Goatskin jacket suggestions/recommendations please

[schitzo]

Hello chaps

I'm after a good quality goatskin jacket that isn't an A2 or a G1 etc i.e. no wool cuffs or waistband. I'm after tough premium quality goat with good workmanship, not something flimsy. Whilst I wait patiently for samples of aero's seal and russet to arrive, I am wondering if there is anyone else I can consider who could maybe fulfil the above? I've been watching ebay for a few months now alas I've seen nothing that fits the bill.

Assuming there are some, thanks for the suggestions

All the best
Schitz

 

[pauleway]

I have the Cockpit Oildriller and Vintage G-1 in their slightly vintage goat. I know a lot guys dont like the off the rack jackets, but these two jackets are very nice and the goatskin is really nice. Just my HO!!!

 

[schitzo]

hi pauleway and thanks for this suggestion. I have just added to the original post that G1s are out too, but that oildriller looks like just the type of thing I have in mind. As I picture what I want (without knowing what that is yet) I imagine a longer style of jacket

 

[Grayland]

Lost Worlds has a very nice goatskin available.

 

[Fanch]

Aero goatskin is also very nice.

 

[Dr H]

Good Wear Leather goatskin is uncannily close to wartime originals.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Langlitz makes a primo goatskin jacket in any style. They have one 50's style jacket they don't advertise called the "Skookum Cascade" that's so nice, but it's quite expensive ($1300+). Still you can order one of their standard jackets for around $1000 in goatskin.

Skookum Cascade:

http://langlitzjapan.com/products_big/vintage20.html

For less than $700, you can get a US Wings vintage G-1:

http://www.uswings.com/g-1.asp#Z21C007

 

[Seb Lucas]

Gibson and Barnes do some very nice goat jackets, both flight jackets and bike jackets. I have had 3 of them and they are nice thick goat and extremely well made.

 

[Asienizen]

If you want a goatskin jacket with no knitting, I would suggest taking a look at the "G8". It is sometimes advertized as a navy flight jacket issued in the interwar period (it wasn't) and it looks fairly unique. There are a few companies who carry it, I may get this one in the next few years:
http://www.lostworldsinc.com/Raiders_Leather_Flight_Jacket.htm

http://www.flightjacket.com/g-8-jacket.html

http://www.uswings.com/g-8.asp

 

[Seb Lucas]

The way I heard it that one was pattern made by Neil Cooper. Kind of an Indy jacket. I don't mind it too except for those strange patches on the sleeves.

 

[schitzo]

Thanks for these. I've heard of most of them. Am still waiting for the aero samples but I guess having them make me one - I'd probably go for something like a slightly shorter than usual veste de rallye, stockman or Cheyenne - aint gonna be the cheap bet. Do any of you know if their goat is cheaper than the FQHH? I'm sure Lost worlds and Mr Chapman would both knock out great jackets too but what with already being here in the UK I think £ wise aero wins out in that dilemma. Of this lot so far suggested the most interesting for me are the oildriller from cockpit and the G&B options. Interestingly, on another thread I found here the experts didn't rate the former as worth the outlay... but is is still probably a lot less than aero and it does look good IMO. I will definitely have a close look at the G&B possibilities though my concern is that as a 6,2 lean size 40 (or thereabouts) I might be too tall for these off the rack numbers

 

[Edward]

I have two Aeros in goat (an A2 and an AN6552), both superb. I also picked up a used Wested Indy Raiders in goat for use as a Summer jacket (when it's not too hot for leather, but still just too warm to have knits keeping the air in). They have a nice hide. Definitely much lighter than the Aero and not quite as nice, though (even allowing for buying all three used) it was a third of the price. It's a great Summer jacket, though if you specifically want one really good leather and you are prepared to pay for it, I'd be looking at one of the Aero civilian models that fits your needs, in goat. I don't know whether they do a different price for different hides - I'd be surprised if it was a significant discount, given that I would expect much of the cost of an Aero jacket would be labour, which wouldn't be much different working with goat over FQHH, I should think....

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I'm also 6'2" with a lean build...and,sadly,have never had much luck with off the rack sized jackets. After purchasing several size 40 custom Aero's with added sleeve and body length I found that fit was indeed my main and first criteria. Finding that 'sweet spot' of feeling comfortable and confident with sizing is key. 26 1/4" sleeves...and 26 1/2 body length is mine. Otherwise..about 1 1/4" addition in sleeve length...and 1 1/2" in body length from standard 'jacket' sizing for me. After realizing my exact jacket size...Aero nails it every time!
HD

 

[schitzo]

Yep, it would seem that aero are the best people for this job and that they have the best goatskin too, which was always my suspicion. However, although I am very impressed with the goatskin samples I have received I had hoped that the russet goat would be a more 'reddy brown' like on Butte's Bronco, alas this current batch is a duller more browny brown with no hint of red. Of these two samples I prefer the seal.. but that's a bit too close colour wise to the rest of my wardrobe! It's making me wonder if the russet steerhide used here is still an option... http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=1056

Although that of course would still leave the goatskin hole unfilled. But I think it is a lovely colour

 

[Grayland]

I just received my seal brown goatskin half-belt from Aero last week. Wow, the goatskin is unreal! The thickness, the pliability, the texture. I look at it, rub on it a bit...then feel the need to smoke a cigarette. It's that good!

 

[Fanch]

Schitz, I find it ironic that I live in the US and am buying Aero, whereas you live in the UK and might be looking here. I can tell you from my personal experience that Aero's goatskin is thicker than Gibson & Barnes, at least G&B's chrome tanned goatskin, and I own three G&B jackets made with chrome tanned goatskin. I strongly recommend that you consider the Aero Half Belt Deluxe if you want the cargo pockets. If not, consider either the 30's or 50's HB. I have a Highwayman in brown seal goat that I bought some time ago from Mark Moye when he was the US Aero rep but I gave to my son since the jacket was too big for me. I can tell you that the goatskin on that jacket stands alone as the nicest that I have seen ever, much thicker than any of my G&B or Cooper goatskin jackets.

 

[schitzo]

Relax Fanch I am already converted! The aero goatskin samples are incredible and quickly put pay to all thoughts of G&B. Like you say, it is super thick, much more so than I'd anticipated + I have also found that no matter how much I scratch at them they are basically impossible to mark.

@Grayland: Yes it no doubt is awesome which has reminded me, we're still waiting for your photographer to get a day off!

 

[lucky23]

Langlitz makes a primo goatskin jacket in any style. They have one 50's style jacket they don't advertise called the "Skookum Cascade" that's so nice, but it's quite expensive ($1300+). Still you can order one of their standard jackets for around $1000 in goatskin

I agree. I have a goatskin Columbia w/ fur collar from 1987 and its amazing.

 

[Worf]

I just received my seal brown goatskin half-belt from Aero last week. Wow, the goatskin is unreal! The thickness, the pliability, the texture. I look at it, rub on it a bit...then feel the need to smoke a cigarette. It's that good!

Unh.... right... (Hey honey, you might want to make that phone call we talked about earlier...) Hey Grayland you're normal... absolutely normal...

Worf

 

[Seb Lucas]

I prefer the thickness of the G&B which at 2.5oz is as thick as goat needs to be - same thickness as WW2 A2's and the repos by John Chapman. Once goat gets to Aero thickness, it may as well be horse hide to my mind.