Club Obi Wan

I'm having trouble figuring out my priorities when it comes to Indy jackets, but I think I've sort of, maybe, kinda figured it out. 1-3 are all pretty close, with 4 bringing up a distant rear.

1. Size (it's gotta fit right)
2. Hide and Durability (they go hand in hand)
3. Price (it's gotta fit right without costing a fortune)
4. SA (as long as it doesn't have the 2 piece backs like some US Wings jackets had, I'm probably okay with it)

I'll basically need a 42L, and unfortunately, not every jacket is available in long sizes. When it comes to hide, I want something soft that will naturally distress well (like lambskin), but strong enough that it won't fall apart (like goatskin). Is there something that could give me the best of both worlds? Horsehide?

The thing I'm least knowledgeable in right now is the hide. How well does each animal hold up to abuse, and how well does it naturally distress?

Well, from personal experience, here's what I can tell you:

I was in a fix, trying to get my fix for the perfect Indy jacket. I was torn between so many different makes and models, I didn't know what to do.

Obviously I wanted a lambskin jacket because lambskin will naturally distress fairly quickly. Lambskin isn't nearly as durable as cow, goat, or horse, but it is the SA hide. I looked at Wested, G&B, US Wings, Magnoli, and Todd's. I chose a Todd's Standard Jacket as my "first" Indy jacket. I was very, very happy with it. It is a very light leather, though, and not anywhere as durable as the others, but it is a very nice and very close to SA jacket I think. It's $150. Not at all unreasonable.

The next will be a Wested Raiders. This will be an OTR in authentic lamb. I like the lamb because it distresses easily by itself. Cow is another hide that does this well. I have had several cow jackets over the years that distress fairly quickly through normal wear. Goat is nice, too, but it is generally a bit grainier than the others. The Wested is my best choice overall, because it is the "original" and built very well. A good quality lamb will last many, many years if cared for. So for about $300 you get the "real Indy jacket".

Horsehide is VERY heavy. I have an old horse bomber jacket that my dad gave me. It weighs a ton, but it is a very durable leather and will last forever. It will outlast the horse for sure.

I don't think Todd offers his standard jacket in Long sizes. If you can wear an XL though, it is a truly awesome jacket for the money. I was well-pleased with mine, and their customer service is great!

Based on my experience, hide preference will not only depend on the animal it came from, but the finish also. Now, goatskin seems to be universally indestructable, and won't distress naturally. Horsehide is not soft, as I hear it. Some say it can stand up by itself!

Cowhide is fairly tough and heavier than goat, but some are softer than others. Plus some finishes don't distress as nicely or as easily as others. Magnoli's dull-finish cow, for example, distresses easily with normal wear, and is soft, but I don't think it will fall apart any time soon. On the other hand, I used to own a cowhide cooper that looked brand new after 12 years of use. It was fairly soft, but the Magnoli is softer. A brief encounter with Todd's cowhide gave me a good impression, too. Soft but heavy, nice finish.

My advice is to go for cowhide (it blends the qualities you want best in my opinion), and decide on which brand based on those who know each hide's weight and distressability personally. I'm a big Magnoli fan, and the rest of your criteria suggests you'd be very happy with one of his. Although his cowhide is a little pricey.

Good luck!

Wow, thanks for the great replies! Based on what you've said, would you recommend the US Wings cowhide jackets? Does anyone know how the predistressed compares to the VIP cowhide?

Anyone here thinks that the Wested horsehide can distress naturally?

I can't say whether horsehide will distress. I've only owned mine for a few weeks, and it hasn't distressed in that time, but I hardly expect it to! I have to say though, it doesn't feel like it'll distress very quickly. But that's okay in my books, because it's a jacket I want to wear forever, rather than have to replace!

But the one thing I will say is my horsehide at least is pretty soft. It's heavy, and tough, but it's soft. I can promise you it won't stand up on its own! The collar seems to lack the complete floppyness of the Raiders one, but I imagine that's because it's new and completely undistressed. I mean, it hasn't even rained here properly yet to get it wet, so it's still as new.

I really reccomend the Horsehide Wested if you want a jacket you can wear every day (provided you live somewhere where it's not hot!), will last forever, and still looks the part even if the leather is heavier. It also really 'feels' the part too. if you know what I mean. It's how I always imagine the character of Indy's jacket to be, rather than literal SA.

Okay, I think I've made up my mind. I'm probably gonna go for a Last Crusade custom cowhide (not distressed) from Wested. The question I have now is how do you measure for the sizing? It doesn't seem to be the usual method of measuring for a custom jacket (i.e. shoulder to cuff instead of neck to cuff). Anyone have any suggestions for how to measure for a good fit? Also, the elastic bands that keep the pleats looking nice: can you feel them as you wear the jacket? Any good arguments for or against them?

My US Wings jacket has them, and I never notice them. As far as the durability of the cowhide jacket from Wested, I have a predistressed cowhide that I bought in 2000, and it is in as good a shape as I bought it and I wear it hard. I have even tossed it in the washer and dryer a couple of times when it got really nasty, and a good coat of dressing and it is as good as new. However, I've had my dark brown lamb a couple years longer and have worn it just as hard (you saw it!) and it is in every bit as good a shape as my cowhide. So, if you haven't settled on your decision yet, don't be afraid that the lamb will disintegrate if you wear it every day. It will hold up pretty well for a very long time.

Weston

E-mail Gemma over at Wested & I'm sure they can walk you through the measurement process.
Also, this is on their site outlining what they want in the way of measurements.
http://www.indyjacket.co.uk/frsizing.html

Cheers!

Dan

I don't know if you want something that looks flawless out of the bag, but I'd recommend getting Novapelle, that predistressed cowhide. It looks somewhat worn, but a quick coat of Pecards will have it looking brand new! And once you start wearing it in, it'll take about a month or two of regular use and the Pecards 'color' will wear off slowly, making it look as though it's getting naturally distressed.

Cheating, yes, but it's still pretty cool.

Also, this is almost as soft as lamb (and has a nice velvety sheen), but is made of cow... So theoretically, it's the best of both worlds!

Thanks for all the advice, guys! I can't wait to order it.

Castor Dioscuri wrote:I don't know if you want something that looks flawless out of the bag, but I'd recommend getting Novapelle, that predistressed cowhide. It looks somewhat worn, but a quick coat of Pecards will have it looking brand new! And once you start wearing it in, it'll take about a month or two of regular use and the Pecards 'color' will wear off slowly, making it look as though it's getting naturally distressed.

Cheating, yes, but it's still pretty cool. :P

Also, this is almost as soft as lamb (and has a nice velvety sheen), but is made of cow... So theoretically, it's the best of both worlds! ;)

Castor, is the novapelle hard wearing?

It's not a 'hard surfaced' leather like the horsehide.

It ages really nicely, and has more 'body' than the lamb. With a coat of pecard it really takes on some nice tones.



By the way, the extreme pointyness of the flap is an optical illusion.

Man!!! I really love the look of the Novapelle! I am going to have to get one of those...

C3

Just placed the order. Man, that was scary. Will post pics of my Wested LC cowhide (not distressed) in this thread when I get it.

Mark Brody wrote:Just placed the order. Man, that was scary. Will post pics of my Wested LC cowhide (not distressed) in this thread when I get it.

what 'specs' did you order?

I've had my HH for about a year now, I really love it. That being said, I don't know what dye process they use on HH, but the color doesn't seem to weather at all (ie, fade in blotchy patterns like the film jackets we all love). It is still a very consistent, flat brown. This is after wearing it on a 5 day hunting trip last fall, in which I spent several hours a day wearing it while riding a 4 wheeler! It's obviously very durable, but I wouldn't mind the color weathering a little bit.

I agree with _ about the lambskin. I've worn mine for over 10 years with no thought about treating it gently, I've even had it on while under my car! In 10 years it has never been dressed but it is still soft and supple, and I'm sure that if I were to put a coat of dressing on it it would look almost new. Obviously not the effect I want. It's durable enough that I find myself wondering which of my kids will be wearing it in the next 10 years.

Weston

Mark Brody wrote:Just placed the order. Man, that was scary. Will post pics of my Wested LC cowhide (not distressed) in this thread when I get it.

...bringing back an old thread, since I'm ready to order and trying to decide which leather. MB, have you gotten your jacket yet? You ordered cowhide...which one? I see pre-distressed and novapelle. Do they offer a 'plain' brown moo cow leather? I don't see it as an option...