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

[npthaiduong]

at that size you are a perfect candidate for second hand Japanese market

Could you please give me some guidance? Or some good examples?

 

[cbez]

FromJapan and buyee are both reliable options. look carefully at knits they are usually the first thing to show damage.

COLIMBO G-1/レザージャケット・ブルゾン/36/レ... - Yahoo!オークション

COLIMBO◆G-1/レザージャケット・ブルゾン/36 ブランドCOLIMBO 型番 カラーボルドー 柄 素材・生地レザー 表示サイズ３６ 実寸サイズ【ジャケット】 肩幅：42 / 身幅：46 / 着丈：62 / 袖丈：66 / ゆき：/ 【その他】 その他サイズ：/ 商品に関する出品店舗のコメントリブ部分に毛玉等ございますが、他に目立つダメージ等はなく、使用に差支えのないお品物です(写真にてご確認ください)※商品には写真では確認しづらいダメージや汚れがある場合がございます。※ディスプレイによって実際の色

page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m33325358103

EASTMAN G-1 Jacket Spec. 55J14 36 アメリカ海... - Yahoo!オークション

イーストマン・レザー・クロージングのG-1です。サイズは、３６。海外メーカーのものですので、国内メーカーと比べると同じ３６でも大きめになります。アメリカ海軍のフライトジャケット、M-422AからG-1と名をかえた最初のスペック、55J14を再現したものです。イーストマン社は、１９４０代当時と同じ製法にて革のなめしから縫製まで自社で一貫して生産しており、パーツも当時と同じ物を使用。リアルマッコイ創設の際には、メンターのような役割をしたといいます。 このG-1は、L.W. Foster Sportswear社製

page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp

TOYS MCCOY トイズマッコイ G-1 レザー ジャケッ... - Yahoo!オークション

☆商品説明☆ TOYS MCCOY トイズマッコイ G-1 レザー ジャケット ＜付属品＞ 無し ＜マテリアル＞ 画像参照 ＜カラー＞ ブラウン＜シリアル＞ 10125661 ＜開閉方法＞ ジップ &nbs

page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp

 

[cbez]

FREEWHEELERS/フリーホイーラーズ/フライトジャ... - Yahoo!オークション

1/A-2 FREEWHEELERS/ GREAT LAKES GMT.MFG.CO/G1/ サイズ36新品購入後何度か着用しましたがクローゼット整理の為損傷ダメージリブ虫食い有りません。フアスナー不具合なし多少の擦れはございます。佐川急便着払い（2024年 10月 24日 20時 33分 追加）サイズ肩幅43/身幅脇下49着丈襟下から54/袖丈リブ入れて59

page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp

freewheelers, some wear

good luck!

 

[npthaiduong]

FREEWHEELERS/フリーホイーラーズ/フライトジャ... - Yahoo!オークション

1/A-2 FREEWHEELERS/ GREAT LAKES GMT.MFG.CO/G1/ サイズ36新品購入後何度か着用しましたがクローゼット整理の為損傷ダメージリブ虫食い有りません。フアスナー不具合なし多少の擦れはございます。佐川急便着払い（2024年 10月 24日 20時 33分 追加）サイズ肩幅43/身幅脇下49着丈襟下から54/袖丈リブ入れて59

page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp

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]

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,

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.

 

[photo2u]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Hello gentlemen,

I was doing some research on G-1 leather jackets and came across this forum. I’ve read through many threads and found the vast knowledge of G-1 (and A-2) leather jackets from our members to be tremendously insightful. I am a naval HR officer in the Navy Reserve, so I won’t be issued a standard flight leather jacket, as I am not part of the naval aviation community. However, I adore the G-1 and A-2 leather jackets and wear them regularly for my civilian job. I already own an A-2 jacket from Cockpit USA, and now I’m looking for a warmer jacket for the winter in Minnesota. The G-1 seems like the ideal choice.

I’ve narrowed my options down to three: Eastman, Good Wear, and Rainbow Country.

- Good Wear is made in the USA and is considered the top option by many. However, the wait time is more than a year, and the price is around $2,000 (if choosing a vintage zipper).
- Eastman is very close in quality to Good Wear but is made in the UK. The price is significantly lower at roughly $1,600, and the wait time is around six weeks.
- Rainbow Country is regarded as one of the top three leather jacket makers in Japan. Their G-1 jackets are priced at $1,600, with a new release coming this December.

I’m currently leaning toward Rainbow Country, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on which option I should pursue for this exciting purchase.

Thank you!

Damn no RMC. They really fell off.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

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

ANJ4 is based

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I would not consider Rainbow Country for this at all, not just because of the price. They make some good stuff for sure, but the G-1 and its siblings are widely available and frankly luxe-ing them up would take away from much of what makes them great.

The only Japanese maker I would be happy to get a G-1 (or adjacent) jacket from is Buzz Rickson's, which places a lot of emphasis on making them wear like the originals. (The G-1 family of jackets has what is probably the best pattern in the history of leather jackets, so fashion-ing it up will compromise that.)

I would caution against getting a G-1 as a "warmer jacket for the winter" because warmth wise it's no different to the A-2; in other words, it's a leather windbreaker.

You're missing one big option from your list, and that is Dave Sheeley (Maverickson on this forum); like John Chapman of Good Wear, he is a one man flight jacket machine, except his specialty is G-1 (and its predecessor jackets), based on extensive knowledge and experience with originals. He even has some of the original machinery.

Contact him on the forum, because there's no need to go through eBay and have them take their cut.

Another option is Aero. I don't own one of theirs but I do own a WWII original that was refurbished by them and they did incredible work.

Off topic, but what kind of jacket would you recommending going to rainbow country for, if any?