Thank you all for your suggestions. I've done some research and Hampton reveal the G&B was copied from an original Raiders jacket made in goat. I shall be ordering one and also a Wested once I've determined the type.
Additionally, G&B have several raiders sizes in their clearance list at $299.
indyexpat wrote:Thank you all for your suggestions. I've done some research and Hampton reveal the G&B was copied from an original Raiders jacket made in goat. I shall be ordering one and also a Wested once I've determined the type.
Additionally, G&B have several raiders sizes in their clearance list at $299.
Make sure you get their "Expedition" and not their jacket named "Raiders". They are 2 different styles-- their jacket called "Raiders" is NOT an Indy-style jacket.
/My first post on Page 1 has been edited to include links to jacket makers and their respective threads in the forum. This should keep you busy for awhile....
My favorite Indy jacket - definitely 100% my USW Legend made in the USA in Shrunken Lamb. Do I actually believe it is the most screen accurate Raiders out there - definitely not! Made from Cooper specs, but hide is WAY too thick (also why I love it) But still one of the nicest jackets I've ever seen. Otherwise I'd go with, and like to own someday, a GB Expo (preferably in veg tanned goat). I feel that I know and truly respect everyone involved in the development of the Expo.
For real SA Raiders, I'd 100% go with Todd's. It has the drape and the look down better than any jacket out there. I've read one member of this board describe the Raiders as a "leather windbreaker." As far as I'm concerned that is a dead accurate assessment. There simply is not much to it.
Which is why I love the (gasp) LC jacket best of any of the movie jackets. Some day soon, I will do a LC jacket project. It is my Holy Grail Indy jacket. TOD is not bad either though...definitely unfairly looked down upon because of the film's merits vs. it's actual look. Which basically is an admission that some day in the near future I'll drown $500 + on a good looking TOD jacket to complete the series (already have a USW KTOCS).
My Todd's Bantu xl that I shrunk although I have a G&B arriving tomorrow so things are fluid right now. Rundquist had some really nice G&B's, heres an old thread viewtopic.php?t=27184&highlight=g+b.
I wish Todd's would offer a goat option and a stronger liner because the inside pocket is a bit weak. Tuff to beat Todd's in terms of capturing the Raiders look.
My favourite does tend to be the one I'm wearing at the time. Currently in this weather it's my Wested Hero in lightweight cow. The other day it was the LC/CS in NP as it was colder. The other 4 in the rotation are my original lambskin raiders, the cotton jacket (even has a 4" yoke!), washed goat ToD and merino lamb Hero. Each one feels just right when wearing.
I tend not to wear my LC cow, I specced it too short, so it looks good in pictures but really doesn't work day to day as I have to use opposing pockets! So note to self.... don't spec jackets too short!
I've had as Wings and a Todds, didn't wear them more than to try on before passing them on. Also have a G&B but it doesn't really do it for me wide in the chest but narrow at the waist. I think I'm just not a otr kinda shape.
I've only owned three Signature Series jackets from US Wings, plus one G&B Expedition in goatskin. The G&B has an awesome reputation, but the one I had felt strange to wear. Perhaps if I tried on several in their store in various sizes, I might get one that fit properly.
The US Wings jackets aren't as screen accurate at the G&B, but they seem to be every bit as well made, regarding both materials and workmanship, and they feel much better to wear.
I just recently picked up a second-hand Wested L.C. Washed Goat - excellent leather color/grain/softness, etc. hands-down. I just wish that Wested would offer it again, but doesn't sound like they will. It's about a half to an inch longer in the sleeves than I normally take in a jacket, but its not bad at all and the leather described above is, in my opinion, the best I've ever owned in an Indy jacket, .
As a sub-topic and based on an earlier suggestion, I decided to add a poll question(s) to this thread. Sorry, I could not include all the vendors. Simply list the vendor in your comments, thanks!
Hi all, I just picked up a darn nice G&B Expedition in Goatskin. Beautifully made and great quality. Very faithfull to the raiders jacket too IMHO.
The goatskin is more practical for me and makes for a very long and hard wearing jacket.
mine is KOTCS and i could care less about the hide its made of..My choice of vender would be Wested..and one day..i'll quit putting it off and get one.
Seriously,I got Wested Standard size 46 in -04 and it´s too roomy now..or begin with.Therefore I´ve got my sights on Todd´s Jacket or new Wested Standard that has had lot of coverage in the thread,you know the one! I can´t stress enough the fact that I prefer light-weight,Raven Bar look,lambskin and dark-brown slimmer-fit jacket that I believe is Todds.At least I like the price.OR..Or...Or!! Then I´d grap a Bantu Wind from one certain seller who has been "on hold" for some time now..
My vote is for Wested LC in novapelle cowhide, because it's the first custom Indy jacket that was 100% perfect to my specs, and my absolute favorite part of the outfit. It's also the exact same jacket that Indy wore (and sometimes carried) in Fate of Atlantis:
It's mostly the flash, although there are portions of the leather that have always been lighter since the jacket was new; part of the original factory distressing.
Kt Templar wrote:My favourite does tend to be the one I'm wearing at the time. Currently in this weather it's my Wested Hero in lightweight cow. The other day it was the LC/CS in NP as it was colder. The other 4 in the rotation are my original lambskin raiders, the cotton jacket (even has a 4" yoke!), washed goat ToD and merino lamb Hero. Each one feels just right when wearing.
I tend not to wear my LC cow, I specced it too short, so it looks good in pictures but really doesn't work day to day as I have to use opposing pockets! So note to self.... don't spec jackets too short!
I've had as Wings and a Todds, didn't wear them more than to try on before passing them on. Also have a G&B but it doesn't really do it for me wide in the chest but narrow at the waist. I think I'm just not a otr kinda shape.
You've never liked anything but your various Westeds, right Kt?