Schott Tracker Horsehide MC Jacket

[dr.velociraptor]

Anyone have any experience with this jacket in real life? I've fallen victim to excellent photography of a jacket online before only to be a bit disappointed when it showed up not nearly as thick and heavy as I imagined. I was pretty set on a Lost Worlds Suburban but after dealing with the owner I'm a tad put off and apprehensive about giving him $1000 of my hard earned money, I may still but begrudgingly.

This Schott jacket looks fantastic and I want to know if anyone here had one, is it as thick as it appears?

 

[dr.velociraptor]

Bumpity bump...

Before I pull the trigger on this I would like some feedback by any owners out there.

 

[53Effie]

You might search out some posts by Captaincaveman. I believe he has one of these jackets. If my memory is correct, he has been pleased with his.

 

[dr.velociraptor]

I took the plunge, the company is sending out a 44 and 46 for sizing and with a 10% discount it was reasonably priced and more than $400 cheaper than the Lost Worlds. LW may have a great product but I'll never know because I can't deal with forking over $1000 and feeling like my business isn't even appreciated. I know it's about the product but customer service goes a long way when dealing with that price point.

 

[OneEyeMan]

Oh well.
I was gonna suggest you look at a Vanson Enfield.
I absolutely love mine.
Quality wise, it's virtually perfect.
It isn't horsehide, but the leather is awesome; thick and graining up nicely.
Looks like the Enfield is a virtual copy of the Schott. (or is it the other way around)
Lenny

 

[dr.velociraptor]

I love Vanson quality and the leather is the best out there iMO, but the fit is never right on a Vanson (i've owned a model-b), in order for me to get the correct chest and shoulder fit (i'm a measured 48 inch chest at 5'9.5) the arms are always ridiculously long and too much room in the stomach. The schotts seem to fit me better out of the box.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Argh, I wish I had seen this thread two days ago, as I was in a Schott dealer near Penn Station in Manhattan on Saturday and saw that very jacket hanging on the wall. I didn't ask to see it as my companion was interested in another style of Schott jacket. Hope you love your new jacket; I do not own any Schott jackets but the ones I've seen in person are exquisite.

 

[Hammer Down]

$1,000 is a steal! (As in YOUR money beings stolen)

$1,000: no. Too much. You can get one direct from Schott for much less. Considering that this particular jacket can be fitted by your chest size, you have less to worry about than in other models which only come in L, XL, etc. Buying online is easier with this model.

As for the Jacket you have specified, I have its collarless brother: a 641HH that I truly love. It is very form fitting and if you have a pair of shoulders, you will like it very much. Form fitting goodness. It makes me feel a tad like The Batman (in a good way).

Unless you are riding a motorcycle, which I do (Triumph Bonneville) and still find it fine for local trips around town, then you will find it to plenty thick, assuming that you do not have a leather fetish and want to walk around encumbered like an astronaut. I just got my horse hide last month, so I have not have it long, but it is by far my favorite jacket ever. I must say that I am not vain, but in this jacket I turn heads (men and women, for different reasons). It's not me, it's the jacket!

The collarless Horse Hide is more dramatic, but it does push up under my chin when I drive my Jeep. The shirt sleeve version (Tracker) would probably be more comfortable. But it is also more average looking and less distinctive. Your choice! If you are daring, you will do without the collar. I did, and I certainly do not regret my choice.

 

[dr.velociraptor]

Thanks for the reply, the $1000 jacket was the Lost Worlds Jacket I was looking at before I bought this one, but I opted for this one and it was in the $600 range with discounts.

I had a cafe racer style jacket but it was uncomfortable to ride with (I ride a motorcycle Harley Shovelhead) it jabbed me right in the throat, and at 5' 9.5 with a 48 inch chest I don't really have that long and lean European look so I felt it looked out of place on me a bit.

I'm 34, been there done that with the cafe style it just wasn't for me (at 24 I could've pulled it off), this look with the standard collar is timeless and I should be able to get a lifetime out of it. I'll report on the quality and thickness when it comes in. I'm really hoping this is the last jacket I buy for a long time.

 

[kyboots]

I want to see some pictures when these come in guys. That is one sharp jacket ( s,m,l or not ) it looks good. Do you know if this is available in brown? Then about a size 46/46L ? large! The customer service is a big deal for me. It means a lot and if I am spending $1000, $2000 or whatever for a jacket, I want the parties to at least act like they appreciate my business. It just gets to my soul when they don't and I will not do business with those folks who won't give me the time of day.

 

[volleykinginnc]

. I'm really hoping this is the last jacket I buy for a long time.

ha ha....good one!

 

[Edward]

I took the plunge, the company is sending out a 44 and 46 for sizing and with a 10% discount it was reasonably priced and more than $400 cheaper than the Lost Worlds. LW may have a great product but I'll never know because I can't deal with forking over $1000 and feeling like my business isn't even appreciated. I know it's about the product but customer service goes a long way when dealing with that price point.

I know what you mean. Dear Stuart as Lost Worlds certainly has a reputation for being..... anywhere between "charmingly eccentric" and "difficult" depending whom you ask. To be fair, I have one of his B3s (bought used) and it is an outstanding product. I'd not be enticed to deal with someone with the apparent obsession with "manliness" that seems to characterise some of his rants, but whatever: clearly he has plenty of business and isn't worried about holding himself back to sell more. Fair enough - as I say, it is an excellent product.

Regarding the jacket in the OP, it certainly looks nice. Not seen one in person, but I have heard positive reviews. On balance, I personally would prefer to wait until I could afford a little more and go for the likes of an Aero Rocker were I looking that style of jacket, BUT at that the Aeros are a significant mark-up, plus waiting time... I can certainly see the attraction of the Schott on both those grounds. I'll be interested to see photos when it arrives.

 

[Chi-Town Co]

Bumpity bump...

Before I pull the trigger on this I would like some feedback by any owners out there.

Hey Dr. .. offering my opinion.. I purchased a 689HH jacket brand new a couple of years ago. I thought it looked great from the pictures and couldn't wait to get one. I ordered a size larger than normal as suggested. I'm 6'1" and 190 lb and ordered a size 46. When it arrived it looked great but there were a few things about it that I didn't care for and ultimately wound up selling it about a year later. As far as fit it was fine in the chest but for me a little too short in the torso and sleeves. I ride and the sleeves rode up past my wrists. A bigger size would have been too big in the chest area. I also did not really care for the quilted lining. It was quite puffy for my tastes. I wished it was a zip-out lining. The last thing was the horsehide itself. I think Schott uses some sort of sprayed on coating as the jacket was very shiny and felt different than other horse jackets I've owned. Maybe it eventually wears off? just some observations from someone who owned one. It does look great but not quite for me. Cheers.

 

[dash69]

Hey Dr. .. offering my opinion.. I purchased a 689HH jacket brand new a couple of years ago. I thought it looked great from the pictures and couldn't wait to get one. I ordered a size larger than normal as suggested. I'm 6'1" and 190 lb and ordered a size 46. When it arrived it looked great but there were a few things about it that I didn't care for and ultimately wound up selling it about a year later. As far as fit it was fine in the chest but for me a little too short in the torso and sleeves. I ride and the sleeves rode up past my wrists. A bigger size would have been too big in the chest area. I also did not really care for the quilted lining. It was quite puffy for my tastes. I wished it was a zip-out lining. The last thing was the horsehide itself. I think Schott uses some sort of sprayed on coating as the jacket was very shiny and felt different than other horse jackets I've owned. Maybe it eventually wears off? just some observations from someone who owned one. It does look great but not quite for me. Cheers.

I had a 689hh,same experiance as chi-town,sold it a year later.If your a little patient you can score yourself a used suburban at a nice discount on ebay or the classified's here i'm sure,or a aero.The aero's are a lot more common.If your looking for serious FQHH those are great choice's.

 

[dr.velociraptor]

Hey Dr. .. offering my opinion.. I purchased a 689HH jacket brand new a couple of years ago. I thought it looked great from the pictures and couldn't wait to get one. I ordered a size larger than normal as suggested. I'm 6'1" and 190 lb and ordered a size 46. When it arrived it looked great but there were a few things about it that I didn't care for and ultimately wound up selling it about a year later. As far as fit it was fine in the chest but for me a little too short in the torso and sleeves. I ride and the sleeves rode up past my wrists. A bigger size would have been too big in the chest area. I also did not really care for the quilted lining. It was quite puffy for my tastes. I wished it was a zip-out lining. The last thing was the horsehide itself. I think Schott uses some sort of sprayed on coating as the jacket was very shiny and felt different than other horse jackets I've owned. Maybe it eventually wears off? just some observations from someone who owned one. It does look great but not quite for me. Cheers.

Thank you this is helpful, the jacket should come today and I'll see how I like it, if not I can just send it back.

I'm a bit shorter than you and I typically have the opposite problem, in order to get the proper chest fit the arms are like monkey arms on me. I had a zip out liner on the last jacket and it was worthless, I would rather no liner at all to be honest.

I've seen Schott Horsehide before and I know what you mean by shiny appearance, I figured it was from whatever they used to process the leather.

My problem with Lost Worlds is the Suburban jacket just isn't an MC jacket, no trim fit or MC jacket cut (normal sleeve length etc...), non-zippered pockets, collars don't snap down etc... I also don't want a jacket so heavy and thick it's like wearing a briefcase. I know I lose some man points with the owner of LW's but it's true, anything thicker than 1.3 mm leather is overkill and I think would just be plum annoying to wear and try and break in.

 

[dash69]

Thank you this is helpful, the jacket should come today and I'll see how I like it, if not I can just send it back.

I'm a bit shorter than you and I typically have the opposite problem, in order to get the proper chest fit the arms are like monkey arms on me. I had a zip out liner on the last jacket and it was worthless, I would rather no liner at all to be honest.

I've seen Schott Horsehide before and I know what you mean by shiny appearance, I figured it was from whatever they used to process the leather.

My problem with Lost Worlds is the Suburban jacket just isn't an MC jacket, no trim fit or MC jacket cut (normal sleeve length etc...), non-zippered pockets, collars don't snap down etc... I also don't want a jacket so heavy and thick it's like wearing a briefcase. I know I lose some man points with the owner of LW's but it's true, anything thicker than 1.3 mm leather is overkill and I think would just be plum annoying to wear and try and break in.

Don't want to beat a dead horse hear,but there's some good thread's hear on the suburban.check them out while your looking at that schott...Plus there's people hear that ride with there suburban's,myself included...hope this help's.

 

[dr.velociraptor]

I just received the jacket in the mail today and I was really impressed, I thought this would be similar to the Legendary HH jacket I used to own but it absolutely blows it away in terms of thickness, stiffness, and quality of the hide. Schott said to order one size larger but I found the 48 too roomy (I typically wear a 46) and the 46 was a nice trim fit for an MC jacket. I really couldn't fathom a thicker jacket than this to be honest.

I also like that it is a true MC jacket with a bi-swing back, zippered sleeves and pockets, short length that doesn't ride up on the bike, and really feels like a second skin.

Flaws would be a large wind flap under the main zipper which detracts from the looks when unzipped but is functional as a riding jacket which is its main purpose. When unzipping the jacket it seems to stick at the point where it hits this wind flap but with some wear that's already loosened up.

I will upload some pictures later tonight with the jacket laid out and worn for anyone else looking at this jacket. I know Aero and LW is the best but I couldn't imagine why I would need to fork over another $400 for a Suburban at this point.

 

[dash69]

I just received the jacket in the mail today and I was really impressed, I thought this would be similar to the Legendary HH jacket I used to own but it absolutely blows it away in terms of thickness, stiffness, and quality of the hide. Schott said to order one size larger but I found the 48 too roomy (I typically wear a 46) and the 46 was a nice trim fit for an MC jacket. I really couldn't fathom a thicker jacket than this to be honest.

I also like that it is a true MC jacket with a bi-swing back, zippered sleeves and pockets, short length that doesn't ride up on the bike, and really feels like a second skin.

Flaws would be a large wind flap under the main zipper which detracts from the looks when unzipped but is functional as a riding jacket which is its main purpose. When unzipping the jacket it seems to stick at the point where it hits this wind flap but with some wear that's already loosened up.

I will upload some pictures later tonight with the jacket laid out and worn for anyone else looking at this jacket. I know Aero and LW is the best but I couldn't imagine why I would need to fork over another $400 for a Suburban at this point.

What you think of the jacket's all that matter's in the end.Sound's like you got your best jacket,ride safe...

 

[IXL]

Dr. V., if you ride with a helmet, could you comment on whether or not the helmet rubs against the collar while riding? It looks like a jacket I would enjoy owning.

 

[dr.velociraptor]

I had some time to take some photos, I just came in from outside so excuse the beanie. These were taken on my phone so they're not the best photos but hopefully they can give someone an idea about the jacket.

IXL - I do ride with a helmet (state law), I rode to work after receiving the jacket, about 20 minutes each way and the jacket was very comfortable, I didn't have any issue with the helmet (full face because of winter so it was a large helmet) hitting the collar. I did have that same issue as well as the jacket riding into my throat when I had a cafe racer style jacket, it drove me nuts.

This jacket is very thick, I thought since Schott makes Legendary USA HH jackets it would be the same leather and it definitely is not, this jacket seems much thicker, stiffer, and higher quality. and with a little rain and wear it will be a second skin. The fit is a tight fit, the next size up was too loose. I lift weights and I'm at the biggest I'll ever be (winter bulking), I typically walk around about 10-15 lbs lighter ~200-205 instead of 215-220 so I definitely didn't want to step up a size. Can't wait until it breaks in.