Wested's HERO jacket...

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:14 pm

Thanks for the advice guys

(and for the thoughts for my mother). I know that the lambskin is much thinner, and it's why way back I ended up going for horsehide, despite the fact I originally had my heart set on as close to the original hide as possible, then going for nearly the complete opposite when I tried them on! But I don't mind the thinness as it means I can wear it in cooler weather, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't extremely fragile. I don't expect it to withstand the beating my horsehide one does, but just that it's durable enough for every day wear.

I'm reasonably confident my horsehide fits well, at least, it's comfortable and seems to. To be honest, I've never particularly considered whether or not it fits as the screen version does too often, as it's so thick it doesn't hang like it anyway, but it fits me in a way that I'm happy with.

Thank you for the advice regarding sleeve length and back length. This might be a rookie question, but with the sleeves do I measure from the armpit to the cuff, or the shoulder to the cuff? I also remember back in the day when I got my original jacket the advice was always to get a jacket with slightly longer sleeves, because they will ride up over time (which is certainly true on mine, it originally came down to my knuckles but now reaches my wrists), so is it still advised to take that in to consideration?

Thanks again for all the help. I think I'm pretty keen on the shrunken lamb. I love how it looks in a lot of the images from people who have them.

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:32 pm

Measure sleeve length from the top shoulder where the sleeve meets and follow the curve of the outside of the sleeve down to the end of the sleeve. A little extra length is nice, but really, the Hero goes long.

I love the shrunken lamb and it certainly isn't fragile. it has a great look and will always be "special" ...you won't see leather like that at the department stores.

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:37 pm

Harrison_Davies wrote:
How different to the eight year old Wested below.

Couple of snaps.

Harrison

This is a GREAT picture and a great jacket. Thanks for posting it.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 9:01 pm

Leigh, I'd like to add a word of encouragement for you and your mother. I am very sorry to hear of your mother's condition, but I believe in the God of miracles. Once a pastor said that God will not keep anyone on this earth longer than the time He has allotted, and He will not allow anyone to be taken any sooner than the time He has given them. Sometimes, we pray and pray, but it is their time. On the other hand, sometimes we pray, and God delivers them, because it is not their time, yet, until the fullness of what they have to do here or to accomplish on the earth is completed.

Here is my advice to you from a guy who has seen cancer take both my Dad and Step-father. Take the money she would have given you for the jacket, and spend one last trip with her..? Take her somewhere she has always wanted to go, and the fact that she is with you, and you with her is extra. You mentioned she has often thought back to the trip you all took to Kent, as one of her best memories. If she is able, take one last trip with her, and enjoy each precious moment that you have, and thank the Lord that both you and she knew beforehand, if this is indeed her final days. Finally, don't let her perish without having a relationship with the Lord. Faith and belief in the Lord Jesus is the only thing we can take from this life to the next.

This is the best advice I can give you, friend. You can always buy a jacket, later. You know she wishes for you to have a jacket, but she will not always be with you.

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 12:26 am

Thank you Scott for the kind words. I would absolutely love nothing more than to take one last trip with her, but sadly she's incapable of travel (or even really leaving her hospital bed for long, only this last day has she managed to sit out in a chair for a few hours).

The money isn't an issue as she has a sizeable severance package from having to take early ill health retirement, so if by some miracle she becomes healthy enough to travel, and I really do pray for one every day, it will be the first thing we do, that's for sure

.

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:11 pm

I ordered this today! Unfortunately, the sleeves on my jacket measure 22 inches, so I had to order 23, the smallest they do, but an inch longer. My jacket's sleeves have ridden up so far that they're a bit short, so hopefully it'll be okay.

Harrison_Davies · Post by **Harrison_Davies** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:25 pm

Congratulations on your purchase Leigh. Disappointing that they can't accomodate your arm length, however.

I've ordered a second with 22.5" inch sleeves, so I guess I won't get that change.

Harrison

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:41 pm

Thanks!

Mine's not a custom order, just selected off the drop down list, so they might accomodate custom sized? Just on a normal size 23 is the smallest, but I imagine it'll fit okay as my other sleeves have shrunk and come to just above my wrists. The back measured 24 inches so I ordered 23 inches on that too on advice here.

Harrison_Davies · Post by **Harrison_Davies** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:43 pm

Cool, anything up to the first knuckle of your thumb I guess is acceptable in length. I hope you have many happy years with your jacket. Don't forget to post pics.

Harrison

Harrison_Davies · Post by **Harrison_Davies** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:25 pm

Response from Wested is:

We do not make jackets with 22.5" sleeve length, the jacket has also already been cut. If you want the sleeve length changed we can do this after the jacket is made BUT the jacket is COMPLETELY NON-REFUNDABLE once this has been done.

FYI

Harrison

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:44 pm

Thanks for the advice

. I think I'll stick with 23, the sleeves will shrink over time. I'm worried the back will be too short at an inch shorter than my HH but we'll see.

Harrison_Davies · Post by **Harrison_Davies** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 2:32 pm

Oops, I've got the bug. Bought a second goat Raiders hero, one inch longer for the winter and now I want a ToD and LC/CS hehe. Will add pictures later.

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 6:35 am

My jacket arrived today! Looks great and fits great, there's a real noticeable difference between the cut on this and my seven year old horsehide. It hangs much looser and scruffier, but really looks the part.

The shrunken lamb has a fantastic texture, although it's a little lighter in colour than I expected. I love the look and feel of it though, and hopefully it will darken over time.

Best news of all though, for those following this purchase from me, is that my mother got sent home yesterday! Sadly, her condition is still considered terminal, but given we never thought she'd leave the hospital (and she was given two weeks back on Christmas Eve), this is fantastic news for her and us. And it seems we've been granted much longer with her than the doctors predicted. So thank you all for your well wishes. Clearly somebody somewhere was listening

whipcracker · Post by **whipcracker** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:18 am

Congrats on everything! And yes, that somebody hears everything! Cherish you time...and I am sure you\'l post pics of the new jacket too...

Glenville86 · Post by **Glenville86** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:45 am

Picked up a size 50 Hero on the Wested discount section. Fellow ordered it in distressed hide. Strange choice for a Hero jacket as it is not a thin drape leather. Ran it through a gentle cycle in the washer and let it dry with wearing it a little.

The fit on these jackets is weird with the collar back. I wore it all day yesterday. Shoulder and upper arms are snug. No sweaters with this one. I had to cinch the straps a lot to get it to fit right. Looped the straps back as they are pretty long. On sale, it is fine. Do not think I like the Hero cut enough to buy a new one in a different leather. Fit reminds me of those biker jackets from a few years back.

Distressed hide is nice. It is a cool jacket and I will keep it.

Yankee752 · Post by **Yankee752** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 12:23 am

Ok guys I think it's time to pull the trigger on a hero, but I need some last minute advice.
Biggest question/concern is measurements. Now I sent an email off to wested with my measurements to see what they would put me in.
5'10.5"
Chest 43"
A dress shirt size of 34/35
Back length measured 26"
The response back was to order my suit size and measure for sleeve and back length, attached was a series of pictures of someone taking their measurements.
So my measurements came to 43 chest, 25" to first thumb knuckle and again a back length of 26"
Seeing as I want to be able to layer with this I figure a size 44 with 24" sleeves to adjust for the off the shoulder seam, but back I have no idea. I've read that it's always gonna fall lower than what's cut but when this is zipped I want the bottom to be at least between my belt and back pockets.
Having read through this entire thread I feel even more lost so I ask for the sages advice

Forrest For the Trees · Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:20 am

Hard to say, as some have had mixed results trying to adjust for the Hero jacket's back length. I would think 26" would appear much too long though. Most of us have shaved off 2 inches with success, which puts yours at 24".

I'm 5' 10", and my standard Wested is 25" long in back, and my Nowak and Kelso Raiders jackets (Hero fit) have 23" in back length and they all fit me perfectly.

Good luck.

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 10:07 am

Totally agree with Forrest. In the Hero cut, 26" back would be a long car coat. I think 24" would be right.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 10:24 am

24" would definitely be more in spec with the Hero. 26" was a better number for the RoLA. Todd's early jackets were 26" in that size, as well.

Yankee752 · Post by **Yankee752** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 10:25 am

Thanks for the advice guys

I pulled the trigger on a Dark Brown lambskin Hero size 44 24 sleeve 24.5 back (to account for some shrinking) cotton/satin lining. Hopefully I made the right call been doing too much stressing over sizing and measurements when it's explained here many times over, but the big factor is gonna be if this gives me the raiders vibe I've been looking for. Now the wait begins.

Forrest For the Trees · Sun Feb 01, 2015 11:35 am

Good choice on the Dark Brown lambskin. It is a bit darker than what you see on screen, but generally I think it looks better in person than the authentic brown.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 2:29 pm

db lamb is thinner and pleats easier.

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 2:59 pm

Thank you all for the kind words regarding my situation, and the jacket advice. I can now finally share some images! Sorry it's been a while, but I've obviously had a lot on.

Having had the jacket for a while now, I love the cut and the leather, to me it really does have that 'lived in' Indy look, even without artificial distressing (all I've done is run it in the shower). I do think I ordered perhaps an inch too short, particularly in the back, and the pockets to me look oversized (this was an old problem with Wested when I was getting in to this hobby seven years ago, surprised to see it still around), but in general, I love the look of the jacket. Particularly given its sentimental value due to my various recent issues, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Today, to see what it looked like, I did a few 'full gear' shots (I'm aware my gear pales in comparison to some people's on here by the way!). I might share some more gear shots later on in the Scrapbook if people like them, but for now, I thought it was a good way to show off the general cut and look of the Shrunken Lamb jacket.

This one was a bit of fun, but I think shows off the side of the jacket quite well (although we were losing a lot of light by then):

Gorak · Post by **Gorak** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 3:38 pm

That looks fantastic......it may feel short and may very well be with regards to what you find comfortable but, in the pics, it looks very screen accurate.
That leather is the coolest too....

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 3:44 pm

Thank you

. I do have the trousers hitched up quite high, which is pretty accurate to the films (I think, at least, that's how I always imagine it, I didn't really go back to images to check), but helps compensate for the shortness. In day to day wear, it comes to just about level with my belt at the back, which is a tiny bit short, but nothing terrible. I'm a little bit worried about shrinkage in years to come, but I don't think it'll end up significantly too short. I can certainly get away with it as a daily jacket without it being a problem.

And yes, I absolutely adore the Shrunken Lamb hide. I wasn't sure what to expect after reading various mixed opinions on here, but to me, it's absolutely perfect. The Wested site advertises it as a 'credible, lived in look', and I remember dismissing that as the usual marketing rubbish, but it's really true. After just running it through the shower once it really does feel like I've been wearing it for ages.

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 5:16 pm

That jacket looks awesome and it does look good on you. Nice choice, makes me feel like
the ol craving for another jacket.

Congratulations and wear it in good health.

Croft

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 6:10 pm

Looks great, that lamb looks even better than the previous batch which was a little russet hued.

Don't worry about the pockets that has been round in a circle, we went too small for a little while. The larger ones are more practical anyway.

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 6:16 pm

Thank you both

.

Yeah, the colour is great. It's a bit lighter than my Horsehide jacket, which took a bit of getting used to, but it's one of those colours that looks very different in different lights. Sometimes, it's quite a rich, lighter brown, and often it's more like in the images here (which as I understand is how the real jacket was).

The larger pockets are definitely more practical, it's just a bit of a shock as even my seven year old Horsehide had smaller ones. At the end of the day, it's for practical use, not a 'costume jacket' (despite the photos), so practicality wins out over accuracy for me. That said, I do need to be careful about overstuffing them, one is already slightly stretching from the weight of spare change! I might start carrying my wallet on the inside pocket to stop them stretching further.

Scramber_CJ8 · Post by **Scramber_CJ8** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:35 am

Hey everyone, first post here. Looking to order a Wested Hero in the near future. I've read through many of the posts on this thread and think I've narrowed down my leather choice to either the Shrunken Lamb or the Dark Brown Lamb. Was wondering if anyone has recently purchased a Dark Brown Lamb and has pics to share? Based on the sample pics on the Wested website, the Dark Brown looks more reddish than the Authentic Brown…but some older pics from COW show the Dark Brown Lamb to be very dark (almost black) - which I like. Just curious what the current run looks like...

Thanks!

Patrick

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:03 pm

Yeah, recent, that is the question. I can tell you having owned both that in general, the db lamb is thin leather and has purply undertones. It is thin and light weight but in this case, thin does not mean cheap. SL is average thickness and weight, has amazing texture and rusty earthy undertones.

Forrest For the Trees · Thu Feb 05, 2015 8:35 pm

Yeah, I think it must depend on the each batch of leather. My dark brown lamb is pretty old, and yeah, I could say it has some purple to it (not as weird as it sounds), but also a little red. I really like the color, actually. It is a touch darker than my preference, about the color of espresso, but certainly I would never confuse it with black.

Scramber_CJ8 · Post by **Scramber_CJ8** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:23 pm

Thanks guys - I actually decided to bite the bullet and ordered an authentic brown lambskin Raiders jacket from the Wested Clearance rack. Good price, good color (nice to be able to see the actual jacket that I'm buying) and hopefully a good fit ; )

Much appreciated,
Patrick

Scramber_CJ8 · Post by **Scramber_CJ8** » Tue Feb 17, 2015 6:51 pm

Hey everyone,

Thanks again for your replies on this thread as well as the "Correct Length for Wested Raiders" thread. As a quick recap, a week or so ago I ordered a Wested Custom Raiders from the Clearance section of their website. It is too short and the sleeves are a tad too long, so I am going to return it in exchange for a new jacket. At first I was going to go with a new Custom Standard Raiders, but after much consideration I think I might go with the HERO in shrunken lamb. However, before I pull the trigger I want to ask you guys about measurements, which do not translate directly from Standard to Hero. Any and all feedback is welcome!

Personal Measurements:

- Height: 5' 10.5"
- Weight: 158 lbs.
- Chest: 39" around
- Measured Arm Length (taken from the shoulder seam of a t-shirt to right above the first knuckle on the thumb): 25"
- Measured Pit to Pit: 20"

Current Wested Raiders Measurements (as provided from Wested):

- Sleeve Length: 25"
- Back Length: 23"
- Chest Size: 38
- Leather Type: Authentic Lamb

Photos of current Wested Raiders:

Ordering my HERO fit...

So based on those photos, do you agree that I should add 1.5" to the current 23" back length and take off 0.5" to 1" from the current 25" sleeve length? I know shrinkage is a factor - what measurements would you go with if I were to order a new Custom Standard Raiders.

Now, given those revised Standard Raiders measurements - what sleeve length and back length should I order for the HERO fit?

Thank you!!

Patrick

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:00 pm

The Hero jackets run a bit longer as I understand it than standard. I'm your height, and I ordered 23" both in sleeves and the back. You can see the results up thread a few posts.

Personally, for a day to day jacket, I wish I'd ordered 24", but 23" seems screen accurate.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:20 pm

Another spec to consider is the measurement from the collar to the shoulder seam. My guess is your jacket measures 6 1/2" to 7", somewhere in there. The Hero shoulder seams hang off the shoulders, so sleeves around 24" would be about right, but add a bit, if you feel more comfortable with it. Back, same notion, around 24", but add if needed. You are on the right track, and the fact that you have one in hand helps a great deal.

Almost forgot, you might ask for the darkest SL possible.

Forrest For the Trees · Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:55 pm

For a hero jacket, 23" should be about right. You might want to go with 23.5" or 24" at the absolute most if you are concerned about length. Given how the 25" sleeve on the standard fits you in the pictures, I'd go down to 24" or 24.5" at the most.

You're between a 38 and a 40, so you make the call. Maybe a 40, given that 38 looks snug in the chest. Maybe others can chime in about the hero fit being loose or not.

Scramber_CJ8 · Post by **Scramber_CJ8** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 12:26 am

Hey everyone, thanks for the feedback! I decided to go to a suit shop this evening to get fitted for a sport coat. They said my chest size is 39 and I should wear a 40 coat. That being said, I think I'll probably increase from the 38 to the 40. The 38 fits, but is a close fit and is probably not the best way to go for an expensive investment like this. My current thoughts are:

- Chest: 40 (rounding up from my actual size of 39)

- Sleeves: 24.5" (my Standard Raiders has 25" sleeves which are about a half an inch or so too long…but I'm thinking with the tapered sleeves of the Hero fit they might bunch a bit so a 24.5" Hero fit should fall about the same length as the 25" Standard fit with room to bunch. Do you guys find that the Shrunken Lamb Hero sleeves start to bunch up as you break them in?)

- Back Length: 23.5" (my Standard Raiders has a 23" back length which is too short…it could be 1.5" longer. Since the Hero runs 1"-2" longer, the 23.5" Hero fit should be equivalent to a 24.5" to 25.5" Standard fit.)

Thoughts? I'm so close I can taste it…I feel like after this jacket is ordered I never want to see a tape measure again

Patrick

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 3:24 am

I'm no expert by any means, I only own two jackets, ordered seven years apart, but I think your sleeves may still be a little long there. The Hero jacket's sleeves run a bit longer, as I understand, because the shoulder seam is lower. So if 25 is already too long for you, 24.5 in Hero cut will probably remain the same length. My sleeves are actually 23" and you can see in my images still quite long. (As for riding up, I've only had it a month or so, so not entirely certain yet, but they've bunched up a bit. Not noticeably. After seven years, my Horsehide standard Raiders lost a good few inches in the sleeves).

Forrest For the Trees · Thu Feb 19, 2015 9:42 pm

Specs look good, Patrick. Your call on the sleeves. I say pull the trigger!

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 3:59 am

My thoughts are, it's better to be fractionally long than fractionally too short. You can live with a jacket that is too long and it will actually be more comfortable to wear but not one that is too short you will feel uncomfortably exposed....

Most of Wested returns are by people who have ordered their jackets too short. 23 may have fitted Ford in this 30's but he was slim and fit and he may have had a short torso and long legs.

If sleeves are too long they are easy to alter too.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:46 am

I's go 24" or even 24 1/2" on the back length.

Gorak · Post by **Gorak** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 10:28 am

I wear a 40 and always found the standard SA 23 back to be just atad short for my taste. It doesn't look short in pics and video but when I had a Hero size 40 with a 24 in back, it made all the difference in the world as to me feeling completely comfortable in the jacket and now, that is the standard I use for my measurements.

Forrest For the Trees · Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:34 pm

Survey says: 24 inch back length!

Be sure to request shorter straps. I don't know what Wested is thinking with those super long straps. My Kelso has 7.5" straps and my Nowak Raiders has 6.5" straps. I'd hit that length in the middle and go 7". Anyone else have an opinion on this?

indyhan · Post by **indyhan** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 4:31 pm

Forrest For the Trees wrote:Survey says: 24 inch back length!

Be sure to request shorter straps. I don't know what Wested is thinking with those super long straps. My Kelso has 7.5" straps and my Nowak Raiders has 6.5" straps. I'd hit that length in the middle and go 7". Anyone else have an opinion on this?

yep, 7" seems to be a more sensible length
i had to specify i wanted shortened straps when i ordered my Hero (i asked for 6")
the standard hero straps length is 9" if memory serves. way too long in my view.

Leigh · Post by **Leigh** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 5:02 pm

I hadn't really noticed any issue with the strap length. Mine are perhaps a tad long, but that's because I tightened the back a little, but it never struck me as being particularly overlong. Maybe I'm not a stickler for screen accuracy, but they looked fairly accurate to me. (Of course, mine now stick out in the opposite direction after getting wet which perhaps detracts a little from the length issue).

fateoftheduck · Post by **fateoftheduck** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:41 pm

indyhan wrote:
Forrest For the Trees wrote:Survey says: 24 inch back length!

Be sure to request shorter straps. I don't know what Wested is thinking with those super long straps. My Kelso has 7.5" straps and my Nowak Raiders has 6.5" straps. I'd hit that length in the middle and go 7". Anyone else have an opinion on this?
yep, 7" seems to be a more sensible length
i had to specify i wanted shortened straps when i ordered my Hero (i asked for 6")
the standard hero straps length is 9" if memory serves. way too long in my view.

Measuring outside the box (I don't know the convention), I measured my Hero straps to be 8". They are a bit long, but I only recently discovered that you can push them through the buckle again which helps fix this.

(When I recently ordered a custom LC, I asked for 6" straps - my standard LC/CS has 5" straps - a bit short.)

Prodigal Son · Post by **Prodigal Son** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:03 pm

I've noticed people here writing about the quirks of this jacket. I've owned a ROLA, a ROTLA, and have an LC/CS. The hero I just received in the mail doesn't seem to be falling down my back or sliding off my shoulders in any way. It's way more comfortable than my old washed goat ROLA. The back of the collar hangs right where the other jackets do; just a bit away from my neck, though, but not too much, just enugh to be really comfortable. In addition, the back length is standard for the size 42 and ends exatly where my size 42 ROLA ends at my back pockets. I'm also kind of fat. Really, this hero doesn't seem ultra-slim-fitting or anything.

Perhaps its because of my body shape, and that's my point and reason for posting this here now. I'm thick and barrel chested, by the way (that's my shape and has nothing to do with muscle; of which I have very little) and my shoulders are broad. For me, the hero is great. I wear an off-the-rack 42 perfectly. I requested the sleeves to be a half inch shorter than the 25" that is standard for the size 42 and the sleeves ended up right where they were supposed to.

I've seen some pictures of some real skinny, young males on here displaying their heros and, if I remember correctly, they were complaining about the quirks of this particular jacket. In the photos, you could see the jacket sliding off the shoulders and down the back. So, I'd say that a person should take this into consideration. Really, mine feels way more comfortable than my other Westeds.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:40 pm

The quirks or not the quirks. If you want something close to the true film jacket, then the Hero is the way to go. If you want a jacket that fits you better, then I'd recommend the RoLA pattern. Either way, I like to see the details accurate. This sums up my approach to it, and has for some time.

Glenville86 · Post by **Glenville86** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:09 pm

I agree with Texan Scott. I gave my Hero jacket to charity as it was not a good fitting jacket. Much more happy with the standard Wested fitting jackets.

Prodigal Son · Post by **Prodigal Son** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:39 pm

I think you missed my point. The Hero isn't ill-fitting on everyone. My Hero fits me better than my ROLA, my old ROTLA, and my LC/CS. The shoulder and collar area are more comfortable.