Club Obi Wan

I have two Wested Raiders Jackets that I bought back in 2001 and love everything about them... well except for one small thing:

One is a pre-destressed jacket, the other a new lambskin that I personally destressed that looks great, but the side straps on both jackets bug me. They seem really long, and they have the D-rings. I've tried looking at my Raiders DVD and have yet to find a good shot of the straps. It seems to me that the straps are too long and flop out farther from the jacket than the ones in the movies. I'm thinking very hard about ordering a new Wested in the New Authentic Lambskin, and don't know if the straps have changed at all since I bought my jackets over 2 years ago.

If anyone could post some screen grabs or photos from Raiders, or pictures of the straps from their own newer Westeds, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, any other imput about the straps on the Raiders jackets would be useful, too. And does anyone have the rectangle slide buckles on their Wested. I'd like to see them, because I just haven't been crazy about the D-rings.
And last, could someone tell me what kind of slides (rectangle or D-ring) is more accurate for a Raiders jacket. I really appreciate anyones help on this matter. Maybe with your help I can do something about the only thing that has bugged me about a great jacket for 2 years.

Thanks,
Glen "GB_Cinch"

Hi there,

I'll answer what I can. In regard to the length of the strap, the Raiders straps bend back through the loop and face towards the rear of the jacket. This would eliminate your length issue. Just take the strap and bend it back through the loop and then adjust it as needed. Hopefully, someone who knows this method will post pics to illustrate my point. Next, black oxidized rectangular rings are more accurate for the Raiders jacket. Peter apparently offers these as an option now, though I haven't seen them. As far as the new vs. old Wested strap question is concerned; I know Peter no longer uses the "x" stitch on the strap and they seem to be a little shorter than before. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Dr. J

When my Wested arrived I noticed the size of the straps and had them shortened.

Ken

Thanks guys. I've thought about having the straps on my jacket shortened, too.

Anyone have any pictures?

GB Cinch, it's good to see you back around these parts. Can't help ya much on the questions, but just wanted to say welcome back.

Ken, did you recently get a Wested or is that the one you sold?

The new Wested black slides are shinier than the ones from Flight Suits, and they're made of a flimsier metal, but they are still a big improvement over the D-rings, I think.

schwammy, do the side strap metal black slides bend easily? Or do they seem they would break easily?

It's good to be back. I've had a lot going on the past year and kinda side lined IndyGear for a time, but I'm back now in full swing.

I was watching ToD on DVD last night and paid close attention to the straps. And the buckles were black rectangular slides. I don't know haw this holds for Raiders or LC, but I'm glad to hear the buckles from Wested are also black. Thanks schwammy! Do you know if Wested's rectangle slide only come in black, or if you have to request black or brass?

I know Peter no longer uses the "x" stitch on the strap and they seem to be a little shorter than before

Ah that might explain my confusion.
Mine are fairly short and don't bother me.
I remember reading in various posts that you were supposed to tuck them to your pockets, and I'm thinking to myself how hard do I have to pull the straps to get them to the pockets!

Hey Cinch!
The TOD jacket had rectangular, double tongued buckles with rounded corners. They had been painted black. there was onlyone pair of holes so the straps were not adjustable. The straps were 7/8" wide on the TOD jacket. Straps were 5" from the bottom of the jacket, however, the side vent was only 2" up from the bottom.

Holly

Thats the one I sold I had the straps shortened on. I figure its best having it too long than too short. I dont know if its standard like this on all Wested and how it varies with other companies like Flightsuits?

Ken