Club Obi Wan

Howdy,
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Wested Jacket concerns the choice of leather. Here’re my thoughts about this topic.
I own both a Wested lambskin and a goatskin jacket and I just can’t make up my mind which type of leather I like better
Lambskin:
I’ve been wearing my lambskin for over 2 years now and I’m very pleased with it. However, there is some abrasion visible where the sleeves are attached to the jacket. This area is of a very light brown colour and it looks as if the top layer of leather has peeled off. I wonder if someone else has experienced this?
The lambskin is very light-weight and thus very comfortable to wear. What I like best about the lambskin is the fact that you can wear it ¾ of the year, even/ especially during the summer.
Goatskin:
The most significant difference between the two leathers is the durability of the leather. No doubt, the goatskin is MUCH tougher than the lambskin. I didn’t find much abrasions and when you wear the jacket it also FEELS much stronger.
The downside of the goatskin is its weight. One the one hand, it makes the jacket stronger, on the other hand it makes the jacket very warm. In contrast to the lambskin, I didn’t like to wear the goatskin jacket during summer. Way too warm and heavy! In addition to that, I don’t like the looks of the goatskin. It seems to be of a somewhat greyish colour and does not have the awesome look of the lambskin.
I guess there’s just no final answer to the question of which type of leather is “better”.
The only advantage of the goatskin is its toughness. Looks and comfort is far better for the lambskin.
It would be nice to hear other opinions on this topic. I think it would be extremely helpful for others if you post your “long-term experiences” you've had with your wested. (How does it look like/ holding up after wearing it for a couple of YEARS)
Final question to the community: What do you think about establishing a special-thread that lists up ALL of the latest modifications of the wested jacket (eg. Collar facings leather, name tag, gussets, cross-stitched pattern of the side buckle on the outside of the jacket, zipper added to the inside pocket...). This would also be very helpful for everyone who’s going to buy a jacket. This way one can be sure that nothing is missing and one doesn’t have to piece together all the information found in several threads.
Ciao,
Timeless

To me it depends on what I plan on using the jacket for. If my intent involved taking a leather jacket on an outdoor adventure, I would go with the goatskin, or even better, if it were available, kangaroo. The appearance of the grain would not matter to me at all in this situation. On the other hand, if the jacket is intended to be worn the way that most of us do, the new Italian lambskin has the looks and lightness to make it very desirable. I have an LL Bean a-2 that is lined with thinsulate, in goatskin. This jacket will provide warmth down to 0 degrees F, and is my cold weather jacket of choice, plus it looks rather smart as well. Being an old backpacker, I approach what I wear with a backpacker's mindset. That is why I never bought a pair of hiking boots that had the quick lace features. Convenient as these things are, Murphee's Law has a habit of rearing its ugly head, and at the worse possible times. Fedora

I've had non-Indy lambskin jackets that distressed quickly, almost too quickly. Ive also had a non-Indy cowhide that was heavy and warm and distressed nicely after several years.

However, I've chosen goatskin for my Indy jacket for it's durability since my intention is to wear it outdoors, at the park, in the woods, hiking, etc. My big concern was the possibility fo tearing a lambskin Indy jacket after paying big bucks for it. So, I opted for the goat. Now, if the goatskin would only distress more quickly......

Fedora wrote:I have an LL Bean a-2 that is lined with thinsulate, in goatskin. This jacket will provide warmth down to 0 degrees F, and is my cold weather jacket of choice, plus it looks rather smart as well.

I have seen those in the catalog and they look really nice. Obvioiusly not Indy but they have a very "classic" look to them.



Cheers,
Pyro

Indiana Joe wrote:My big concern was the possibility fo tearing a lambskin Indy jacket after paying big bucks for it. So, I opted for the goat. Now, if the goatskin would only distress more quickly......

That's why my lambskin is my "office" jacket. I take my cowhide jacket out on trips and travels.

I have just shelved my Wested Cowhide for the season. I'll pull it out again in October or November. I may need to get a lambtouch cowhide for the warmer months. I ordered a cotton Indy for the spring and summer times. I have other off-the-rack jackets I need to use up before I order another Wested.

Just my $.02
Pyro.

I jsut got my new Wested. Unfortunately, it is too small so I have to send it back. I got it in dark brown goat and I also noticed that it has a greyish tint to it. Does anyone have any shots of the new authentic goat? If Peter is forced to make me a new jacket from scratch then I might go with the authentic goat or maybe cow due to the greyness of the dark brown goat.

I have been tempted to order a lambskin, as this seems to be the more 'authentic' Raiders material. I have two distressed cowhides for now, and find the jacket to be heavy. Fortunately, in Canada I can wear it from late September, to late April and still be comfortable. I do find, though, that the snug fit in the biceps and chest do not allow for a sweater or cardigan as a liner, but the heavy cowhide does offer good protection from the cold on it's own. Although it's not a soft leather, it is very durable and can withstand life in the concrete jungle. The lambskin will come one day, but for now, I am VERY happy with the cowhide. Everyone's entitled to my opinion.