Comparing my old Todd's Standard to my new...PICS!!

Vaderbreath · Post by **Vaderbreath** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 5:39 pm

Scroll down to see the pics...

I'll snap some pics tonight or tomorrow...I promise.

I bought a Standard not long after Todd introduced them, and I've been very happy with it...no problems at all. The only thing I didn't like was that even an xxl was a bit snug. Just so you know, I normally wear a large in shirts and coats, but I'm big in the chest (about 48-49") and shoulders.

So, I decided to get a new xxl+ from Todd, and I just received it a few minutes ago. My initial impression is....wow. First, it is definitely bigger. I can zip it up without feeling like I'm in a sausage casing, and it feels great. Second, this leather is darker and way more textured than my old one. It has the dino-hide texture in spots. It looks awesome. Third, it feels substantially heavier. Now, I know this is slightly larger than the old one and there is more material, but even at that it feels like a more substantial jacket. Fourth, the handwarmers liner is different (and much better). All in all, I am totally impressed with this jacket. This is the perfect lighter weight jacket I wanted and is more comfy than my old one. Plus, it compliments my G&B nicely. Thanks, Todd!

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 5:43 pm

I've been wondering about these new jackets for a while. Can't wait to see the pics!

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:10 pm

Yeah, absolutely. Pics please. I've been leaning towards picking up one of his new + sizes. The measurements look really good and every time I see one I think he's nailed the SA look. Looking forward to seeing both of yours.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:56 pm

This is perfect! I'm planning to order one I may wait and see your pics first!

Randy

Vaderbreath · Post by **Vaderbreath** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:39 pm

I'll have to get pics tomorrow. My wife needs to delete some pics off her camera before I can use it. I am just absolutely loving this new jacket! I'll have pics I have promise!!!

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:39 pm

Ok, I'll trust you.. this time!

No worries, I know we all have more important things than posting here.

Randy

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:29 am

XXL+ 37 ½"(sleeve) 51"-53"(chest) 26"(length) 46"-48"(waist)

I'm not sure I understand these sizes.

Looking at that small avitar photo of Vader I don't see a guy with a 48" waist, so how does that jacket fit you there? I mean, I don't think people with 46 or 48" waists even shop for clothes at a regular store and you look like a normal guy to me. So is there a lot of room on the bottom or are the measurements somehow off?

PSBIndy · Post by **PSBIndy** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:09 am

My one big beef with Todd's Standard is the durability.....shortly after I bought mine last summer, the stitching started to come apart in the sleeves and shoulder areas as well as the lining. Sure, you can't expect too much for $150 but still.....I hope this new batch has improved in the durability department.

Vaderbreath · Post by **Vaderbreath** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:17 pm

You're right, I am a fairly normal guy (physically speaking of course). The bottom is a bit loose when zipped, but I like the overall fit better. Yea, I didn't really understand that either. According to the chart, I'd wear an XL in the chest and like a medium or large in the waist.

PSB, I'm sorry your's started to come apart. I've worn mine constantly for a long time now, and have had no problems at all. Of course, maybe you got a 'bad' one...like a few have had with Todd's boots.

And yes, I'm still working on getting pics.

Hatch · Post by **Hatch** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:40 pm

PSBIndy wrote:My one big beef with Todd's Standard is the durability.....shortly after I bought mine last summer, the stitching started to come apart in the sleeves and shoulder areas as well as the lining. Sure, you can't expect too much for $150 but still.....I hope this new batch has improved in the durability department.

PSB, what about this......$20-30 or whatever for good seamstress to repair poorly sewn areas and you've got an already broken in jacket with better durability rather than springing for one of the new ones ??

Vaderbreath · Post by **Vaderbreath** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:44 pm

Okay, I have some pics that I'll post tonight. One other thing I noticed was that the new jacket has a ykk zipper on it, whereas my old one was generic from what I could see. I'm also lovin' the cotton lined handwarmers. Thanks again, Todd!

Lil Abner · Post by **Lil Abner** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:26 pm

I might have to purchase a new one also, my xxl is also snug on me in the shoulders. But i still love it.

Vaderbreath · Post by **Vaderbreath** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:55 pm

Okay, here are the pics. You can definitely see the darker color as well as the texture. I loooove this jacket!

See how much more texture there is on the new jacket...

Here is a close-up of the texture...

Another comparison...note the color difference...

And an outside shot...

Hope this helps!

-Corey

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:57 pm

Nice. The collar and pocket flaps look better too

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:04 am

Nice jacket. Now I'm really looking forward to mine! The texture looks great!

Randy

Satipo · Post by **Satipo** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:38 am

Looks great, Vaderbreath! Do you have any shots of the collars with the zip undone?

PSBIndy · Post by **PSBIndy** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:58 am

Looks fantastic! Too bad they don't offer the Standard in goat, though.

Vaderbreath · Post by **Vaderbreath** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:23 am

Here are a few open jacket shots...

Dr._J · Post by **Dr._J** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:00 am

Even better than the previous version! This is a great jacket for the price!

Hatch · Post by **Hatch** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:08 am

OK, I'll be the one to say it " looks like a little 'croco skin' grain creeping into the Todd's"......

......... looks good

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:19 pm

The color and the grain are nice improvements. A nice jacket that just got better!!

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:39 pm

Wow! Nice work Todd, esp. for that price point!

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:52 pm

I like the grain of the new leather and the color of the old, can't please everybody.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:30 pm

I like both of them, but given a choice if the fit was correct, I'd take the new one any day. The texture is great!

What I especially like about the Todd's [from owner reviews] is the thinner leather. Being in Florida, that gives me more wear time through the year!

I'm all excited now, I got the quantumview email and my todd's is on it's way! $\:D/$

Randy

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:58 pm

Did you order one of the new '+' jackets Randy?

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:50 pm

Hey, just ordered one of Todd's in a L+ last week. I'm expecting it on Wednesday. I really wanted something for the warmer months. I'm looking forward to seeing this jacket in person. I really like both the darker color and the grainier texture. Can't wait. I should be able to post some pics as well.

Vaderbreath, thanks! You pushed me over the bump and I ordered thanks to your enthusiastic review. I'm also really pleased with the new + size scale (ok, I'll wait and see how it fits), but I really like all the different sizes this generates. I would imagine many folks can get an almost custom fit on a standard now. We'll see.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:00 pm

RCSignals wrote:Did you order one of the new '+' jackets Randy?

No, a regular large. The medium+ is slightly larger than what I needed. These plus sizes don't make much sense in a way.

Though they're great for those who need them.

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:02 am

I know what you mean... the sizes are a little confusing as they sort of leap forward and back from L to L+ to XL, but that said, the measurements are clear and there are more choices, so that helps.

Vaderbreath · Post by **Vaderbreath** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:21 am

Ya know, after wearing this for a few days, I probably could have worn an xxl without the +, because I think these sizes are more true to typical sizing than the original issues were. However, now I have a Todd's that I can actually wear a sweater underneath if I need to. With my old xxl, there was no room.

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:30 am

Vader, what about an XL+? That would be even bigger in the chest than the XXL in all but one area, the length is a little shorter. That's the thing so confusing about these sizes; pluses are bigger in some areas but usually not length. So if you need a longer jacket you might have problems going up a size as it could actually be shorter.

Vaderbreath · Post by **Vaderbreath** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 11:36 am

The length was something I took into consideration because I felt my old one was just a tad too short. I love the length of the new one...right where I wanted it.

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:48 pm

THis makes me feel like I should splurge on this sooner than later.. I mean do you all think this is just a temporary 'batch' or permanent?

Puppetboy · Post by **Puppetboy** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:13 pm

Vaderbreath,

I'm glad you like the jacket. The factory keeps finding better and better leather for me, which makes me very excitied. One major problem was the sizing. I simply sized the jackets incorrectly in the beginning (S, M, L etc) going up in steps that were too small. That's the reason for all the odd sizes now. We have a mix of old and new sizes. However, the old sizes may fit some better, so for a time, you have more options.

As far as Croco-hide, yeah, I've been after that since the beginning. It just wasn't available. I'm very happy with the leather I have now. Very drapey, yet tough-looking.

The pockets are better. I figured a hand-warmer should warm your hands, right? I'm using flannel now inside the handwarmers, and they're making them the original movie way, which I always wanted, but had to compromise with the factory. Now that I have some history with them, they're more willing to go the extra mile for me.

Todd

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Fri May 22, 2009 4:23 pm

So Todd if I wanted to order one of the new ones would I pick a regular size or one with a+ next to it?

And do you plan on keeping these improvements all year? I'd like to order an XL since I'm kind of husky but size L t shirts fit fine/loose on me.

Mountaineer · Post by **Mountaineer** » Fri May 22, 2009 4:37 pm

Puppetboy wrote:Vaderbreath,

I'm glad you like the jacket. The factory keeps finding better and better leather for me, which makes me very excitied. One major problem was the sizing. I simply sized the jackets incorrectly in the beginning (S, M, L etc) going up in steps that were too small. That's the reason for all the odd sizes now. We have a mix of old and new sizes. However, the old sizes may fit some better, so for a time, you have more options.

As far as Croco-hide, yeah, I've been after that since the beginning. It just wasn't available. I'm very happy with the leather I have now. Very drapey, yet tough-looking.

The pockets are better. I figured a hand-warmer should warm your hands, right? I'm using flannel now inside the handwarmers, and they're making them the original movie way, which I always wanted, but had to compromise with the factory. Now that I have some history with them, they're more willing to go the extra mile for me.

Todd

First, thanks Todd for doing such a good product. It has always been a pleasure to do business with you.

I've purchased two of these and I've been very impressed each time. I did a longer bit about it on the Todd's Owners thread, but it may pertain here too: http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... &start=100
(Yes there are the requisite side-by-side pics.)

This new leather is much nicer all around. I totally agree with all of your comments here. Especially the design and construction of the handwarmer pockets.
There is also more corner reinforcing stitching at the opening of the snap pockets. Nice touch.

I'm digging my new jacket, even during this spat of 80-degrees and sunny I've been enjoying lately. Not too heavy a jacket for that.

Although I may be a little off since I have seen days of 148-degrees. Everything else is cake anymore.

Puppetboy · Post by **Puppetboy** » Fri May 22, 2009 7:07 pm

Code: Select all

So Todd if I wanted to order one of the new ones would I pick a regular size or one with a+ next to it?

I knew that was going to come up!

And do you plan on keeping these improvements all year? I'd like to order an XL since I'm kind of husky but size L t shirts fit fine/loose on me.

The previous batch and this batch (marked +) are virtually identical except for revised sizing. They have the same leather. Of primary importance is that you use the measurement chart on my site to find the best size for you. It's much more important to have the jacket fit great on you than to have flannel in your pockets. (you can quote me on that.) And, yes, these are my standard jackets and all my jackets will be made the same or better.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Fri May 22, 2009 7:33 pm

Puppetboy wrote:...

The previous batch and this batch (marked +) are virtually identical except for revised sizing. They have the same leather. Of primary importance is that you use the measurement chart on my site to find the best size for you. It's much more important to have the jacket fit great on you than to have flannel in your pockets. (you can quote me on that.) And, yes, these are my standard jackets and all my jackets will be made the same or better.

OK, so then they all now have flannel in the pockets?

Your size chart is now reflecting a persons actual chest measurement rather than jacket circumference?

Forrest For the Trees · Fri May 22, 2009 8:03 pm

Great improvements! I noticed that the new M+ increased in size over all from the old M, except for jacket length, now at only 23 inches. Was that done to be in keeping with the sizing on the Nowak? What I mean is, that measurement seemed so surprising to many on this board, but proved to be accurate due to some tweaks in jacket construction. Todd, does your jacket work the same magic, so to speak? (and how does the front length compare to back length on your tweaked pattern?) Thanks.

RaiderZee · Post by **RaiderZee** » Sat May 23, 2009 2:51 am

Wow! I just tuned into this thread, and I've gotta say, Todd's new rendition of the jacket looks MUCH better than his earlier offering. Whether the jacket, boots, whip, etc., Todd just keeps stepping up his game!

RaiderZee
Highly Satisfied Todd's customer

beaverlid · Post by **beaverlid** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:12 pm

The new jacket looks good. I got my standard last spring and it has held up in all of the stitching just fine. I will say that I am unable to use the pockets due to the poor material used. I would love to have the cotton liners. Does the inside pocket have a new type of liner as well?

Zendragon · Post by **Zendragon** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:24 pm

I am really starting to like the Todd's jackets... the latest is outstanding

Satipo · Post by **Satipo** » Fri May 29, 2009 9:14 pm

These new Todd's standards look very tempting. Great looking leather - very Raiders to my eyes. I'm just curious about that little extra protruding bit on the non-stormflap side of the collar stand. Was that an intentional feature based on Todd's observations?

DeWayne · Post by **DeWayne** » Sun May 31, 2009 9:26 pm

Satipo wrote:These new Todd's standards look very tempting. Great looking leather - very Raiders to my eyes. I'm just curious about that little extra protruding bit on the non-stormflap side of the collar stand. Was that an intentional feature based on Todd's observations?

As much as I love my Todd's jacket, this is the only thing about it that makes me raise an eyebrow. I do notice the customs are set up the same way, so it isn't an accident.

Forrest For the Trees · Sun May 31, 2009 10:07 pm

Todd, if you can fix the collar arrangement on the non-stormflap side, I would be extremely tempted to order one of these.

Mountaineer · Post by **Mountaineer** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:41 am

DeWayne wrote:
Satipo wrote:These new Todd's standards look very tempting. Great looking leather - very Raiders to my eyes. I'm just curious about that little extra protruding bit on the non-stormflap side of the collar stand. Was that an intentional feature based on Todd's observations?

As much as I love my Todd's jacket, this is the only thing about it that makes me raise an eyebrow. I do notice the customs are set up the same way, so it isn't an accident.

This was the only "negative" change between my two Todd's.

The 2008 version didn't have what most would call excess material beyond the collar on the non-stormflap side.

It surprised me when the 2009 version showed up and did have that extra bit of material.

I'm not a real stickler for that stuff, but I did think to myself, "Oh the die-hard gearheads won't like this..."

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:59 am

The trend in jackets, lately, has been to go for a leather with a rougher grain, as some call it, rhino hide. The Raiders Indy jacket was smooth lamb, that had been significantly distressed with a knife, etc. A quote from the main site:

"The Wilson’s jackets had been made from cowhide, while the Leather Concessionaires jacket was lambskin. The pattern was correct, therefore the final test was in how well the jacket aged. Deborah did this personally using Harrison’s Swiss Army knife and a wire brush while sitting by the pool at her hotel on the night before shooting was to begin at the Nazi U-Boat pier in La Rochelle. The aging test was a success and this jacket became the hero jacket."

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:57 pm

Not to mention the severe water distressing given to the jackets, At least raiders and TOD. I have some close shots of the TOD that really show the effect of water distressing on the jacket i'll post later;)

Here's the wirebrush effects:

Raiders I think this is what best captures the true color of the Raiders jacket. The bottom pic shows smooth raiders jacket

Looks pretty smooth to me, also I have a hard time believing this jacket: is cowhide, its colourand texture looks almost identical to fords jacket. I know you can't

make out a hide by picture but it would be very hard to match a leather from another company to the lamb for the main jackets.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:06 pm

Texan Scott wrote:The trend in jackets, lately, has been to go for a leather with a rougher grain, as some call it, rhino hide. The Raiders Indy jacket was smooth lamb, that had been significantly distressed with a knife, etc. A quote from the main site:

"The Wilson’s jackets had been made from cowhide, while the Leather Concessionaires jacket was lambskin. The pattern was correct, therefore the final test was in how well the jacket aged. Deborah did this personally using Harrison’s Swiss Army knife and a wire brush while sitting by the pool at her hotel on the night before shooting was to begin at the Nazi U-Boat pier in La Rochelle. The aging test was a success and this jacket became the hero jacket."

so does that mean if the Wilson's passed this 'aging test' better it would have become the Hero?

Also, I don't read where it says it started as smooth hide.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:58 pm

RCSignals wrote:
Texan Scott wrote:The trend in jackets, lately, has been to go for a leather with a rougher grain, as some call it, rhino hide. The Raiders Indy jacket was smooth lamb, that had been significantly distressed with a knife, etc. A quote from the main site:

"The Wilson’s jackets had been made from cowhide, while the Leather Concessionaires jacket was lambskin. The pattern was correct, therefore the final test was in how well the jacket aged. Deborah did this personally using Harrison’s Swiss Army knife and a wire brush while sitting by the pool at her hotel on the night before shooting was to begin at the Nazi U-Boat pier in La Rochelle. The aging test was a success and this jacket became the hero jacket."
so does that mean if the Wilson's passed this 'aging test' better it would have become the Hero?

Also, I don't read where it says it started as smooth hide.

From the main page:

"Test fittings were done at Western Costumes with Tom Selleck and it became clear that there were functional problems with the Wilson’s jackets. Namely, the jacket would hang-up on the gun belt and the whip. Additionally, the leather used for the Wilson’s jackets did not lend itself well to artificial aging as the finish would flake off."

I have lobby cards from Raiders and a screen photo from the press kit, like the cobra scene above, and the leather appears smooth. Yet, you take a jacket and distress it, wet it and let it dry time and again, and after the whole process was completed, it would look like roughed up hide, as that is exactly what they did to the jacket. Take the natural oil out of the leather and this is the appearance you get.

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:44 pm

Texan Scott wrote:
RCSignals wrote:
Texan Scott wrote:The trend in jackets, lately, has been to go for a leather with a rougher grain, as some call it, rhino hide. The Raiders Indy jacket was smooth lamb, that had been significantly distressed with a knife, etc. A quote from the main site:

"The Wilson’s jackets had been made from cowhide, while the Leather Concessionaires jacket was lambskin. The pattern was correct, therefore the final test was in how well the jacket aged. Deborah did this personally using Harrison’s Swiss Army knife and a wire brush while sitting by the pool at her hotel on the night before shooting was to begin at the Nazi U-Boat pier in La Rochelle. The aging test was a success and this jacket became the hero jacket."
so does that mean if the Wilson's passed this 'aging test' better it would have become the Hero?

Also, I don't read where it says it started as smooth hide.
From the main page:

"Test fittings were done at Western Costumes with Tom Selleck and it became clear that there were functional problems with the Wilson’s jackets. Namely, the jacket would hang-up on the gun belt and the whip. Additionally, the leather used for the Wilson’s jackets did not lend itself well to artificial aging as the finish would flake off."

I have lobby cards from Raiders and a screen photo from the press kit, like the cobra scene above, and the leather appears smooth. Yet, you take a jacket and distress it, wet it and let it dry time and again, and after the whole process was completed, it would look like roughed up hide, as that is exactly what they did to the jacket. Take the natural oil out of the leather and this is the appearance you get.

You hit the nail on the HEAD !!!!!!