Leather jacket advice needed

S

Sutcliffe

Joined
Dec 5, 1998
Messages
659
I've coveted my dad's leather, Bomber style, jacket ever since I was a wee lad and always kidded him about it being the only thing I wanted from his estate. Health problems now have him going through his belongings and starting to make plans for this eventuality. Heartbreaking, but it's something he feels the need to do.
Anyway, his beloved jacket is so badly worn that he's having difficulty finding a shop that will take it and restore it. In case it's beyond repair does anybody know a good retailer or manufacturer for heavy duty bomber style jackets? Mom assured me that price isn't really important. Just the best.
Thanks,
Sutcliffe
 
Beats the heck out of me. I've watched the prices of bomber jackets all my life. Couldn't or wouldn't afford one when they were spendy, and now that everyone makes one and they're cheap don't want one. (I don't look good in Bomber jackets)

Am currently about to buy a cheap leather coat. I see coats for 400 and up but can't imagine why. The one I've my eye on is 89 bucks.
Anyway, I'm glad you asked this question because I'll be interested to learn of leather coats.



munk
 
Sutcliffe?

The leather jackets I've seen and the brands I'd trust come from folks who market to motorcycle riders. I can't speak to fashion market manufacturers. And even the brands are somewhat suspect since most seem to be made over-seas and then branded or tagged with a name here.

A real bomber jacket, complete with sheepskin lining, might be a rarity.

But again, I live in the country and it has been a while since I've looked for fashion facsimilies.

Maybe Nasty, or one of the other hunky biker types can help.


Good luck. Might be better to archive the heirloom, and get something more contemporary, although I can understand that you wouldn't want to do that.
 
Just a thought, but if the jacket can't really be repaired/reconditioned, you could consider having the leather used for something made into something that you would have with you a lot.

It's a tough call between having something that you would have with you a lot or having the jacket intact in a closet someplace you may not see it much...

Depending on how the wear is, even if it's repairable, there may be panels being replaced completely and you might want to talk to someone about having a small custom sheath made to go along with a knife. Something like a neck knife or one of Dan Koster's kardas and maybe a kydex-lined neck sheath or small belt sheath you could have with you all the time...
 
Sutcliffe said:
a good retailer or manufacturer for heavy duty bomber style jackets? Mom assured me that price isn't really important. Just the best.Thanks, Sutcliffe
Click to expand...

One name; VANSON and you can get it custom made.

http://www.vansonleathers.com/product_pages/jackets/ga22_mustang.htm

You will not be disappointed.

I will last you forever.

I've had my motorcycle jacket for about 12 years and it's still like new; I love it.

AMERICAN MADE
 
Here are some pictures of mine.

I had to get extra long sleeves.

$600 and worth every peeny. :)
 

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Whatever route you go, go with a good quality leather jacket. Stay away from Wilson's leather stores. Trendy throwaways at best that scuff and wear WAY too easily. I've tried numerous brands from department stores ranging from 79 bucks to 200 and they really disappointed me. My best jackets have been Harley Davidson jackets. Actually, i wish they were a little toned down. I love my Harley, but i don't like being one of those guys that wears his jacket out and about driving in his Civic. It makes me look like a poser and a walking billboard:D I have a hand-me-down classic riding jacket that was about $500 that my dad gave me once he got a little to big around the midsection. He had a lady pull out in front of him on the Atlanta freeway. Next thing he knew, there was 800lbs of sparking steel out in front of him and he was skidding at 50mph on his back. Just some scuffs. Seriously, just a little roughening of the tooled eagle head on the back. He was perfectly fine. A little bruised and a lot lucky, but fine. I always wear it on long trips for good luck. I have full confidence in that jacket. If I have a son and he gets bitten by the bike bug, then it's going to him...even if he rides a Ninja;)
I digress. It appears to me that you get what you pay for when it comes to jackets. Get a good quality jacket that was made to function, not look good. Short of a good sharp khuk, a man has no gear more important than a well worn leather jacket. Looks great and meets Cantina guidelines of being class 4 zombie bite resistant.
Good luck and let us know what you find.

Jake
 
Steely_Gunz said:
...My best jackets have been Harley Davidson jackets.
Click to expand...

Harley jackets are made in China and about half as thick leather as a Vanson; no comparison.

Have you ever seen a Vanson jacket?

Professional motorcycle riders wear Vanson.
 
U.S. Wings will restore it for you. I've purchased a few jackets from them, including one for my son; their customer service is excellent, and their products are of good quality. They can give the jacket new wool cuffs and a waistband, effect repairs, and recondition the jacket too.

http://www.uswings.com/repair.asp

If you go for a custom made flight jacket, you'd be hard pressed to find a better maker than http://www.usauthentic.com/ They handle only flight jackets, and Shaul will make you a jacket exactly as you order it. I sent them a tailored suit jacket so they would get the measurements just right.

Hope this helps. :)
 
RGRAY said:
Harley jackets are made in China and about half as thick leather as a Vanson; no comparison.

Have you ever seen a Vanson jacket?

Professional motorcycle riders wear Vanson.
Click to expand...

Actually, they are made in Korea (except for the jacket my dad gave me. That was some sort of limited run made in the US), and i'm not a professional biker. I only ride on the weekend, and I just know what works. I have no doubt that there is better out there. I simply know that I can walk into my local Harley dealer and pick up a jacket that is of better quality than what I can get at JC Penny, or Target, or Wilson Leather. My only gripe with Harly's jackets are that I HAVE to wear it like a billboard. Most are not subtle. I would like to drop 600 bucks on a jacket, but at the present time I am more than happy with my 300 dollar racer and my old hand-me-down from my father. To each his own. Maybe one day when i wear these jackets out and get ahead I'll look into Vanson. Thanks for the link.

Jake
 
I looked at the link. You have to admire the sheer toughness of Vanson.

There are many styles of leather coat not covered by them, though.




munk
 
I've gotta second the suggestion to look at Vanson. I have two Vanson outfits (jackets and pants). Pricey, sure. Very heavy leather. I've had the jackets for about three riding seasons and they are still not quite broken in yet.

Jeff
 
$500-$600 is what I expect to pay for a good leather (and Vanson is good, but not the only choice).

Were I travelling overseas or into a rotton climate, I might buy a $90 one to simply throw away and leave my good gear at home.
 
Nasty said:
$500-$600 is what I expect to pay for a good leather (and Vanson is good, but not the only choice).

Were I travelling overseas or into a rotton climate, I might buy a $90 one to simply throw away and leave my good gear at home.
Click to expand...


Yup, if I were a biker, keeping my own hide intact would be well worth the extra bucks. But for something to wear just to knock around in, I can buy a jacket and a whole bunch of other stuff for 500-600 dollars.

On the subject of economics, I'll never forget a quote from a rather cynical radio talk show host; "A man will usually marry the most attractive woman he can afford, and a woman will usually marry the wealthiest man she can attract". Hey, don't shoot me :eek: I'm just the messenger ;)

Sarge
 
RGRAY said:
Did you read this?

So why not buy the best. :)
Click to expand...

Yes, I did read that, and if my mother said likewise to me I wouldn't rush out and buy a 600 dollar jacket if a 200 dollar jacket would do the job. Not unless I was picking up the tab.

Sarge
 
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