message board, just in hopes of getting a wider photo response, but I'm planning to check both.
Special offer is not made in the UK. Get the custom as the extra few dollars pays UK labor and, though some may disagree, will probably be of overall higher quality.
indycurtis wrote:After seeing all of the Wested pics (especially KT 's 10 year old beauty) I think I'm going to go with a wested goat. It certainly seems like a testament to their durability and construction. Also, they made the original Raider's jacket, and a bit of a sucker I'm a sucker for "authenticity"
Now I'm trying to decide between getting a Special Offer Raiders or buying a Custom Raiders . Does anyone have both who can offer comparison advice and pics? I understand that they are made from different patterns and slightly different specs, so I think now it comes down to pics.
P.S. I have also posted this as a new topic on the message board, just in hopes of getting a wider photo response, but I'm planning to check both.
Thanks!
Just bear in mind that Westeds are generally among the weakest of the Indy jacket offerings. While the leather is more than adequate (except for lambskin, but that’s just the nature of lambskin), their linings wear very easily and their stitching is more prone to fail than any of the other more well known jacket makers. Cheers
PS- Aesthetics are another matter completely. That’s a matter of taste.
Raider S wrote:Special offer is not made in the UK. Get the custom as the extra few dollars pays UK labor and, though some may disagree, will probably be of overall higher quality.
I agree,my special offer raiders is my least favourette jacket.It came with awful shoulder pads(which I took out) and an extra inside pocket with a cheap little zip that just spoiled the drape(which I also removed),d-rings instead of sliders,plus the stitching on one of the pockets came loose after just a few weeks of wear..and as RS said,it is not made in England(it doesn't have the 'made by British craftsman'patch inside.I wish I'd paid the extra and had the custom instead(one good thing-it only took 3 days to come)..
Last edited by mark seven on Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
IndyCurtis,
Say what some will about Wested durability or lack of relative to other makes, but I´ve not heard people complaining about their durability on these boards. All I can say is my Wested Goat is one beautiful piece of work that fits and looks great, takes a beating, and is in my opinion the best value in Britain. I personally think you´ll be quite happy with either a Wested or G&B. If you want something with a cool British flag emblem in it and "Made in Great Britain" then go with Wested. If not, spend a bit more and go with G&B. I believe both are great, really.
I notice the "Crunch" Special Offer is not on the website any longer.
The one I got a few weeks ago had the shoulder pads and really didn't seem up to the level of quality I was expecting. Maybe the other SO jackets are from different sources and therefore better.
I'd much rather pay the extra money to get the UK made jacket. Even if the quality wasn't any better, the idea of a Raiders made in the same place as the originals makes up for the difference.
I'm not knocking all of Wested's OTR jackets,I can only talk about the quality of the one I had..I already had a beautiful Wested custom HH so I think my expectations were maybe a bit too high for the OTR.They ARE good value if you are not a stickler for screen-accuracy,and you want your jacket really quickly...but those shoulder pads were still a bad idea though! BTW,KT your 10 year wested looks fantastic,how come you let that one go?,Stringer,treasure that lambskin,it's gorgeous!
Last edited by mark seven on Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Doug, thanks. I love it too. It really is the perfect jacket, it's just a shame i've let it down my getting older;)
For the debate about durabillity of a Wested....I've not owned any of the other makes, so i can't compare. All i can say is that this jacket has lasted really well.If i'd been giving it a pecards once a year, it would still be in perfect condition. As it is i've been hard on it, had a few unfortunate real life 'adventures' in it. I'd take the same jacket again in a heartbeat.
But that's just me. Everyone had different aily demands for their jackets, so just go with the hide that suits you.
Hi IndyCurtis,
Here´s a video of the goat from Wested. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwdk7dme39M. Hopefully, this link will work. If not, go to youtube and do a search on "Wested Jacket".
Cheers,
IndianaGeo
While a G&B is tempting, I've never owned one. However, I have a Wested, a US Wings, and a Magnoli (but not his Indy style).
Now, the Wested is lovely, but I and others have durability issues, sizing problems, and many have had to go through expensive returns to get the right jacket if they live in the States. Gemma and Peter, though, are great. If I was in the UK, they'd be my first choice, most likely, to deal with.
I find my Wings to be the best off-the-rack fit I have ever encountered on any jacket of any style. And the goatskin is indestructable.
My Magnoli fits like it was made for me... oh, wait. It was. It fits how I thought the Wested would. It is a top quality item, made how you want it made. As for Magnoli himself; He is a rare breed of top-notch vendor in terms of service. A gentleman and by far the best of all I've dealt with in this hobby.
With all that said, don't just take my word for it. Digest the opinions of everyone. Which I suppose it why you started this thread. So... bye...
Thank you guys for all of your feedback! Based on what you've said, and a little extra reading I've been doing, I think this is where I'm at at the current moment...
Wested custom orders seems to be sort of hit or miss and they're customer service has something to be desired. So if I go with a wested, I think I'll stay away from the custom side as returns can be costly and frustrating when coming from the States.
So, sticking with Wested, I'm thinking of getting the Special Offer Raiders OTR which seems to have consistent styling, features and sizing and I'd also say generally positive feedback. It is also literally half the price of the other jackets that I am considering, which is nothing to shake a stick at...
If I go custom, it's down to Magnoli or Todds (which actually gets Fantastic things said about it, as I found as I read more threads). They are about the same price. But Magnoli advertises that any garment can be made of any material, meaning, hopefully, that I can get a jacket in goat. So at the moment, my custom preferences are leaning in the Magnoli direction. But, as mentioned, these are also twice as much as a Wested special offer so I'm still sort of hedging...
indycurtis wrote:
So, sticking with Wested, I'm thinking of getting the Special Offer Raiders OTR which seems to have consistent styling, features and sizing and I'd also say generally positive feedback. It is also literally half the price of the other jackets that I am considering, which is nothing to shake a stick at...
Just so you know the cost of the special offer will be right around $300 once you figure in the conversion, shipping, and if you pay with a credit card and they charge a conversion tax (usually just under $10).
If you did need to return (can happen with OTR as well as custom) the shipping will be just under $40.
If youre a young guy, my suggestion is to buy something a bit bigger than 'perfect' fit because jackets sometimes do shrink a bit and you may get a bit bigger as well.
Just trying to give you more info but I'm guessing we'll be waiting in line for Indy 5 by the time you decide!
I just want to second whats been said about ordering a bit bigger. Regardless of which make you go for, and OTR or custom, err a little on the side of caution.
This isn't saying you're going to expand you waistline or anything like that. My jacket fit me perfectley when i was 21. Im 28 this motnh and...well....things change. Fir the record, i AM overweight at the moment, but that's not the problem. Most men in their early twenties still have filling out to do. You're a different shape heading into your thirties that you were a decade before, and that goes for athletes too.
So if you want this to be THE jacket, order up. Not by much, but enough for some change.
Thanks for the advice. I think that might be the deciding tip right there.
If I'm to expect some non-weight related shape shifting still to occur, then this may be the time to get an off the rack, so a definitive "this jacket will be made custom to look great on you for the rest of your life" jacket can come later. But right now, I'll err on the side of caution. And hopefully by the time the 30's are more fast approaching, I'll have more money to spend on a fancy custom jacket.
Thanks for the help!
P.S. Raider S, I may have decided. And Indy 5 is no closer than it was before....
I may also be going grocery shopping soon, if you're interested. I'm going to buy some corn... or maybe some squash... I'm not sure.
I´d like to know as well how a G&B goat is better than a Wested Goat. I´m over the moon with my Wested and quite frankly I can´t imagine a better jacket. I think the thickness of the leather on my jacket is perfect for mid 70´s F degrees down to, say, 30 F degrees with a sweater underneath.
I went through the same waffling before I purchased my first jacket(s). I sat for days pondering the differences, the costs, etc. I´m the worst shopper and take forever to make up my mind. What turned me off a bit about the G&B was that I heard there was elastic in the action pleats. That bothered me as I don´t think there was elastic in the jackets of the 1930´s. It just seemed "plasticky" to me in my own mind. But in any case, I went with a Wested custom and I´m absolutely enthralled with it. I think I´m openminded enough though to consider a G&B because I´ve heard great things about them. Maybe that´ll be my next one. Until then though, I´m way happy with my Wested.
The elastic in the back of a jacket is actually an invention from the late '30's, early 1940's, and was inserted in period flight jackets to keep their action pleats from gapping open.
So, it WAS a period invention to correct a 1930's problem. You're actually talking about old technology, and pretty much only used in high end jackets these days.
J****! The answer to this is all over this site. Look it up.
As I said, I have both so I know.
In a nutshell: G&B has better stitching, better lining , better pocket design, better sleeve design, better pleats, better side straps, etc. When when I say better, I also mean more SA.
The Wested looks like it was made at home by a talented domestic seamstress. The G&B looks like it was made by a company with ultra high production standards. Hence Mil spec.
But enough. Call it "just my opinion" if you want. All over this site you'll read about the G&B's virtues. Never once heard of them tearing or the stitching coming apart - unlike some others.
Seriously though, linings can always be replaced, it's the leather and the stitching you should be worried about. 
