Custom Langlitz experiences?

[horweak]

Hey all, I've been thinking about pulling a trigger on a custom columbia for a while now. I haven't ordered the catalog or spoken to anyone there yet. I wanted to hear some of your experiences first. How expensive? How long did it take? How easy are they to work with? Any outrageous sizing or patterning issues.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[El Marro]

I bought two new jackets from Langlitz back in 2017, a ‘47 Columbia and a straight zip Cascade. I worked with Scott on both orders and found him to be a pleasure to deal with.
Both jackets ran around $1200 with the options I selected although keep in mind that was five years ago. in 2017, the leadtime was about three months and I believe that it is quite a bit longer now.
Both of my jackets had to be remade. In both cases the first jacket they made was just a little too tight from the chest down to the hem. In both cases Langlitz Remade the jackets and both remakes came out perfectly.
My advice to you on your order would be to be very explicit regarding the fit you are expecting. Since they make jackets for motorcycle riders, they are inclined to make things tighter rather than looser

 

[Psant25]

I bought 3 new jackets from them. Had 4 total 1 was a remake. I found the first columbia to have very wide shoulders, very long arms, baloon biceps area. Was very significant not just like 1 inch. I agree I would be very specific if you can. My latest columbia was a keeper however i made adjustments each time. I would say for example compared to my last jacket add 1 inch to back or narrow biceps 1 inch etc. i dont think it should take all my efforts to get a great fitting jacket. The quality of materials, the fit, the construction, etc was worth the efforts. When I called to order this most recent one Benny answered and he was basically like i am looking at your chart and why do you want this and do you think we can make you happy and we have had some trouble with you etc. most would have been pissed i kept my cool explained things about earlier fits and how the last one fit great I actually wanted the same specs just different design tweaks. I think if i wanted different fit they would have turned me down. I can almost guarantee if you just made jackets based off provided measurements for all the langlitz workers they would be either ill fitting OR they would want something tweaked. Scott was great every time. If you can find a used one or someone you know has one and that fits or close they can use that as a base and make adjustments. Im sure all the great fits from langlitz japan they use try on jackets in the store and adjust jackets accordingly to buyer preference. Hope this was helpful just being honest.

 

[Damon141]

They are on my bucket list too, one of their simplest designs like the Timberline.
Maybe one day when the wait time is lower, I think it’s at 13 months now, or atleast according to the website.

Can the OP use measurements from a similarly styled existing jacket?

 

[horweak]

They are on my bucket list too, one of their simplest designs like the Timberline.
Maybe one day when the wait time is lower, I think it’s at 13 months now, or atleast according to the website.

Can the OP use measurements from a similarly styled existing jacket?

I'm sure I could. Portland in general is on my bucket list of places to check out. I kinda wanna wait, take a trip, and drop by the store in person, and see what they have in stock. If they do a lot of remakes I bet they have a lot of fun custom stock. When I can snag stuff OTR, it's so much more fun for me, makes me feel like I scored.

 

[El Marro]

I'm sure I could. Portland in general is on my bucket list of places to check out. I kinda wanna wait, take a trip, and drop by the store in person, and see what they have in stock. If they do a lot of remakes I bet they have a lot of fun custom stock. When I can snag stuff OTR, it's so much more fun for me, makes me feel like I scored.

I did this exact thing this past summer. My girlfriend and I drove through Portland on our way to a wedding and stopped at Langlitz. I found jackets for both of us that fit great and cost about half what a new custom order would have run me.

 

[horweak]

I did this exact thing this past summer. My girlfriend and I drove through Portland on our way to a wedding and stopped at Langlitz. I found jackets for both of us that fit great and cost about half what a new custom order would have run me.

What was the selection like?

 

[El Marro]

I‘m usually a size 46 in motorcycle jackets and I was pleasanty surprised how many jackets they had on hand for me to try.
I had a couple Goldilocks moments, there was a padded Timberline that was just perfect except for the sleeves that were 2 1/2” short…. I almost bought a Cascade that fit well except the arms on that one were too long, I figured I would see how they creased up and maybe have them shortened down the road if I felt like it.
That was when Scott took one more look through the rack and pulled out a Columbia with the Cascade collar. The damn thing fit perfectly, and it cost less than the jacket I was planning to buy!
My girlfriend, had less options to choose from, but she lucked out as well, and we both walked out of there with new jackets.

 

[Aloysius]

Since they make jackets for motorcycle riders, they are inclined to make things tighter rather than looser

This is funny because (just like with Vanson) you’d assume the opposite from their photos!

 

[Colin G]

My experience is hit or miss. Most times they missed from my personal ordering experience. The one I kept had to be remade and then adjusted twice since the collar was crooked. They spent more time trying to deny that fact and convince me to leave it as is then trying to fix it. Second jacket was a nightmare and fit like a giant, black, leather garbage bag. They refunded me and did not want to make another. I bought a Rainbow Country instead and it fits great off the rack. Go figure.

They try to make you feel bad about complaining about their carless mistakes. I suggest going in person if you really want one or wait and buy a used one.

 

[Colin G]

They are on my bucket list too, one of their simplest designs like the Timberline.
Maybe one day when the wait time is lower, I think it’s at 13 months now, or atleast according to the website.

Can the OP use measurements from a similarly styled existing jacket?

Wait time is 13 months probably because of all the remakes they have to do.

FYI.. Langlitz Japan does not make jackets, They are made in Portland. Langlitz Japan will fit you and then order the jacket.

 

[Damon141]

My experience is hit or miss. Most times they missed from my personal ordering experience. The one I kept had to be remade and then adjusted twice since the collar was crooked. They spent more time trying to deny that fact and convince me to leave it as is then trying to fix it. Second jacket was a nightmare and fit like a giant, black, leather garbage bag. They refunded me and did not want to make another. I bought a Rainbow Country instead and it fits great off the rack. Go figure.

They try to make you feel bad about complaining about their carless mistakes. I suggest going in person if you really want one or wait and buy a used one.

I just can’t grasp this, you would think they would have a great system for this with their long history.
I would send a jacket in to them if taking the plunge

I really like mock up jacket fit system that Field Leather uses and can’t wait to see how it works for me.
I do wonder if it would be better to use vinyl of some kind instead of cloth

 

[El Marro]

I have to echo @Psant25 and @Colin G regarding their experience with remakes.
With both of my custom orders I knew as soon as I put them on that they didn’t fit right. I reached out to Langlitz and had to complete a fairly contentious process with their general manager.
He questioned whether my measurements were accurate, whether I really wanted to wear the jacket zipped up, and told me that I should just wear it for a while, and it would fit better.
In the end, they agreed to remake both jackets, but I had to fight for it.

 

[El Marro]

I would send a jacket in to them if taking the plunge

It doesn’t work that way. You simply fill out their order form as instructed and hope for the best.
I asked if I could specify certain measurements such as P2P and the answer was no.

 

[Aloysius]

It doesn’t work that way. You simply fill out their order form as instructed and hope for the best.
I asked if I could specify certain measurements such as P2P and the answer was no.

This part actually makes sense to me. When you let the customer dictate jacket measurements you usually end up with something that fits wrong anyway because the customer won’t know the pattern.

 

[MrProper]

Would be much easier for the manufacturer, because if I order, for example, p2p = 24, and the jacket then also has 24, but it still does not fit, then it is the problem of the customer.
If I specify my body measurements and then the jacket doesn't fit, it's the manufacturer's problem.
I think I know pretty much what the measurements of my jackets need to be so that I like it. So why shouldn't I use them?

 

[Chevalier]

I ordered a full set of leathers (Columbia + competition breeches) from them last year, and my experience was good overall. I live near SF, so Portland is somewhat accessible to visit. I got measured in person. I ordered the pants first because I was thinking I would try to match with one of my existing jackets. Scott measured me for the pants. I decided later that day to order the jacket, too. Bennie was initially reluctant to measure me for the jacket because the wait time was more than 9 months at the time. He was concerned that the fit would be off if I gained or lost weight, but he measured me after I explained that I was visiting from out of town. I got fitted last summer, and my leathers arrived around this time last year. I have really enjoyed having them.

@El Marro gave me great advice to go with a 1 piece back design. I have developed an aversion to those back-of-the-shoulder gussets because they always seem to be blown out on vintage jackets. I really like the look of the simple back. I tried to go with the flat bottom of the kidney panel as @Monitor suggested. They made a standard, curved kidney panel on my jacket, and I opted to have them go ahead and send it, rather than wait for a remake.

I have been to Portland a few times since, and I try to stop by the shop when I am there. Everyone is really friendly. I like to check out the shop inventory. I am sometimes tempted by another jacket, but it will take a long time to break in this one. I have to admit, the fit of custom leathers really spoils you for anything else.

 

[navetsea]

perhaps their patterns are all crop jacket concept for riding , so when you order them to cover your belt it would suffer elsewhere like underarm being a havoc, and sleeve being to big and long like most custom order langlitz I ever see here on the forum,
I think this guy got it right


its a cool look too, just need to embrace the bolero fit of it and make sure you have cool looking belt.

 

[horweak]

perhaps their patterns are all crop jacket concept for riding , so when you order them to cover your belt it would suffer elsewhere like underarm being a havoc, and sleeve being to big and long like most custom order langlitz I ever see here on the forum,
I think this guy got it right
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View attachment 474982
its a cool look too, just need to embrace the bolero fit of it and make sure you have cool looking belt.

I'm used to the short cut riding jackets. Perfecto style is my favorite, I love the look of two belts stacked up. Carhartt double front pants i wear for work are high enough rise i just pull them up. I wear a plasticky ratcheting pistol belt, so cool, no, but functional, yes. Never have to pull my pants up.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Price card from just over a year ago. Most maker increased their prices this year, so better check with them directly.

Langlitz makes very nice jackets. I am very satisfied with my Cascade and I have plans for a goatskin Comstock in the future.