So funny, I have about a dozen leather jackets that are great, but I have just started thinking about a CWU 36/P & CWU 45/P in nomex by Alpha, which are still made in the USA. They arent all that expensive from what I can determine from EBay, I live in SoCal so the lightweight version seems like the way to go...but am I missing anything? As the Op stated..this is a road less traveled for me. Should I get an authentic one with the patches or a clean 80/90's version from Alpha? About to take the plunge, so any advise is most welcomed. Thx!