Rugged West - custom Rugged Rider 3.0 (Buco J-24 inspired) - Initial impressions / review

[MadCat]

This post really bothers me.

I've never dealt with Rugged West, but that reads like an accusation of fraudulent practices.

Are you saying she took your money and then you never heard anything or received a jacket?

Took deposit then went silent.

 

[Zoro]

I mean... That's quite common. What else is there to say? You should be able to message requesting a status update.

 

[MadCat]

I mean... That's quite common. What else is there to say? You should be able to message requesting a status update.

Ok, have fun with that. I never had these issues with other makers.

 

[Harris HTM]

Ok, have fun with that. I never had these issues with other makers.

Then I would suggest avoid Thedi, Bill Kelso, Goodwear... to name a few of the top makers that take deposit (some of them full price actually) and go radio silent for a couple of months further than their promised delivery date.

 

[MadCat]

I’m not talking about delivery. I’m talking about going silent in the middle of planning a jacket.

Then I would suggest avoid Thedi, Bill Kelso, Goodwear... to name a few of the top makers that take deposit (some of them full price actually) and go radio silent for a couple of months further than their promised delivery date

 

[barnabus]

Took deposit then went silent.

So you're out your deposit, with no jacket?

How long for?

 

[MadCat]

So you're out your deposit, with no jacket?

How long for?

No, I got it back. She started responding once I started showing my irritation.

 

[Harris HTM]

I’m not talking about delivery. I’m talking about going silent in the middle of planning a jacket.

I see. So actually paid the deposit, started designing your jqcket and the she ignored your emails before you actually finalized it? Did she ignored you long?

 

[barnabus]

No, I got it back. She started responding once I started showing my irritation.

You paid your deposit then heard nothing, until you got angry - then you got your deposit back?

How long were you ignored?

 

[MadCat]

You paid your deposit then heard nothing, until you got angry - then you got your deposit back?

How long were you ignored?

That’s exactly it. I would give details, hear something, give more details and nothing. This went on for a while, until I got annoyed and just wanted my deposit back. I can wait for the jacket, that’s fine, but waiting around for confirmation of the details PLUS waiting for the jacket to be completed and shipped just adds to the irritation.

 

[barnabus]

That’s exactly it. I would give details, hear something, give more details and nothing. This went on for a while, until I got annoyed and just wanted my deposit back. I can wait for the jacket, that’s fine, but waiting around for confirmation of the details PLUS waiting for the jacket to be completed and shipped just adds to the irritation.

How long did you have to wait with no comms?

 

[TartuWolf]

Fine if you don't want to go into details, but why did you decide to sell this one? What changed from the initial review? Would you still rate it an 8/10 overall?

Shortly : meh leather, tight elbows, bad vibes from Leilah ( mods deleted the whole thread so I can't reference, but it was about using famous actors with AI to promote your products ). I'd say those were the main reasons. Yeah I'd still rate it 7-8/10 if we ignore tight elbows. For the price I paid.

 

[Bfd70]

I don’t think any good comes from knowing the maker‘s 1st name. It creates an illusion of a boutique experience. If its a solo maker who is popular like say Greg, Mark, or Brian (to my point i don’t think i need to use last names) they are swamped with work and don’t have time to exchange 30 emails per item with super particular customers. We all think they should hire “office” help but we really don’t know their margins. Of course, RW is different in the Leiah isn’t making any jackets. However, i must imagine that she’s trying to deal in higher volumes. Anyhow, there is no such thing as a $1500 jacket for $750.

 

[ton312]

I don’t think any good comes from knowing the maker‘s 1st name. It creates an illusion of a boutique experience. If its a solo maker who is popular like say Greg, Mark, or Brian (to my point i don’t think i need to use last names) they are swamped with work and don’t have time to exchange 30 emails per item with super particular customers. We all think they should hire “office” help but we really don’t know their margins. Of course, RW is different in the Leiah isn’t making any jackets. However, i must imagine that she’s trying to deal in higher volumes. Anyhow, there is no such thing as a $1500 jacket for $750.

I agree with you and would go one further in saying there’s no jacket worth either one of those prices, which in today’s market isn’t very high at all. Just looking at some of the IG accounts involved in this hobby and it’s easy to see what people are paying for is something a jacket simply can’t, and never will, provide.

 

[TartuWolf]

Checked out their new website and I'm definitely not a fan of this marketing blurp:

Going for the old timey "R. West" feel when the R is not even a name? "For over 20 years"? Nice boast for a brand founded in the last 5 years. "Lot" naming?
Yeah, no thanks.

 

[ton312]

Checked out their new website and I'm definitely not a fan of this marketing blurp:
View attachment 795144
Going for the old timey "R. West" feel when the R is not even a name? "For over 20 years"? Nice boast for a brand founded in the last 5 years. "Lot" naming?
Yeah, no thanks.

“Don’t hate the playa, hate the game”.

 

[Zoro]

Checked out their new website and I'm definitely not a fan of this marketing blurp:
View attachment 795144
Going for the old timey "R. West" feel when the R is not even a name? "For over 20 years"? Nice boast for a brand founded in the last 5 years. "Lot" naming?
Yeah, no thanks.

I think Bill Burr once said something like "I've been watching [American] football for 20 years, should I coach in the NFL?".

 

[Zoro]

[Guess this one has become the RW post now...]

I was just checking their new website and noticed how their prices increased. While I didn't think I could be their customer when they were selling jackets for 400-500€, now they've gone up to 690-834€, I no longer see what's the point for anyone at all. They do not even disclose where the jackets are made, which makes me just default to think they are made in Pakistan. This is only solidified by the disclosure of where their Olympia collection is made (London).

While still cheaper than Aero, at those prices I don't see why you wouldn't increase your budget ~20% more to get a Scotland made jacket you can customize. Or decrease it and get an used jacket or a new Chinese one.

 

[jacketjunkie]

[Guess this one has become the RW post now...]

I was just checking their new website and noticed how their prices increased. While I didn't think I could be their customer when they were selling jackets for 400-500€, now they've gone up to 690-834€, I no longer see what's the point for anyone at all. They do not even disclose where the jackets are made, which makes me just default to think they are made in Pakistan. This is only solidified by the disclosure of where their Olympia collection is made (London).

While still cheaper than Aero, at those prices I don't see why you wouldn't increase your budget ~20% more to get a Scotland made jacket you can customize. Or decrease it and get an used jacket or a new Chinese one.

Very ambitious pricing. Can get a new Vanson for that or even a Schott at a sale. Both heritage American brands, made in the USA. And as for the Olympia Collection, wasn't there a review of a natural leather work wear piece recently that came with a defect to start with and then broke down in the first few months of wear? Don't mean to be too negative, but all things considered, it is safe to say RW is not the budget try out for fun can't go wrong new contender on the market it may have been when new..

 

[Harris HTM]

increase your budget ~20% more to get a Scotland made jacket you can customize.

If you refer to Aero then 20% is absolutely not realistic. My latest Aero, received on wednesday, in grainy jerky horsehide, no internal pockets, cost 990 pounds before taxes, roughly 1350e in total.