Decent Leather Jacket at Cabela's!

[OneEyeMan]

Took a drive to Cabela's in Hamburg PA today for fun.
Definitely wasn't expecting to see a leather jacket there.
Apologies for the low quality camera pic, but you get the idea.
It was a nice heavy black cowhide, with small graining almost like Goatskin.
It had a permanent black quilted lining, interior zip pocket and open pocket.
Elastic at the waist, adjustable snap closure wrists, handwarmer pockets, and the fit was perfect in a Med for me.
$299; not a bad deal if you're looking for a decent leather jacket.
Just think, I could've saved a lot of money if I saw this before I became acquainted with Aero!

Read more about it here:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0072079904663a&navCount=3&podId=0072079904663&parentId=cat604567&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21082-cat604567&catalogCode=XK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat604567&hasJS=true

 

[Seb Lucas]

It looks okay, but it's pretty modern and looks like so many jackets you could get at the mall (no offense intended). I guess the thing about Aero is that they make em to look like vintage jackets from a classic era.

Now I actually find Aero jackets too heavy and cumbersome to wear, so It would be good to find a company which makes classic type jackets (half-belts, etc) from lighter (goat?) hides, etc. Just my view..

 

[bobjones]

It looks okay, but it's pretty modern and looks like so many jackets you could get at the mall (no offense intended). I guess the thing about Aero is that they make em to look like vintage jackets from a classic era.

Now I actually find Aero jackets too heavy and cumbersome to wear, so It would be good to find a company which makes classic type jackets (half-belts, etc) from lighter (goat?) hides, etc. Just my view..

Aero makes all of their jackets as I understand it in a mid-weight HH, which is much lighter than the FQHH, as well as goatskin and other hides. Drop them a line and see what they can do for you...

 

[JLStorm]

I have a very comfortable and extremely hard wearing B3 type jacket from Cabelas, which was about $289.00 in 2004 when I bought it. The materials are good, its very warm, the leather is tough, and the workmanship is better than what I would expect from a sub $300.00 jacket.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0021103902660a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=shearling&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D:hasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/search/search-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

However, comparing Cabela's stuff to Aero, is like comparing a Honda to a Ferrari, they just arent on the same plane of existence. My Aero B3 is a work of art that gets constant comments and attention, my Cabelas, is just a work jacket that looks like any other.

 

[Kaboose]

Oh man its so odd that this thread would pop up today. I just got done staring at their B-3 jacket earlier this morning I was tempted to buy it.

 

[JLStorm]

Oh man its so odd that this thread would pop up today. I just got done staring at their B-3 jacket earlier this morning I was tempted to buy it.

If you dont care where its made, or about authentic reproduction and just want a hard wearing, warm, and functional jacket, It is a good way to go. Do I think that Aero is worth twice the price, absolutely. If I couldnt afford or justify the cost of Aero, would I buy the Cabela's jacket again, absolutely. I wore the crap out of my Cablea's jacket and you cant kill it without really trying.

 

[DJS Press]

I've had one of the Cabela's B3 jackets for going on a couple of years. I picked it up for about $150 on eBay, and I swear it had no wear on it at all when I got it.

I don't know much about B3's, but I do know that this is not truly authentic, however the quality seems to be good, and is it ever warm. That's probably the main drawback, it's so warm that I rarely wear it unless it's really cold AND I'm not doing much physical exertion. Otherwise, it gets uncomfortable.

I like the grain of the sheepskin. If you read the reviews on the Cabela's website, you will note a LOT of people say that these jackets tend to run at least a size larger than you would expect. Aside from that, the reviews are generally excellent. Mine is an XL Tall. It seems a little large, but I've never worn a B3 before, so I don't know if that's just the way they fit or not. But hey, for a 150 bucks, I sure can't complain. It's also the only jacket I own (or anything, for that matter) that was made in Uruguay, of all places.

If I were looking for an authentic B3, I'd probably go with Aero or one of the other premium brands, but if somebody is looking for just a B3-style jacket, I'd say you can't go too wrong with this one.

 

[JLStorm]

I can second the size range. I normally where an XL in standard jackets or XXL in milspec, but I believe my jacket is a large and it fits fine...it runs about 1/2 - 3/4 of a size big. It runs almost 2 sizes larger than milspec. The jacket is probably about as warm as my Aero B3. I dont use mine anymore, but just like my aero, I can stay warm in a t-shirt with it between 20 and 30 degrees and its been in -25 degree weather with a sweater and I was just fine.

 

[91_Mustang]

My experience with Cabela's has always been great. Their stuff is generally well made with enough durability to satisfy the outdoors crowd. I'm sure this jacket is no exception.