Advice on my first Wested

[kozmoedave]

Greetings,

So, I'm about to pull the trigger on a Wested. I've sent them a couple emails asking for advice, which have been answered promptly, but would love to hear what you all think. Basically, I have it narrowed down to goatskin or predistressed cowhide. I want to be able to wear this thing throughout as much of the year as possible, and I live in Michigan, so cool weather abounds. I have no problem putting a sweater or sweatshirt under it in the winter, and, honestly, spend as little time outside as possible when it's that cold. I also want to wear this for any occasion, which is why I eliminated lambskin. I move a lot of equipment year round. They suggested goat. Any predistressed cowhide fans? Some hate it, I know, but I really dig the way it looks. And I've had a predistressed cowhide non-Indy jacket for seventeen years that I feel pretty comfortable in, so I don't think the thickness of the leather will be much of an issue... But, again, I want to wear it as often as possible. Thoughts?

[Bradsburns]

I'll give you one vote for cowhide. Just a better leather in my opinion. Choose wisely.....

[Glenville86]

Leather is not the best insulator regardless in cold. I have both hides from Wested and when it is colder out, just wear a fleece vest under the jackets. Keeps me warm as long as I am moving. I cannot tell any real difference between either coat being warmer and recommend goat but both hides are nice.

Side note - The Wested Horsehide Jacket is the one I wear with a vest when it is butt biting cold..........

Below zero - I don't wear a leather coat and switch to a down parka coat.

[Charybdis]

As to which hide, it all depends on what you will be using it for, toughness, etc.

I have one in goat because that's my favorite leather but I just got another one in lamb because I don't have one in lamb and wanted it!! Besides, down here in the south, I don't need something very heavy, so it works for me...

[kozmoedave]

Seems a lot of people like goat in general, but from what I've read, it doesn't show much wear. I'm probably not gonna sit there with sandpaper and steel wool, but would like a bit of a worn look over time. Cow?

[Glenville86]

If you want a more worn look out of the box, get the distressed hide. It will take wearing the jacket and time for a natural aging. I rotate my jackets (have several) and they all still look pretty new. I would also recommend checking out the forum classifieds and EBay to maybe find a great but used one.

[Michaelson]

Just posting MY opinion here....In the leather tanning world, the order of tensile strength from highest to lowest is kangaroo, horse, goat, cow, the lambskin.

If you're looking for durability and natural water resistance, then goat is the material you want. It will last for years.

Cowhide is a close second, but without leather treatment, it will not keep out water as good as well as a good goatskin jacket.

Goatskin DOES eventually start to distress with use.

If you're looking for longevity, goatskin, but as others have said, cowhide is a good material too, though compared to goatskin or hides above cowhide, it has its limits.

Regarding cold weather, totally agree with the comments above. NO leather is an insulator against cold....but that said, with layering it's actually best as it's a natural protector from strong winds.

Good luck.

Regard! Michaelson

[Photoss]

kozmoedave, do you have any desire for a particular colour? The hides new by themselves have a lot of colour varieties; distressed cowhide can have a Crystal Skull colour that varies from lighter to darker. The goats I've seen can have a glossy sheen, but can also result in a pale brown. Artificially distressing Wested's goatskin gives off a grey hue, whereas the cowhide is usually tan. Horsehide can have a great Raiders colour, and is very tough, but is definitely not something you'd want to wear in the hot summer months!

[kozmoedave]

I greatly appreciate all the feedback and replies. I hear what you're all saying about no leather being great at keeping out the cold. That's fine; I'm more concerned with being able to wear it in the spring and fall as well as in the winter, so it sounds like I'm pretty safe there. And, as I said, I have no problem layering if need be. I'd rather wear a sweater or sweatshirt under a killer leather jacket than a big fat winter coat. I don't like the idea of the goat weathering gray... But I don't know that I'll be doing any artificial distressing. Maybe you guys can help me with something else as I don't want to bombard Wested with a question a day. It appears that the OTR Wested jackets are (currently) the same between Raiders and LC other than the collar and the snaps (press studs). Can anyone verify this? I also really like the look of the LC jacket; not because of the collar and press studs, but because of the color and weathering. This is probably part of the reason I'm leaning toward a pre-distressed cow as opposed to a shiny goat. This should help with Photoss' question about my color preference. For what it's worth, I'm planning on an OTR jacket as opposed to a custom. I have a pretty average build and typically don't have much issue with finding items that fit as long as the overall size is right. It's obvious I'm not necessarily going for a full-on SA jacket here. I want to be able to wear it as often as possible.

[kozmoedave]

I really like the look of distressed cowhide, and have a jacket in that leather that I've been wearing for years. But I find myself resisting a goatskin jacket for no good reason, other than that it doesn't look distressed out of the box. Between Wested's response, everything else I've read, and the feedback I've gotten here, I'm thinking goatskin is the way to go, and it sounds like it might be a little lighter weight-wise, which might be better for fall and spring use.

[Texan Scott]

In your climate, the more important aspect is not what you wear over, but under. Leather is a good wind block but not a good insulator, by itself. Fleece is a good insulator but not a good wind block. Combine the two and you have a pretty good jacket. Build in tolerance for layering. For those reasons, I would not rule out lamb. The most natural looking goatskin I have seen is that from WPG, color, texture and softness. If you are leaning to cowhide, I'd not rule out any of the Wested options: N/P dark and copper, pre-d, lamb touch, etc.

Don't be tricked into thinking thickness of the skin = warmth, it doesn't, not on these jackets. They are not made for practicality in colder climates. They look cool and function well, but you need poly, fleece, down, etc for warmth.

Take a stroll through the Hero thread to get a better idea on skins/hides? Ravenswood's jacket is a fine piece of work.

[kozmoedave]

Texan Scott, not at all. In fact, the last thing I'm worried about is warmth. I'm more concerned with the jacket being cool enough to wear when it's not genuinely cold out. I'm good with the layering thing. The reason I ruled out lamb is because of the strength. I move a lot of equipment around, often in weird places, and am more concerned with durability. If you look at the Wested site as it is right now, they're pretty much only offering lambskin, goatskin, and pre-distressed cowhide as far as OTR jackets, which is why I'm not asking more questions about other materials/finishes.

[Michaelson]

Goat skin is physically lighter in weight than cowhide, yet stronger in tensile strength.

It's also considered a 3 season leather in many parts of the country.

Regards! M

[kozmoedave]

Again, thanks to everyone who tossed in their two cents. It seems like it should be an easy decision, but I'm sure you can all relate to my dilemma. All the Wested jackets really look great and I need to go with what's practical and will work best for me and not just what looks good in a picture. I think goatskin will be the way to go. It'll be a few days before the final purchase is made, so anyone who reads this, feel free to weigh in. All opinions are welcome.

And, Michaelson, that comment about goat being a three-season leather is exactly the type of thing I was looking for; thanks for that. Being lighter than cowhide, it sounds like I could comfortably wear it on moderate spring and fall days, certainly on cooler ones, and with a warm layer underneath, in the winter as well. That'd be perfect.

[Texan Scott]

....or not!

some like goat because its usually thin, light and 'tuff leather, 'bout as tough as 'M' but not quite!

[Michaelson]

[kozmoedave]

Well, it seems I've been bitten by this jacket bug, and really out of nowhere. At this point, I'm considering two jackets: an OTR LC in pre-distressed cow, and at some point in the not too distant future, a Hero in goat. I did take a look at the Hero thread. Dang it. Thing is, too, I really like both and have a soft spot for the LC jacket. And I think the pre-distressed works well for that look. But someone had pics of a Hero in dark goat and, man, does that sucker look good.

[Texan Scott]

Right now, Diego (Matadona) makes a ringer LC, in cow, but probably you could request different thicknesses. If you were after an accurate repro, I'd chase off in that direction. Raiders is decent with the Hero or RoLA pattern.

[kozmoedave]

Thanks, Texan! Is there a website?

[Michaelson]

http://www.steele-jones.com.ar/en/chaquetas.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

His forum name here is Indiego Jones.

Regard! Michaelson

[Texan Scott]

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... 29#p869129" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Few have ever taken on the task to do it justice, but InDiglo and his crew down there in deep, deep south Texas is the kemo suave!

[Indiego Jones]

Hi guys!
Thanks for the referral!

We have an amazing LC accurate jacket on the way to the owner! I can't wait to see his review.
(...but before dispatch I did a couple of nice photos wearing it...you know me, right Tex? )

kozmoedave, if you have any inquiry, please send me an e-mail.
Cheers!

[Texan Scott]

......QC.......gotta make sure!