Insights on Freewheelers. Is Mulholland overpriced/overrated at the moment?

[El Marro]

There are some people here who I would consider true experts, people who have spent decades collecting, and in some cases restoring, leather jackets. These are people who would never refer to themselves as experts But instead reveal their knowledge through their posts.
Unfortunately there are far more people out there who spend a week or two reading old threads here on the lounge and decide they are now experts themselves. In some cases, these experts have never actually handled the leather they are discussing, but that doesn’t stop them.

 

[Harris HTM]

There are some people here who I would consider true experts, people who have spent decades collecting, and in some cases restoring, leather jackets. These are people who would never refer to themselves as experts But instead reveal their knowledge through their posts.
Unfortunately there are far more people out there who spend a week or two reading old threads here on the lounge and decide they are now experts themselves. In some cases, these experts have never actually handled the leather they are discussing, but that doesn’t stop them.

Ofcourse, and to avoid any misunderstandings: I was referring to the second group, which unfortunately is also bigger.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

What do you all think? Is spending 3 to 4k on a Mulholland actually justifiable, or are there better ways to feed my horsehide addiction without wrecking my wallet?

Short answer, imo it's not justifiable

A good chunk of the price is derived from the small supply of Mulhollands on the market as FW haven't been making leather jackets for a while. Basically, you're paying top dollar for a used jacket in short supply.

If you're serious about getting a Mulholland design, you're probably better off contacting Johnson Leathers who can adapt their straight-zip CHP pattern to that design. Nothing magical about Shinki either - they have plenty of options for horsehide to choose from.

 

[Tom71]

Yeah, more grainy than that. Not “irregular” in the sense of mismatched panels, but it’s not really a geometrical pattern either.

I‘ll do a closeup photo once the sun‘s up again.

Here it is. Unstable light today, but just good enough, I hope.

 

[sirkris]

Tom71​

I think it is similar surface quality as on the website I sent link. The size of grain is small and grains are uniform so it looks the surface is smooth unless you look at it zoomed as on your photo. I have more or less similar leather quality.

 

[Tom71]

Tom71​

I think it is similar surface quality as on the website I sent link. The size of grain is small and grains are uniform so it looks the surface is smooth unless you look at it zoomed as on your photo. I have more or less similar leather quality.

You are a piece of work. The grain is neither “small” nor does the surface look “smooth”. Also, I didn’t “zoom in”, but merely did a close up of the shoulder region.

I could post it next to a “smooth” shinki hide (Himel oil-tan; RMC A-2), but somehow I believe, you prefer to stick to your theory about how a quality hide should behave.

 

[floater]

IMO a Lost Worlds deerskin jacket is a better jacket than a FW deerskin jacket.

The FW deer is super thin and stretchy, it feels like wearing a jacket made from chamois cloth, IMO not worth the asking price.

I respect your opinion and I know you have more experience than I do, but my deerskin bodie feels thicker than my flat head deerskin, rc shinki hh and vanson cw.

And by comparison my flat head deerskin feels a bit stretchy, kinda like a thick chamois, while the bodie just feels very thick and flexible but not really stretchy at all.

But I do agree that a deerskin suburban is likely thicker than most competitors.

That said, and staying on topic, I don’t think the mulholland is worth the current market price and I prefer designs with more taper in the body.

 

[natefreezy]

My Mulholland is my favorite piece of clothing I own. I think it is exceptional. I went through three sizes to land on this (the right) one. I cannot imagine a better leather jacket. Of course, this is just my opinion.

 

[Mandarin]

It does look fantastic. Were you lucky enough to try different sizes in a shop or did you have to buy and sell two jackets online before getting the right one?

 

[sirkris]

It looks great on you. May I ask what is your height? and what is your jacket size?
Have you already broken it? My Mullholland is very stiff and not sure how long it will take to break it.

 

[natefreezy]

I started with a 38 which I thought from the measurements might work but was way too small, then got a 40 and finally landed with a 42. I actually still have the 40 which I need to sell. I’m 5’11” and about 185 pounds.

Yeah mine is broken in nicely and very comfortable to wear now. It will always be a heavy jacket but the stiffness is gone. Feels like wearing a heavy blanket.

I do think I lucked out in that the pattern - in the right size! - seems to work very well for me. As great as I think the jacket is, it won’t be great for someone else if the size or fit isn’t great and you can really only figure that out by trying it on and wearing it.

 

[Mandarin]

Well done. You're set for life. Maybe if you quit TFL right now, you might escape the need for other jackets.

 

[natefreezy]

Well done. You're set for life. Maybe if you quit TFL right now, you might escape the need for other jackets.

Well that’s crazy talk

 

[Mandarin]

Well that’s crazy talk

No offense meant. It's just that you seem to have found your grail jacket that no other could top.

 

[natefreezy]

No offense meant. It's just that you seem to have found your grail jacket that no other could top.

I know I was joking and you’re not wrong! Although of course it’s fun to try new things and have some variety. But yeah if I had to pick one it would be this one.

 

[Boulderunner]

If you have a body type (and bmi) that works for the mulholland it can be really flattering and there isn’t anybody else that seems to be able to nail the nuances of that pattern as well as Freewheelers. Something about how they angled the arms and shoulders slightly forward and the tight taper gives it an incredible silhouette. I will say one thing Though: most of the mulhollands I see for sale on Grailed or eBay or here arent even close to broken in yet. I bought mine from Brogue 2-3 years ago and FINALLY, it is starting to soften in the underarms and shoulders and conform to my body and frankly before it really softens it looks weird and can be a little uncomfortable…..most people buy them, wear them a few weeks, feel like they look funky and are uncomfortable and decide it’s not for them. Try wearing it everyday, put a fleece jacket on OVER it for the deepest months of winter And by spring it will look so damn good you’ll never want to take it off…..

 

[AeroFan_07]

I know I was joking and you’re not wrong! Although of course it’s fun to try new things and have some variety. But yeah if I had to pick one it would be this one.

I've always loved this specific model of jacket, but the price is simply out of reach for me. Yours looks awesome, and you can tell - it's yours! Congratulations on an amazing jacket, perfectly broken in, and perfectly worn. These also are to be worn in snowy, wet conditions.

 

[natefreezy]

I've always loved this specific model of jacket, but the price is simply out of reach for me. Yours looks awesome, and you can tell - it's yours! Congratulations on an amazing jacket, perfectly broken in, and perfectly worn. These also are to be worn in snowy, wet conditions.

Thank you, appreciate it! I do feel lucky to have the jacket

It looks good in the snow and it’s a warm jacket but that was pushing it. I had an N1 vest that I could wear over this for really cold weather but unfortunately lost it recently.

 

[Skiptomylou41k]

I had to pay through the nose for a new Mulholland from Brogue. When I received it, I could only be let down since there was so much hype on the socials about it. The Rainbow Country Hercules I think is a better jacket. It has a more trim fitting which a lot of people want and it has pockets that are useable. It also has a more affordable price and is still in production. The zip pockets on the Mulholland are a torture device I think, it cuts into my bare hands with how tight it is. The Freewheelers Rebels jacket is an underrated piece and wears better than the Mulholland.

 

[PeterHuang]

I had to pay through the nose for a new Mulholland from Brogue. When I received it, I could only be let down since there was so much hype on the socials about it. The Rainbow Country Hercules I think is a better jacket. It has a more trim fitting which a lot of people want and it has pockets that are useable. It also has a more affordable price and is still in production. The zip pockets on the Mulholland are a torture device I think, it cuts into my bare hands with how tight it is. The Freewheelers Rebels jacket is an underrated piece and wears better than the Mulholland.

I agreed the Hercules is a great jacket but the fit is quite problematic. I have one and I don’t use it that much. It’s too tight for putting it over a thick sweater in the winter and too hot for even the end of spring before summer comes. I can only wear it comfortably for like 2 months every year. I tried both size 42 and 44, and 44 turned out to be too long, so I got a 42. Not sure how a 42 Mulholland will fit.

I can barely zip it up in the photo below.