Vanson x Left Field Commando

[Carlos840]

Just a quick review of a jacket i picked up in the classifieds last week.
This is basically a toned down modern interpretation of the J-24 made by Vanson.
I'm a sucker for a D-Pocket, and a big Vanson fan, the second i saw this i knew i had to have it.

Left Field says this jacket uses Comp Weight leather, Vanson says it uses X150, i couldn't tell you who is right or wrong.
The leather is indeed thinner than my other 3 Vansons, but it weighs the same as a Comp Weight jacket i own...
This jacket is made from a denser leather than my other Vanson, it is thinner, but heavier proportionally.
Either way, it is nice leather. It's not life changing by any means, but it has a nice weight, it molds to the body very well, it's a bit like a hybrid between CXL and Comp Weight to me. It has the rigid waxy/crunchy vibe of fresh CXL, but with the touch of a classic smooth leather.

Construction is the best of all my 4 Vansons, i can't really spot anything dodgy. It's not as perfect as other brands, but there are no obvious flaws either.

Fit is very good. It has the classic amazing Vanson range of motion whilst still being very fitted. These guys have really nailed the motorcycle riding position better than any other brand i have tried.
The jacket is longer both in body and arms than a traditional Vanson, it works for the arms, as i usually find Vanson arms on the short side, but the body is IMO too long even for me at 6'2". They used a double way main zipper to try to fix the length issue, i would rather they had removed 1" from the body.
I also really like having a Vanson with finished sleeves, ie stitched at the wrist end rather than just folded over like they do on their regular jackets.

The thing that this jacket does best IMO is style.
I think they really nailed the design cues, they got rid of the unnecessary things (belt loops, chest pocket, shoulder tabs...) kept the oldschool cool (the D pocket, top sleeve zippers and the big italianish style collar) and added a more modern streamlined back. They went "less is more", and did a great job.
IMO this altogether gives this jacket a very badass look, it has an edge that a regular J-24 doesn't have. This is the first black leather jacket i have that makes me feel "Bad", I feel a bit like Negan wearing it...


Here are the pics:

And fit pics:

Edit: i bought the jacket from @Captain Sensible , he was a pleasure to do business with.

 

[handymike]

Another great looking jacket!

 

[Bennarion]

Nice jacket. Perfect fit!

 

[dubpynchon]

Congrats, perfect fit as well, you’re tall enough for the extra length of the jacket.

 

[Carlos840]

Actually, i have forgotten about a slight negative.
The wrist openings are ridiculously HUGE! They are literally like flares for your hands.
Closed they still leave enough room around the wrist to fit a pair of gloves and some wristbands, open they are full on 70s flair. I don't see the point...

I thought maybe the idea is to open them whilst riding to funnel air into your sleeves, but since there are no air vents in the back that would create a huge balloon back... I don't get it.

Also, i have just received an email from Vanson, they confirm that this jacket was made from X150, but they describe it as heavier than Comp Weight "More wax applied on the x150, it makes it heavier as a result."
So i guess i am right in saying that it is thinner but proportionally heavier than Comp Weight.

 

[ton312]

Bad ass D pocket! Fit is spot on...good pic up!

 

[JMax]

I gotta say that fit looks really nice to me. Mine reaches a bit farther down and I would not be comfortable riding in it if it weren't for the 2-way main zip.

I don't recall my wrist openings being so large but perhaps its because the actual sleeves are a bit tighter on me than they are on you.

This looks great on you, it really does. And the jacket has a lot of really nice touches, like the pocket hidden under the lapel and the fact that its pockets are lined in the same material as the jacket.

 

[Carlos840]

Just did a quick wrist opening measuring session:

Vanson commando: closed 5" across, opened 6.5" across
LW J-24: closed 4.75" across, opened 6" across
Vanson CHP2: closed 4" across, opened 5.5" across
LL Dominator: closed 4.75" across, opened 5.75" across
Freewheelers LaBrea: closed 4.25" across, opened no gusset so no max.

As you can see the commando is definitely bigger than average.
Its not a massive deal, but i think they are too large to fit my gauntlet gloves above the sleeve, and probably too loose to create a tight seal if i put the gloves inside the sleeve.

 

[Boyo]

Carlos, the Lounge is yours today!.. another great jacket

 

[Benny Holiday]

Yep another great jacket and review. The body is longer but not so much that it looks wrong on you as I see it. On my monitor the brass zips really pop! An outstanding addition to your collection.

 

[El Marro]

Carlos,
Great looking jacket and thanks for the detailed review!
I have one of these on the way to me that I ordered directly through Left Field. Should be arriving by the end of this month and I am very excited to receive it after seeing how nice yours looks.

 

[Carlos840]

Carlos,
Great looking jacket and thanks for the detailed review!
I have one of these on the way to me that I ordered directly through Left Field. Should be arriving by the end of this month and I am very excited to receive it after seeing how nice yours looks.

Thank you, i saw that post of your in another thread.
Does that mean this isn't really a limited edition? Do they just remake them for anyone who asks for one?

 

[JMax]

Thank you, i saw that post of your in another thread.
Does that mean this isn't really a limited edition? Do they just remake them for anyone who asks for one?

From what I understand- the actual collaboration with LF is 20 pieces per size per year.

 

[Carlos840]

From what I understand- the actual collaboration with LF is 20 pieces per size per year.

I was under the impression that they released a new batch with a new lining every year, with each size and lining limited to 20. The original commando had Najavo and Scottish tartan linings, the 2.0 the Aloha one, 3.0 Dark island lining and then this years 4.0 uses the tropical punch lining (already sold out).
If they show sold out on their website, but then remake them again to anyone who asks for one it isn't a limited edition anymore is it? (not that i really care, i just wonder how they do things).
@El Marro, did you get the current Tropical punch lining before it sold out? or could you choose anything you wanted?

Edit: actually only the OG commando says "limited 20 piece" commando 2.0 3.0 and 4.0 just say "limited run"....

 

[JMax]

I was under the impression that they released a new batch with a new lining every year, with each size and lining limited to 20. The original commando had Najavo and Scottish tartan linings, the 2.0 the Aloha one, 3.0 Dark island lining and then this years 4.0 uses the tropical punch lining (already sold out).
If they show sold out on their website, but then remake them again to anyone who asks for one it isn't a limited edition anymore is it? (not that i really care, i just wonder how they do things).
@El Marro, did you get the current Tropical punch lining before it sold out? or could you choose anything you wanted?

Edit: actually only the OG commando says "limited 20 piece" commando 2.0 3.0 and 4.0 just say "limited run"....

The Aloha and Dark Island offerings brought Butterscotch into the collaboration. I have never dealt with them. The LF-only offering is multiple linings (Navajo and the tartans) per year but only 20 pieces per size per year. I got that from LF and directly from Vanson.

 

[El Marro]

I do not want to offer an opinion as to exactly how many jackets Left Field makes a year (because I don’t know), but I did order mine as a one off directly from Left Field. I reached out to them to ask when they were doing their next run of jackets since none were available in my size. They asked me what size I was looking for and told me that they could order that one directly from Vanson for me. I believe mine is going to have the same blue plaid lining as yours Carlos.

 

[Monitor]

Super cool! Beautiful hide. Yeah, the jacket is longer than expected but it doesn't stand out. Looks really outstanding. Top sleeve zips absolutely make it.

 

[JMax]

Well there you go. The number of jackets ordered is 20 per size but those actually built per year is flexible. I thought that ultimately would be the case.

 

[El Marro]

Well there you go. The number of jackets ordered is 20 per size but those actually built per year is flexible. I thought that ultimately would be the case.

I think this is exactly right. I spoke to Constantine at Vanson today because I wanted to find out from the source exactly what the leadtime would be. The guys at Left Field had told me probably middle of September, and then probably end of September so I thought I would reach out to the folks who make the jacket for a more definitive answer. He confirmed that my jacket was a one off order and they were also working on the block of jackets for the Left Field restock.
The good news is that the jacket should be ready by the end of September. I’m also glad I called because Constantine told me that they were out of the plaid lining used on the earlier version of this jacket. After discussing a couple options with him I opted for their stock red rayon lining. This lining will also be on the bottom side of the coin pocket flap, one of the particularly cool design features on this jacket. I think I had visions of your brand new CHP dancing around in my head when I picked the lining JMax, here’s looking at you!

 

[JMax]

Constantine is a great guy. I dealt with him when modding my chopper and then my vest. It sparked a friendship. Now we talk every couple of months or so about everything but jackets. Life mostly. Great and honorable guy. Looking forward to my next trip to Boston.