A jacket for all Michigan seasons

[thefunkybat]

The title says it all. I've been reading a lot on the forums about all of the different jackets you can buy, and with what options. Screen accuracy is not a factor, function is a big factor, and I would like it to be wearable year-round in Michigan (hot summers and cold winters). I also travel a lot, so it has to be able to withstand other various climate conditions and be durable.

Like a lot of others, I've finally settled on getting a custom Wested, and I know what I want as far as the smaller details, but as for the main jacket itself I'm still unsure on two details, and maybe people could weigh in with their thoughts:

#1 The type of leather: I'm trying to decide between a dark brown lambskin or washed goatskin (I'm aware that the latter is not currently offered; I would hold out a bit to see if they offer it again). I like the look of the dark brown lambskin, and have read that Wested's lambskin seems to be very durable for a lambskin. But, I'm having a hard time getting past the idea that the goatskin might be more durable and a bit warmer for the winters. However, if the dark lambskin could be warm enough with a zippered hoodie or sweater underneath, I'd lean more towards that.

#2 The type of jacket: Raiders or Last Crusade. While I do like the slimmer look and smaller collar of the Raiders jacket, I'm (again) having a hard time getting past the idea that snaps on the Last Crusade storm flap would add more functionality to the jacket (I've been in contact with Gemma and have been informed that they cannot add snaps to the Raiders jacket). Does anyone feel that having the storm flap snapped shut makes a big difference?

As for the rest of the jacket, I'm getting sliders, x stitching, a second pocket, I don't care about facings, and cotton lining/satin sleeves.

Anyways, I've been mulling all of this over for two weeks now, and have gotten nowhere. Heck, if there was someone who actually lives in Michigan (or similar climate conditions) that could give their opinion (or even perhaps let me take a look at their jacket?), I'd be much obliged.

Thanks in advance to everyone.

[Noah]

Welcome to Indylounge!

The lambskin should be durable enough. It would be cooler in summer. Like you said, during the winter you could wear a sweater or hood underneath it. The goatskin would be more durable and warmer in summer and winter, which may not be the best during summer. I'm not exactly sure how the weather is in Michigan, but I'm thinking either would work for you. Maybe someone who lives in similar weather can give some input.

Snaps on the storm flap is more functional, but I don't know if it could make that much of a difference. I personally like the fit of the Raiders jacket. Someone who knows more can provide more information. I have a Todds standard, which is a Raiders lambskin, and I find it comfortable most times. I live in warm weather and it feels good. It's a lighter leather than Wested's though.

I hope that helps you.

[Biker Jacket Jones]

Even though I don't actually have a jacket yet, I'm going to try to spitball from my own experiences and see if I can help you. It sounds like you're trying to go in the same direction as I am.

If you want the leather type that will be the best in both cold and hot weather, then you have to go with lambskin. It is cooler than goatskin to wear, so you'll naturally be more comfortable in it. If it gets too cold in the winter, you can always don a sweater or flannel shirt, but about the only thing you can do in the summer is take it off, which would be defeating what you're trying to do. Yes, lambskin would be less durable, but that's how leather usually works with only a few exceptions--you've got to get the heavy, warm stuff to get more durability. If you're planning on just normal wear, lambskin should absolutely be durable enough for you. The logic I use is that it can't be worse than a cloth sport coat, right? If you're trying to get a motorcycle jacket, it's a little more complicated, but I'm going to assume that's not the direction you're going in. There is some good information from others in this topic that I started to learn more information in my own quest.

As for the film style, if you're going for practicality, you have to go for Last Crusade. When the jacket arrives, you're probably going to be too excited to give too much thought to think, "Oh, that looks like a Radiers, oh, that looks like a Last Crusade." Unless you're absolutely gobsmacked by the subtle nuances of the Raiders style over the Last Crusade style, you're going to want the Last Crusade snaps over the Raiders lack thereof.

You mention "the rest of the jacket." I'm going to shoot off a few extra thoughts of my opinion.

I've heard a number of accounts that an all cotton will be better in hotter weather than any combination involving satin. The saying is that the satin gets clammy and uncomfortable in humid, warm weather, and when you sweat in warm weather, you'll still get that clammy feeling. Unless you really want that satin, you might do well to go with all cotton. All of my sport jackets have satin sleeves, so I know how that feels.

For the slider type, I would have to go with Sliders + X Box Stitch. The sliders, as I hear, are less likely to slip than D Rings with lighter leathers (e.g.: lambskin). I would also think that X Box Stitching would be a favorable option. The side straps will be stitched to the jacket with a simple box if you opt out of it, but X Box Stitch will add an X in the center of the box, which should theoretically provide a stronger hold.

The inside pocket comes standard on the left side (I think), so the extra inside pocket option is a kind of self-explanatory thing. Get it if like it or don't if you don't, but it will provide more practicality. It's not screen accurate for the Raiders style (and probably not Last Crusade, either), but if you're like me and don't give a hoot for screen accuracy and just want practicality, then this won't bother you at all. One thing you might want to ask about is getting zippers put on the inside pockets. Adds an extra touch of security. I think one of the pockets comes standard with it, but the extra one might not.

It's up to you if you want to make your jacket identifiable to you or not with the Name Label.

Special Request are entirely up to you. You could request strange sizing, the aforementioned inside pocket zippers, etc.

Gussets will make your life easier. The extra folds of skin on the armpit makes the sleeves riding much less of a problem.

Uh, I guess that's it.

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Dec 24, 2010 0:33:24 GMT -5 thefunkybat said:

#2 The type of jacket: Raiders or Last Crusade. While I do like the slimmer look and smaller collar of the Raiders jacket, I'm (again) having a hard time getting past the idea that snaps on the Last Crusade storm flap would add more functionality to the jacket (I've been in contact with Gemma and have been informed that they cannot add snaps to the Raiders jacket). Does anyone feel that having the storm flap snapped shut makes a big difference?

First, welcome to the Lounge!

Second, if you like the LC snaps and Raiders fit, then just order a Raiders with snaps on the flap. It's as simple as that. You could even make the snaps hidden, if you'd like.

Steven

[Biker Jacket Jones]

Dec 24, 2010 11:31:05 GMT -5 Pennsylvania Jones said:

Dec 24, 2010 0:33:24 GMT -5 thefunkybat said:

#2 The type of jacket: Raiders or Last Crusade. While I do like the slimmer look and smaller collar of the Raiders jacket, I'm (again) having a hard time getting past the idea that snaps on the Last Crusade storm flap would add more functionality to the jacket (I've been in contact with Gemma and have been informed that they cannot add snaps to the Raiders jacket). Does anyone feel that having the storm flap snapped shut makes a big difference?

First, welcome to the Lounge!

Second, if you like the LC snaps and Raiders fit, then just order a Raiders with snaps on the flap. It's as simple as that. You could even make the snaps hidden, if you'd like.

Steven

Didn't he just say that Gemma said that Wested can't add snaps to the Raiders jacket? I remember something about Kt. Templar saying he had a Raiders modified in this way, but still....

[dunleavy]

welcome to the lounge thefunkybat! Just so you know, babuchanan won't buy a jacket without 2 inside pockets. (lol) I would say go with lambskin. Its good for any kind of weather, as long as you layer during the cold winter. I own a Todds and 2 US wings jackets. With US Wings you get D rings for your side adjustment straps and button snaps on the storm flap, obviously making it more of a Last Crusade jacket. However, the collar size is just right. It's slimmer than your typical Last Crusade jacket.

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Dec 24, 2010 12:35:59 GMT -5 Biker Jacket Jones said:

Dec 24, 2010 11:31:05 GMT -5 Pennsylvania Jones said:

First, welcome to the Lounge!

Second, if you like the LC snaps and Raiders fit, then just order a Raiders with snaps on the flap. It's as simple as that. You could even make the snaps hidden, if you'd like.

Steven

Didn't he just say that Gemma said that Wested can't add snaps to the Raiders jacket? I remember something about Kt. Templar saying he had a Raiders modified in this way, but still....

Sorry. I was actually in a rush at the moment, with the window squished pretty thin, so I didn't have enough available attention to interpret everything he read correctly.

Steven

[dunleavy]

its ok..you can stop smacking yourself now..

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Dec 24, 2010 15:14:35 GMT -5 dunleavy said:

its ok..you can stop smacking yourself now..

I can't stop!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Steven

[Noah]

Yeah I'm using a phone so it's a bit harder to type.

[dunleavy]

Here are a few pics of my US wings Lightweight Antique Lamb after 5 months.. Pictures don't really do this jacket justice though..

[Noah]

Nice jacket and gear dunleavy! It fits you great. Who made the whip? What hat is that?

[dunleavy]

Todds 8 foot in natural and a todds downtowner size 61cm

[stubley]

Hey Bat. Check your pm.

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Welcome to the Lounge, Stubley!

Steven

[stubley]

Thanks! I like what I see so far. It has been a learning experiance for sure.