Post by ron521 on Dec 20, 2009 5:40:29 GMT -5
I ordered my US Wings VIP Indy-style "Adventurer" jacket on Monday, Dec 14.
On Dec 18, just four days later, a big box arrived with the US Wings logo all over it.
Inside, I found the jacket, in a protective plastic wrapper, a nice wide hanger, plus a
promotional T shirt and a gift card for $10 toward future purchases.
I’m 5’ 10”, and weigh about 175 lbs. My normal size is a 40 regular. I had read a lot of posts
regarding the fits of jackets from various makers, some are said to run large, others small. I had
emailed US Wings and requested actual dimensions for the various sizes because I had been a
little concerned about their “blended” sizing, i.e. “M” is said to be fine for 38-40.
One very helpful post from a forum member had informed me that US Wings sizes tend to run
toward the upper end of the range, so a “M” should hypothetically be dead-on for a 40.....and it
was.
I would not have expected this jacket to fit better if I had been measured by a tailor and the
jacket customized to my frame. The fit around my chest, width across my shoulders, and length
of the sleeves is absolutely perfect. Length on my jacket is 27 1/4”, so slightly longer than a
motorcycle jacket. Perhaps this is “Temple of Doom” length.
I examined the jacket very closely for any irregularities which might warrant a return, actually
checking for things I’ve never thought to check any previous jacket for, such as matching sleeve
length and pocket placement, and can report that no defect of any kind was found, not even any
loose threads poking out. Seams run true, and where they meet other seams on adjacent panels,
line up with perfection.
The jacket is a rich, dark “chocolate” brown. I would not describe the finish as “glossy” but as
“satin”, with a soft, luxurious shine (at least for the time being). There is a subtle texture which I
will try to show in photos.
This is precisely what I was hoping for, something like what Indy’s jacket would have looked
when new, a canvas waiting for my own adventures to personalize.
It is quite soft throughout, no “breaking in” required in order to achieve comfort.
No one will EVER mistake this garment for a windbreaker, as the leather is quite thick, similar
to some cowhide motorcycle jackets I own. As a result, the jacket has “presence”, which
somehow promotes a sense of security when wearing it.
It is almost as if the jacket is reminding you on a subconscious level “Hey, I’m here for you, I
won’t let you down”....
This sturdy outer shell is closed with a YKK zipper which has an dark bronze color.
A 1 1/2” storm flap covers the zipper, and facings 1.5” wide extend from the stiching which
secures the zipper to the very thick nylon liner.
The liner appears to be exactly the same weight and color as in my old Navy-issue G1, of
sufficient thickness to make a windbreaker all by itself, so should last essentially forever inside
the leather outer shell.
Nylon is in many ways an ideal fabric for a liner, it simply glides over whatever shirt one may be
wearing with almost no friction, not bunching up and restricting motion. It doesn’t absorb
significant amounts of moisture, and dries quickly if it is wetted.
There is a inside pocket on the left side, slightly less than 6” wide, bound with leather.
On the outside, sleeves are about 11” wide where they attach to the body, and taper to a 5 1/5”
barrel cuff, with no gussets in the armpits.
The two patch pockets await grail diaries or whatever else one may wish to cram into them.
The hidden handwarmers do not go through the shell of the jacket, so your palms are against the
leather jacket shell, while the backs of your hands are against the fabric back lining of the
pocket.
The pockets themselves are 8” tall and 6 3/4” wide, so I can get my entire hand into the
handwarmer, and spread my fingers a little bit.
The pockets are closed with flaps (with concealed snaps) whose lower edge has a very minimal
radius which lends a “clean” look I find pleasing to the eye.
The bi-swing back, with it’s 1 1/2” pleat, extends from the hem upwards to the yoke, which
means that the bi-swing ends essentially over my scapula. This appears to be part of the design,
observed in the movie jackets, and replicas from every maker as well. This particular feature is
not the very best for complete freedom of movement, but as a compromise between screen accuracy and function, it is certainly acceptable.
It wouldn’t hurt if the yoke seam were a couple of inches higher, which would allow
the bi-swing to work a little better, and perhaps still look “right”.
About four inches up from the hem, and so, exactly at my beltline, are leather straps, 1” wide,
with antique finish D-rings for adjusting the fit. Below the straps, the bi-swing becomes a vent,
which enhances flexibility, especially when crouching or sitting.
Taken as a whole, I’m extremely pleased with my jacket. It is US made, and appears to have
absoutely flawless workmanship and materials. It looks good and feels good, exuding an aura of
quality throughout. Those design features which deviate from one or another screen incarnation
of the jacket are, to my mind, minor issues.
The only things I can think of which I would change would be to extend the bi-swing a little bit
higher up the back, and to add ventilated gussets under the arms to increase the range of
motion. And maybe offer this premium cowhide leather in black.
In sum, an excellent jacket at any price, and at the price, a superb value.
On Dec 18, just four days later, a big box arrived with the US Wings logo all over it.
Inside, I found the jacket, in a protective plastic wrapper, a nice wide hanger, plus a
promotional T shirt and a gift card for $10 toward future purchases.
I’m 5’ 10”, and weigh about 175 lbs. My normal size is a 40 regular. I had read a lot of posts
regarding the fits of jackets from various makers, some are said to run large, others small. I had
emailed US Wings and requested actual dimensions for the various sizes because I had been a
little concerned about their “blended” sizing, i.e. “M” is said to be fine for 38-40.
One very helpful post from a forum member had informed me that US Wings sizes tend to run
toward the upper end of the range, so a “M” should hypothetically be dead-on for a 40.....and it
was.
I would not have expected this jacket to fit better if I had been measured by a tailor and the
jacket customized to my frame. The fit around my chest, width across my shoulders, and length
of the sleeves is absolutely perfect. Length on my jacket is 27 1/4”, so slightly longer than a
motorcycle jacket. Perhaps this is “Temple of Doom” length.
I examined the jacket very closely for any irregularities which might warrant a return, actually
checking for things I’ve never thought to check any previous jacket for, such as matching sleeve
length and pocket placement, and can report that no defect of any kind was found, not even any
loose threads poking out. Seams run true, and where they meet other seams on adjacent panels,
line up with perfection.
The jacket is a rich, dark “chocolate” brown. I would not describe the finish as “glossy” but as
“satin”, with a soft, luxurious shine (at least for the time being). There is a subtle texture which I
will try to show in photos.
This is precisely what I was hoping for, something like what Indy’s jacket would have looked
when new, a canvas waiting for my own adventures to personalize.
It is quite soft throughout, no “breaking in” required in order to achieve comfort.
No one will EVER mistake this garment for a windbreaker, as the leather is quite thick, similar
to some cowhide motorcycle jackets I own. As a result, the jacket has “presence”, which
somehow promotes a sense of security when wearing it.
It is almost as if the jacket is reminding you on a subconscious level “Hey, I’m here for you, I
won’t let you down”....
This sturdy outer shell is closed with a YKK zipper which has an dark bronze color.
A 1 1/2” storm flap covers the zipper, and facings 1.5” wide extend from the stiching which
secures the zipper to the very thick nylon liner.
The liner appears to be exactly the same weight and color as in my old Navy-issue G1, of
sufficient thickness to make a windbreaker all by itself, so should last essentially forever inside
the leather outer shell.
Nylon is in many ways an ideal fabric for a liner, it simply glides over whatever shirt one may be
wearing with almost no friction, not bunching up and restricting motion. It doesn’t absorb
significant amounts of moisture, and dries quickly if it is wetted.
There is a inside pocket on the left side, slightly less than 6” wide, bound with leather.
On the outside, sleeves are about 11” wide where they attach to the body, and taper to a 5 1/5”
barrel cuff, with no gussets in the armpits.
The two patch pockets await grail diaries or whatever else one may wish to cram into them.
The hidden handwarmers do not go through the shell of the jacket, so your palms are against the
leather jacket shell, while the backs of your hands are against the fabric back lining of the
pocket.
The pockets themselves are 8” tall and 6 3/4” wide, so I can get my entire hand into the
handwarmer, and spread my fingers a little bit.
The pockets are closed with flaps (with concealed snaps) whose lower edge has a very minimal
radius which lends a “clean” look I find pleasing to the eye.
The bi-swing back, with it’s 1 1/2” pleat, extends from the hem upwards to the yoke, which
means that the bi-swing ends essentially over my scapula. This appears to be part of the design,
observed in the movie jackets, and replicas from every maker as well. This particular feature is
not the very best for complete freedom of movement, but as a compromise between screen accuracy and function, it is certainly acceptable.
It wouldn’t hurt if the yoke seam were a couple of inches higher, which would allow
the bi-swing to work a little better, and perhaps still look “right”.
About four inches up from the hem, and so, exactly at my beltline, are leather straps, 1” wide,
with antique finish D-rings for adjusting the fit. Below the straps, the bi-swing becomes a vent,
which enhances flexibility, especially when crouching or sitting.
Taken as a whole, I’m extremely pleased with my jacket. It is US made, and appears to have
absoutely flawless workmanship and materials. It looks good and feels good, exuding an aura of
quality throughout. Those design features which deviate from one or another screen incarnation
of the jacket are, to my mind, minor issues.
The only things I can think of which I would change would be to extend the bi-swing a little bit
higher up the back, and to add ventilated gussets under the arms to increase the range of
motion. And maybe offer this premium cowhide leather in black.
In sum, an excellent jacket at any price, and at the price, a superb value.
