Wested Washed Lamb

[Indydawg]

Hi, all!

Do any of you have any experience with Wested’s newest washed lamb skin? I am curious to hear people’s thoughts on it.

Cheers!

[twistedotter]

It looks fantastic, but I do have a complaint. The leather is so thin that the base of the hand warmer pockets tears. I’ve had two jackets in washed lamb tear already. And it was not after hard use, either, just typical hands in pockets stuff. In both cases the tearing started after just 2-3 wearings. After the first one died (tore all the way from the pocket to the hem) I thought it might have been a fluke, so I ordered another one. It started to tear after 2 wearings. Luckily I caught it fast enough and took it to a local tailor and had them reinforce the pockets. It started to tear again, so I just had them *really* reinforce the pockets. Anyway, the leather is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, but it just isn’t strong enough for integral stress points. Every other jacket of theirs has always held up, so I’m blaming the washed lamb in this case.

[LostRaider25]

so I’m blaming the washed lamb in this case.

Not just washed lamb, happens to shrunken lamb too (which I think is lighter than washed). Had two shrunken lambs in the past that has pockets being torn just my simply putting my hands in them. On my third order I contacted wested about this issue and they assured me they'll make the next one better. Finally it got fixed and up to now the pockets are intact.

[Indydawg]

Thanks! That’s what I needed to know!

[marker2037]

Thanks! That’s what I needed to know!

Please don’t let this be a deterrent. My washed lamb jacket bought last November is the sturdiest jacket I own and I have worn it on many adventures. It’s solid stuff in my opinion and I definitely don’t baby it. Oh, I also use the hand warmer pockets without any problems. I couldn’t imagine being able to rip this easily.

[drewgarcia618]

It looks fantastic, but I do have a complaint. The leather is so thin that the base of the hand warmer pockets tears. I’ve had two jackets in washed lamb tear already. And it was not after hard use, either, just typical hands in pockets stuff. In both cases the tearing started after just 2-3 wearings. After the first one died (tore all the way from the pocket to the hem) I thought it might have been a fluke, so I ordered another one. It started to tear after 2 wearings. Luckily I caught it fast enough and took it to a local tailor and had them reinforce the pockets. It started to tear again, so I just had them *really* reinforce the pockets. Anyway, the leather is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, but it just isn’t strong enough for integral stress points. Every other jacket of theirs has always held up, so I’m blaming the washed lamb in this case.

To echo Twistedotter’s experience, the washed lamb from Wested is the only leather I have ever had that’s torn. Mine wasn’t at the pockets though, it was the sleeve after some light wear. I had it stitched up (you couldn’t really see it) and sold it at a super discounted rate to a friend of mine. He wore it 2 or 3 times and then it ripped down the back when he was turning to get out of a seat.

The Wested jacket I owned was excellently put together, but it had the misfortune of being in the washed lamb... I’d put it in the category of being a great costume jacket, but not a great everyday jacket.

[baddates1]

Has anyone heard from Wested recently? I sent them an email about a jacket but no response...

[Kubrik]

Yes I got one and it looks and feels fantastic. Closest to the Raiders in my opinion. Unfortunately it is not very tough so I don't wear it for the rugged everyday wear. I don't even put anything in the pockets. Nice one to have.

[Illinois_Jones]

It's the main thing that has stopped me from getting one. I remember Wested saying it was slightly heavier and had more body than the regular lamb, whatever that means, but having seen one in person and hearing all of this anecdotal evidence it seems it may be more structurally weak than even shrunken lamb.

[LostRaider25]

Not sure if the base of the pockets ripping are due to the type of leather or workmanship of the stitching. My first ever Wested was a standard custom goat and the pockets up to now are intact. I always put my hands in the hand warmer pockets and not a single tear. As I mentioned earlier, my first shrunken lamb was tearing at the base right away that I had to take it to a leather shop to have it reinforced. Second shrunken lamb I got arrived with the base slightly torn. So after a while on my third order, I really requested if they could reinforce it carefully and properly next time, and I was assured it will be. Third one's a charm and it arrived great and up to now it's still intact even if I use the pockets, but for this to happen I had to contact Wested to make sure it'll be intact when it should be intact with or without telling them.

Given this, the tearing of the pockets could lean more into a quality control issue instead of a “type of leather issue.” Lamb does tear more easily compared to tougher skins out there, but with the proper stitching, the tearing of the base hand warmer pockets shouldn't be a problem.

These are just my thoughts based on my experience. I'm glad they were able to reinforce my pockets on my last order. I do hope they continue to do that with the rest.

[Prodigal Son]

I've had a washed lamb for a few years now and love it. It seems very durable to me and I've had plenty of leathers from Wested. The washed lamb distresses naturally and looks great. I love the feel of it, too. It feels substantial. Really, I like it a lot. It's my favorite. I don't use the hand warmer pockets, though. But, anyway, I've worn this jacket a lot and so far, it's held up just fine. No problems at all.

[Imdacaptainnow]

Super not intending to be a snarky reply, but I’ve spent a lot of time wearing a Cockpit A2 without hand warmer pockets, as it was considered unbecoming of the military...finally got used to not stuffing my hands into my jackets...

Just a question , would anyone know if the originally screen used jackets had hand warmer pockets??

[IJJTM]

I don’t know 100%, but I’m pretty sure they had hand warmers.

[xmasters]

Just a question , would anyone know if the originally screen used jackets had hand warmer pockets??

They did.

[Kubrik]

I have gotten a dozen jackets over the years in all the leathers and the Wested washed lamb is to me the most screen accurate and amazing looking leather I have ever seen. The leather is thick and tough enough. It does not have the cardboard body armour feel of a goat, cow or horse. It is very soft and drapes amazingly, just like the the actual Raiders jacket. The color is dead on Raiders and the standard is the perfect real world fit that you can wear outside without looking or feeling that off the shoulder weirdness. Can’t wait to see it naturally distressed. Highly recommend it!

It’s a 10 out of 10 for me. Outstanding!!

[Thunderspy]

Just a question , would anyone know if the originally screen used jackets had hand warmer pockets??

They did.

Yes, isn't Elsa's lighter in one of his hand warmer pockets in Crusade when Connery fishes it out? Or am I misremembering?

[Prodigal Son]

I just figured I'd post an update on this leather, if anyone is interested. I've had mine for about four years now, maybe a little more. I wear it all the time during jacket season. It's still holding up nicely. I would not consider this a delicate costume jacket, not by any means. The stitching is holding up, too. From time-to-time, I have actually used the hand warmers and haven't had any problems with tears. This is the most comfortable Wested jacket I own, and I own a lot of them. I am very happy with the leather. It's thick, a bit heavy, soft, and drapes perfectly. I haven't used any leather conditioners on it, either, and it still feels great to the touch. Really impressed.

[Kubrik]

I don’t put large things such as my wallet, phone or keys in the front pockets. It will stretch the leather and deform the pockets. I usually keep the flaps snapped shut. I would only insert lighter things such as tickets or whatever. Other than that, no issues. That goes for both my washed lamb and my standard lamb raiders jacket.

[marker2037]

I just figured I'd post an update on this leather, if anyone is interested. I've had mine for about four years now, maybe a little more. I wear it all the time during jacket season. It's still holding up nicely. I would not consider this a delicate costume jacket, not by any means. The stitching is holding up, too. From time-to-time, I have actually used the hand warmers and haven't had any problems with tears. This is the most comfortable Wested jacket I own, and I own a lot of them. I am very happy with the leather. It's thick, a bit heavy, soft, and drapes perfectly. I haven't used any leather conditioners on it, either, and it still feels great to the touch. Really impressed.

Completely agree.

[Prodigal Son]

Just to add another update, over the years, the jacket has picked up a nice shine to the finish and even in areas where it has rubbed really thin, such as the elbow area and inner-forearm. The shine has really spread and it doesn’t look tacky. Instead, it looks like a real patina. It’s still T-shirt soft and stretchy. Not a single tear. The liner is still immaculate. Having larger arm holes really helps with that, too, because when it’s tight there, that cotton liner will quickly go with daily wear. So, there you go. Everyone should have a Wested in their stable. You can’t go wrong with the washed lamb. And the drape gets better.