Leather jackets? Goatskin? cow? lamb? Other?

[davidraphael]

Which are the most durable and what are the pros and cons of each?

I'm asking because someone is offering me a 'cow leather' jacket, and normally I'd be looking for goatskin.

 

[Edward]

Eee, how long is a piece of string? Not to be obtuse, but I don't think you can decide on the basis of the species from which the skin is taken alone - how it is tanned, how thick it is, and all sorts comes into play too. FWIW, as a general rule, lamb is thin and light. Can be a bonus if you want something for Summer wear, though I avoid it as it always seems to fragile for what I personally want out of a leather jacket. The most durable stuff I have is either my Aero FQHH or my Aero goat, probably - the horse is heavier, but the goat shows much less in the way of wear. Come to think of it, the Aero steerhide jacket I have is the same thickness as the FQHH, but much more pliable and softer out of the box, as it were.

I wouldn't rule out cow - I've had some great cow jackets over the years - but I'd want to see it first before I sunk big money into one.

 

[davidraphael]

I'm a real newbie when it comes to leather jackets (as you can probably tell)

I'm thinking about an A-1, or A-2 flying jacket, probably the former. (Or, at a push, perhaps a barnstormer)

 

[Peacoat]

Edward gives you good advice.

Horse and cow are heavier than goat, but goat seems not to show signs of wear. I personally like a good broken in hide that looks like it has been worn and has developed character in the form of patina and grain. Goat gives little of that. I have a goat jacket that is years and years old, but it shows no signs of wear.

Generally, I have found horsehide to grain out better, and to become more gnarly than cowhide, but I have see the opposite as well.

Just depends on what you want and how long, or short, you want Edward's piece of string to be.