Bob Dong B-10 Jacket review with pics!

[Toto1234]

done!
wait and see

 

[Blackadder]

Bob Dong is owned by the same folks as Bronson, isn't it? Dong is one of the "old 100" Chinese names - it's basically like Smith or Jones in England. Knowing the Chinese, I wouldn't like to call whether this is a case of Chinglish that didn't quite translate as intended, or some rather more aware Chinese indulging in a bit of humour. Either is possible!

It would be interesting to compare this to the product coming out of Pike today (I think they manufacture in Turkey?). I see though that Aero have reinstated their B10 too, made in Scotland again. If they bring back the B15....

Dong is indeed a common name and if translated the word actually mean East. Dong is just transliteration or close to how it is pronounced in English. Dong used to tailor his products using his own measurements. I think he would be considered a medium build man in Western standard but he is kind of on the heavy side in Far East standard. I think he used to cut and/tweak the pattern of Japanese repros and that caused some problems but now he seems to have given up tweaking and simply use the measurements on the Japanese repro. I have both Dong's copy of the Freewheelers Aviator vest and the original Freewheelers. Both in size 36 and they are almost the same in terms of measurements. Of course the materials used are very different. I don't think there is any alpaca in any of Dong's products. According to his own description the material used is a blend of wool and acrylic.

 

[Edward]

Yes, they'll have to cut corners somewhere to keep the price that much lower. Matters more with some things than others, of course; something as simple as an L2A....

 

[Superfluous]

I was glad to finally receive my Dong, pity it was too big.

 

[KentH]

I love the B-10. It has that classic WW2 pilot pedigree and is great as a practical, wearable winter jacket.
After seeing Thomas’ review of his Bob Dong B-10, my curiosity was piqued and I had to try one.
View attachment 139024
I am very impressed and surprised how nice the jacket is. The quality is very good. Value for money is incredible.
I gauged I’d needed a size 42… luckily found one and pounced.
View attachment 139025
Put into context I have owned a Buzz Rickson B-10 size 40 and have an ELC B-10 size 40 LONG.
My ELC B-10 has been the one jacket I have held on too all these years. I love it. It’s a superb cold weather flight jacket. Details, fit, the whole package is top class. The Buzz was a slightly bigger/ thicker jacket than the ELC all round, also very warm and well-made.
So, comparing this new Bob Dong B-10 with those jackets… its no Eastman, but it certainly compares pretty well…
View attachment 139026
At 5’10, 72kgs, 39.5” to 40” chest etc… This size 42 fits relatively well, has room to spare. Lengths are good, even for me. The jacket is very comfortable, easy to manoeuvre in and relatively light. Certainly warm enough for the coldest UK winter! Bring it on!
I recon, this 42 would fit someone with an actual 42” to 43” (even 44”) chest, 5’8 to 6 ft, depending on fit preference. Fit is a funny thing, but at these prices, well worth the ‘try’.
For me, the 40 may fit a bit better in the body perhaps, more snug as a personal preference, but then may be a bit short, not sure.
Measurements (approx.):
Chest, pit to pit – 24"
Back, pit to pit – 24"
Shoulders – 19.25"
Back length – 25.75"
Sleeve length – 26"
View attachment 139027
Jacket is very well-made. Stitching is neat, buttons and snaps are of good quality and work perfectly. Zipper is a brass-type Talon repro. Feels light, but works well enough.
The mid brown/ blonde mouton collar is very soft and luxurious (collar is a bigger than the ELC’s, quite similar to my old Buzz).
The fit pics are not great taken from mobile, colour looks washed out. The jacket on its give a better idea of actual colour.
View attachment 139028
The knit cuffs have no seam, which is a win right there. They do not feel 100% cotton, maybe a blend, but they are strong, with a good amount of elasticity and appear right... I was initially concerned about the knit being a darker green than the body, as with the BR, but its not an issue. It looks fine.
Its been a long time since I had the BR, and I do not have any pics to compare, but from memory… I almost want to say that they have clone-copied a Buzz Rickson B-10. Amazing job! Especially for the price! Futures looking bright for us jacket enthusiasts! What else do these guys produce!!!
View attachment 139029
I have just decided I have to try a 40, to be sure. Can get another 42 if the 40 is to short...
View attachment 139030
I must also mention the guy I bought it from. His name is Lee and he has an Ebay presence, seller dlzlitchi2, shop VTGDR, (www.ebay.com/str/vtgdr). Seems to stock some decent gear. He answered my emails pretty quickly and in perfect English. The transaction was easy and the jacket took literally 9 days, from date of order, to arrive in my hands. No import duties or taxes paid.
Thanks for reading.
View attachment 139031

Brett..

That's really a nice looking jacket for the price.. I like the khaki'ish color versus the darker green of others...

Kent

 

[KentH]

I love the B-10. It has that classic WW2 pilot pedigree and is great as a practical, wearable winter jacket.
After seeing Thomas’ review of his Bob Dong B-10, my curiosity was piqued and I had to try one.
View attachment 139024
I am very impressed and surprised how nice the jacket is. The quality is very good. Value for money is incredible.
I gauged I’d needed a size 42… luckily found one and pounced.
View attachment 139025
Put into context I have owned a Buzz Rickson B-10 size 40 and have an ELC B-10 size 40 LONG.
My ELC B-10 has been the one jacket I have held on too all these years. I love it. It’s a superb cold weather flight jacket. Details, fit, the whole package is top class. The Buzz was a slightly bigger/ thicker jacket than the ELC all round, also very warm and well-made.
So, comparing this new Bob Dong B-10 with those jackets… its no Eastman, but it certainly compares pretty well…
View attachment 139026
At 5’10, 72kgs, 39.5” to 40” chest etc… This size 42 fits relatively well, has room to spare. Lengths are good, even for me. The jacket is very comfortable, easy to manoeuvre in and relatively light. Certainly warm enough for the coldest UK winter! Bring it on!
I recon, this 42 would fit someone with an actual 42” to 43” (even 44”) chest, 5’8 to 6 ft, depending on fit preference. Fit is a funny thing, but at these prices, well worth the ‘try’.
For me, the 40 may fit a bit better in the body perhaps, more snug as a personal preference, but then may be a bit short, not sure.
Measurements (approx.):
Chest, pit to pit – 24"
Back, pit to pit – 24"
Shoulders – 19.25"
Back length – 25.75"
Sleeve length – 26"
View attachment 139027
Jacket is very well-made. Stitching is neat, buttons and snaps are of good quality and work perfectly. Zipper is a brass-type Talon repro. Feels light, but works well enough.
The mid brown/ blonde mouton collar is very soft and luxurious (collar is a bigger than the ELC’s, quite similar to my old Buzz).
The fit pics are not great taken from mobile, colour looks washed out. The jacket on its give a better idea of actual colour.
View attachment 139028
The knit cuffs have no seam, which is a win right there. They do not feel 100% cotton, maybe a blend, but they are strong, with a good amount of elasticity and appear right... I was initially concerned about the knit being a darker green than the body, as with the BR, but its not an issue. It looks fine.
Its been a long time since I had the BR, and I do not have any pics to compare, but from memory… I almost want to say that they have clone-copied a Buzz Rickson B-10. Amazing job! Especially for the price! Futures looking bright for us jacket enthusiasts! What else do these guys produce!!!
View attachment 139029
I have just decided I have to try a 40, to be sure. Can get another 42 if the 40 is to short...
View attachment 139030
I must also mention the guy I bought it from. His name is Lee and he has an Ebay presence, seller dlzlitchi2, shop VTGDR, (www.ebay.com/str/vtgdr). Seems to stock some decent gear. He answered my emails pretty quickly and in perfect English. The transaction was easy and the jacket took literally 9 days, from date of order, to arrive in my hands. No import duties or taxes paid.
Thanks for reading.
View attachment 139031

Brett..

I was just on the Bob Dong eBay site and all they have is up to size 44, but their size chart says 44 has a 48 inch chest which is misleading... I wear US XL for jackets & shirts sized that way, but I wear a 44-46 suit jacket.. I see yours is a 42 do you mind if I ask you your measurements height and weight primarily... it does fit you really well..??

You obviously don't have to if you don't want to... thanks... Kent

 

[Blackadder]

Brett..

I was just on the Bob Dong eBay site and all they have is up to size 44, but their size chart says 44 has a 48 inch chest which is misleading... I wear US XL for jackets & shirts sized that way, but I wear a 44-46 suit jacket.. I see yours is a 42 do you mind if I ask you your measurements height and weight primarily... it does fit you really well..??

You obviously don't have to if you don't want to... thanks... Kent

If not mistaken, height, weight etc were given in the first post.
BD's chest measurement on taobao is also 48 and from my experience, that is the across the chest measurement of the jacket, it doesn't mean it is a size 48. If you measure your size 46 suit across the chest, it will be 24-25 or even 26 inches depending on the cut. Thing is people now a days like to have the actual measurements in stead of the size marked on garments owing to the "vanity sizing". Take for example, a size 31 Gap pants is actually a size 33 if actual measurement is used like they did in the past.

 

[cuthbert]

Old post, but in the end this review convinced me to pull the trigger on a BD B-10 jacket, so far I don´t have any cloth jacket therefore I decided to start from here.

It has been shipped yesterday, hopefully it will arrive soon.

 

[Edward]

I have both Dong's copy of the Freewheelers Aviator vest and the original Freewheelers. Both in size 36 and they are almost the same in terms of measurements. Of course the materials used are very different. I don't think there is any alpaca in any of Dong's products. According to his own description the material used is a blend of wool and acrylic.

I love the design of that Aviator vest. If I could be sure of the sizing, I did love the full jacket version too, especially in the 'convict stripes'. The vest I'd consider wearing over the top of a leather jacket, but I'd definitely need a size or two bigger than their current top end for that.

Old post, but in the end this review convinced me to pull the trigger on a BD B-10 jacket, so far I don´t have any cloth jacket therefore I decided to start from here.

It has been shipped yesterday, hopefully it will arrive soon.

Look forward to your review!

 

[Jon Crow]

Thanks guys. Yes, China is making some very nice stuff, but... what they are calling some of it ....
Bob Dong... Well, I was tempted to have a bit of fun with this, but decided to be professional. I was rather happy to have finally received my Dong. Never thought I would ever say this, but I do think I need one a size smaller The darker green ends are not as much of a problem as I would have thought either.
There is a great looking horsehide A-2 'coming out' of China, I think its called a Roughrider... Classic.
Anyway.

I was going to say I'd love to get my hands on a dong but never had the chance huh huh haha nice jacket