Wested Lightweight Raiders Jacket?

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 5:04 pm

Thinking about picking one up for the summer months. Does anyone own it?

Thank you,

DH

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:09 pm

I assume you mean the light weight lamb or cow? Heard some good things about the DB lightweight cow, though.

Post by **Holt** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:13 pm

the ligtweight DB cow is a flat skin meaning dyed thru and will never age in the correct way.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:26 pm

They also make a cloth version. Great jacket.

Regards! Michaelson

Kevin Anderson · Post by **Kevin Anderson** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:26 pm

I think he might be referring to the 'Cotton Drill Lightweight Raiders' jacket.
It's the only one that I can see on the site that calls itself lightweight.
If that's the one you're referring too Darkhelmet, they do look nice, though I don't know anyone who owns one.

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Sun May 01, 2011 1:56 am

Yes, the Cotton Drill. Might have to take the chance get myself one.

Joeyeah_right · Post by **Joeyeah_right** » Sun May 01, 2011 6:24 am

Wested used to sell a Stonewashed Denim Raiders jacket, which I bought last year. They had some in the clearance section recently. It's a nice jacket and is a lot more breathable than the leather for the hotter months.

Joe

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun May 01, 2011 11:11 am

The denim was also washable....but I now prefer the cotton drill over it. Though it's dry clean only, I personally find it a a LOT more light weight physically than the denim version....and I'm the one who talked Peter into making the denim in the FIRST place.

I'm still wearing the prototpye cotton drill in warm weather from YEARS back that I purchased from Peter, as does my wife who wears hers, also purchased at the same time.

Regards! Michaelson

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Sun May 01, 2011 12:35 pm

Thanks for the replies. Does it have the classic "Indiana Jones" look or just a regular jacket look?

Post by **Holt** » Sun May 01, 2011 12:36 pm

it is cut raiders style

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Sun May 01, 2011 4:12 pm

Just ordered one. Will post pics and a review when it arrives.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun May 01, 2011 4:18 pm

Post by **Holt** » Sun May 01, 2011 4:29 pm

cool. I have always been so curious about these jackets. I alway think of them as the hovitos running scene jacket Indy has on.

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Mon May 02, 2011 3:29 am

You may want to check out this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=47569&hilit=+wested" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

kwad · Post by **kwad** » Mon May 02, 2011 3:23 pm

darkhelmet wrote:Just ordered one. Will post pics and a review when it arrives.

Been thinking about getting one of these myself.
Can't wait to see the pics.

Adirondack Jones · Post by **Adirondack Jones** » Mon May 02, 2011 5:31 pm

I have nothing bad to say about mine. I wear it a lot. It doesn't scream "indiana jones," but it definitely whispers "indiana jones," which is perfect for me.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue May 03, 2011 11:47 am

Sometimes that's all you want.

Regards! Michaelson

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sat May 07, 2011 9:39 am

OK, I realize that I am probably slightly off my rocker, but I have always wanted a dark blue cotton Indy jacket in the traditional work jacket materials used in garages and the like. Like this

And then (and no, I'm not joking...I would really wear this) finish it off with a "Henry" name tag ala this

I think it would be awesome...but then, I ain't right

Long John Tinfoil · Post by **Long John Tinfoil** » Sat May 07, 2011 12:32 pm

Hollowpond wrote:...but then, I ain't right

On the evidence presented immediately above, I think that just may be understating things a bit...

LJ

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Sat May 07, 2011 3:45 pm

Check your local Sears stores.

Just picked up a waist length brown cotton jacket, with back straps for $20 on clearance. Brand is Covington. Sorry about the less than perfect pics. Used my phone. Does not have front pockets, but it's still a pretty nice look-a-like. Sure looks good with Taupe pants, Indy shirt and Alden's.

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sat May 07, 2011 9:21 pm

Long John Tinfoil wrote:
Hollowpond wrote:...but then, I ain't right
On the evidence presented immediately above, I think that just may be understating things a bit...

LJ

Hey, it can't all be SA!

If Schrodinger was right, in some alternate universe Indy became a mechanic anyways.

"I'm trying to free your mind...but I can only show you the door."

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Mon May 16, 2011 5:15 pm

Got my Wested Lightweight Jacket today. Fits perfectly except in the arms. Just a tad too long, but I can make it work. Going to get a lot of use out of it!

I'm heading out the door, so pics to follow soon.

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:48 pm

darkhelmet wrote:Got my Wested Lightweight Jacket today. Fits perfectly except in the arms. Just a tad too long, but I can make it work. Going to get a lot of use out of it!

I'm heading out the door, so pics to follow soon.

Post some pics! I had my cotton jacket custom made by a local tailor. I wanna see how close or not-close my jacket is compared to the Wested version.

CM · Post by CM » Tue May 17, 2011 1:35 am

Hollowpond wrote:OK, I realize that I am probably slightly off my rocker, but I have always wanted a dark blue cotton Indy jacket in the traditional work jacket materials used in garages and the like. Like this

That's a poly-cotton washable Dickies Eisenhower jacket. I have an unlined grey one, brilliant in the heat. $25.00.

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Tue May 17, 2011 6:11 am

Yep, I'm about to purchase me an Ike jacket too! I'm either going to go with the dickies, or the sears jacket dark helmet posted. What can I say, "I like Ike.."

How dark is your charcoal jacket CM? I've been looking at them, but in some photos the charcoal looks really grey and in others almost black. I'm leaning towards the dickies jacket.

Travis

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Tue May 17, 2011 6:23 am

I looked online at the Sears jacket. Currently you can get an additional 15% off using code SEARSMAY15. I came thisclose to pulling the trigger, but I think the jacket may be a bit dressier than what I'm looking for. I want something more in a twill/denim work coat and this is a cotton blend listed as a golf jacket. Travis, if you are considering Dickies for a 'garage' look, the Sears may be too dressy as well. Nice looking jacket, but not quite what I'm after.

The Dickies Ike jacket is just what I'm looking for, but doesn't come in brown.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Tue May 17, 2011 6:40 am

Yeah, the dressiness factor is what pushed me to the dickies. The sears jacket is an OUTSTANDING deal though. Anyone who is looking for a vintage styled cloth ike jacket on the dressy side should go for that!

Travis

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Tue May 17, 2011 7:52 am

@darkhelmet:

Could you post pics of the jacket and the front pockets/hand warmer? I really wanna know how that pocket/warmer really is made.

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Tue May 17, 2011 12:31 pm

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue May 17, 2011 12:38 pm

THERE you go.

The only thing I'd suggest you do now (which is what I did to mine) is change out the D rings for a pair of the rectangular type so the side straps don't slip out.

I also had them put a zipper on my inside pocket.

Enjoy!

Regards! Michaelson

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Tue May 17, 2011 8:19 pm

Wow! I think the material I picked for my custom cotton jacket is very much the same as the Wested's... I wonder how I can rework the pockets to make 'em more functional.

About the sliders... I don't think it will slip. I think the cotton has more friction.

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Tue May 17, 2011 8:56 pm

Love the jacket and can't wait to start wearing it.

It is a little heavier than I expected. The cotton is very similar to military cotton, used in their field jackets.

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Tue May 17, 2011 10:20 pm

darkhelmet wrote:Love the jacket and can't wait to start wearing it.

It is a little heavier than I expected. The cotton is very similar to military cotton, used in their field jackets.

When I first picked out the fabric for my cotton jacket, I thought it wasn't that heavy a fabric. When the jacket was done, I noticed how heavy it was. Good thing it's soft and comfortable and not too cumbersome.

Compared to my A&F Sentinel jacket, the cotton on this one is a lot thicker... and I thought I picked a fabric that was similar in weight to my sentinel jacket.

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Wed May 18, 2011 7:20 am

Nice jacket Darkhelmet!

I want one of these jackets, and I am trying to figure out what size to go with.
If you could tell us the size of yours, and provide a few measurements, that would
be great! I can use this info to compare it to what others have posted.

Here are the measurements needed:

Across the chest from armpit seam to armpit seam with the jacket zipped up, and laying flat.
Back length from base of collar down to the bottom hem of the jacket. Sleeve length
from the shoulder seam, down the to the end of the cuff.

Thanks!

Flathead

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 18, 2011 7:43 am

fenris wrote:About the sliders... I don't think it will slip. I think the cotton has more friction.

They'll slip. Trust me. Been there, done that, ended up changing them out in short order.

This is made of cotton 'drill', not denim.

Regards! Michaelson

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Wed May 18, 2011 7:59 am

What's the difference with cotton drill and denim? I'm not really sure.

Am I right to assume that it's the pattern? The pattern of the cloth I chose is the same as the Wested's - it has the same diagonal lines... so that makes it cotton drill, right?

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:01 am

Drill seems a lot lighter, and is not machine washable. It's dry clean only.

Yes, it's 'the' pattern, and the same used as the leather jackets.

From your photos, yours sure LOOKS like drill to me, but without having it in hand, it's just a judgement call from this end.

Regards! Michaelson

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:07 am

Michaelson wrote:Drill seems a lot lighter, and is not machine washable. It's dry clean only.

oh... too late then. I already washed mine in the washer... and in hot water!

I have another question; why is it dry clean only? It's cotton, right? So very little shrinkage should occur, if at all... Well, that's my understanding of cotton anyway.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:11 am

I found that in the case of drill, it has the tendency to fray easily...that is, get 'fuzzy'.

I, too, once tried the gentle wash trick, and horrified at the results.

I immediately took it to my local dry cleaner, and after being cleaned there, the fuzz disappeared. I've never tried to wash it again.

So, it's just a finer thread, and doesn't suffer washing very well.

I'd say if yours didn't fray up in the wash, yours is a light weight denim.

Regards! Michaelson

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:20 am

Michaelson wrote:I found that in the case of drill, it has the tendency to fray easily...that is, get 'fuzzy'.

I, too, once tried the gentle wash trick, and horrified at the results.

I immediately took it to my local dry cleaner, and after being cleaned there, the fuzz disappeared. I've never tried to wash it again.

So, it's just a finer thread, and doesn't suffer washing very well.

Regards! Michaelson

Hmmmm... I washed it in the highest setting for around 10mins. Hahaha! Good thing nothing bad happened to it.

I was actually trying to distress it. It looked too new. So I sanded it on parts that I thought would be parts where natural wear would occur and then washed it in hot water to kinda fade it. The wash water did turn brown, but I never noticed any fading. It still has that dark brown color to it (in person it's brown; reddish brown in pics with the flash on; kinda greenish tint w/o flash when indoors). I have yet to take a pic of it in natural lighting.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:34 am

That also explains why the sleeves look shorter in your photos, that is if you shot the photo after the wash. It DID shrink some.

Regards! Michaelson

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:42 am

Michaelson wrote:That also explains why the sleeves look shorter in your photos, that is if you shot the photo after the wash. It DID shrink some.

Regards! Michaelson

Ummm... yeah. It was taken after I washed it.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:43 am

Then the sleeves DID shrink around an inch or more, comparing the two photos!

Anyway, this is a thread about HIS new Wested, so I guess we need to get back to topic.

Regards! Michaelson

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:14 am

You're right. I kinda have hijacked his thread... Sorry!

sargorn · Post by **sargorn** » Tue May 22, 2012 9:25 am

Ahh, it looks like a pretty nice jacket.

I've been sweating in my goat g&b here in Japan... (and it's still only spring).

I remembered this jacket, but the shipping is almost as much as the jacket to Japan.

Anyone know any other vendors that do a cloth indy-esque jacket?

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue May 22, 2012 11:31 am

If you are looking for a leather jacket in lightweight lamb, Gorak has one of these from Wested if I'm not misaken, and then there is USW 30th Anniversary in lightweight/distressed lamb, and Todd's Std. jacket from 2008 series. A few ideas if you prefer leather material.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue May 22, 2012 11:35 am

sargorn wrote:I remembered this jacket, but the shipping is almost as much as the jacket to Japan.

Anyone know any other vendors that do a cloth indy-esque jacket?

Being located in Japan, you and Fenris may want to compare notes offline. He's in the Phillipines, (as I recall) and had a custom cloth version made for little money and pretty darn good looking jacket too. He's not located that far away either, so he may be able to hook you up.

Just a thought....

Regards! Michaelson

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Tue May 22, 2012 9:06 pm

Quite honestly, in Japan, from now on up through Summer, you'll be pushing it to wear even a jacket like the one Fenris has....Although that'd work better than the heavier leathers of a G&B or a Wested even....I have a Todds, and that's not so bad still....(At about 25+ weather, and no humidity yet), but after the rainy season it'll pop up to 35+ and even a tee shirt is too much..

Essentially what I'm saying is that if you need a jacket, you'd be using a leather one about as long as the other, so perhaps a Todds would cover the distance either way?

Or you could try Max Cady here in Japan and see if they can do anything for importing more of the Wested drill jackets? They don't sell them yet, but perhaps a well worded email would convince them of the market here?

Regards.

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Wed May 23, 2012 12:06 pm

Over here, jackets are worn indoors... Where you are in an airconditioned office, mall or movie theater. Outdoors??!! No way!

Unless it's raining, that's the only time one would usually wear a jacket.

Okay, the other jacket wearers over here are the ones riding motorcycles. Maybe for sun protection as the jackets are very light.

MARQ · Post by **MARQ** » Thu May 24, 2012 1:14 am

Darkie..what size did ya get! Looks good,by the way!