Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Discuss all of the intricacies of the jacket in full detail

Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Mike, Indydawg

Post Reply
User avatar
toddf
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 28
Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:42 pm
Location: Newport News, VA

Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by toddf »

I got my US Wings goatskin jacket in the fall and wore it all winter. I found it easily could handle temps into the 30's, and even lower with a sweater or fleece underneath. Now that spring has sprung, on days when the temps are in the 60's and above I find myself wishing for something lighter. Is there anything out there which could be considered a summer weight jacket? Along the lines of a windbreaker? I saw some previous posts mentioning a USW "featherweight" jacket, but that no longer seems to be available on their site. I'm not super worried about durability. If I'm going adventuring in the woods, I'd wear the goatskin jacket, which seems to be bulletproof. This would be more for driving back and forth to work, and wearing about town. In late spring or early fall mornings and evenings I'd normally throw on a long sleeved shirt over top of the short sleeved shirt worn during the day. That's also my strategy when dealing with places that crank their AC down to uncomfortable levels in the heat of summer. (I've walked out of restaurants that are too cold.) I'd rather throw on a lightweight Indy jacket, if I can find one.
User avatar
Charybdis
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1655
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2012 3:36 pm
Location: Palmetto State (SC)

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Charybdis »

There's always Wested's cotton Indy.
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Michaelson »

Totally agree with Charybdis...and HIGHLY recommended too! :M: :tup:

I've had the prototype in my collection for years, and it's performed perfectly for the 'in between' seasons.

https://www.wested.com/authentic-summer ... 1976-p.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just don't machine wash it. It's a 'dry clean only' garment, but other than that, I think you'd be pleased.

Regards! Michaelson
User avatar
Indiego Jones
Vendor
Posts: 1037
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:27 pm
Location: Argentina, Rosario
Contact:

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Indiego Jones »

We have an extremely lightweight horsehide (yes...you read it right....horsehide)
0.5 / 0.7 mm thickness, Premium quality.

A recent ToD jacket style, in size 44, with all cotton lining (which is heavier than polyester) resulted in about 2 pounds.
Very lightweight leather jacket, and totally accurate pattern for any style you prefer.
Distressing free of charge.

Send us an email for more info:
pedidos@steele-jones.com.ar

Cheers.-
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Michaelson »

I think the main thing here is finding something with breathe-ability, Diego.

Leather, no matter what hide, just doesn't breath in summer temps. Cotton does....though a thin horsehide sounds nice! :-k

If leather were the answer, then heck, all he needs is a lambskin jacket for what he plans and be good to go....but he'll still be hot. ;)

FYI, the USW's feather weight was a cotton jacket too (I have THAT prototype too!), and it was a shame it was discontinued after one year.....but unfortunately it just didn't catch on as it was khaki color with a dark brown leather collar. Dressy, but just didn't appeal to the hard core Indy fan who wanted a dark brown jacket (like the Wested).

That was 18 years ago too!! :shock: Time flies when you're having fun......but I'm not sure what MY excuse is. :-k :[

Regards! M
User avatar
Indiego Jones
Vendor
Posts: 1037
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:27 pm
Location: Argentina, Rosario
Contact:

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Indiego Jones »

Ok. Understood.
Cheers.- :TOH:
User avatar
toddf
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 28
Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:42 pm
Location: Newport News, VA

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by toddf »

I'm actually interested in sticking with leather, though I'll check out the cotton jacket.
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Michaelson »

Well, if leather, lambskin or the suggested thin horsehide would be the way to go.

Now you're just talking about physical weight, as they're all going to be just as warm to wear in warmer weather.

ALL leather blocks wind/air, so you're not going to get any relief in that respect, regardless of lining. You have a wide open field if going
that route.

Here's some comparisons of leathers that may give you some more information to mull over.

https://www.uswings.com/types-of-leather/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck in your quest! :M: :tup:

Regards! Michaelson
Howard Weinstein
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 459
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 8:06 am
Location: Maryland, USA
Contact:

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Howard Weinstein »

For a number of years, online retailer Outback Trading has offered various jacket (and shirt-jacket) styles in a fabric they call "Canyonlands," which is a soft, comfortable, durable and washable 65/35 cotton/polyester blend that looks a lot like worn leather. (https://www.outbacktrading.com/mens-jackets-canyonland" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

I have a great bomber jacket made of this stuff that gets compliments because people are convinced it's leather. I've often wondered why one of the Indy-jacket makers doesn't look into this stuff (I've seen it in the fabric stores like Joann's, too). It could be the perfect material for making a light-weight Indy jacket, with more of a leather look (and potentially more affordable) than the current waxed cotton offerings. And -- machine-washable!

Hey, US Wings, Steele & Jones, Wested or Magnoli -- how about it?

Here's one example, what Outback calls their Arkansas Shirt Jacket --
Image
User avatar
Indiego Jones
Vendor
Posts: 1037
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:27 pm
Location: Argentina, Rosario
Contact:

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Indiego Jones »

Hi Howard,
It's a good idea, maybe in the future.
Kind regards.-
Howard Weinstein
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 459
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 8:06 am
Location: Maryland, USA
Contact:

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Howard Weinstein »

Indiego Jones wrote:Hi Howard,
It's a good idea, maybe in the future.
Kind regards.-
Thanks, Indiego! This Canyonlands material is good stuff. I know I'd be interested in one.
CM
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2592
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:43 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by CM »

There's also the classic unlined Dickies Eisenhower jacket. I've had a few of them. Affordable, durable, light and simple.
User avatar
Nosirrah
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 916
Joined: Thu Dec 07, 2017 8:55 pm
Location: On, in or under the Great Lakes.
Contact:

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Nosirrah »

L. L. Bean's flannel-lined "Hurricane Shirt" is one of my favorite go-to's at this time of year:
Image
It's wind- and thorn-proof, perfect for chainsawing after a messy winter. I've got 20 years on mine, at least.
Ark101
Field Surveyor
Field Surveyor
Posts: 97
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2018 3:41 am
Location: Spokane, USA

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Ark101 »

Wested just posted a “Summer” Cotton Last Crusade!

https://www.wested.com/authentic-summer ... 4275-p.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MOD EDIT: link added
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Michaelson »

About TIME they tried a new pattern! :clap:

Thanks for the heads up! :TOH:

Regard! Michaelson :M:
User avatar
Nosirrah
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 916
Joined: Thu Dec 07, 2017 8:55 pm
Location: On, in or under the Great Lakes.
Contact:

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Nosirrah »

File under "ironic:" the first (and thus far only) reviewer complained that the jacket was not available with a sherpa lining. So he had one made locally #-o
Nice looking jacket, BTW. :tup:
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Michaelson »

:shock:
IndianaJustin
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1363
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 4:09 pm
Location: South America 1936

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by IndianaJustin »

Ark101 wrote:Wested just posted a “Summer” Cotton Last Crusade!

https://www.wested.com/authentic-summer ... 4275-p.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MOD EDIT: link added
Kinda looks like the Raiders cotton. Wonder how it’s different besides the press studs on the storm flap? Hard for me to tell from pics. :-k
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Michaelson »

Collar size. :-k

Regards! M
CM
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2592
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:43 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by CM »

Pocket size and flap width too.
IndianaJustin
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1363
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 4:09 pm
Location: South America 1936

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by IndianaJustin »

Ah...hard for me to tell. I have a cotton Raiders and it seems to have those things. It’s a nice jacket. :)
User avatar
backstagejack
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3465
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:01 am
Location: Lost in the Jungle

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by backstagejack »

Magnoli has a waxed cotton Indy jacket in all versions of the indy jacket.

Though the waxed part might take away breathability.

https://www.magnoliclothiers.com/waxed- ... p-668.html


:TOH:
User avatar
Tibor
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1222
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:47 pm
Location: Chicago

Re: Lightweight / windbreaker jacket options?

Post by Tibor »

But very nice for Spring rain... :TOH:
Post Reply