ANJ-4 jackets

avique · Dec 16, 2017

I find that I can wear it comfortably in the 30's if I'm not doing much more than walking around.

Sloan1874 · Dec 16, 2017

I understand my one has found a new home in Germany - I've heard Berlin winters can be particularly harsh, so hopefully it'll be getting decent use.

Milesdeathescape · Dec 17, 2017

Bfd70 said:
Cool photos on your insta

Thanks

Milesdeathescape · Dec 17, 2017

MET said:
Yes but this is unnecessary.

What do you mean?

Milesdeathescape · Dec 17, 2017

Bfd70 said:
^is it too heavy for low 30's?

No not open

Milesdeathescape · Dec 17, 2017

Bfd70 said:
^is it too heavy for low 30's?

Milesdeathescape · Dec 17, 2017

Gromulus said:
The ANJ-4 usually comes out when air temps (not counting wind chill) dip below 15 F (-9 C). This morning it was 13 F in NE Ohio so mine got it's first wearing of the season. A couple winters back it seemed like I was wearing it nearly every day for a few weeks.

I wear mine as high as +4c anything higher I’m sliding down the hill in sweat

MET · Dec 17, 2017

Milesdeathescape said:
What do you mean?

Made in USA tag is unnecessary.

Milesdeathescape · Dec 17, 2017

MET said:
Made in USA tag is unnecessary.

I couldn’t disagree more. With how much effort that was put in to using US made products from the sheep all the way to the tanning...there’s a limited amount of sheep that can be released for jackets a year. I can guarantee you that no one has a sheep skin this fine or heavy, or tanned this well. LW is a no BS kind of company. If the company was well known imagine how much I would have paid for my ANJ4 then?! Three times as much! Because not only would they have to pay for marketing but packages and branding also. Good thing is, Stuart is a no bull kind of guy who just makes a damn bulletproof jacket. He doesn’t even use Talon zippers because there’s just a big hype behind them. Those zippers are made in China. Conmar zippers are Brass and bell shaped and made in the USA. Just as they should be. LW is a true representation of what American made products should be and it’s a salute to hold that label with such a perfect product. End rant

MET · Dec 17, 2017

Milesdeathescape said:
I couldn’t disagree more. With how much effort that was put in to using US made products from the sheep all the way to the tanning...there’s a limited amount of sheep that can be released for jackets a year. I can guarantee you that no one has a sheep skin this fine or heavy, or tanned this well. LW is a no BS kind of company. If the company was well known imagine how much I would have paid for my ANJ4 then?! Three times as much! Because not only would they have to pay for marketing but packages and branding also. Good thing is, Stuart is a no bull kind of guy who just makes a damn bulletproof jacket. He doesn’t even use Talon zippers because there’s just a big hype behind them. Those zippers are made in China. Conmar zippers are Brass and bell shaped and made in the USA. Just as they should be. LW is a true representation of what American made products should be and it’s a salute to hold that label with such a perfect product. End rant

I agree that LW shipskin is top notch, craftmanship is almost perfect. But to guarantee that it is the best all around, since how many years have you been dealing with sheepskin jackets and how many other sheepskin jackets have you handled or have, to come to this conclusion?
Your product speaks for itself and to put it kindly, that tag which none of the original AJN4 has, is an expression of uncouthness.

ButteMT61 · Dec 17, 2017

MET said:
Your product speaks for itself and to put it kindly, that tag which none of the original AJN4 has, is an expression of uncouthness.

You just can't be serious? Is it following the "authentic" route 100%? Nope. But that's not the point. I fully support Made in the USA when the products live up to the expectations, and will seek out such items. "Uncouth" sounds like trolling...

Milesdeathescape · Dec 18, 2017

MET said:
I agree that LW shipskin is top notch, craftmanship is almost perfect. But to guarantee that it is the best all around, since how many years have you been dealing with sheepskin jackets and how many other sheepskin jackets have you handled or have, to come to this conclusion?
Your product speaks for itself and to put it kindly, that tag which none of the original AJN4 has, is an expression of uncouthness.

Bartender Edit: We don't allow that language here.

John Lever · Dec 18, 2017

I think it might be a law or regulation that on exports the country of manufacture has to stated.
Regarding sheepskin quality the current LW skins are very good but this has not always been the case some in the past were so stiff as to be unwearable.

MET · Dec 18, 2017

John Lever said:
I think it might be a law or regulation that on exports the country of manufacture has to stated.

Thank you John. If that is the case then I am mistaken.

Excuse the last remark. No offense meant.

Milesdeathescape · Dec 19, 2017

John Lever said:
I think it might be a law or regulation that on exports the country of manufacture has to stated.
Regarding sheepskin quality the current LW skins are very good but this has not always been the case some in the past were so stiff as to be unwearable.

It took me two weeks of wear to get mine soft but I know I have a bulletproof coat. The best thing about this piece is that it can either be a coat or a jacket depending on how it’s worn. With the sleeves rolled up at the cuffs and zipped up it’s more of a jacket. Withbthe cuffs rolled down and open zipped front, it’s more of a coat! This is the beauty of the Collar that LW offers onbthis coat. Because the Collar takes a different characteristic when the piece is zipped or open, and the sleeves are rigged with wool storm cuffs, it gives you options as to how to wear it. I also love that the waist straps can be pulled forward while the jacket is on. A lot of other brands have their waistline straps facing towards the back. Operation on a shearling is absolutely fundamental Becca a small variance in how it’s worn makes a big difference in how it looks and feels. It takes practice to wear a shearling this heavy because you don’t get to try it on in a mirror inside bits way too hot for that. You literally have to find a reflection in a car mirror outside in the cold to make adjustments on a jacket this hefty. The ANJ-4 was the last shearling made and issued to all services. It’s design uses the best qualities of all its shearling jacket predecessor designs. The LW stands out in its own category commanding respect not demanding respect in quality and craftsmanship. I’m excited to see every inch of wear, stretch and crack on this remarkable piece I can hand down to my children.

dubpynchon · Dec 19, 2017

Lost Worlds make great sheepskins alright but the best are made by Real McCoys, unfortunately they're only available from Japan at the moment for crazy money. The finest ANJ-4 I've ever handled is one I have now, an early Aero made I think from Fenland sheepskin, it's very heavy and soft. I've had a Lost Worlds, and several Eastman ANJ-4s for comparison. Lost Worlds still make a beautiful ANJ-4 though.

Milesdeathescape · Dec 20, 2017

dubpynchon said:
Lost Worlds make great sheepskins alright but the best are made by Real McCoys, unfortunately they're only available from Japan at the moment for crazy money. The finest ANJ-4 I've ever handled is one I have now, an early Aero made I think from Fenland sheepskin, it's very heavy and soft. I've had a Lost Worlds, and several Eastman ANJ-4s for comparison. Lost Worlds still make a beautiful ANJ-4 though.

It seems as though Real McCoys sizing is meant for little people. I bought a Buco shirt from them as a large, it fits more like a small... I could only imagine the sizing regulations at Real McCoys resembles a blueprint of a midget.

Milesdeathescape · Dec 20, 2017

dubpynchon said:
Lost Worlds make great sheepskins alright but the best are made by Real McCoys, unfortunately they're only available from Japan at the moment for crazy money. The finest ANJ-4 I've ever handled is one I have now, an early Aero made I think from Fenland sheepskin, it's very heavy and soft. I've had a Lost Worlds, and several Eastman ANJ-4s for comparison. Lost Worlds still make a beautiful ANJ-4 though.

Not to mention, Real McCoys has never made an ANJ4 to my knowledge. I have had my LW for a month now, and it’s really taking its shape. I wear it in snow Sleat and rain and the thing is absolutely bulletproof while now finally showing its swirls and cracks. Owning that many ANJ4s must have been a lot of work for you. Do you really think you got a chance to see what each coat was made of in the working flesh of day to day wear? I highly doubt it. I live in Norway. Our winters are a cold and dark nine months long. I lo K forward to providing images of my well used LW that never seems to get the credit it deserves as the best coat made.

Bfd70 · Feb 22, 2018

Some initial impressions on 2 weeks with an ANJ-4. The model I have chosen is a Lost Worlds. A term heard oftern is bullet proof, well it certainly applies in this case. This is a thick, heavy jacket. I suppose this is due to the tech during the ANJ's brief heyday. Need a jacket to be stronger and warmer? Add more leather and wool! My size 38 weighs in at 6 pounds. I haven't noticed the weight when i was wearing the jacket and active. Even when sedintary it doesn't seem too bad, but the other day, watching a soccer match, i took the jacket off after 45 minutes and i must admit there was a bit of relief . The shearling is piled deep and i particularly like the "spoilt milk" shade LW uses. Shoulder movement is no problem at all. Due to the reenforced sleeves elbow bending is like doing weighted curls. I do however noticing that begining to soften up after 2 weeks of moderate wear. The cut is a bit boxy. Again, i suspect this is by design to both fit flight pants and fit a wide variation of enlisted men. Clearly sailors and soldiers were not requesting fit jackets from Thurstons prior to deployment. I have only received 1 "where'dya land the plane" comment, but it was from a friend. A friend who wears the middle aged man uniform of puffy black northface jacket so his credibility is zero. For me the temp range is 38f and overcast and down. By 15f i need some layering. Overall I'm really enjoying the jacket and wish I had gotten it earlier in the season.

Skyhawk · Feb 22, 2018

Nice! The fit looks perfect.

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