New forum member brand (Rugged West)

[zacharge]

Just got the stockman in today. Per conversation with Leilah, I went with an XXS 34. I wear a size small shirt and 30 waist for Levi’s.

My first impressions:

1. Smells like a new couch! Not a bad thing, but my wife certainly doesn’t like it haha. I’m generally not used to clothing with such a strong smell, as I wear vintage / used leathers, but not a bad thing at all.

2. The color is wonderful! I do want to know what oil is best to darken it up when I break it in, though.

3. Longer than expected- not a deal breaker at all. I’m just someone who prefers jackets to sit right above the waist line. No biggie, I’ll get used to it!

4. Real soft leather! I was half expecting a rougher, “harder” leather if that makes sense? Like the 70s Levi’s trucker leather I have.

Over all, worth the wait! I’m excited to see how it breaks in.

 

[leatherhead]

3. Longer than expected- not a deal breaker at all. I’m just someone who prefers jackets to sit right above the waist line. No biggie, I’ll get used to it!

I don't know if that's how your pants usually sit on your waist, but it looks like the right length to me. The cuff could be a little more narrow. Everything else is great to me.

 

[herculance]

Just got the stockman in today. Per conversation with Leilah, I went with an XXS 34. I wear a size small shirt and 30 waist for Levi’s.

My first impressions:

1. Smells like a new couch! Not a bad thing, but my wife certainly doesn’t like it haha. I’m generally not used to clothing with such a strong smell, as I wear vintage / used leathers, but not a bad thing at all.

2. The color is wonderful! I do want to know what oil is best to darken it up when I break it in, though.

3. Longer than expected- not a deal breaker at all. I’m just someone who prefers jackets to sit right above the waist line. No biggie, I’ll get used to it!

4. Real soft leather! I was half expecting a rougher, “harder” leather if that makes sense? Like the 70s Levi’s trucker leather I have.

Over all, worth the wait! I’m excited to see how it breaks in. View attachment 695183

thanks for the review man! Leather looks great and looks like it fits you well. Hopefully better with time as you break it in!

 

[Vintageinspired]

Anyone know where the Jackets are manufactured?

 

[LeatherHunter]

Anyone know where the Jackets are manufactured?

I believe Pakistan.

 

[Vintageinspired]

Quite expensive for made in Pakistan

 

[Leilah Wilde]

Anyone know where the Jackets are manufactured?

Quite expensive for made in Pakistan

Hey! Thanks for your comment. I completely understand the hesitation around pricing, especially when people see “Made in Pakistan” and immediately make assumptions. But there’s a bit more to it, so I thought I’d share some context.

While the jackets are currently produced in Pakistan, the majority of the leather we use nowadays isn’t locally sourced. I work directly with tanneries to develop custom hides, often importing from outside the country. This brings up the cost significantly. If I were using standard ready made or local hides, things would be cheaper, but that’s not the route I’ve taken. Two decades of collecting vintage high end leather jackets means that I just couldn’t settle for anything that’s “meh”. I’m very particular about the materials, and I want the leather to be created to my spec.

All MTM jackets and alterations are handled in our teeny tiny London workshop. This allows me to be more hands on with bespoke patterns and measurements - those who know me will know that I am borderline obsessive with ensuring measurements are accurate. It’s also just me running the show. I’m looking to bring someone else on board in the coming months because to put it bluntly, I’m a bit knackered . Totally cream crackered. The workload is insane.

The team I work with in Pakistan is also small and paid well, well above the local average. I could pay other stitchers a fraction of what I’m paying my team, but I’d rather not. They’re bringing my patterns to life beautifully and I’m paying them a salary that enables them to live a fantastic, lucrative lifestyle there. To see them being able to afford to travel the world and take more vacations than I do brings me so much joy. I’ve built a close relationship with them, and the level of craftsmanship they bring is exceptional.

That said, I’d love to eventually bring more of my production into the UK. It’s my dream to be able to be present from the beginning, right to the end of production for all jackets, stock sized and MTM. It’s something I’m actively trying to navigate as the business grows. The challenge is balancing that with my original vision for Rugged West: to create a mid-priced brand that offers real value without entering the luxury bracket. If I moved full production to London today, costs would rise significantly and I’d be operating in a completely different space, both in terms of pricing and audience.

The stigma around “Made in Pakistan” is definitely something I encounter daily. I get messages all the time from people who lose interest the moment they hear that’s where the jacket’s made. And that’s tough, especially when I know how much knowledge, effort and precision goes into every jacket we produce. The goal is to break that stigma and show that outstanding quality can come from anywhere, especially when it’s guided by years of experience, strong quality control, and a genuine passion for leather jackets.

Apols for the essay. If you think I bang on via text, just wait till any of you meet me in person. When I start talking, even Siri stops listening.

 

[Leilah Wilde]

Speaking of… will anyone be at The Classic Carboot here in Kings Cross, London this month?

 

[MrProper]

I think made in Pakistan means you have to know exactly what to expect and what not to expect.
I only have experience with 5* and I don't know if you can generalise, but if I can deduce anything from it, I would say they can sew and they can copy well. What they are less good at is paying attention to quality, designing and making good patterns. And the leather didn't convince me either.
But if you give them good leather, good hardware, good patterns and do the quality control yourself, then you eliminate a lot of room for error. And then something good will come out of it.
So I would say that made in Pakistan is not bad per se.
Many of my clothes are made in Vietnam, Turkey and India and I still like wearing them.

 

[twistdh]

I also think that where a product is produced doesn't really matter...in every country there are terrible product and excellent product. It depends on quality control and what product the manufacturer wants to have.

i like good quality product...i don't care were they are made. Shure i'm italian and at the same quality level I prefer made in Italy...but if something is best in china (for example) i'll go with made in Cina with no esitation.

PS: pretty good jacket here!

 

[herculance]

Born and raised in the Philippines before I moved to the US, there's a lot of local craftsmen there that I think would do well abroad if only they could set up shop. Had locally quality made bespoke suits and shoes that I still use today for a fraction of the cost if I got an item of a similar tier here. The craftsmen were adequately compensated by local standards but I think they could make so much more if they were exposed to an international market and (perhaps) had access to finer materials, better proceses and knowledge. I can imagine it's the same in Pakistan and other places.

I also appreciate thay they're paid far above the norm esp for her Pakistan team. That kind of money goes a long way for our part of the world.

 

[zacharge]

I too was a bit hesitant to purchase the jacket when I found out it was made in Pakistan, especially at the $600 usd price point. I, however, looked back at one of my first “major” leather jacket purchases (2000s) from Full Breach 77 (which I think became straight to hell apparel in recent years) and it was made in Pakistan! I loved that jacket for a decade or so and it held up so well. So I decided to go for it aka buy the Rugged West Stockman.

I think it will take some time for me to really get used to it, as I’m still a bit iffy about the softness of the leather (in no way is it thin, it’s just not “hard” or firm (is there a better term for that?) like the aforementioned Full Breach 77 one or two of the vintage jackets I have.

Is soft leather more desirable? As you can tell, I know very little about all this!

 

[Alabama Blacksmith]

I too was a bit hesitant to purchase the jacket when I found out it was made in Pakistan, especially at the $600 usd price point. I, however, looked back at one of my first “major” leather jacket purchases (2000s) from Full Breach 77 (which I think became straight to hell apparel in recent years) and it was made in Pakistan! I loved that jacket for a decade or so and it held up so well. So I decided to go for it aka buy the Rugged West Stockman.

I think it will take some time for me to really get used to it, as I’m still a bit iffy about the softness of the leather (in no way is it thin, it’s just not “hard” or firm (is there a better term for that?) like the aforementioned Full Breach 77 one or two of the vintage jackets I have.

Is soft leather more desirable? As you can tell, I know very little about all this!

The word in leather is temper. It's used to describe the firmness . Low temper is soft , high temper is stiff .

 

[zacharge]

The word in leather is temper. It's used to describe the firmness . Low temper is soft , high temper is stiff .

Thank you!

 

[TZRZ421]

Can someone that owns a Rugged Rider tell me if they think it would be comfortable on a motorcycle.

 

[Khilij]

Can someone that owns a Rugged Rider tell me if they think it would be comfortable on a motorcycle.

I love my rugged rider but I would not wear it on the bike. The zip cuffs don't cinch down as much as I like on mine so the wind would get in at higher speeds. Also, no armor, but that can be remedied with an armor shirt. I have a vanson and a goldtop I prefer for riding. Otherwise, it's an incredibly comfortable jacket by all means. The two way zipper makes a huge difference. I am 5 foot 10 inches and 165 lb and a medium rugged rider fits me well.

 

[TZRZ421]

I love my rugged rider but I would not wear it on the bike. The zip cuffs don't cinch down as much as I like on mine so the wind would get in at higher speeds. Also, no armor, but that can be remedied with an armor shirt. I have a vanson and a goldtop I prefer for riding. Otherwise, it's an incredibly comfortable jacket by all means. The two way zipper makes a huge difference. I am 5 foot 10 inches and 165 lb and a medium rugged rider fits me well.

Thanks

 

[MrProper]

as I’m still a bit iffy about the softness of the leather (in no way is it thin, it’s just not “hard” or firm (is there a better term for that?)

Exactly my thought when I got my first RW jacket. I now have three
The jackets with a low temper are actually very comfortable to wear and I have enough high temper jackets.
My veg tanned sheep jacket is also super soft, but I wear it a lot now. All one reason why I'm no longer a fan of CXFQHH.

The word in leather is temper. It's used to describe the firmness . Low temper is soft , high temper is stiff .

Thank you very much. I've learnt something again.

 

[leatherhead]

I also think that where a product is produced doesn't really matter...in every country there are terrible product and excellent product. It depends on quality control and what product the manufacturer wants to have.

i like good quality product...i don't care were they are made. Shure i'm italian and at the same quality level I prefer made in Italy...but if something is best in china (for example) i'll go with made in Cina with no esitation.

PS: pretty good jacket here!

This is true. Besides leather and other things, I also collect watches which is also an expensive hobby. I have handled Swiss, German, Japanese watches and they are the default standard but there are also many rising brands with production coming out of Asia( China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam - my homecountry) with quality and accuracy that can rival the big brands, for much less money and much better specs. It all boils down to the materials, artisans' experience and quality controls. I am happy that Leilah stays fully transparent about her production and I think she is doing the best she can.