Vanson Raid Fit

[abone]

I’ve been looking for a used Vanson Raid and have heard/read conflicting info about fit.

I called Vanson and Nick said it is a very trim fit, with the 42 being a 3.5” ease.
My Chopper in a 42 is a 5.5” ease and it fits me very snug.
That would be all the information I needed except I’ve read in the lounge the opposite, that it fits large.
Anyone own a 42 or 44 Raid, or any size for that matter, that can comment on fit?
Thanks

 

[Guppy]

The Raid is variously known as the Arrow or the Gambler, depending on when it was made and who for... and is also the same pattern as the ELMC Woodward, which is itself a copy of a Montgomery Ward(?) style that was also called the Woodward. Despite all being the same basic pattern, they may be cut slightly differently and tagged slightly differently as well. So it's really hard to give good advice specific to the Vanson Raid beyond what Vanson themselves is able to tell you. It'd be easiest/best to give them your measurements and have them make you one. But if you want to hunt for a bargain on a used one, I guess the pickings will be slim and it's going to be hard to find one that will be exactly to your desired specs.

I think if you normally wear a 42, stick with it, and while you're looking keep your eye open for 40, 42, 44. If you have an opportunity to try out a 40 or 44, try it on and see. If you can't try it without buying it, and it's not too expensive, buy it and flip it if it doesn't fit, and keep it if you like it. It will not be hard to sell and get about what you put into it. They just do not come up very often.

My Raid (or was it an Arrow? aw hell, which one did I keep and which did I sell) is a 42, my Gambler is a 42, and my ELMC Windwards are 44 and pretty snug.

If you're interested I could probably part with the Gambler. Let me know if you want the measurements. It's black X150 leather. I bought it from Ton. Hasn't been worn hardly at all.

 

[abone]

Thanks for this. It’s specifically the Raid I was inquiring about because I prefer the back. Nice and clean. Having said that however, sure fire away the measurements on the Gambler. I’ve seen pics of Ton in the jacket and it looked good. Bit tight in his arms if I recall?

 

[ton312]

Thanks for this. It’s specifically the Raid I was inquiring about because I prefer the back. Nice and clean. Having said that however, sure fire away the measurements on the Gambler. I’ve seen pics of Ton in the jacket and it looked good. Bit tight in his arms if I recall?

The Thurston Gambler is tight as balls in the arms. Unwearable if you ask me. I don’t know if Vanson keeps the linguine sleeve on the Arrow. I had a Raid in a size 40” and it was very generously cut, had more room than my 44” model E’s. It was an older jacket, 90’s era.

 

[abone]

The Thurston Gambler is tight as balls in the arms. Unwearable if you ask me. I don’t know if Vanson keeps the linguine sleeve on the Arrow. I had a Raid in a size 40” and it was very generously cut, had more room than my 44” model E’s. It was an older jacket, 90’s era.

That’s what’s confusing me, Nick at Vanson told me the 42 Raid will be too tight on me if my Chopper is snug. My 42 Oxford is snug too.
Maybe they changed the pattern?

 

[ton312]

That’s what’s confusing me, Nick at Vanson told me the 42 Raid will be too tight on me if my Chopper is snug. My 42 Oxford is snug too.
Maybe they changed the pattern?

Must have. My 40” had a 24” p2p and a rather modest waist taper. Maybe a 3” drop. Shoulders were wide too. 20” if I recall. If fit like a true 44”. Sadly I don’t have any fit pics but it fit well. Not overly roomy by any means.

 

[ton312]

The Raid is variously known as the Arrow or the Gambler, depending on when it was made and who for... and is also the same pattern as the ELMC Woodward, which is itself a copy of a Montgomery Ward(?) style that was also called the Woodward. Despite all being the same basic pattern, they may be cut slightly differently and tagged slightly differently as well. So it's really hard to give good advice specific to the Vanson Raid beyond what Vanson themselves is able to tell you. It'd be easiest/best to give them your measurements and have them make you one. But if you want to hunt for a bargain on a used one, I guess the pickings will be slim and it's going to be hard to find one that will be exactly to your desired specs.

I think if you normally wear a 42, stick with it, and while you're looking keep your eye open for 40, 42, 44. If you have an opportunity to try out a 40 or 44, try it on and see. If you can't try it without buying it, and it's not too expensive, buy it and flip it if it doesn't fit, and keep it if you like it. It will not be hard to sell and get about what you put into it. They just do not come up very often.

My Raid (or was it an Arrow? aw hell, which one did I keep and which did I sell) is a 42, my Gambler is a 42, and my ELMC Windwards are 44 and pretty snug.

If you're interested I could probably part with the Gambler. Let me know if you want the measurements. It's black X150 leather. I bought it from Ton. Hasn't been worn hardly at all.

Your Gambler is a 44” (if it’s the one I sold you). 42” in that pattern I could not wear.

 

[ton312]

Here’s some fit pics of my second attempt at the Gambler. You can see the sleeves are comically narrow. Like a shirt. I hate huge baggy sleeves but this is absurd.

 

[ton312]

Here’s a rundown on my experience with the gambler.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-jacket-vanson-x-thurston-bros-gambler.89802/page-6
Tried to convince myself it was wearable. Didn’t work. Guppy has one the other I have no idea. I’ll be totally honest, unless you are rail thin, it’s a pattern to avoid. My Raid fit nothing like either Gambler (for the better).

 

[abone]

I’ve got 15” biceps so wouldn’t fill it like you do, but it would still be too tight I’d think.
I’ve always got two issues fitting, chest and arms. The “newer” Raid pattern in 42 I pulled from a German dealer is 19.25 p2p and 26.25 arms. The 3.5” ease is what’s puzzling me. Nick says too tight for me.
How can Vansons, same leather, same p2p, vary so much in ease? One of mankind’s great mysteries.

 

[abone]

Here’s a rundown on my experience with the gambler.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-jacket-vanson-x-thurston-bros-gambler.89802/page-6
Tried to convince myself it was wearable. Didn’t work. Guppy has one the other I have no idea. I’ll be totally honest, unless you are rail thin, it’s a pattern to avoid. My Raid fit nothing like either Gambler (for the better).

I’m 5’10, 185 ish. 43” chest. Sounds like it won’t work.
The style appeals because it’s good on and off the bike, and my bike days will end in a year or two.

 

[ton312]

I’m 5’10, 185 ish. 43” chest. Sounds like it won’t work.
The style appeals because it’s good on and off the bike, and my bike days will end in a year or two.

If they added 1.5” from the wrist up to the pit in the sleeve diameter it would be a superb jacket. I don’t get the skin tight sleeve anymore than I get the stove pipe. It’s a thing for me. I absolutely hate both extremes and nothing ruins a jacket faster.

 

[Guppy]

Your Gambler is a 44” (if it’s the one I sold you). 42” in that pattern I could not wear.

I stand corrected.

 

[Schambach]

I have a 44 raid and the fit is definitely generous. Probably among the roomiest vanson I have(comet, Ike, model a, enfield). Not sure what era it was from, but it’s the nicest comp weight I own, and still looks nice and trim despite being very roomy.

 

[abone]

I have a 44 raid and the fit is definitely generous. Probably among the roomiest vanson I have(comet, Ike, model a, enfield). Not sure what era it was from, but it’s the nicest comp weight I own, and still looks nice and trim despite being very roomy.

Do you usually wear 44 in a Vanson? Mind me asking what height, weight etc?

 

[Schambach]

Do you usually wear 44 in a Vanson? Mind me asking what height, weight etc?

Yeah, I do. The other jackets I mentioned are all 44, and the fits vary, but they all work for me. I’m 6’1”, 220ish. I can measure the raid, but probably not for a few days as I’m house sitting.

 

[abone]

Yeah, I do. The other jackets I mentioned are all 44, and the fits vary, but they all work for me. I’m 6’1”, 220ish. I can measure the raid, but probably not for a few days as I’m house sitting.

That’s fine. You’re bigger than me which makes me think the Raid 42 will work.

 

[abone]

Bought a 42 Raid tonight, I’ll post pics when it arrives.
Thanks for the help everyone

 

[abone]

Picked up my Raid in 42 today. Jacket appears to be brand new, throat latch, original Vanson tag and leather pull included. I’ll have to call Vanson to find out year of build but I’m pretty certain it’s the older comp weight leather. It’s nothing like my newish Chopper comp weight.
Seller told me he picked it up in a store in Germany as new old stock.
I was worried about the fit being too snug as Nick at Vanson told me it would be too small for me based on my Chopper and Oxford in 42’s. Nick I’m sure just read me the Arrow specs which are continental fit. The Raid, as per the feedback I received on this thread, is not a continental fit, it’s a generous ease. I measured the p2p at 24.25. The seller told me 23.25. So it’s a bit roomy in the chest and biceps, but the rest is spot on.
I can layer with this whereas I can’t with my other Vansons. So I’ll probably keep.

 

[abone]

Couple more pics, along with my restoration project.
Curious how to tell if this is comp weight or one of the other Vanson leathers?