Inquiry: Hillside Leather cafe motorcycle jacket

[Boots]

Greetings Gents,

I've got some questions for you leather jacket enthusiasts. My wife recently purchased a cafe style horsehide jacket for me from a company called Hillside Leather. Having never seen or felt horsehide before, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had read it was supposed to be very thick, perhaps a bit stiff and excellent protection for motorcycling. Well, the jacket is made of a heavy leather that is not particularly stiff, thick or shiny for that matter. The jacket is a size 44. The shoulders and arms are fine, but there seems to be a lot of extra room around the mid section, and it may be a tad short. In any event, I've taken the liberty of attaching a few pics below and was hoping for your candid opinions. Is this jacket too big for me? Is it worth altering? Does anyone have experience with Hillside?

Many thanks,
Boots

 

[lewisskimonster]

As long as its not a custom order, you should be able to just exchange it for a smaller size. I have a Hillside Buco style jacket in horsehide, and it is very well made, with 3.5 oz. weight, and it is breaking in nicely

 

[apba1166]

I have a Hillside HH vest w/cordura lining. Wear it a lot, think it is very well made. But when I first got it, I felt it came a bit long and wide in the waist, though chest was perfect; I wore it a bit, got the feel, was certain it was a bit long/big and called them. He was exceptionally nice about it. I sent it back and they re-cut and sewed the same vest to my measurements at no charge. Fantastic service, I felt. Give them a call. That jacket doesn't look short, but they could take an inch or so out the waist for you if you want....Or if you prefer it longer, I believe they may exchange for a custom one at no charge and take the new one in to measurements you give them.

 

[IXL]

To me, the length is fine. It could stand to be a bit smaller in the mid section, but as it is would most probably not be a problem. You definitely have layering room, but I have no idea how important that is in San Jose.

 

[Boots]

Thank you for your responses gentlemen.

I've contacted a very reputable shop up in San Francisco called Johnson Leather, and he agreed with all of you. Length is good, but it needs a few inches off the mid-section. He also said it wasn't safe to lay down a bike with that much loose material as it would bunch up or slide away rather than act as a "protective skin."

I'm going to contact Hillside today and send them pictures.

Thanks again!
Boots