Wested vs US Wings: Who has the best Indiana Jones jacket?

ron521 · 11-06-2009, 09:55 AM

Seeing the recent photos of a new Indy jacket from Wested got me to thinking about the style, so spent some time browsing the Wested website, where they indicate that the Indy jacket is "imported".

I don't have any problem with this at all, one of my favorite jackets, which I've owned for 25 years, is a Korean made "Berman's" flight jacket.

However, viewing the US Wings site, they proclaim proudly that their jacket is US made.

Has anyone made direct comparison between the Wested and the US Wings "Indiana Jones" jackets.

If so, which seemed to be of better materials? Which seemed to have better workmanship? (If there WAS any difference).

Feraud · 11-06-2009, 10:05 AM

You will find more than enough comparison to answer this question at the COW (Club Obi Wan) site.
It's all things Jones related.

Fanch · 11-06-2009, 06:31 PM

ANSWER: GIBSON & BARNES

Kid Mac · 11-06-2009, 06:43 PM

The Wested Indy "off the rack" jackets (i.e., standard sizes) are imported. The Wested custom Indy jackets (custom sizing) are made in England. As Feraud notes, lots more at Club Obi-Wan http://www.indygear.com/cow/

Mac

ron521 · 11-07-2009, 06:11 AM

Doesn't seem to be much going on at Club Obi Wan now, can't read posts at all, other than a few notices from the mod's.

Kid Mac · 11-07-2009, 06:47 AM

Ron,

You need to register to see all posts. See register button underneath the Indy silhouette at the top of the page.

Mac

John Lever · 11-07-2009, 08:22 AM

Aero are about to release a new Indy jacket.

filfoster · 11-07-2009, 09:20 AM

I have the US Wings distressed cowhide one and it's as supple and 'screen accurate' as it needs to be for me. That said, I also would like to hear a 'side-by-side' comparison.

ron521 · 11-07-2009, 12:59 PM

You can't register without answering a question about archaeology, said "read the rules", however I could not find the answer, probably very obvious but not apparant to me.

Nebraska Schulte · 11-07-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron521

You can't register without answering a question about archaeology, said "read the rules", however I could not find the answer, probably very obvious but not apparant to me.

If you go to the main page, click the link that says "Forum Rules...PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING" and then click on the link that says:
"NEW MEMBER REGISTRATION: You really SHOULD read this!"

Or just go to this link:

http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=20697

STW · 11-07-2009, 05:04 PM

My US Wings "type 440 (G-8)" jacket in goat from the late 80s is still going well after 20+ years, if it helps to know longevity of a similar jacket from them.

The goatskin broke in well, very supple but tough. The seal color is now varied with browner lighter wear points at collars cuffs, etc. The buttons on cuffs and pocket flaps are secure as ever. Zip on front and sleeves still in good shape. Lining shows wear but not at all close to wearing though anywhere. Seems to have been a well made jacket.

Don't remember if they made a specifically Indy inspired jacket back then. I wasn't thinking Indy when I got it, but now I see that it's a US flyer type jacket with a straight hanging longer body with adjusters, no knits.

Mine has that 80s style way-too-narrow collar and I see from their site they still use it.

http://www.uswings.com/g-8.asp

Seb Lucas · 11-08-2009, 02:33 AM

Wested is okay. Not as tough a build as Wings. But the Wings jackets are not all that accurate - if that matters to you.

I would go Gibson and Barnes in goat if you want a tough and reasonably accurate version. I have this one and it is one of the best made jackets I have seen. Wings is a good tough product, however.

ron521 · 11-08-2009, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the clue, Schulte, and thanks to the rest of you for your insight.
I've registered and am awaiting my confirmation email to arrive.
I'm actually not sure myself how important accuracy is, since multiple jackets with differing details were used within each movie.
I suppose I'm looking for the general style, not a stitch-by-stitch recreation.
Even if a hypothetical Indy had kept replacing his jacket with the same model from the same manufacturer, they could have changed details through the years, as Schott has with their Perfecto motorcycle jackets.
The comments regarding relative toughness are helpful.

filfoster · 11-08-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seb Lucas

Wested is okay. Not as tough a build as Wings. But the Wings jackets are not all that accurate - if that matters to you.

I would go Gibson and Barnes in goat if you want a tough and reasonably accurate version. I have this one and it is one of the best made jackets I have seen. Wings is a good tough product, however.

The 'Expedition' seems less accurate than the distressed Wings calfskin from the picture. If you've seen both then I have to defer but it's hard to tell from the pic.

bobjones · 11-08-2009, 07:00 PM

I think the G&B is the best, and I am selling a mint condition one for well below retail:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=45240

11-06-2009, 09:55 AM	#1
ron521 Familiar Face Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 69	Wested vs US Wings: Who has the best Indiana Jones jacket? Seeing the recent photos of a new Indy jacket from Wested got me to thinking about the style, so spent some time browsing the Wested website, where they indicate that the Indy jacket is "imported". I don't have any problem with this at all, one of my favorite jackets, which I've owned for 25 years, is a Korean made "Berman's" flight jacket. However, viewing the US Wings site, they proclaim proudly that their jacket is US made. Has anyone made direct comparison between the Wested and the US Wings "Indiana Jones" jackets. If so, which seemed to be of better materials? Which seemed to have better workmanship? (If there WAS any difference).

11-06-2009, 06:31 PM	#3
Fanch New in Town Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 34	WHO HAS THE BEST INDY JACKET? ANSWER: GIBSON & BARNES

11-07-2009, 09:20 AM	#8
filfoster "A" List Customer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 308	Made in the U-S-A I have the US Wings distressed cowhide one and it's as supple and 'screen accurate' as it needs to be for me. That said, I also would like to hear a 'side-by-side' comparison. __________________ "The brilliant bits are easy. It's filling in the stuff that connects them that's hard." - Rodney Tolkien

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11-06-2009, 10:05 AM	#2
Feraud Bartender Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hardlucksville, NY Posts: 11,542	You will find more than enough comparison to answer this question at the COW (Club Obi Wan) site. It's all things Jones related.

11-06-2009, 06:43 PM	#4
Kid Mac One of the Regulars Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC Posts: 155	The Wested Indy "off the rack" jackets (i.e., standard sizes) are imported. The Wested custom Indy jackets (custom sizing) are made in England. As Feraud notes, lots more at Club Obi-Wan http://www.indygear.com/cow/ Mac

11-07-2009, 06:11 AM	#5
ron521 Familiar Face Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 69	Doesn't seem to be much going on at Club Obi Wan now, can't read posts at all, other than a few notices from the mod's.

11-07-2009, 06:47 AM	#6
Kid Mac One of the Regulars Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC Posts: 155	Ron, You need to register to see all posts. See register button underneath the Indy silhouette at the top of the page. Mac

11-07-2009, 08:22 AM	#7
John Lever "A" List Customer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southern England Posts: 346	Aero are about to release a new Indy jacket.

11-07-2009, 12:59 PM	#9
ron521 Familiar Face Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 69	You can't register without answering a question about archaeology, said "read the rules", however I could not find the answer, probably very obvious but not apparant to me.

11-07-2009, 05:04 PM	#11
STW Familiar Face Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rocky mountains Posts: 53	My US Wings "type 440 (G-8)" jacket in goat from the late 80s is still going well after 20+ years, if it helps to know longevity of a similar jacket from them. The goatskin broke in well, very supple but tough. The seal color is now varied with browner lighter wear points at collars cuffs, etc. The buttons on cuffs and pocket flaps are secure as ever. Zip on front and sleeves still in good shape. Lining shows wear but not at all close to wearing though anywhere. Seems to have been a well made jacket. Don't remember if they made a specifically Indy inspired jacket back then. I wasn't thinking Indy when I got it, but now I see that it's a US flyer type jacket with a straight hanging longer body with adjusters, no knits. Mine has that 80s style way-too-narrow collar and I see from their site they still use it. http://www.uswings.com/g-8.asp

11-08-2009, 02:33 AM	#12
Seb Lucas Familiar Face Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 69	Wested is okay. Not as tough a build as Wings. But the Wings jackets are not all that accurate - if that matters to you. I would go Gibson and Barnes in goat if you want a tough and reasonably accurate version. I have this one and it is one of the best made jackets I have seen. Wings is a good tough product, however.

11-08-2009, 02:55 PM	#13
ron521 Familiar Face Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 69	Thanks for the clue, Schulte, and thanks to the rest of you for your insight. I've registered and am awaiting my confirmation email to arrive. I'm actually not sure myself how important accuracy is, since multiple jackets with differing details were used within each movie. I suppose I'm looking for the general style, not a stitch-by-stitch recreation. Even if a hypothetical Indy had kept replacing his jacket with the same model from the same manufacturer, they could have changed details through the years, as Schott has with their Perfecto motorcycle jackets. The comments regarding relative toughness are helpful.

11-08-2009, 07:00 PM	#15
bobjones One of the Regulars Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 270	I think the G&B is the best, and I am selling a mint condition one for well below retail: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=45240