Long Time no See

[Cody Wilson]

Greeting Lounge!

I haven't actually posted here in a very long time (nearly 4 years in fact), mainly because I haven't been wearing leather jackets as of late.

I've had only two jacket, one crummy Wilson's riding jacket and one G1 from U.S.Wings. Over the last year or so my wife and I have been losing weight, and I've shrunken out of both my jackets (both have been given to those in need)
Cut to now, I've got another 40lbs to lose and decided I need a bit of motivation to hit goal weight. Therefore, I think a new jacket is in order.

Thankfully I'm a bit more financially able now, so I'm looking at some of the custom makers out there. I'm hoping for something in a cafe style, maybe with a dress collar though, ala Aero Sheene.
Also hoping for something light enough to wear casually, but would like it to be able to pull motorcycle duty when needed (rarely) leaning toward goat or maybe even kangaroo.

I do have a couple questions Id like the lounges input on though
1. does anyone know which makers work with kangaroo, or if thats even a good option compared to goat?
2. is anyone aware of any makers based out of Chicago? I'm located in Des Moines, so that would be very convenient. If not, I plan to drop into Langlitz and maybe Johnson Leathers when I'm on vacation week after next.

Thanks for any input fellas, definitely enjoying perusing this site again after so long.

 

[Guppy]

Kangaroo is a fantastic leather for motorcycle gear, but expensive. Top end stuff for racing is made from it. Aero used to carry it, but no longer.

 

[Bfd70]

Nothin in Chicago jacket wise, but Horween is here.

 

[Dr H]

I see that Paul Manafort might have an ostrich jacket in the classifieds imminently...

 

[Cody Wilson]

Bummer about Chicago, though it would be cool to tour the Horween tannery next time I get over there (if they do that)
I did foresee that kangaroo might be a big ask, not super worried about cost, but from an availability aspect. I’ll have to ask around when I call makers.
Really though, I did enjoy the grain on my g1. So maybe a heavier version of that in black would satisfy. I think I’ve read that Langlitz and aero both use around 3oz goat. I don’t honestly know how that compares to us wings though. I imagine their hides are much lighter.

 

[Mark Ricketts]

The most important advice I can give is to not order a custom jacket until your weight stabilizes. I ordered a made to measure Johnson Leathers jacket just before I took up long distance rowing. It fit perfectly on the day it arrived, but I then dropped 45 lbs in a few months. Let 's just say that there is now plenty of room for layering on a colder day.
The other bit of advice is to definitely go with Johnson, they make lovely jackets.

 

[Cody Wilson]

Mark I definitely appreciate that advice, and you're absolutely right. I imagine its going to be a couple months yet, actually maybe three or four. My wife and I are both in the home stretch of our weight lose journey, and I can appreciate how much difference even 20lbs can make. Mainly I'm just looking for styles and makers right now (also gives motivation for denying the sweets). Its a bummer being in the Midwest, seems like everyone who makes anything good lives on the coast. oh well, that's what vacations are for

 

[ton312]

If you are interested in something off the rack Schott has a flagship store on Milwaukee Ave, just a few blocks north of Mildblend which also carries some nice OTR options, including a few Himel Bros jackets.

 

[roadking04]

Congrats on the weight loss Cody! I know it can be hard, especially the last stubborn few. I hear Langlitz leathers has awesome goat. I never handled one. I think kangaroo is gonna be hard to find. If anyone has it, I would think Johnson might. I have a Johnson m/c jacket. It is very well made and Alan is a great guy to work with.

 

[Cody Wilson]

Got back from vacation Sunday, and I gotta say both Langlitz and Johnson are awesome. Turns out Johnson can source roo on request, for a fee. At this point I'm between a langlitz crescent in goat, and a Johnson n200 (or something based on it) in kangaroo. Really tough call. I like Johnsons process of making a cloth mock up jacket for fit before producing in leather, but I also feel like what I'm after is Langlitz bread and butter. Thank God I've got a while to mull it over.

On another note, to any loungers on the west coast, be careful guys. I was up into Montana before going though Oregon and California. The smoke in the cascade mountains was like fog, and the I saw quite a few active fires though the Columbia River gorge. Scary stuff for an Iowa boy.

 

[felix03]

If you live in California, it's now illegal for businesses to sell kangaroo leather here, and online retailers can't ship it here either. I play soccer and I can no longer get my beloved kangaroo leather boots

 

[mygar]

If you live in California, it's now illegal for businesses to sell kangaroo leather here, and online retailers can't ship it here either. I play soccer and I can no longer get my beloved kangaroo leather boots

We order from overseas. Much higher quality boots, incredible selection, and better prices. K leather is only thing my son wears... dhl shipping in 3 day

 

[felix03]

Nice mygar! Which boots did you get? Mizuno?

 

[mygar]

Not to jack thread too much, but...

Adidas Ace 16.1 around 1.5 yr ago...
Pretty light weight and has good speed plate - FG/AG. Pretty tough boot too...

Bought my son 5 pairs increasing in size... he is on last pair from out growing them. Got them 60% off... cant go wrong.

But yea next pair maybe Mizuno... those are sweet!!

He is in his boots about 10-12 hrs/week yr round... so he gets his use out of them.

 

[sweetfights]

Got back from vacation Sunday, and I gotta say both Langlitz and Johnson are awesome. Turns out Johnson can source roo on request, for a fee. At this point I'm between a langlitz crescent in goat, and a Johnson n200 (or something based on it) in kangaroo. Really tough call. I like Johnsons process of making a cloth mock up jacket for fit before producing in leather, but I also feel like what I'm after is Langlitz bread and butter. Thank God I've got a while to mull it over.

On another note, to any loungers on the west coast, be careful guys. I was up into Montana before going though Oregon and California. The smoke in the cascade mountains was like fog, and the I saw quite a few active fires though the Columbia River gorge. Scary stuff for an Iowa boy.

welcome back!!!

Canada and the U.S. are being ravaged this year by fire! Sad.

i just ordered a Langlitz Sidewinder. They are awesome!!!!
i first checked them out online and disqualified them based on cost--- three years later here i am. With a history of Lost Worlds, Aero and Thedi. Thanks to this Lounge. Now a Langlitz only makes sense!!!!!

 

[Cody Wilson]

Sweetfights, I do hope you post pics when you receive that jacket. I think their sidewinder is one of the coolest looking jackets out there. Not sure I could pull it off myself unfortunately