Davidc5
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 208
I’ve wanted a Type 3 trucker for a while now. I considered Iron Heart’s modified Type 3 in cotton duck, the Schott 121 in black cowhide, and an assortment of other options (Tin Duck Denim, Filson, Flint and Tinder, Iron & Resin). The closest to what I wanted was probably Tin Duck, partly because of the option to customize. But that comes with both the long wait and the uncertainty of ordering a custom jacket.
Then, way back, we started seeing the Nicks x Heat Straps collabs, and my first thought was “man, I hope they do a Type 3.” When they did, I of course missed it. They were cleaned out by the time I saw it. Later I saw a Type 3, I think in Mahogany, posted on their site, and it seemed to disappear overnight. I thought about emailing to ask if I could still order one but decided against it. I think that was last season.
Now, with the weather changing, I found myself thinking about adding something to my relatively modest collection, and I saw they had it in stock in what I thought was my size. Enough backstory. I ordered it with a fair bit of uncertainty about the size, and a little back-and-forth over whether I’d prefer another leather or style. And then it came:
Initial impression
Whoa. Heavier than I expected, given it’s advertised as 2.5–3 oz. This may not surprise many of you, but this leather (Seidel 1964 Mahogany Smooth) is by no means light or thin. It’s substantial. Add the wool lining (admittedly fairly lightweight), the all-brass hardware and the many places where the leather is layered, and this thing is hefty. The box weighed 6.9 lb, and I’d put the jacket at easily over 5.
The leather
I once owned a pair of Nicks Packers in 1964 Brown. I sold them because the 55 last just wasn’t for me, but I really liked the leather. It was thick and waxy, and I liked the medium brown. It didn’t have much (or really any) depth, but it was high quality and built to last, so I wasn’t complaining. This is something different.
Being in the 1964 family, the tannage is obviously similar, but there are some noticeable differences. For one thing, the leather has an almost matte finish and feel. It reminds me a bit of a horsehide jacket I had from Cockpit USA a while back: clearly a smooth leather, but with some texture. This has that to an even greater degree, almost like elephant skin.
Weight is the one area I’d complain about, if I had to pick one thing. I said the leather is by no means lightweight, and I meant it. It may actually be the perfect weight. It has real feel to the touch, and you feel its hardiness when you wear it, but it’s not uncomfortable. There are one or two small sections where the leather seems a touch thinner, but that’s likely normal variation, and I don’t have a tool to measure it. Would I complain if it were a touch heavier? No. But it feels absolutely perfect to wear as is.
I ordered the XS.
The fit is perfect, with one caveat.
That’s the caveat, but I’m actually happy with the fit. Some will scoff: “Really? You’re keeping a jacket that’s too tight to button?” My answer is yes. It looks absolutely perfect unbuttoned, and I’d rather have this than something oversized.
Overall
I’m blown away by the craftsmanship. It’s cut and sewn in the USA, with USA-tanned leather and a wool lining. It’s built heavy-duty, the pattern is great, and you can just feel the quality when you handle it. The leather is stunning, hard-wearing, hefty and gorgeous. This one I’m keeping for life.
Then, way back, we started seeing the Nicks x Heat Straps collabs, and my first thought was “man, I hope they do a Type 3.” When they did, I of course missed it. They were cleaned out by the time I saw it. Later I saw a Type 3, I think in Mahogany, posted on their site, and it seemed to disappear overnight. I thought about emailing to ask if I could still order one but decided against it. I think that was last season.
Now, with the weather changing, I found myself thinking about adding something to my relatively modest collection, and I saw they had it in stock in what I thought was my size. Enough backstory. I ordered it with a fair bit of uncertainty about the size, and a little back-and-forth over whether I’d prefer another leather or style. And then it came:
Initial impression
Whoa. Heavier than I expected, given it’s advertised as 2.5–3 oz. This may not surprise many of you, but this leather (Seidel 1964 Mahogany Smooth) is by no means light or thin. It’s substantial. Add the wool lining (admittedly fairly lightweight), the all-brass hardware and the many places where the leather is layered, and this thing is hefty. The box weighed 6.9 lb, and I’d put the jacket at easily over 5.
The leather
I once owned a pair of Nicks Packers in 1964 Brown. I sold them because the 55 last just wasn’t for me, but I really liked the leather. It was thick and waxy, and I liked the medium brown. It didn’t have much (or really any) depth, but it was high quality and built to last, so I wasn’t complaining. This is something different.
Being in the 1964 family, the tannage is obviously similar, but there are some noticeable differences. For one thing, the leather has an almost matte finish and feel. It reminds me a bit of a horsehide jacket I had from Cockpit USA a while back: clearly a smooth leather, but with some texture. This has that to an even greater degree, almost like elephant skin.
Weight is the one area I’d complain about, if I had to pick one thing. I said the leather is by no means lightweight, and I meant it. It may actually be the perfect weight. It has real feel to the touch, and you feel its hardiness when you wear it, but it’s not uncomfortable. There are one or two small sections where the leather seems a touch thinner, but that’s likely normal variation, and I don’t have a tool to measure it. Would I complain if it were a touch heavier? No. But it feels absolutely perfect to wear as is.
I ordered the XS.
The fit is perfect, with one caveat.
- Length: just right. Normally 24.5" is a bit long for me, but there’s no front drop, so the front sits in the perfect spot.
- Sleeves: a tad long, but the wrist buttons keep them in place, and I don’t think it looks bad.
- Shoulders: a touch big, and you can kind of tell, but it’s comfortable, and again, I don’t think it looks bad.
- Chest and body: honestly, at these measurements I’m surprised how fitted it is. I was prepared for it to be a bit oversized. I’m 5'6" and now about 170 lb, the most I’ve ever weighed, partly because an injury has kept me off the track and partly from time in the gym. My chest was 41.5" last time I checked. It’s a little too tight to button (in the chest and the stomach, haha), which makes me think I may have put on a bit of muscle. There’s still room under the armpits, though, so it may come down to my body shape.
That’s the caveat, but I’m actually happy with the fit. Some will scoff: “Really? You’re keeping a jacket that’s too tight to button?” My answer is yes. It looks absolutely perfect unbuttoned, and I’d rather have this than something oversized.
Overall
I’m blown away by the craftsmanship. It’s cut and sewn in the USA, with USA-tanned leather and a wool lining. It’s built heavy-duty, the pattern is great, and you can just feel the quality when you handle it. The leather is stunning, hard-wearing, hefty and gorgeous. This one I’m keeping for life.
