Johnson Leathers black cowhide MC-500

[red devil]

This is a long overdue review,

I got this jacket a few months ago, and it is meant for the motorcycle exclusively - the "to go" jacket when I am taking the motorbike.

I wanted to use it before reviewing it, which I did, but then I couldn't find the opportunity to take some pictures until yesterday when I had some decent sunlight.

The jacket is great on the bike, really comfortable. covers my back, doesn't ride up. Pretty much what I was hoping for, and as for the fit, here are some pics

Not sure how to do the side laces... it it actually my first jacket with those

 

[handymike]

Great looking jacket!
The stitching is really cool too.

 

[Carlos840]

That looks really nice, a bit like a reworked Cascade.
Is it fully armored? I think the armour is quite discreete.

Regarding the laces, here are my three favourite ways:

On the left, the neatest undercover way, i start from the top inside, go down, you can choose to either criss cross them or braid them a bit like shoe laces. I prefer to criss cross and have big X showing.
I finish with a flat knot (left under right, right under left), feed the ends through the holes and tie simple knots on the inside so the end can't come out, cut short, nothing hangs out.

In the middle the Langlitz way, start from the bottom outside, criss cross all the way up, make a flat knot, leave the ends relatively long and make a second simple knot (hold both strand next to each other with the cut ends in the same direction, loop both around finger, feed both ends into the loop, make sure the strands are neat before pulling tight) halfway down the remaining threads. Leave the knot to dangle either in the gusset itself or in front of the laces. It is my peronal favourite.

The more traditional Keep it imple way, start from the top outside, criss cross down, make the same simple knot as the langlitz way, cut off excedent.
My second favourite.

Personally i would never leave more than 10-15 cm dangling, any more than that looks bad and gets caught in things.

I am curious to hear what you will think of the side laces in the long run.
It's a feature i used to hate, now it is one of my favourites.

 

[El Marro]

I am curious to hear what you will think of the side laces in the long run.
It's a feature i used to hate, now it is one of my favourites.

I too have really come to like the side laces on my CHP jackets. I tie mine the “keep it simple” way.

 

[red devil]

That looks really nice, a bit like a reworked Cascade.
Is it fully armored? I think the armour is quite discreete.

Regarding the laces, here are my three favourite ways:

On the left, the neatest undercover way, i start from the top inside, go down, you can choose to either criss cross them or braid them a bit like shoe laces. I prefer to criss cross and have big X showing.
I finish with a flat knot (left under right, right under left), feed the ends through the holes and tie simple knots on the inside so the end can't come out, cut short, nothing hangs out.

In the middle the Langlitz way, start from the bottom outside, criss cross all the way up, make a flat knot, leave the ends relatively long and make a second simple knot (hold both strand next to each other with the cut ends in the same direction, loop both around finger, feed both ends into the loop, make sure the strands are neat before pulling tight) halfway down the remaining threads. Leave the knot to dangle either in the gusset itself or in front of the laces. It is my peronal favourite.

The more traditional Keep it imple way, start from the top outside, criss cross down, make the same simple knot as the langlitz way, cut off excedent.
My second favourite.

Personally i would never leave more than 10-15 cm dangling, any more than that looks bad and gets caught in things.

I am curious to hear what you will think of the side laces in the long run.
It's a feature i used to hate, now it is one of my favourites.

Thanks @Carlos840 ! Going to experiment and see how it works, I like showing the Xs

Yes, it has a full set of Force field armour including the back protector, as you say it is very discrete... I wouldn't be able to tell looking at these pictures, unless I was looking for it

 

[Psant25]

Looks great! Is that the stock semi finished black cow 3.5 oz? Also, may I ask what the back length is and your height? Trying to figure out what I want for my CHP style from JL. Fit jacket should be here today

 

[red devil]

Looks great! Is that the stock semi finished black cow 3.5 oz? Also, may I ask what the back length is and your height? Trying to figure out what I want for my CHP style from JL. Fit jacket should be here today

Not sure if it is the stock cowhide, I chose it from the available samples in the shop. I am not even sure what the thickness is, though 3.5oz sounds about right. It certainly feels good on the bike

This one is between 25.5" and 26" from the base of the neck to the lowest point. I am about 181cm.

 

[ton312]

That is one sharp crosszip! Love how they set the sleeve zips. Brilliant!

 

[regius]

it looks like second skin and superbly comfortable! JL has outdone themselves, this is a Columbia-killer....

 

[TheDonEffect]

Looks great! The leather looks similar if not the same as the naked 3oz I got on mine, I chose from the swatches and a bunch of their jackets at the time had it. The way it drapes tells me it isn't as rigid as say a CXL, and it's one thing I really like about the 3oz naked on mine is how easy it is to wear. But yours looks like it has some brown undertones, or just may be the red stitching throwing my eyes off. Btw, nice touch with the contrast stitching.

 

[red devil]

Looks great! The leather looks similar if not the same as the naked 3oz I got on mine, I chose from the swatches and a bunch of their jackets at the time had it. The way it drapes tells me it isn't as rigid as say a CXL, and it's one thing I really like about the 3oz naked on mine is how easy it is to wear. But yours looks like it has some brown undertones, or just may be the red stitching throwing my eyes off. Btw, nice touch with the contrast stitching.

Yeah, wanted some contrast so I chose red
It is very pliable, I chose it over CXL because it is much more functional in all aspects, the idea was to strike a good balance between form and function... and it exceeded my expectations on both fronts!

 

[TheDonEffect]

Yeah, wanted some contrast so I chose red
It is very pliable, I chose it over CXL because it is much more functional in all aspects, the idea was to strike a good balance between form and function... and it exceeded my expectations on both fronts!

Yeah, my naked cowhide is very very functional. I had it made before I allowed these damn forums to influence me into wanting things like CXL and such, and went with durability and wearability, both of which I definitely got. I'm still shocked how supple and luxurious it feels despite being, for me, such a heavy hide.

But, I now have a CXL on order, and I already know I'm going to regret it, probably going to be a meet your heroes situation, lol.

Regarding your stitching, I had a nice convo with Damon about why everyone is so obsessed with olive, I personally don't like green let alone military green olive drab, so happy to see you went against the grain and got red, a nice change of pace for these forums.

 

[red devil]

Which model did you get this time?

 

[navetsea]

Looks like an ideal fit on you, seems round and comfy around the shoulder to do riding, while not too many creases on it and still looking smart off bike.

 

[TheDonEffect]

Which model did you get this time?

Getting a button down jacket this time, like a simple car coat/jacket. I have a cross zip already, but I find that buttons just make for an easier day to day jacket.

 

[Jin431]

^^ in the brown cxl?

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

very nice. I'm getting addicted to side laces too now. I feel like they allow for a better tuck than the usual buckles. The way the material is folded in makes it more stream line. My last 2 or 3 purchases have been CHP style. Sadly the last doesn't fit, but I got lucky with my first.

Saving those examples Carlos posted. Was curious about that.

 

[red devil]

Getting a button down jacket this time, like a simple car coat/jacket. I have a cross zip already, but I find that buttons just make for an easier day to day jacket.

I think the CXL will work quite well with this overall. I see why you would want more drape, but with enough wear your jacket should look stunning

 

[TheDonEffect]

^^ in the brown cxl?

Sticking to the black overdye... for the time being.

 

[TheDonEffect]

I think the CXL will work quite well with this overall. I see why you would want more drape, but with enough wear your jacket should look stunning

Yeah I'm thinking that since this is going to be a more comfort fit, buttoned jacket, I should be fine with the CXL. My crosszip though, if anything I should've went with a lighter horsehide, like this German stuff they got now, stuff is amazing. But I'm still happy with the naked 3oz cow.