Club Obi Wan

Hi guys -- LONG time lurker here, finally getting up the courage to pull the trigger and order my first Wested, but I have a question I haven't been able to find in any existing threads. I'm considering an LC/CS jacket, and the Wested site says it has handwarmer pockets... can anyone tell me how functional those are? Are they lined with any sort of fabric or are you just putting your hands between layers of leather? And if you use them a lot (I tend to put my hands in my pockets if I've got them... long-time habit developed from wearing parkas and pea coats), do the cargo pockets start to sag or deform over time?

I have a Wested ROTLA and the material in the hand warmers is the same as the one used for the liner. As for deformation, I've only had the jacket a couple of weeks, so I don't know.

I've worn my horsehide Wested pretty heavily for seven years, and the lining where the pockets are has now completely worn through. The handwarmer pocket lining has survived, so you can still use them, but from seven years of carrying things in the pocket, they've rubbed their way through. That said, I'd expect the same from any jacket after seven years hard wear, lining isn't indestructible, unfortunately.

(And yes, the hand warmer pockets are lined with the same material as the lining, as Nickgignac said).

Thanks, guys... I figured there had to be a lining, but I hadn't been able to verify that anywhere I looked. As for my question about the pockets deforming, I didn't mean the lining wearing out -- the only coat I've ever had where the pocket lining didn't get a little tattered after a while was a vintage pea coat, which had thick corduroy in the pockets (quite nice actually!). I was thinking that maybe the openings might start to sag or something that would change the way the cargo pockets lay against the front of the jacket... does that make sense? I can see it in my mind, but I don't think I'm explaining it very well...

Oh, I think I get what you mean. I guess with any leather jacket the leather might stretch slightly. Honestly, with my Horsehide, I didn't notice anything significant (although I did usually have something in the pockets), but I recently got a lambskin and I expect to see some more deformation there, as it's a thinner, stretchier leather. I think it depends on what it's made out of, but I'm no expert by a long shot.

With use, the opening of the handwarmer will sag open a bit. It's not a big deal, though. I think it still looks fine.

You know what's ironic, with all the dozens and dozens of Indy jackets from a multitude of vendors over all thee years I've owned, I have NEVER used the hand warmer pockets. Ever. I don't even remember they're there!

Regards! Michaelson

Plus, on a waist jacket they're situated too high to be practically functional (at least for those of us with long arms). I've never used the hand-warmer pockets on any of my Westeds, either!

Well, it's a longtime bad habit of mine... and maybe it's one I'll break on this jacket, but maybe not... the pockets are pretty high on my old peacoat, too!

Either way, thanks for the input... and for the record, I'm thinking goatskin, which I'm guessing would not be as stretchy as the lamb. (I have other reasons for the goat than that, it's just one more factor I'm considering.)

I never use the pockets on any of my jackets or coats as a hand warmer. Being retired military, the no hands in pockets has stuck with me.

If cold enough, I just wear gloves.

Yup, they are lined and I use mine all the time. I tend now to have my jackets made an inch or two longer than SA, they feel more comfortable to me and also make the pockets easier to access.

I usually end up with my keys in the handwarmers. Not had any wear through yet.