New forum member brand (Rugged West)

[newtojackets]

Just received my first custom order from Leilah.
The jacket is awesome. It became a stock model and my exact jacket is on the website.
View attachment 632573 View attachment 632574

Leather looks great! if I didnt know better I would have guessed this jacket was a lot more expensive

 

[Leilah Wilde]

I haven’t visited the thread in a while, thought I’d catch up over my morning coffee today.
Every time I log onto TFL and search for RW I’m a bundle of nerves. Are the responses going to be great or will I be ripped a new one? Today I’m elated. Seeing some of you enjoying your jackets and posting pictures makes the once weird leather jacket collecting kid in me jump up and down with joy.

If anyone has any other feedback/suggestions/questions, feel free to shoot me a line. Always happy to chat!

Hope you’re all enjoying the leather weather.
Leilah

 

[ZeroDelta]

Of course right after I ordered they are having a sale lol. Maybe some of you can enjoy the discount.

 

[TartuWolf]

RW sale:
-15% off orders
-10% off samples

Rugged West on Instagram: "It’s my birthday on Thursday… I’ll be 32 years young. With that said, the other week I yawned while getting out of bed and put my back out, so there’s that. Anyway, to celebrate another year around the sun, I’d like to g

324 likes, 47 comments - ruggedwestco on October 28, 2024: "It’s my birthday on Thursday… I’ll be 32 years young. With that said, the other week I yawned while getting out of bed and put my back out, so there’s that. Anyway, to celebrate another year around the sun, I’d like to gift you guys...

www.instagram.com

Happy upcoming birthday @Leilah Wilde !
High-five 32

 

[Khilij]

Just wanted to share some pictures of my Rugged Rider 2.0 in Black Bison as it starts to break in. I'm really enjoying the jacket.

 

[MrProper]

Just wanted to share some pictures of my Rugged Rider 2.0 in Black Bison as it starts to break in. I'm really enjoying the jacket.

very fine.

 

[zacharge]

Hope it’s ok to bump an older thread!

Just came across RW co on Instagram and instantly became interested in the Stockman 30s style leather Cossack (been going about this style jacket for months Now haha).

I read through the thread and everyone seems to be happy about the company and the jackets they got! I am almost set to send an email and see if I can get one…

Couple questions-

Was it confirmed that jackets are made in Pakistan?

Do the jackets you all purchased fit well aka true to the dimensions detailed on the website?

Thanks!

 

[TartuWolf]

If I'm not mistaken Leilah still has issue with shipping to EU, which might be very relevant to your plan to purchase something from her. If I'm mistaken - let us know.
The jackets are made in Pakistan, but she is involving some London people in some parts of the process (at least when ordering custom).

 

[zacharge]

If I'm not mistaken Leilah still has issue with shipping to EU, which might be very relevant to your plan to purchase something from her. If I'm mistaken - let us know.
The jackets are made in Pakistan, but she is involving some London people in some parts of the process (at least when ordering custom).

Thank you for the fast reply! I am located in San Francisco, California, USA, so hopefully there shouldn’t be any issues?

Good to know about the manufacturing. I am generally hesitant about imported products, but the overwhelming majority of positive reviews on this thread is easing my concerns a bit.

I did read that some people who purchased jackets said that they ran larger (I believe someone who wears a Large normally got a medium).

I guess I’ll email Leilah and see what the exact measurements would be for a 36/xs Stockman!

 

[Will Zach]

^^
Email her - she loves to talk shop!

 

[zacharge]

^^
Email her - she loves to talk shop!

That I did! In conversation with her now and she seems more than happy to help.

I’m debating if I go forward with a custom jacket, as the preset xs / 36 seems to run much larger than the jackets in 36 I have at home.

Money is tight right now, but ~200 dollars more for something that would theoretically fit perfectly is very tempting….

Unless I hold out and save the money and continue the hunt for a vintage leather Cossack….

Decisions.

 

[TartuWolf]

That I did! In conversation with her now and she seems more than happy to help.

I’m debating if I go forward with a custom jacket, as the preset xs / 36 seems to run much larger than the jackets in 36 I have at home.

Money is tight right now, but ~200 dollars more for something that would theoretically fit perfectly is very tempting….

Unless I hold out and save the money and continue the hunt for a vintage leather Cossack….

Decisions.

As she would be shipping to US then a return would be quite expensive if you take stock. No returns on custom. Tough choice yeah.
At least the stockman has better stock measurements (back length of 23.5" for XS). The one I want (rugged rider 2.0) has a back length of 25.5"
16.5" shoulder on the XS stockman sounds pretty tight though.

 

[zacharge]

Hey all,

So I've been having wonderful communication with Leilah about finding the best sized Stockman for myself (which actually might be a 34!) It has been a wonderful experience and I think I may be sold- the ~600 USD doesn't seem to much, but money is tight in my life so everything counts.

However, I was randomly on YouTube today and a random suggested video from Almost Vintage Fashion popped up and actually mentioned RW:

(4:00 min mark). Seems like the person (I figured is probably a member of TFL?) is saying that buying an outsourced (non Japan, USA, UK) jacket might not be ideal? I wonder if that is a personal preference or an issue with quality?

I too was reserved about knowingly buying a made in Pakistan leather, but actually looked at one of my first leather jackets (2006) and it too was made in Pakistan and I never had any issues with it....

Maybe I'm just being dumb, but is there any validity to not preferring an "out sourced" jacket?

 

[zacharge]

And just for fun, here is one of my first purchased new leather jackets when I was 18 ha. Saved up 300 bucks for it in 2006! Obviously haven’t worn it in years….

 

[Aloysius]

And just for fun, here is one of my first purchased new leather jackets when I was 18 ha. Saved up 300 bucks for it in 2006! Obviously haven’t worn it in years….
View attachment 673236 View attachment 673237

Honestly looks like a great hide on this jacket.

If you're curious, the design comes from the Lewis Lightning 391, which had a number of homages even within England throughout the 60s.

 

[zacharge]

Honestly looks like a great hide on this jacket.

If you're curious, the design comes from the Lewis Lightning 391, which had a number of homages even within England throughout the 60s.

I looked around the tag and it says “genuine leather”, which I just recently learned meant a very low quality, almost composite leather? Regardless, 18 year old me (I just turned 37 hah) was thrilled to finally own a “British leather jacket”- was the holy grail of leather jacket style for us punk kids worshipping the uk82 bands hah!

And yes, I recall the name “Lewis Leathers” now! Been actually a long while since i thought about this jacket

 

[MrProper]

Hey all,

So I've been having wonderful communication with Leilah about finding the best sized Stockman for myself (which actually might be a 34!) It has been a wonderful experience and I think I may be sold- the ~600 USD doesn't seem to much, but money is tight in my life so everything counts.

However, I was randomly on YouTube today and a random suggested video from Almost Vintage Fashion popped up and actually mentioned RW:

(4:00 min mark). Seems like the person (I figured is probably a member of TFL?) is saying that buying an outsourced (non Japan, USA, UK) jacket might not be ideal? I wonder if that is a personal preference or an issue with quality?

I too was reserved about knowingly buying a made in Pakistan leather, but actually looked at one of my first leather jackets (2006) and it too was made in Pakistan and I never had any issues with it....

Maybe I'm just being dumb, but is there any validity to not preferring an "out sourced" jacket?

At least in the case of RW, I wouldn't worry so much. Just because it was produced in Pakistan doesn't automatically mean it's bad. The choice of leather, the design, the details and the quality control is in this case with RW and that is a big difference
Even though Pakistani producers are usually not designers (see 5*), they can definitely sew.
But $600 isn't nothing either and maybe buying a used jacket might be a better choice if you can wear off the rack.
I have three jackets from RW and am happy with them.

Btw y... the one in the video is @dudewuttheheck .

 

[TartuWolf]

@zacharge

You need to decide for yourself what does "buying a leather jacket" mean to you:
Do you deeply care about the personal connection to who made the jacket for you? Then really small brands/makers like Thedi or Field leathers might be high on your list. Much more expensive though.
Do you care that the leather used is from a "named tannery"? The getting shinki, badalassi, horween jackets from makers like Aero, SB, etc.. might be high on your list. Again - price goes up.
There are a LOT of such variables, each of them usually driving the price up.
With a used jacket you can get most of those variables check at a MUCH more reasonable price, but much more patience and compromise is necessary going that route.

Before buying RW you should understand what you are getting:
Leilah designs the jackets and the patterns (hard to say based on what, likely trial and error, don't think she uses originals). And she communicates with you and the maker as the middle man. There is a pleasant personal touch / connection in those two aspects.
Then she orders the jacket from (as she described) a small family(?)/team in Pakistan to be constructed and put together. She also spent a lot of time nailing down the best hides available locally in Pakistan.
And you also get more post purchase reassurance / services than you would with (for example) 5*.

Overall buying from Rugged West is similar to buying from 5*, but better in many ways. Only you can decide if that is worth paying around double the price of a 5*. I personally think it definitely is.

There are cheaper ways to get an even better leather jacket (like Jake described), but you're making compromises in various areas (model/design, leather color, personal touch, post purchase process, etc...).

 

[herculance]

@zacharge

You need to decide for yourself what does "buying a leather jacket" mean to you:
Do you deeply care about the personal connection to who made the jacket for you? Then really small brands/makers like Thedi or Field leathers might be high on your list. Much more expensive though.
Do you care that the leather used is from a "named tannery"? The getting shinki, badalassi, horween jackets from makers like Aero, SB, etc.. might be high on your list. Again - price goes up.
There are a LOT of such variables, each of them usually driving the price up.
With a used jacket you can get most of those variables check at a MUCH more reasonable price, but much more patience and compromise is necessary going that route.

Before buying RW you should understand what you are getting:
Leilah designs the jackets and the patterns (hard to say based on what, likely trial and error, don't think she uses originals). And she communicates with you and the maker as the middle man. There is a pleasant personal touch / connection in those two aspects.
Then she orders the jacket from (as she described) a small family(?)/team in Pakistan to be constructed and put together. She also spent a lot of time nailing down the best hides available locally in Pakistan.
And you also get more post purchase reassurance / services than you would with (for example) 5*.

Overall buying from Rugged West is similar to buying from 5*, but better in many ways. Only you can decide if that is worth paying around double the price of a 5*. I personally think it definitely is.

There are cheaper ways to get an even better leather jacket (like Jake described), but you're making compromises in various areas (model/design, leather color, personal touch, post purchase process, etc...).

Well put, you articulated how I approach my journey!

Right now, I want a leather jacket that started with me and can be a beater since I'm still in my early 30s that's why I'm saving up for a RW this year instead of buying second hand. Then wear the hell out of them. That personal touch with the maker is definitely an experience I like.

Planning to get the Aeros and other premium stuff probably in 40s (hopefully my career would've progressed much by then that I can get the good stuff) and who knows maybe RW has achieved even better quality by then.

But yeah, it's all up to your personal preference and what you prioritize more.

 

[Aloysius]

“Genuine leather” labels don’t always mean the leather is bad. The label is almost used universally which is why the better stuff *usually* has a more specific label but there’s also what’s called “menu costs” in economics where they might not bother because of the cost of labels. And on a non specialist brand that is likely to be the case.