Well I just got my US Wings imported Cowhide Legend in the mail. It's a great, great jacket, one of the very best I have owned. However this is a Large Long, and apparently the pocket placement on the Long sizes are off. I plan on returning this jacket in exchange for a correct one.
So I thought it would be interesting to compare this jacket to my Tony Nowak Raiders jacket in Shrunken Lamb. There are many things that I could say about the two, but right now I would like to post some pics and let all of you take a look.
Tell me they're not supposed to be the same size! I have to admit, though, that the pockets are pretty glaring when compared to a normal jacket. Apart from the pocket placement, the Wings looks nice, but it's pretty easy to tell which one looks more Raiders.
The collar stand is supposed to extend onto the storm flap. On the wings the storm flap is extended upwards and butted to the collar stand... unusual variant.
The collar stand for the Imports is a weird configuration.
On the outside, the collarstand extends out and makes up the "cap" of the stormflap (Like you see on Wested's).
However, on the inside, the stormflap extends all the way up like you mentioned.
The Legends seem to have many quirks not found on other brands of "Raiders" style jackets.
Well, to me the Nowak looks fantastic and next to it, the Wings looks like the cheap lottery jacket... jmo. Ignoring the wacky pockets, the leather just looks very mundane next to the rich Nowak lamb. And I agree with KT, the collar is off (good description KT). Overall, the color is too light. Now, I have to assume you just wanted something for layering with an Indy-esque vibe. I think there are better solutions to that problem from G&B or Magnoli or Wested.
Whew! That is one good lookin' Nowak!!! If I could get me a tough as heck goat with that sort of grain, that would be my PERFECT Raiders jacket. Nick, you are a lucky man!
Tibor wrote: Now, I have to assume you just wanted something for layering with an Indy-esque vibe. I think there are better solutions to that problem from G&B or Magnoli or Wested.
That's exactly why I ordered this jacket. In a way, I am looking at a jacket that will be my back up to my Nowaks... a jacket that I will wear in times were it is possible the jacket might get damaged. I don't want my Nowaks to get damaged. I have had a few Westeds and even though they are fine jackets, I have had a few problems with quality. A Magnoli will probably be in my future.
Hollowpond wrote:Whew! That is one good lookin' Nowak!!! If I could get me a tough as heck goat with that sort of grain, that would be my PERFECT Raiders jacket. Nick, you are a lucky man!
Thanks! Yes, it really is a beautiful Nowak. I always get compliments on it and it has become my main "go-to" jacket. I love the texture of the leather and the beautiful grain. The shrunken lamb is really a wonderful leather.
I totally love that Nowaks, Nick!! I really like the Wings versions as well...for $195 it's really tempting me to get another....You got two Nowaks now?
Both are nice jackets, obviously I like the Nowak more. I tried putting in an order with Riley, we communicated for a while and was going to make me a jacket but said he wanted payment once he started the jackets. I e-mailed him what I wanted on my jackets never heard from him after that. I guess he stopped making jackets. Both are exceptional jackets, the Nowak is more Raiders than the USW, but both look awesome.
IndianaChris711 wrote:Both are nice jackets, obviously I like the Nowak more. I tried putting in an order with Riley, we communicated for a while and was going to make me a jacket but said he wanted payment once he started the jackets. I e-mailed him what I wanted on my jackets never heard from him after that. I guess he stopped making jackets. Both are exceptional jackets, the Nowak is more Raiders than the USW, but both look awesome.
IndianaChris
His focus is on the Arnold Classic right now 100%. Be patient, he'll respond in time. I'm still waiting to put in my final Raiders jacket order as well.
Nick, I love that TN; of course that's a no-brainer. When you have that lined up next to the USW, you can see so many differences. Man, wish I could afford one of those from Riley.
I'm impressed at how close the Legend is to the TN. For me after the TN Raiders the Legend is the one. The color of the cow is great and it's amazing how well it ages. I can't really compare the two leathers, they're just different. The lamb would probably get a bit of that brown color too with wear and that's such a cool look. The pocket flaps on both are perfect.
Your TN has got to be one of the best I've seen bar none.
I'll 2nd the above people. The Legend is accurate in it's own right. Besides, what is technically accurate? One scenes we see something, the next scene is another jacket. The TN leather is very grainy so it really stands out, but it's hard to tell how nice the leather of the Wings is until you hold it in your hands. Both are superb jackets in their own right.
The thing about the Nowak that you have to remember is this: it was custom made for me. It fits me PERFECTLY. An inch more or less on any measurement would make it not fit properly. The generic sizing of the US Wings makes it look much bigger than the Nowak.
And John, all you need to know is that it won't fit you and I will fight you to the death over it.
What are the measurements of both jackets, If you don't mind me asking, and you have time to post them.
It would be interesting to see if the differences are as large as they appear in the pics. The sleeves on both look about the same, maybe slightly longer on
the Nowak? The chest size must be huge on the Wings though.
jnicktem wrote:Okay here are the measurements of the two jackets:
US Wings Legend:
Chest (Pit to Pit): 23"
Storm Flap: 25 1/4"
Sleeves: 26"
Shoulder: 7"
Collar Stand: 1 3/8"
Back (from base of collar stand): 27 1/4"
Pocket: 8 1/2" long; 6 7/8" wide; 3 1/4" flap
Nowak:
Chest (Pit to Pit): 19 3/4"
Storm Flap: 23 1/4"
Sleeves: 26"
Shoulder: 7"
Collar Stand: 7/8"
Back (from base of collar stand): 24 5/8"
Pocket: 8" long; 6 1/2", 3 1/4" Flap
Thanks for that jnicktem. They're actually quite close in size, other than the chest size. 23" across sounds about just right for a large. The longer front and back length too
I suppose, since the US Wings is a 'long'.
The Nowak must be quite fitted on you! Did Wings make a 'long' version of these in any other size, or just Large?
I wouldn't be surprised if John was watching me... having ordered 5 of his hats and not currently having any on order must be driving him nuts!
And Kevin, you're right. They are actually much closer in size than the pictures make it look. The Nowak fits me like a second skin... if I lost or gained 10 pounds it would then either be too big or too small on me. I guess I better stay this weight for awhile! A lot of that though is the nature of the shrunken lamb leather... it forms to your body. It is some really neat leather.
The US Wings is a good fitting jacket for me. It's rather comfortable and gives me plenty of room in case I want to wear a thick shirt underneath... which I can't do with the Nowak.
And the US Wings long sizes came in at least the large and medium... I don't know about small or x-large but I would think they would have. But due to the pocket placement I believe they are discontinuing the long sized imports for the time being.
Hm, if your Nowak is 19 3/4" in the chest you may have been able to go with a Wings Medium Long. I first ordered a M for myself and the chest measured at 21" and was too snug so I exchanged for a large.
What are the other measurements for the medium long? If the sleeve length and shoulder lengths are the same as a large long then I might do that. If they are any shorter then I can't.
I don't know about the long lengths, mine is a regular length. I was just thinking about the chest sizes.
Michaelson wrote:I kind of thought that was the case. I saw the ad for the Arnold Classic on the back of last months 'Ohio Magazine' and thought of him.
Regards! Michaelson
My sister is in Columbus this weekend for the Classic. I told her about Nowak Originals, the Indy tie-in and about Tony's sudden passing. She said she'll probably be the only person there trying to get an autograph from a jacket vendor!
Don't know how much this will help, but I looked back at a few measurements I took of the Legend M while I had it and the body length compared to the L was an inch shorter in the front and back, but the sleeve lengths were the same. Could be dangerous, but you could suppose similar proportions in the M and L longs. As an added wrinkle, these were both US made Legends vs. imported.
And when I was ordering my jacket I was told they were out of Medium Longs and I should try a Large Long... and when I asked them for measurements from both they never got back to me.
Weston wrote:It would be great to see a size L reg. Legend next to that Nowak, so the comparison wouldn't be tainted with the odd pocket placement.
Weston
I recently sent this Legend jacket back in hopes that it will be exchanged for one with corrected pocket placement. If and when I get that jacket new pictures will be taken.
and where do you live again? 
