Club Obi Wan

So, I got in my Raiders special yesterday and today it is raining. I remember reading on the FAQ that Wested leather was of high enough quality that "you could go swimming in it" and not hurt the jacket as long as it could dry naturally. I'm reluctant to take a leather jacket out in the rain, so what are you all's experience with Wested's in wet weather, especially the Raiders special?

Hi...if you want your jacket to distress and make it look all Indy like in a naturell way you should wear the jacket in any weather..rain.snow.storms.sun...whatever...

I have never had any problems with the rotla special offer jacket in the rain..it just gives it a more cooler look after some rainy days..the sleeves curles up real nice when dried up and takes away a little of the shine from the jacket every time you have been in bad weather

Best
Holt

Absolutely no problems. I've taken my wested out into the rain many times - Just allow it to dry like they said - you might want to take a dry rag to it first to remove the excess water - and it'll be fine. Nothing whatsoever to be afraid of. :junior: -M

Sorry, but even Peter states his jackets were never intended to be substituted as raincoats.

Some individuals have reported being caught in frogstranglers of a rain storm, and having dye released, ruining their shirts. These were lambskins, by the way.

If you treat the jacket with a dressing before hand, you should be ok unless you get drowned....but an untreated jacket, proceed with caution.

Regard! Michaelson

I live in Oregon ( the secound rainest state in the USA) and i have to wear it in the rain. I have had no problems at all. I have had my Wesyed lamb for around 4 years. I have a cow hide around 2 years.

Give this one a read. It's old, but still....

viewtopic.php?t=2237&highlight=running+dye

Peter's newly sourced hides are probably better tanned/dyed, but be aware this can, and has, happened.

Regards! Michaelson

I would be more concerned about the stitching coming apart.

Best regards,
Indiana 7

i used my goat in the rain an snow and everything, but be more careful with lamb, but if u have enough slack in your jacket i wouldn't worry to badly.

I would be more concerned about the stitching coming apart.

Why?

You do wash your regular clothes in a washing machine don't you?

If so, what do you think happens to the stitching on them? Do they fall
apart or are they just fine wash after wash?

Cotton thread can withstand a tremendous amount of washing/drying
cycles before you compromise the fibers to the point of coming part.

You don't need to be concerned about the stitching as much as you need
to be concerned about letting the leather dry out naturally if your jacket
gets wet. If you try to dry it with any type of heat source, THEN your
looking for some trouble.

You can do some pretty nasty things to leather by getting it wet and then
drying it with heat...

Flathead

Some individuals have reported being caught in frogstranglers of a rain storm, and having dye released, ruining their shirts. These were lambskins, by the way.

I always assumed that was the dye from the lining and not the leather itself. Am I wrong?

FLATHEAD wrote:

I would be more concerned about the stitching coming apart.

Why?

You do wash your regular clothes in a washing machine don't you?

If so, what do you think happens to the stitching on them? Do they fall
apart or are they just fine wash after wash?

Cotton thread can withstand a tremendous amount of washing/drying
cycles before you compromise the fibers to the point of coming part.

You don't need to be concerned about the stitching as much as you need
to be concerned about letting the leather dry out naturally if your jacket
gets wet. If you try to dry it with any type of heat source, THEN your
looking for some trouble.

You can do some pretty nasty things to leather by getting it wet and then
drying it with heat...

Flathead

Yeah, I guess.But some of you know exactly what I mean. I was referring to the overall durability with the jacket to begin with. My experience has been just that. Stitching separating from the seams, including side entry pockets, side straps, inner liner etc..and this all really having nothing to do with rain or water in general.I could just imagine if I wore it in the rain. It would probably melt. I'll stick to my G&B goat when it comes to rain, snow whatever.Never a problem when it comes to durability.

Best regards,
Indiana 7

My black Wested TOD goat has faired the inclimate weather without it flinching or color running. It's almost bomb proof. In fact the natural method of distressing has left it looking fairly new. A few scuffs here & there & water rarely ever soaks in.

Cheers!

Dan

That's the nature of goatskin, Daniel!

Regards! Michaelson

Never had any bleeding issues (not British English, mind you) with my authentic lamb Wested, and I've soaked it several times, in snow, rain and in the shower...
Nevertheless, as Michaelson stated, leather jackets were never intended to be substituted as raincoats. Wear it in rain - jacket will survive (just don't dry it artificially and use leather dressing) - you are bound the get wet though.

Whenever this subject pops up, I always think about Mr. Seinfeld's immortal words:

I had a leather jacket that got ruined. Now, why does moisture ruin leather? I don't get this. Aren't cows ouside most of the time? I don't understand it.
When it's raining do cows go up to the farmhouse, "Let us in, we're all wearing leather.. Open the door! We're gonna ruin the whole outfit here.." "Is it suede?" "I am suede, the whole thing is suede, I can't have this cleaned. It's all I got!"

Ah yes! My Wested jacket debacle of 2002! With my new Wested, I have been concerned that this might happen again! I'm definitely planning for some kind of treatment or something in the meantime... And then going in for a goatskin jacket of some make to substitute...

I've worn my cowhide wested AS a rain jacket for the
past 5 years, because I don't own a real rain jacket.
It hasn't died yet, but its cowhide.

[/quote]
I always assumed that was the dye from the lining and not the leather itself. Am I wrong?[/quote]

I got part of the lining of my Wested Goat wet and had dye run from it. Last month I was wearing my Wested Denim and got caught in the rain only to find my sweater ruined by brown stains from the jacket. I assume it's the lining. I put the Denim jacket in the wash to try and wash out any excess dye. Haven't worn it in wet weather since, so don't know how well it worked.

I was referring to the overall durability with the jacket to begin with. My experience has been just that. Stitching separating from the seams, including side entry pockets, side straps, inner liner etc..and this all really having nothing to do with rain or water in general.

Sounds more like a leather issue than a thread issue.

The areas you are describing are a common place for the thread to tear
out the lambskin if your jacket is not the proper size.

If your side straps are tearing out, you have them too tight, and there is
too much stress on the leather in that location.

The side straps are NOT made to adjust the jacket to your waist for a
better fit. They are there to keep the bi-swing back in place properly.

Same goes for the side entry pockets. If you put your hands in them
alot, and like alot of people, tend to push a little too much on them when
your hands are in there, then there is too much stress on the corners,
and the lambskin can tear around the threads.

I have had my Authentic Lambskin Wested for over 4 years now, and
I have never had an issue like you describe.

But, I don't have my side straps adjusted tight, nor do I keep my hands
in the side entry pockets any longer than it takes me to put my keys in
them.

Flathead

My old Wested in dark brown lamb bled like it's throat had been cut if it got soaked through. I solved that problem by running it through the washing machine on gentle until the water stayed clear. I have not had any problem since and it did not hurt the jacket in any way.

Weston

I have the Wested Raiders lambskin. I've had it for 7 years and worn it in rain many many times, I've never had any bleeding or any other problem with it. It's still in tip top shape.