WWW - Warmer Weather Wested

[bearbeast]

At the moment I have a LC Wested in Horsehide, which is pretty great for chilly to very cold weather.

I would like to get a new one from Wested for warmer weather, this year. I've looked at the leather recommendations on the Wested site, but I cannot tell which would be proper for warm weather.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I would still like the leather to be resilient, but I would like to be able to wear it during late spring, early summer.

Cheers,
Bear

[yellowduke]

I would suggest goat for a lighter jacket that is still hard wearing but lamb would be the lightest.

[CM]

Depends what you mean by warm. Down here it has been 108 degrees and no Wested is wearable.

Leather of itself is not warm, in winter you need insulation either from a warm lining or a fleece. Goat, horse or cow will feel pretty much the same if the weight is 2.5oz. Lamb is your best warm weather material, it is light and cut thinner.

[bearbeast]

Hmmm, I was thinking somewhere between 75-85 Fahrenheit. That is summer weather, during the night at least, in my country.

Of course, the worse summer days go up to 104 in the shade, but then I think anything more than a shirt is murder.

Thanks for the feedback, Yellowduke!

[Michaelson]

Leather isn't usually 'comfortable' until it's in the low 60F weather.

Peter Botwright referred to lambskin as his 'summer weight' jacket, so if you're looking for something 'wearable' in warmer temps, lambskin is your best bet......next step would be a VERY light weight goatskin, as mentioned above.

Regards! Michaelson

[Charybdis]

You're right about the mid to low 60sF and wearing jackets. That's usually when I break out my lambskin jacket. Once it gets into the 50s, then I switch to goat.

75-85? I am sweating in a T-shirt and shorts by then!

[bearbeast]

Hmmm, thank for the feedback, guys!

You are definitely right... At around 70F degrees I am comfortable in a T-shirt and nothing more. (except pants, shoes and stuff... don't get any funny ideas!)

But I would like another jacket...

I have some time to make up my mind 'til warmer weather comes, if I should go with goat or lambskin!

Cheers,
Bear

[Michaelson]

Well, it once again will depend on exactly what you're going for.

If you can find a nice LIGHT weight goat, that is the way to go, as goat is equal to horsehide in tensile strength on the leather scale, with only kangaroo hide being the lightest AND strongest on the same scale.

Still, don't rule out a good New Zealand lambskin of any manufacturer. It's light weight, but VERY tough.

You can find this hide in jackets made by USWings or Wested, and if you can scare up a used Gibson and Barnes 'Expedition' in lambskin, that's what they used as well.

I have my original 2001 prototype G&B Expedition New Zealand lambskin which has been through every kind of weather you can name, and it's still as supple and tear free as any stronger hide I own. It has aged very nicely too, as is my more recently acquired black G&B Expedition lambskin.

You have it narrowed down the the right two hides, in my opinion.

Regards! Michaelson

[bearbeast]

Thanks, Michaelson! You are indeed 'Knower of Things'!

About maker, Wested is the only one within my budget. They seem to be open to receiving questions before orders, so I can ask them what is in stock before ordering. At least I hope they are...

I think pretty much both choices between lamb and goat (and their variations) will be lighter than my horsehide. This thing is HEAVY!

[Michaelson]

I have read of lighter versions of horsehide, so you could always do a search on that topic.

My horsehide is also one of the physically heaviest jackets in my stable....but VERY much loved and lived in when the temps drop in the low 30's and below!

I've been wearing it the past two weeks, as a matter of fact, in wind chills below zero. GREAT hide for that purpose, but above the mid 50? It goes back in the closet!

Regards! M

[Trenin]

I understand the problem. I’m not a big guy (need to hit the gym) and don’t sweat much. My friends are always asking me why I don’t wear shorts. Honestly, I don’t get that hot. That said, in the summer, wearing a jacket is a stretch. I had Indy Magnoli make me a vest I pieced together from a few different designs to give me something that felt “Indy-inspired” but would still be plausible in warmer environments.


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[Marv]

I have a Hero in the shrunken lamb and its very light with a good drape plus the hide has held up really well to all kinds of activities, its pretty tough so no babying at all.

The lambskin breaks in really well and feels very comfortable whilst wearing without over heating, I wore my Hero all through last summer with either a shirt or t-shirt underneath and it was fine.

So much so, I am thinking of getting a Wested Skyfall (not really Indy I know) in the same shrunken lamb for the spring & summer months this year as I was so impressed with the hide.

For what you are looking for, I would recommend going with the lambskin whether it be the shrunken or standard as this would be your lightest and most comfortable leather.

Hope that helps a bit.....

[bearbeast]

Thank, it definitely helps a lot. I think the shrunken lamb is in high demand, as well, at least according to Wested's site.

I think because of what you said, Marv: it is light, yet resilient.

Michaelson, I love my horsehide, but I think lamb, or goat should be my next choice... I would like to try different hides. In time at least, so my wallet doesn't faint suddenly.

Trenin, your idea sounds really cool! I love 'close-enough' stuff, that have a bit of your personality in them! For me it's the hat. I have a leather, crush-able hat. Not exactly an Indy fedora, but it still gives me an adventure feeling.

[Michaelson]

Here's one for consideration.

I had one made years ago in cloth without the bullet loops.

http://www.magnoliclothiers.com/quaterm ... p-107.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards! Michaelson

[bearbeast]

Nice looking vest! It doesn't stray far from Indy's world, being worn by Sean Connery.

Shrunken Lamb sounds good, I think Marv has convinced me...

[xmasters]

If it's for warmer weather I find the satin sleeve option better.

[Michaelson]

Actually, I've experienced quite the opposite.

Satin tends to 'stick' to my arms if they're warm. Cotton always seems cooler and less like to stick as the temps go up, where I find satin perfect for colder weather.....but different strokes for different folks.

Regard! M

[CM]

Actually, I've experienced quite the opposite.

Satin tends to 'stick' to my arms if they're warm. Cotton always seems cooler and less like to stick as the temps go up, where I find satin perfect for colder weather.....but different strokes for different folks.

Regard! M

Me too, M. Cotton is generally considered the greatest of warm weather fabrics.

[bearbeast]

I guess satin would tend to stick to your arms in warm weather. I have worn mine in 'not so cold' weather, when it was too hot in it.

I didn't experience the sticking effect, but it was because the Last Crusade style has larger arm holes I would think. In addition I am quite big around the chest, so my size 46 jacket provides large hallways as sleeves for my arms.

[Marv]

Nice looking vest! It doesn't stray far from Indy's world, being worn by Sean Connery.

Shrunken Lamb sounds good, I think Marv has convinced me...

Here's photo of my Hero (from around 6 months ago) in the shrunken lamb so you can get an idea of the hide shade and break in.

Only had the jacket from new around a month when I took the pic so you can see how quickly and easily the shrunken lamb breaks in.

[Charybdis]

I was getting dressed this morning and it was a cool 30F outside. It is going to warm up later so I decided to wear my Wested Goat since it has a bit more heft than lamb. I stuck my arms inside the sleeves (I was still wearing short sleeves) and my arm nearly froze from the satin inside!! It warmed up quickly though...

[Michaelson]

That's why we wear long sleeve shirts in winter.



Regard! M

[bearbeast]

Thank you for the picture, Marv!

I really like the look of the leather! Both the breaking in and the texture!

Shrunken lamb starts looking like an awesome choice!

[xmasters]

Nice Marv. Did you ask for a darker lining? It's usually brown.

[Charybdis]

That's why we wear long sleeve shirts in winter.



Regard! M

Ha! Happened to me again today. Around 32 this morning and my arms froze again when I put on my Wested!! Old geezers will never learn!

[Michaelson]

Ya think! I'm in my 60's, and I seem to layer MORE stuff on in weather when it's really not called for.

Regard! M

[bearbeast]

Well, you can always take stuff off, right? Rather be a bit too warm, than a LOT too chilly!

[Michaelson]

Yep, that's my theory....

Regards! M

[Marv]

Thank you for the picture, Marv!

I really like the look of the leather! Both the breaking in and the texture!

Shrunken lamb starts looking like an awesome choice!

No problem at all, the hide just better and better the more wear it gets.......

[Marv]

Nice Marv. Did you ask for a darker lining? It's usually brown.

I didn't ask for a darker lining it's just the standard brown that comes with the Hero, probably just the lighting when the photo was taken as the leather looks a little grey than in reality also.

[bearbeast]

That is what I love about leather. Good quality leather at least: the more it ages, the nicer it looks and the more character it develops.

[Jeremiah]

Quality for sure but you also get better aging with veg tanned leathers than chrome tanned, both of which can also be high quality.

[bearbeast]

Oh, definitely! Veg tanned leather ages beautifully indeed! Whips are a great example of leather aging like fine wine!