Long story short: I decided I'd waited long enough to get a knock-about leather jacket. Looked around. Only place nearby that seemed to have much in the way of leather jackets in stock was Wilsons Leather.

Went over there. Found a jacket that's about as close to perfect for me as I'm going to find off-the-rack (I'm 6'4" tall and "kind of" slim). Feels like good leather. It's certainly heavy enough for a jacket about the size of a Levi's jean jacket. (Bought one of those, too, recently.)

Tried to talk myself out of it. Failed. Bought it.

So, yeah: This is one of those "He already bought it, so why's he asking?" threads, but I'm curious: Generally good leather, or what?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ensigmatic,

I've been wearing a leather jacket from Wilson's for almost 25 years now and it's still in great shape. They make some good stuff in my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
I've been wearing a leather jacket from Wilson's for almost 25 years now and it's still in great shape. They make some good stuff in my opinion.

Ditto.

Mine is an Open Road brand old school motorcycle jacket that I bought from Wilson's in Spokane. That was back before grunge was a music genre so it's been a while now.

As far as how it has worn or the original quality goes, the jackets I'm seeing the kids wearing now seem like flimsy knock-offs to me.

I received a Wilson's Leather Jacket in 2003 from my late great-grandmother...I still wear it almost every day the weather allows for it.

In the last 15 years the seams under the arms have started to tear, and the pocket lining needs to be redone...the leather itself is in excellent shape. The repairs will probably be pretty cheap to just re-stitch everything...can't recommend them enough.

Same here. I've been wearing a bomber style jacket from them almost daily, for longer than I can remember. At least twenty years. Still in great shape. I keep telling myself that I should treat it with some leather conditioner but have never gotten around to it.

Of course, these stories tell us they were great twenty years ago. Hopefully you'll find that hasn't changed.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Sounds like I made a good decision.

A funny thing happened. There was slight damage to my jacket that I hadn't noticed until I'd gotten it home. Called the store. They fetched one over from another store. Went and did the exchange. The new one even fits a bit better than the first one did

Asked the sales guy "By the way: You have leather vests? Something not so motorcycle-y, but more suitable for use with western wear?" They did. Fit perfectly. Matched the jacket. Hmmm... Reduced price. Fits like a glove... Sold!

Has this on the back, which I think is pretty cool:

My son, 18, has been wearing the Wilson’s that I bought back in the mid nineties in college. He started wearing it in Junior High, I think.
I used it as a motorcycle jacket for years. It has been between me and asphalt on more than a couple occasions. It has been rained on repeatedly. And it has held up exceptionally well. I had a new liner sewn in it about 15 years ago. That’s the only thing. All the zippers and snaps are original.
If their current jackets are of similar quality the. It is money well spent.

I've owned a couple Wilsons. Decent for the price, but I just hate the way they mark a list price WAY high and then mark off a huge discount.

Regular $800 - NOW ONLY $200!

Or other such silliness.

Well, the question as to Wilsons' leather quality may be answered

First jacket had damage to the leather. (It was actually cut.) Second jacket, after spending about two freaking hours treating the vest and the jacket, had this show up after I applied the spray-on weather protection:



No, the aerosol didn't sputter. And those spots are a lot bigger than sputtering aerosol would account for, anyway.

The vest had a lot of its colour come off while treating it with the cleaner/conditioner. (My hands were black by the time I was done.) I was willing to let that slide because it actually gave it a well-used look. But this?

They'll both go back tomorrow and I think that'll be the end of my Adventures In Leather.

Too bad. I really liked that jacket, especially

There's a huge difference between a top Coating of color & drum dyed leather.
From a motorcycle riders perspective Wilsons is fashion leather.
Perfect for years of use but my motorcycle jackets have always been heavy horse hide.
As it needs to be thick as you may be drug between the bike and asphalt for a bit .

If you can wipe most of the color off, I'd guess it's top coated .


The only shop that could sew a new zipper in my riding jacket was the old guy who resoles shoes.
But you certainly don't need that to stay warm walking from your SUV to your place of work.
I have had a coat from Wilson's, it was nice if a bit over priced.

quote:

Originally posted by GrumpyBiker:
There's a huge difference between a top Coating of color & drum dyed leather.
...
If you can wipe most of the color off, I'd guess it's top coated.

I guess. Funny thing is: Little colour came off the jacket, except in the area you see those blotches. There it came off very much like much of the vest.

quote:

Originally posted by GrumpyBiker:
From a motorcycle riders perspective Wilsons is fashion leather.

I didn't really need anything more than that, but I guess this wasn't even decent-quality fashion leather.

In retrospect I'm not really surprised. $170 for a leather jacket and $120 for a leather vest can't be expected to buy much in this day and age--even if they are discounted for the season. It was unrealistic of me to expect anything more.

quote:

Originally posted by GrumpyBiker:
I have had a coat from Wilson's, it was nice if a bit over priced.

*nod*

Well, I, for one, won't be giving them another chance. That's oh-for-three. I have no idea where else to look for leather and, to be quite honest, I'm no longer much interested. I'll stick with synthetics and denim.

FWIW, my SIL is a serious rider who also has a motorcycle apparel business. He is a dealer for two lines of leather goods: Milwaukee Leather (more affordable $200-$350 jackets) and Aero Leathers. Aero is a Scottish company that has manufactured leather jackets since WWII. These are highest quality and a bit spendy.

Well, I haven't heard back from the store, yet, but the young lady I talked to this morning said they want to make this right. When I replied "Yeah, but that means another hour of me having to apply conditioner and protectant" she replied "Oh, no. We'd do that for you. We're not going to make you do that again."

So I'll give them another chance. It's questionable as to whether or not they can come up with another jacket like the one I have, though.

They are probably different now, but I have a leather jacket that I bought from them over 25 years ago when they were still called Berman's. The jacket is still in great condition, no discoloration or cracks.

If they don't give you satisfaction maybe call and ask to speak to the owner of this store Last genuine leather

Been in business 40 years & I don't think have dropped their standards.

If you describe what you want, what problems you've run into I think he'll give you an honest answer for what you can get today and probably be a good source or resource for you.

I’ve been wearing a Langlitz since early 90’s

Still looks as good today as the day it was delivered (except broken in)

I have one of their jackets that is about 15 years old. Have not worn it in years but it's still in good shape.

Fox Creek makes a great leather jacket, and I assume vest as well. I ordered one a handful of years ago but returned it due to fit (tall, and at the time thin), but the quality was top notch. It looks like they have leaned in to only motorcycle gear.

I knew there was a reason I kept my LL Bean leather jacket the last 30 years. Finding good stuff today is so challenging.

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
If they don't give you satisfaction maybe call and ask to speak to the owner of this store Last genuine leather

This: The Iconoclast



is essentially the jacket I have. He's $100 more expensive, but that isn't necessarily a show-stopper. But, while he shows it in the colour I'd want, it's available only in black, which I do not want.

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
Been in business 40 years & I don't think have dropped their standards.

If you describe what you want, what problems you've run into I think he'll give you an honest answer for what you can get today and probably be a good source or resource for you.

Thanks for the pointer.

Got a call back from the store. Young lady found their store with the most stock and one of the people there is going to find the best-looking of what they have, and one with slightly longer sleeves, if there is one, and send it to the local store. When they get it in, they'll re-inspect it. If it passes muster they'll condition it, apply the protectant, then give me a call and I can go in and exchange it.

Certainly can't complain about their customer service. That is top-notch! Maybe I've just had a run of bad luck. It happens.

Thanks for the feedback, everybody! I'll let y'all know how this saga ultimately shakes out.