I got the Rugged Rider 2.0 Cordovan Special, after seeing the pictures and color contrast in this thread & Reddit. Got an off the Rack size 42, as I am pretty standard L/42 and most jackets fit me fine
and have never felt the need to be custom. I have a box shaped frame, so the measurements work with not much of an aggressive taper. It sits just below the belt, which looks fine on me, and I would not
worry if you prefer a more traditional higher sitting jacket, because I have scoliosis and am about one inch shorter than I should be lol at 5'11 instead of 6'0 (having repair surgery as a teen
bumped me from 5'9 to 5'11, but there's still an inch of spine compression). So for the overall pattern, everything is cut to where it needs to be for the 'standard sizes'
Best Bits:
- The color of the cordovan is just as pretty as the pictures! I won't post any dynamic photos as others have captured it much better with better cameras. It's a rich chocolate with hints of dark cherry that
really pops into a purple in any light, sun or artificial. Contrast with brass hardwear and it looks pretty great.
- I asked for a leather strap to be attached to the main zipper for that extra heritage look (seen on their other jackets), and it looks great.
- Lining is decent for the price. Easy to put on & off, has good warmth and breathability. Got lucky with the weather dipping back into the 55/60f range and wore it with a T-shirt. No overheating.
- Leather is going to require very little break in, fits fine and molds well. Great jacket to pick up and begin using, almost an 'easy mode' heritage style jacket.
- Cordovan color easier than expected to style with any denim color or chino.
Nitpicks:
- Saw the comments on the cuff size. It is the widest out of any jacket I have, but is not a personal pet peeve that I would really notice. Might be a deal-breaker for others. On the functionality side, it works just fine. The zipper tightens up and if you have gloves on, air isn't going to get in. I have pretty narrow wrists, so I thought the effect would be exaggerated.
- Smell ... its got the 'new car' chemical smell, versus any veg tan. My Best personal reference is a Shangri-La Explorator, which smelled like being in a forest of fresh cedar trees. It goes away, and I feel acceptable for this price point. If you were buying a used jacket in this range you aren't going to smell much anyway
- Double-sided zipper. I have never had a two sided zipper that is easy to use, and I almost never unzip the lower part in my own functions. Would prefer if every jacket was single zip, and this one used requires perfect alignment with the bottom and lower parts before it properly engages. Kinda have to have my middle or ring finger hold the lower part aligned with the top. On the plus side, it didn't let me 'make a mistake' and zip it up incorrectly and get stuck.
- Slight squeak noise on second day of wear, will see how it develops
Who is this for?
- Ballin' on a budget, you want that heritage pice but your Aero & Co are out of range. RW is well made and will last.
- Perfect counter to any 'mall fashion'. Why bother with Allsaints / Straight to Hell of the world, when there is so much more thought and care going into Rugged West for the same pricepoint?
- Someones first time, or a friend who wants to dip their toes in after finding out you have a wierd obsession with too many leather jackets! For the unnassuming customer who isn't a nerd, they are going to be blown away by the product.
and have never felt the need to be custom. I have a box shaped frame, so the measurements work with not much of an aggressive taper. It sits just below the belt, which looks fine on me, and I would not
worry if you prefer a more traditional higher sitting jacket, because I have scoliosis and am about one inch shorter than I should be lol at 5'11 instead of 6'0 (having repair surgery as a teen
bumped me from 5'9 to 5'11, but there's still an inch of spine compression). So for the overall pattern, everything is cut to where it needs to be for the 'standard sizes'
Best Bits:
- The color of the cordovan is just as pretty as the pictures! I won't post any dynamic photos as others have captured it much better with better cameras. It's a rich chocolate with hints of dark cherry that
really pops into a purple in any light, sun or artificial. Contrast with brass hardwear and it looks pretty great.
- I asked for a leather strap to be attached to the main zipper for that extra heritage look (seen on their other jackets), and it looks great.
- Lining is decent for the price. Easy to put on & off, has good warmth and breathability. Got lucky with the weather dipping back into the 55/60f range and wore it with a T-shirt. No overheating.
- Leather is going to require very little break in, fits fine and molds well. Great jacket to pick up and begin using, almost an 'easy mode' heritage style jacket.
- Cordovan color easier than expected to style with any denim color or chino.
Nitpicks:
- Saw the comments on the cuff size. It is the widest out of any jacket I have, but is not a personal pet peeve that I would really notice. Might be a deal-breaker for others. On the functionality side, it works just fine. The zipper tightens up and if you have gloves on, air isn't going to get in. I have pretty narrow wrists, so I thought the effect would be exaggerated.
- Smell ... its got the 'new car' chemical smell, versus any veg tan. My Best personal reference is a Shangri-La Explorator, which smelled like being in a forest of fresh cedar trees. It goes away, and I feel acceptable for this price point. If you were buying a used jacket in this range you aren't going to smell much anyway
- Double-sided zipper. I have never had a two sided zipper that is easy to use, and I almost never unzip the lower part in my own functions. Would prefer if every jacket was single zip, and this one used requires perfect alignment with the bottom and lower parts before it properly engages. Kinda have to have my middle or ring finger hold the lower part aligned with the top. On the plus side, it didn't let me 'make a mistake' and zip it up incorrectly and get stuck.
- Slight squeak noise on second day of wear, will see how it develops
Who is this for?
- Ballin' on a budget, you want that heritage pice but your Aero & Co are out of range. RW is well made and will last.
- Perfect counter to any 'mall fashion'. Why bother with Allsaints / Straight to Hell of the world, when there is so much more thought and care going into Rugged West for the same pricepoint?
- Someones first time, or a friend who wants to dip their toes in after finding out you have a wierd obsession with too many leather jackets! For the unnassuming customer who isn't a nerd, they are going to be blown away by the product.
