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Advice needed for first top-tier G-1 leather jacket purchase

cbez

One Too Many
Messages
1,788
Location
CA
FromJapan and buyee are both reliable options. look carefully at knits they are usually the first thing to show damage.






 

cbez

One Too Many
Messages
1,788
Location
CA

freewheelers, some wear

good luck!
 

npthaiduong

New in Town
Messages
21

freewheelers, some wear

good luck!
Thank you very much, Sir! It seems like I can buy a good G-1 and N-1 for around $1,200 :)
 

Canuck Panda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,730
Always try to find an used jacket before you fork out the money for a brand new one. These jackets are built to last, lightly used is actually better than brand new one because it's broken in and a lot of value.

and now I’m looking for a warmer jacket for the winter in Minnesota. The G-1 seems like the ideal choice.
If you get one in a size bigger, then there will be enough room to wear a mid insulating layer that should see you through the winter. I find G-1 generally fits better than the A2 because of the full action back, you can wear them like second skin or a size or two larger, the G-1 fit is very forgiving.

I’ve narrowed my options down to three: Eastman, Good Wear, and Rainbow Country.
Out of your narrowed down brands. My pick goes to Goodwear and Rainbow Country because they offer the L.W. Foster repros which has that "Top Gun Maverick" look. All my other repro G-1s fits generically just varied lengths, Foster G-1s stands out from the crowd.

Here are all the repro G-1's I had and some I still have, in alphabetical order, a-z, left to right,
G-1 jackets labels.jpg

g-1 fit compare front unzipped.jpg

g-1 fit compare front zipped.jpg

g-1 fit compare back zipped.jpg
g-1 fit compare side zipped.jpg


I will have an annual training in Yokosuka next year, so I may just use my liberty to visit the local stores over there.
Check out the Toys Mccoy Tokyo store when you're there. Their sizing runs smaller so size up, but really nice stuff and mostly only available in Japan. The AN-J-3 jacket is my personal favorite, combining both A2 and G-1 jacket into one jacket.
IMG_2381.JPG
IMG_2360.JPG
 

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,363
Location
claremont california
Always try to find an used jacket before you fork out the money for a brand new one. These jackets are built to last, lightly used is actually better than brand new one because it's broken in and a lot of value.


If you get one in a size bigger, then there will be enough room to wear a mid insulating layer that should see you through the winter. I find G-1 generally fits better than the A2 because of the full action back, you can wear them like second skin or a size or two larger, the G-1 fit is very forgiving.


Out of your narrowed down brands. My pick goes to Goodwear and Rainbow Country because they offer the L.W. Foster repros which has that "Top Gun Maverick" look. All my other repro G-1s fits generically just varied lengths, Foster G-1s stands out from the crowd.

Here are all the repro G-1's I had and some I still have, in alphabetical order, a-z, left to right,
View attachment 644582
View attachment 644583
View attachment 644584
View attachment 644585 View attachment 644586


Check out the Toys Mccoy Tokyo store when you're there. Their sizing runs smaller so size up, but really nice stuff and mostly only available in Japan. The AN-J-3 jacket is my personal favorite, combining both A2 and G-1 jacket into one jacket.
View attachment 644589 View attachment 644590
MASTER!
 

f2002q

One of the Regulars
Messages
167
Always try to find an used jacket before you fork out the money for a brand new one. These jackets are built to last, lightly used is actually better than brand new one because it's broken in and a lot of value.


If you get one in a size bigger, then there will be enough room to wear a mid insulating layer that should see you through the winter. I find G-1 generally fits better than the A2 because of the full action back, you can wear them like second skin or a size or two larger, the G-1 fit is very forgiving.


Out of your narrowed down brands. My pick goes to Goodwear and Rainbow Country because they offer the L.W. Foster repros which has that "Top Gun Maverick" look. All my other repro G-1s fits generically just varied lengths, Foster G-1s stands out from the crowd.

Here are all the repro G-1's I had and some I still have, in alphabetical order, a-z, left to right,
View attachment 644582
View attachment 644583
View attachment 644584
View attachment 644585 View attachment 644586


Check out the Toys Mccoy Tokyo store when you're there. Their sizing runs smaller so size up, but really nice stuff and mostly only available in Japan. The AN-J-3 jacket is my personal favorite, combining both A2 and G-1 jacket into one jacket.
View attachment 644589 View attachment 644590


You have the BEST jackets this side of town!!! I'm friggin jealous, but in a good way. I could never get away with that many jackets, the Boss would throw me out of the house.
 

arahat

Familiar Face
Messages
58
Location
Australia
Here are all the repro G-1's I had and some I still have, in alphabetical order, a-z, left to right,
View attachment 644582
View attachment 644583
View attachment 644584
View attachment 644585 View attachment 644586
From my eyes, the Johnson leather jacket looks fantastic especially zipped. Rather surprising considering it looks like it has thicker, more rigid leather. Great pattern.

The jacket to the immediate left of the johnson and the 2nd to the right from the Johnson also looks amazing. Incredible collection Canuck Panda!
 

jchance

A-List Customer
Messages
337
Location
Los Angeles
G1 isn’t going to keep you warm during Minnesota winters. You’d need a B3.

But for a used G1, Eastman is most readily available for a cheap price.
 

f2002q

One of the Regulars
Messages
167
G1 isn’t going to keep you warm during Minnesota winters. You’d need a B3.

But for a used G1, Eastman is most readily available for a cheap price.

Or if you want the G-1 looksies, but in sheepskin, then ANJ4 might be your calling.
 

w1rc

New in Town
Messages
24
Quite honestly unless you are looking for stitch-by-stitch accuracy in a high-end reproduction I would highly recommend you check out GIBSON & BARNES in El Cajon CA (formerly Flight Suits Ltd). Frankly, I wouldn’t pay $1,600 - $2,000 for ELC, Goodwear or any of the high-end makers knowing the kind of quality jacket I can get from G&B.

https://gibson-barnes.com/product-category/apparel/flight-jackets/leather-flight-jackets/

Their goatskins are first class as their workmanship. Cost is a very reasonable $618.00. They make MILSPEC A-2 and G-1 but their civilian models have extra features like slash hand pockets and inside wallet pockets, I have four G&B jackets in my collection and like them very much.
I have one of the beautiful “Flightliner” modified A-2 jackets they made for the airlines back about thirty years ago, Mine has the American Airlines logo embroidered in the lining. I also have one of their French Armeè de l’Air “Blouson PN” flight jackets as well as an original. In some respects the G&B jacket is superior to the original.
G&B does not make the Flightliner or the French jackets any longer but they often show up on ePay.
 
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