Gussets: Do they really do anything ?

SAB · Post by **SAB** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 6:33 pm

Hi all,
Am interested in getting peoples thoughts here.

I've been wearing my cowhide ToD for about a month and a half now and I don't believe the gussets do anything at all.

Maybe the 'jaggerlips style' does more, or maybe its the way Wested construct them (I know Peters opinon is a well made jacket doesn't need them).

Mine only opertate until your arm is parallel to the floor, which you wouldn't have a problem with in a normal jacket anyway.

I'm not annoyed I got them, because they don't detract from the jacket but for me at least, I believe they are pointless.

If in the future I order another Wested, I won't make them go to the trouble of putting these in again.

What does everyone else think ?

cheers,
SAB

junior · Post by **junior** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 11:22 pm

No.

Expo or Wested...neither help.

No...they don't.

junior

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 3:57 am

I have them in my cowhide, they don't help any.

But they look cool.

Al

auntsugar · Post by **auntsugar** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 4:13 am

The ones on my goat don't do anything either...

skywlkr · Post by **skywlkr** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 1:42 pm

I got gussets on my Wested predistressed cowhide. I don't notice any difference from my old USWings that did not have gussets.
In the future I'm looking at getting a black Indy jacket from Wested, it won't include gussets.

Luke

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 1:47 pm

Oh, I'll still order them on my next jacket, because as I say they look coooool

junior · Post by **junior** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 2:06 pm

For them to really do their job they need to be huge as they are on some jacket types like this one: http://www.flightsuits.com/leather_raider_lg.html

junior

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 2:10 pm

I am surprised by the response so far. I have jackets with and without gussets. In my opinion, they do add for a more comfortable fit. When you rotate your arms as in climbing a ladder, lifting a box, cracking a whip, etc., the jacket doesn't ride up as much. It's like the action pleat in the back, it provides an additional flex point to the underarm area. I can only imagine that the jacket makers not liking to put in gussets is probably due to the extra time it takes. To me it's night and day in comfort. But to each his own.

-S

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 2:35 pm

Do my gussets work? I don't know, but in theory they should. I think I am in the camp of "if they are big enough. Bigger is better? Fedora

SAB · Post by **SAB** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 5:12 pm

Interesting responses.
So its not just me.

In the future I'm looking at getting a black Indy jacket from Wested, it won't include gussets

A black indy jacket would rule!

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 5:40 pm

Gussets can and do give a jacket more ease of movement, but they have to be done right. Any design feature that is incorporated into the outside of a jacket also needs to be incorporated into the lining of the jacket to actually work. You get no benefit from pleats built into a jacket that does not also have pleats built into the lining, beyond cosmetic benefits of course. The same holds true for gussets. With that said, little gussets also don’t work as well as larger gussets. The large gussets and pleated back on a G-1 jacket for instance, help make it a truly form fitting jacket that is super comfortable and allows for total freedom of movement. The Expedition has all outside features built into the lining as well. Cheers

PS- One test of a well-designed jacket is to bend your elbows and hold them up perpendicular to your shoulders. Then look at the amount that the bottom of your jacket butterflies open. It shouldn’t be much on a well designed, well fitting jacket.