Ick-Free Gear: The Jacket!!!!

[Hollowpond]

Well, I NEVER thought it would happen...an Ick-Free Jacket!!!!!! But it did, a G&B Expedition in goat size 44T. It is my end all, be all Indy jacket. It is the one I have searched for since 1981. I LOVE it. And as with my Ick-Free Fedora, friendship and a love of gear led to this item as well!

For those of you not hip to the "Ick-Free" movement, I won't bore you. I'll just direct you here viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50400&hilit=ick+free" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ok, on to the jacket. I have been astonished and lured to the G&B since seeing Michael's incredible write-up here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=50900&hilit=dave+marshall" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Not thinking I would soon own one. Folks let me tell you, I can only echo what Michael said. This thing oozes QUALITY. Not a single errant stitch. Underarm gussets that actually work! Attention to detail and durability that ensures my kids will be passing this one on to their grand kids! And then there are minute things like the finishing of the pockets; perfect. This one was a real kicker for me, it has an action pleat...IN THE LINER!!!! It is by far the nicest jacket I have ever handled IMHO! I have handled and tried on most all of the heavy hitters in the Indy jacket business and I would take the G&B every time...

On to the pics.
This thing is NOT smooth. Tons of grain and the color is a DEEP brown. Very Raiders.

Pocket flap perfection...

Some more with my Ick-Free Fedora...



Zipped up...


For those on the fence on a G&B, don't be. It is a great, great, great, great, great, great jacket!!!

[Tennessee Smith]

That jacket looks perfect dude. I'm jealous to say the least!!!!
I love the grain and the color is spot-on.



-Ts

[Michaelson]

Looks good on you, my friend!

[whipcracker]

That is one heck of a jacket there! ( I haven't used that in awhile)

It is nice to see that scalloping on the pocket flaps. Sometimes the G&Bs look like they don't have much but that show that they definitely do!
I love the grain! Did you ask for extra grain like Tundra did?
How is the fit? That is the one thing that I have always wondered about. When I look at the sizing chart I am always worried that it will be too big around the waist.

[Oildale Jones]

[Dr. Nebraska S.]

Congratulations--that's a fine-looking jacket! Believe me, it'll just get better over time. I like the addition of the snaps for the storm-flap. Did you get the snaps at the top, too, or just the bottom? In any case, it looks great on you! Wear it in good health!

[Holt]

The jacket may be ick free but is the person wearing it?

looks great bud!

[Hollowpond]

Thanks guys! I really do love it.

I did pick this jacket up from a member. But it was essentially BRAND SPANKING NEW!! So, to whipcrackers point; I didn't specify anything, but I can vouch that the grainy examples do exist! To Nebraska's question; It is only a press stud on the bottom of the flap. Not Raiders accurate, however, I have always preferred my Indy jackets with this feature. To answer Michael's question; It was pretty grainy from the get-go but I put this jacket through a patented process here at Hollowpond Labs to break it in and let it conform to my body a little better and the grain really started to pop then.

One thing I haven't touched on it the thinness of the goat and how soft it is. It drapes like lamb. If you pull the jacket down just a touch, you can see the outline of your shirt seam on the top of the shoulder. And yet this thing is as tough as nails. It is the best!!

Oh and Holt...



Thanks dude!

[Hollowpond]

Oh and whipcracker, the fit is perfect!!! It does have that wonky Raiders cut that i really have never cared for and yet somehow in this jacket its awesome. The one measurement that I was always leary of was the sleeve length. A 44T has a 25 inch sleeve. I have always needed a 25.5. But when the shoulder seam is off the shoulder in the first place it winds up perfect!

[Weston]

Very nice! I don't think I've ever seen anyone post that they were anything short of amazed by their new G&B. I'd love to pick one up someday, and hope it looks that good.

Weston

[Indydawg]

Freakndayumawesome!

[fifthchamber]

Travis....


Dapper.


Nothing more needs to be said...It looks great on you Sir...

That's now two great leather jackets that you've bought and then got me fiending for.... Thank you for that!!

Lovely gear mate...Well bought.

(Oh, did the halfbelt come through yet? I'd love to see that as well...Although I guess filmjackets would work better for that eh?)

Warm regards..

[Mitch LaRue]

EXTREMELY NICE, Travis!

Glad you had such a GREAT Gear-buying experience!

[Gorak]

looking good. love that side shot!

[twistedotter]

I love my G&Bs. I'm up to 3 now and they are kind of like a drug. There is nothing "pretend" about a G&B. When you put one on you will be convinced that you will die a long time before the jacket will. And that's oddly comforting...

Congrats!

[Hollowpond]

Thanks a lot guys! This one is definitely a keeper!!!

[Dr. Nebraska S.]

...To Nebraska's question; It is only a press stud on the bottom of the flap. Not Raiders accurate, however, I have always preferred my Indy jackets with this feature. ...

I'm right there with you on that--I had snaps added at the bottom and top of my own G&B Expedition:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=46921

Now, my bottom snap has a very nice worn-in look, changing from the original "rust" color to more of an antique brass.

You've definitely got a keeper with this one! It's the jacket you'll enjoy more and more each year.

[Flyderf]

I love my G&B Expedition. I have 2 other G &B jackets, they are in one word: QUALITY.

[Hollowpond]

Thats the word. As I said, I've handled and tried on all the heavy hitters and the G&B leaves them all behind where quality is concerned. There are some minor SA issues because, as most know, this wasnt based off the main hero Raiders jacket. Heck, I prefer my Raiders jacket with a snap so you know I'm not too worried about SA anyways...
The trade-off is quality, and the Expedition has got it in spades!!!

[Hollowpond]

You are one lucky dog, Michael! I would LOVE to see their shop first hand and actually see the jacket making process!!

Really though, anything you told me about their attention to detail would not surprise me. Not after owning one. My wife is somewhat disturbed that sometimes while wearing it, I'll just stare at sections of it and marvel at the craftsmanship...

[Tennessee Smith]

As I posted in another thread this jacket has been passed on to me. Like Travis said this truly is an "Ick Free" piece of gear. Now, I've seen a few G&Bs in my time from Michaelson and always wanted one. They just have a look that feels Indy. Plus the gussets are a sticking point with me.

Like I had said earlier Travis found me a Souix City Saspirilla about 4 months ago (Big Lebowski reference) and he kept saying he would mail it to me. Well, I would send him a text or PM ever so often to give him grief over me not having it. That said one day he sent me a text and said he'd mailed it, I still was giving him #%^=.

At the time I had pulled my back out of wack and was suffering with a 5 day case of the hives when the package arrived which is why it hadn't been posted. He had wrapped the bottle in he jacket.

It was awesome.


So was the Saspirilla

Pics in gear are forthcoming

Thanks for the gear bud!


On a side note though, this jacket shows me why this board is such a great place. The fact that its been worn, borrowed, shared, and regifted, and is still being enjoyed just makes me smile. Plus the fact I know a lot of folks here have gear and whatnot gifted to them all the time and regift when they can. It's like family man. When I first joined I was told "come here for the gear but stay for the people". I thought it sounded cliche but it's true. I hope a lot of you feel that way.

-The Dude

[Texan Scott]

From the looks of it, and the shape of the pockets/flaps, I might take a wild guess and say this could be an older model, and possibly veg tanned, but that is just a guess?

[Hollowpond]

I'm pretty sure its chrome tanned. A beautiful and DEEP brown. Enjoy that jacket friend! As for the sarsaparilla ....


I hope you choke on that!

[Tennessee Smith]

I hope you choke on that!

I'm sorry to disappoint you but it went down smooth

[Hollowpond]

[Michaelson]

It's chrome tanned, size 44T, custom made, and dates from around 2009.......

Just guessing, of course....



Regards! Michaelson

[Indydawg]

Well done, gents! That's what it's all about!

[Tennessee Smith]

That's right Dawg!



And M, you sure are the "Knower of Things"

[Michaelson]