Wested vs. Todds

[edecarlo]

Hi
I am considering two different jackets to purchase, one being the Todds standard and the other being the Wested. Price is a little bit of an issue, making the Todds more favorable, but I've been told the Wested is a much higher quality jacket. I was wondering if anyone could offer any insight on the real differences between the two or make any suggestions.

Thanks

[GCR]

Well, if you're looking for a Raiders jacket specifically, and price is an issue, I'd go for the Todd's standard. At $150 bucks for a near dead-on SA jacket, I don't think it can be beat. The Wested "special offer" jackets do not have as many of the smaller details correct for a Raiders jacket, though they still look very nice. As I understand it, both are fairly lightweight jackets when compared with other offerings, but I believe the Todd jacket is the lighter of the two. If you're not looking for a Raiders-specific pattern, then I would go for the Wested, as the Todd jacket is strictly a Raiders style only.

And as far as quality issues, I have not heard of any major concerns with the Todd jackets at all, while I have heard of a few issues with the Westeds (mostly stitching coming loose). However, the Wested issues seem to arise more frequently with the custom made jackets, not the special offer. (At least as far as I know)

Either way I'm sure you'll get yourself one fine jacket. (And don't forget to post a few pics when it arrives! )

[edecarlo]

Thanks a bunch. Considering what you said, I think I'll go for the Todd's. It seems like a wiser choice (and it does save a ton of dough) I am wondering though, in all the pictures the sleeves seem a little short, does this mean I should order one that might be a bit bigger than usual? One more thing (sorry I'm elongating this so much). If anybody knows, how does the Todd's hold up, to rain, snow, dirt, etc. Basically, I want to know if its something I could actually keep for a while and wear around.

Thanks,

[GCR]

Regarding sleeve length, Todd just posted this in another thread:

We changed the sizing algorithm and asked for tighter control on sleeve length specs. The first run, a large percentage of the sleeves were shorter than they should have been.

As far as durability goes, I have no idea. I've heard a couple of people say it seems more like a costume jacket than a real jacket, probably due to the light weight, but then again, others insist the lighter weight is essential to getting the "SA" drape, so who knows? I'm sure wearing it around as a normal jacket won't pose any risk, I just wouldn't put it through any overly harsh treatment.

[edecarlo]

Thanks!

[ghostsoldier]

Hey, GCR...new guy here, too...I'm pondering the same choice; but, I have question for you, concering the weight of the leathers: were the Raiders and LC jackets about the same? Were they lambskin?

The main reason I ask is because I assumed the screen-used jackets were a relatively stiffer/thicker leather than lamb (especially the LC version), but whilst watching The Last Crusade the other night, I noticed in the beach scene with Indy and Henry and the ME109, after Pops flushes the seagulls and saves the day, Indy turns to watch his walk-by, and you can see the breast leather of his jacket actually "fluttering" and flapping in the breeze...like it is really thin leather.
Would the lighter material actually be more SA?
Thanks,
Rob
(Sorry for the long question...I'm trying to learn all I can! )

[GCR]

As far as I know, lambskin was the leather used for all of the original Indy jackets (Raiders, TOD & LC) while cowhide was used to make the KOTCS jacket.

I'm not sure how much the thickness of the lambskin changed from film to film, but I'm sure it changed to some degree, just as all of the gear items did.

Based on some of the jackets I have seen firsthand and all of the pics out there as well, I think the lambskin from Todd's seems to have a nice drape to it that matches fairly well with the way the Raiders jacket drapes. The Wested lambskin is thicker, but by no means a "thick" leather. It also has a nice drape, but from what I have seen, the lambskin Wested uses has a lot of unique texture and grain qualities that make it pretty SA as well.

[topotts]

Todd's website Indy Jacket measurements are below. I have
seen numerous posts with the wrong measurements.

Sleeve length Fits chest size Back Length
S 32" 36"-38" 23½"
M 33" 38"-40" 24½"
L 33½" 40"-42" 25"
XL 35½" 42"-44" 25¼"
XXL 36¼" 44"-46" 25¾"

[topotts]

::)Todd vs Wested,

I just got a Todd's std Indy Jacket $149.00 and I couldn't be more satisfied. The jacket is SA with a new soft lambskin now offered by Todd's. All I know is the Wested is certainly a nice jacket but I do not have 285.00 plus shipping at this point. The 149.00 jacket can not be beat.

[edecarlo]

Topotts,

Would you mind posting a pic or two of the todds?

[New Yorker Jones]

I would've gone with a Todd's but they don't make longs as 25 inches in length is way too short for me, 6'3". So I went in the opposite direction and bought a G&B. The price was a bit much but its a jacket to be proud of.