First Indy jacket: Wested Hero Raiders or Hero LC?

[drewgarcia618]

Hey everyone!

I apologize if this is in the wrong spot or has been addressed before, so admins feel free to move or delete this post if needed.

Anyways here we go...

I was recently told by my girlfriend that she’d never seen an Indy movie, and naturally I introduced her to the classics. While watching, I decided to look for a similar jacket. I discovered Wested, and naturally, was hooked. Ive read that the quality of the leather is great, and that even the lamb skin can last for years, but the lining may need repairs/replacement after a few years. As a college student, the prices are tough to beat, especially cause I’ll probably get a custom sized one.

I’m 6’2”, I fluxuate between 195 to 200lbs (I’m a Army Cadet, so I’m really lean), have broad shoulders and chest, and I have long arms and torso. Unfortunately, the lengths on standard sizing is about 2 inches shorter than what I need. So, custom sizing is what I need to do. At that price, I might as well pay a little bit more for the “Hero” version of the jacket. However, I can’t really tell which I should get. Last Crusade is my favorite film in the series, but Raiders is more iconic to me as it started the series and defined the look.

What is y’all’s opinion on fit of each? What skin should I get (I live in central Texas, and want this to be more of a spring/fall/ mild winter jacket)? And how do the different heroes fit?

TLDR: I want an Indy jacket to fit my slimmer stomach and broader shoulders, and will be ordering a custom Hero, but can’t decide which film cut to go with.

Thanks in advance everybody,
Drew

[xmasters]

Welcome!

Personal preference, but I prefer the Raiders Hero jacket. There's a bit more coolness about it. It's a unique fit though (if you get the Hero and not the conventional Raiders). You're 6'2" Which is a bit taller than Ford so you'd want to order a backlength of maybe 26" (the movie jacket was about 24" and Ford was 6'1") . Order your normal sleeve length but consider this jacket has a shoulder overhang, so the sleeves will already fall longer on your arms slightly. Also let wested know if you have thick muscular arms as the arm sleeves are quite narrow. Also if your chest measurement falls between sizes, go one size up. As for the leather I would suggest the authentic lamb which is quite durable, jacket will look shiny and new but you can wear it in, or pay more for the shrunken lamb which has an instantly aged look to it. Hope that's helpful.

[Mulceber]

I agree with xmasters - I'd further add that since you have a slender build, the Raiders jacket would be better for you anyway: the Crusade jacket has the '80s trend toward baggy shoulders, whereas the Raiders jacket is a leaner model. The shoulders are broad (heck, the seem is off the shoulders a bit), but it's generally cut for a more slender person. It might also help to take your measurements (or even get measured by a tailor) and email the folks at Wested to get their advice on the size you should order. Any thoughts on leather, lining material, etc. yet?

Also, most important part, how did your girlfriend like the Indy movies!?

As for the leather I would suggest the authentic lamb which is quite durable,

Let's not kid ourselves, lamb is not the leather you go to for durability. Don't get me wrong, I agree lamb is probably the best choice, but if he wants a jacket that'll take a pounding, he really should look at goat or horse.

[Charybdis]

Raiders lamb...

[drewgarcia618]

Welcome!

Personal preference, but I prefer the Raiders Hero jacket. There's a bit more coolness about it. It's a unique fit though (if you get the Hero and not the conventional Raiders). You're 6'2" Which is a bit taller than Ford so you'd want to order a backlength of maybe 26" (the movie jacket was about 24" and Ford was 6'1") . Order your normal sleeve length but consider this jacket has a shoulder overhang, so the sleeves will already fall longer on your arms slightly. Also let wested know if you have thick muscular arms as the arm sleeves are quite narrow. Also if your chest measurement falls between sizes, go one size up. As for the leather I would suggest the authentic lamb which is quite durable, jacket will look shiny and new but you can wear it in, or pay more for the shrunken lamb which has an instantly aged look to it. Hope that's helpful.

xmasters, thanks a lot!! I was considering the authentic lamb or goatskin, but like I said I do want a lighter jacket. It stays pretty cool, but not cold where I am from. It stays in the upper 30-60’s through the fall, winter, and spring. The coldest it really gets is a few days in the lower 30’s and maybe the upper 20’s. For days like that I have another coat with a quilted lining.

I agree with xmasters - I'd further add that since you have a slender build, the Raiders jacket would be better for you anyway: the Crusade jacket has the '80s trend toward baggy shoulders, whereas the Raiders jacket is a leaner model. The shoulders are broad (heck, the seem is off the shoulders a bit), but it's generally cut for a more slender person. It might also help to take your measurements (or even get measured by a tailor) and email the folks at Wested to get their advice on the size you should order. Any thoughts on leather, lining material, etc. yet?

Also, most important part, how did your girlfriend like the Indy movies!?

As for the leather I would suggest the authentic lamb which is quite durable,

Let's not kid ourselves, lamb is not the leather you go to for durability. Don't get me wrong, I agree lamb is probably the best choice, but if he wants a jacket that'll take a pounding, he really should look at goat or horse.

Mulceber, thanks for those tips, I went and got measured today! I just have to decide the details of what I want to get. I don’t think horse is for me, but as I said in reply to xmasters, goat or lamb is what I am looking for. I want something that will last a lifetime but will also distress well and really become mine.

I have no preference on the lining I don’t think. I really do want to know the opinions of you more experienced guys in that regard.

Oh, and her favorite is Crystal Skull………………………………………. Ugh . Good thing she and I love each other.

[Mulceber]

Yeah, I'd only recommend horse if you wanted a jacket that was borderline bullet-proof.

I want something that will last a lifetime but will also distress well and really become mine.

Hmm...that's a tough one - lamb will distress, but goat will last a lifetime. My best advice, given the climate, would be to go for lamb - if you take care of it, it'll last quite a while and distress really nicely. You might give the shrunken lamb and the washed lamb a look in addition to the authentic lamb, to see if either of them appeals. For the lining, my advice would be all-cotton lining: satin sleeves will stick to your arms if you sweat at all.

Oh, and her favorite is Crystal Skull…

Well...we all have our failings.

[xmasters]

Let's not kid ourselves, lamb is not the leather you go to for durability. Don't get me wrong, I agree lamb is probably the best choice, but if he wants a jacket that'll take a pounding, he really should look at goat or horse.

Wested don't do a thin horsehide, in fact the horsehide they do is the heaviest leather they stock. I wouldn't reccomend it personally. Most people use it as winter only leather. too hot otherwise. The Goat is an option, but in my experience the wested goat is more prone to shrinkage than the other leathers, so don't get it wet too many times!

Goat is probably the best option for a tough leather that isn't heavy though.

Another point, if you're going to manually distress the jacket. The goat will be a lot more work.

Unless you're going to cosplay I would wear the jacket and let it distress from wear and your life adventures. A jacket that will last a lifetime stands a much better chance if you haven't taken the sandpaper to it already.

Consider the washed lamb or shrunken lamb for a Raiders ready look out of the box, but if you really want a jacket that you can feel secure in lasting a lifetime I would say Goat is the best option.

[Mulceber]

Guys, I wasn’t actually suggesting horse - I said I thought lamb was the best option. I merely listed horse as an example of one of the tough leathers.

Another point, if you're going to manually distress the jacket. The goat will be a lot more work.

You can say that again. My Wested goat is 13 years old and has barely aged a day, although I have noticed the shrinkage you mentioned...

[drewgarcia618]

Sorry if I seem like a complete newby, but my only experience with leather is my cheap eBay cowhide and a hand-me-down Wilson’s. The former is a super thick skin, and the latter a really thin one. I managed to tear the bottom of Wilson's back at some point, albeit I was much heavier (100+lbs ago) and a reckless kid (small town country boy who thought he was invincible). On the other hand, I wasn’t seeing the wear and tear I wanted on the cow, so I artificially distressed it.

I’d like my Indy to be somewhere in the middle, specifically something that won’t tear as easy as my Wilson’s did. I’ve read posts on this site and on Fedora Lounge and the RPF about the lambskin lasting 8+ years even under heavy use and wear. Of all the lamb skins that Wested does offer, is there a difference in durability? Like is the predistressed more durable than the authentic? will the washed or shrunken hides be less durable than the authentic? I’ve emailed Wested this morning and will see what they reccomend as well!

[AttyOzzy]

Hi,

Welcome DrewGarcia618,

In the last two years, I have had two Indy jacket vendors make me a Raiders jacket with a slight taper for the reasons you mentioned. Both came out very well. The person who takes your order may remind you that the Indy Raiders jacket is intended to be a box jacket, but like you I also did not wish to appear to be wearing a leather barrel.

Anyway, both vendors (one of which was Wested - the other S&J) were very accommodating and I remain very pleased with the end products.

On a slightly different note, I smiled when I saw that you were deciding between two jacket styles because I predict that within approx three years or less, you will likely end up owning both. This hobby does that to a person.

Best Wishes,

AO

[xmasters]

I’d like my Indy to be somewhere in the middle, specifically something that won’t tear as easy as my Wilson’s did. I’ve read posts on this site and on Fedora Lounge and the RPF about the lambskin lasting 8+ years even under heavy use and wear. Of all the lamb skins that Wested does offer, is there a difference in durability? Like is the predistressed more durable than the authentic? will the washed or shrunken hides be less durable than the authentic? I’ve emailed Wested this morning and will see what they reccomend as well!

No, my shrunken lamb Doom jacket is almost medium weight thickness. However this really depends what your activity levels with the jacket are going to be. The washed lamb is meant to be a thicker lamb, but there's a recent thread posted here where a guy has somehow managed to make a big tear in it. Forget the predistressed lamb, it doesn't look anything like the right the color for the jacket.

At this point I would hesitate to recommend anything other than the Goat. It's the right color. It's not not heavy and it really is durable. But see what wested tell you, maybe thell have some advice on their current leathers.

[Mulceber]

Yeah, but keep in mind, Drew said he wanted something that would age well too. Goat doesn’t really age at all. My vote would be Shrunken Lamb or washed lamb. Keep in mind, the guy who tore the washed lamb Wested pretty clearly had a defective jacket - it tore along a perforated line, suggesting that they had accidentally weakened it in advance.

[drewgarcia618]

For my first one, I think I’ll go with authentic lamb. From what y’all tell me and the research I’ve done, it’ll age wonderfully and last the test of time (so long as I take care of it). I’m placing my order right after I post this, and I’m already giddy about it.

When time comes for me to retire my Raiders, I will transition to the Crusade jacket

Thanks so much to all of you for helping me out! When I get it in and can take pictures, I’ll post them!!