I've joined the Expedition Ranks

[kobol]

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject: New Expedition Arrived - Sizing Info Posted

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Good Day All,
Well my new Expedition arrived today and I thought I post some of the measurements I have taken along with a quick review. I don't have any pictures yet and won't for a while since I loaned out my camera.

The Expedition is a size 40. I am around a size 41 chest 32 inch waist if this helps one make a comparison on the fit.

So here it goes.

Armpit - Armpit = 23 inches
Shoulder Seam - Cuff = 23 1/2 inches
Collar Base - Shoulder Seam = 6 3/4 inches
Back Length = 24 inches
Front Storm Flap = 23 1/2 inches

The jacket feels like it fits a bit snugger due to it having 2 elastic straps (chest & top of pocket). It pulls the leather in a little but you can definitely feel that if it wasn't there, the jacket would be even more roomy. I tested this by wearing it with my hands in the pocket and the jacket wants to to be looser but the elastic pulls it in. It also stretches out easily enough letting you know there is more room and leather there.
If I were comparing to Wested, I would say it's a very close match in sizing to their 42R "80's" fit. (I own one of those as well).
So in conclusion it fits nice and has that "Raiders" look from the first wearing. In my opinion the goatskin is very soft and drapey especially compared to my Horsehide Wested. It also has a a definite grainy look with wrinkles already forming. I would say weight wise it's very close to Wested's "standard" lambskin. It's much lighter than my Wested Horsehide and definitely heavier than Todd's Standard. It is also a little darker and shinier than my Wested Horsehide.
I hope this helps.

[GCR]

Congrats on the new jacket, Kobol! I'll be looking forward to some pics once you get your camera back. I've always wanted to see what a goat Expedition looked like. I'm also a bit curious about the elastic(s) built into the jacket. I've never heard of this feature before. I know my lambskin G&B certainly doesn't have them. Is it some kind of custom mod or special request?

Anyways, I'm glad to hear you're happy with the jacket. I've had my G&B since August of last year, and I couldn't be happier with it.

-GCR

[kobol]

Thanks GCR,
I'll get pics posted once I have my camera. As for the elastics, I certainly didn't order them. So I'm not sure if this is something new or not. I just placed my order over the phone for their standard version in Dark Seal Goatskin. I thought they didn't allow custom mods on their jackets, only what's in their catalog.
Now you got me curious.

Edit:
I just finished searching over at COW and it's been mentioned several times that elastics are standard with the Expedition and I was just told that over the phone by Flightsuits confirming it's standard.

[GCR]

Well, I stand corrected. I knew G&B didn't offer custom mods, but I wasn't sure if this was an available option I wasn't aware off, or perhaps something new they started doing. Anyways, I was curious after hearing about this so I went and checked my own jacket, and sure enough there are a pair of elastics built in, but they are in the back panel, not on the front of the jacket. I mistakenly took your description:

2 elastic straps (chest & top of pocket).

to mean that the straps were placed in the front part of the jacket.

I am kind of surprised to find out about this myself. I never would have guessed there were elastic bands built into my G&B if you hadn't brought it up! ;D

-GCR

[kobol]

I blame myself for the vague description. I probably should have at least added the word "level" to clarify more.

When I put my hands in the pockets and pulled on the leather a little I noticed a little stretch to it. Enough for me to think it can't just be the leather which lead to my discovery.

[Deleted]

Kobal,

Congratulations on the new G&B. I have never owned thier goatskin but my lamb is fantastic.

I always liked the way the elastic helps to make the jacket feel like it is conforming to my body shape. I think it helps to make a slimmer fit and keeps the Bi-swing (Action Pleats) from popping out like a bag of Jiffy-Pop Popcorn. ;D

Cheers,
John

[Kaplan]

Kobol, congrats on your new jacket. You gave a detailed comparison, but you left out one thing. Do you like it?
For me, my two G&B's are my favorites and no jackets I have owned so far has satisfied me as much as my G&B's.

[Ragingblues]

Congrats on getting the G&B and hopefully being very happy with it. I bet their goatskin makes a really fantastic leather jacket. Hopefully you'll grace us with some pics soon enough too.

Thanks for the info and comparison with other hides.

Ken

[kobol]

Thanks All,
And yes I am very happy with the jacket. I even received my courtesy call this morning from Flightsuits asking if I received it and if I was happy. Great customer service.

I really like their goatskin. As I said earlier it's real soft with a great grain. I have a US Wings goat and it's no where as soft as this Expedition. I only have one other goatskin in my arsenal that is as soft and it's a 11 year old A-2 that took many years to get that way.
And I agree about the elastics helping in keeping a trim appearance and personalizing the fit. It does that well.
Hopefully this weekend I will get my camera back to take some pics.