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Choosing YOUR Leather: Help a brother out!

holdencain

One of the Regulars
Messages
113
Location
Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
I'm on the cusp of ordering up a new jacket. I've hit a few members up privately, and would like to hear from some more jacket gurus regarding leather choices.
The only jacket I've owned was an Aero 30s Halfbelt in their Seal Goat. I found it not too thick or heavy.

I'm specifically looking at a Thedi Shawl . I am awaiting samples in the mail from him. It appears his primary choices are Cow,steer,horse, and buffalo.

I know there is another thread regarding Thedi leathers, but I'm just trying to also get an opinion on what might be the best leather for as much a "multi-season" jacket as possible. I live in Virginia, climate has 4 seasons. I'm not sure if there is a clear winner for what I'm looking for. What leather would you choose if this was your one leather jacket? I just don't want to feel like I'm wearing set of Armor. Got to be comfortable!
Thanks
H


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Messages
17,508
Location
Chicago
The Thedi HH I had was plenty robust. Certainly nowhere near CXL in terms of weight or thickness but not thin eiither. If you want a jacket that will get you through winter give thought to the liner as well. The cotton he used in the CR I had was quite easy to get into but not near warm enough for a true winter jacket. More a cool summer night, fall/spring jacket. That said I'm in Chicago, where the winter winds are like talking the crack of a bull whip right in the face.
 

Guppy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,338
Location
Cleveland, OH
The shawl collar isn't what I would wear as a winter coat. Thedi sizes are pretty close fitting, and I can't layer under mine. It's a good jacket for milder spring and fall temperatures, though. Mine is buffalo, I think.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
The Thedi HH I had was plenty robust. Certainly nowhere near CXL in terms of weight or thickness but not thin eiither. If you want a jacket that will get you through winter give thought to the liner as well. The cotton he used in the CR I had was quite easy to get into but not near warm enough for a true winter jacket. More a cool summer night, fall/spring jacket. That said I'm in Chicago, where the winter winds are like talking the crack of a bull whip right in the face.
Side note here. @ton312, I live in Buffalo NY. The winds coming off the lake from late fall through spring are brutal. Lake effect snow, thunder snow, the struggle is real. No amount of leather thickness or stiffness helps. For our kind of weather it’s all about the liner.
 

Bfd70

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,320
Location
Traverse city
04BE73A4-E464-4245-AAE2-EC809F1A4555.jpeg
The steerhide is plenty good for 50-70.
Agree with guppy. The cut is not designed for much layering. A tight sweatshirt at best. What size are you?
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,427
Location
Glasgow
Buffalo is pretty heavy and robust - I have an A-2 in it and despite being 30 years old, it’s in excellent condition. Out of all those options you’ve listed, I would probably go with horse as all my most flexible jackets are hh.
 
Messages
17,508
Location
Chicago
Ps, in Chicago too. Well put Ton312
January in Chicago (and this year a bit of April) require something more substantial.
The only reason I'm not pissed about the weather right now is I have something new to break in. But. For the love of God...opening day is a little less than a week away, and there's still snow in the forecast.
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
I have the LHB in CXL HH and it's perfect for the temps you mention. I think some people get the wrong idea of HH's stiffness because either they've never tried one on or because they only did so for a minute or so: the hide really softens up from your body heat after about ten minutes.
 

red devil

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
London
I'm on the cusp of ordering up a new jacket. I've hit a few members up privately, and would like to hear from some more jacket gurus regarding leather choices.
The only jacket I've owned was an Aero 30s Halfbelt in their Seal Goat. I found it not too thick or heavy.

I'm specifically looking at a Thedi Shawl . I am awaiting samples in the mail from him. It appears his primary choices are Cow,steer,horse, and buffalo.

I know there is another thread regarding Thedi leathers, but I'm just trying to also get an opinion on what might be the best leather for as much a "multi-season" jacket as possible. I live in Virginia, climate has 4 seasons. I'm not sure if there is a clear winner for what I'm looking for. What leather would you choose if this was your one leather jacket? I just don't want to feel like I'm wearing set of Armor. Got to be comfortable!
Thanks
H


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have tried both cowhide and buffalo from Thedi, and I would probably recommend his buffalo more, but it's close
 
Messages
11,165
Location
SoCal
It is really down to personal preference as they are all pretty nice looking:
Buffalo:
buffalo.jpg

buffalo vs. cowhide:
buffaloCow.jpg

Horsehide:
horse.jpg


Me personally, when I buy one again.....
goat1.jpg
goat2.jpg


unlined Goat.
 

Guppy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,338
Location
Cleveland, OH
Does Theo age this leather to look worn and old, or is it like this from factory?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The finished jacket looks like this. Whether it's done by Thedi or by the tannery, I can't say. It looks amazing, and not like artificial distressing.
 

Guppy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,338
Location
Cleveland, OH
Does Theo age this leather to look worn and old, or is it like this from factory?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The finished jacket looks like this. Whether it's done by Thedi or by the tannery, I can't say. It looks amazing, and not like artificial distressing.
 

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