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

[Skiptomylou41k]

You might like a 42 Mulholland then, it’ll fit slightly roomier than the 42 Hercules. The challenges we face finding that perfect jacket!

 

[jchance]

What size are you, OP? Why don’t you get a vintage straight-zip CHP? Cal or CSC would blow any repros out of the water.

 

[PeterHuang]

What size are you, OP? Why don’t you get a vintage straight-zip CHP? Cal or CSC would blow any repros out of the water.

I am 6ft, 205lbs. My most fitted jacket has 22.5 P2P, 18.75 shoulder, 26 back length. The thing with vintage jacket is that is pretty hard to find one in good condition (I don’t like beaten up jacket and call it patina to cope). And normally when I found out in great condition, the price is too exorbitant to justify buying. Do you have a recommendation for a specific one?

 

[natefreezy]

I am 6ft, 205lbs. My most fitted jacket has 22.5 P2P, 18.75 shoulder, 26 back length. The thing with vintage jacket is that is pretty hard to find one in good condition (I don’t like beaten up jacket and call it patina to cope). And normally when I found out in great condition, the price is too exorbitant to justify buying. Do you have a recommendation for a specific one?

My 42 Mulholland fits like a glove at 5'11" and 185-190 lbs, i.e., t-shirt only fit. I'd be pretty surprised if it fit anyone at 205.

 

[PeterHuang]

My 42 Mulholland fits like a glove at 5'11" and 185-190 lbs, i.e., t-shirt only fit. I'd be pretty surprised if it fit anyone at 205.

How about your 42 Hercules? Does it fit like my photo? I need a jacket that I can throw a thick sweater under it, Boston winter is crazy lol. I am 205 but I have a small Asian frame so normally when I asked people to guess my weight, they would say 180-190. I look smaller than 205 actually haha

 

[natefreezy]

I don't have the Hercules jacket, that was someone else, sorry. But yeah even at my weight I can't layer with the Mulholland. I heard the 44 is a good amount bigger so possible that would be the right size for you if you wanted to layer underneath.

What I've done though is wear an N1 deck vest over my leather jackets which means I can wear them in much colder weather than I would otherwise. I'm not in Boston though, there I think I'd be ditching the leather jackets in winter for something like an N1 jacket or maybe pea coat if you prefer layering heavily.

 

[Pliksoff]

How about your 42 Hercules? Does it fit like my photo? I need a jacket that I can throw a thick sweater under it, Boston winter is crazy lol. I am 205 but I have a small Asian frame so normally when I asked people to guess my weight, they would say 180-190. I look smaller than 205 actually haha

Not the other poster either but just wanted to give my 2 cents. I'm 6'1" 185 lbs for reference. I have a size 44 Hercules that's pretty snug on me even in a t-shirt, the jacket definitely runs slim. Rainbow Country recently started making size 46s for some of their dealers but those tend to be relatively rare. Mushmans also offered 40 Wide sizing for a few models like the Bear Lake (wider/shorter than size 42).

Out of my size 44 RC jackets, the G-1 and Spider are the roomiest ones where I can comfortably layer up. I'd honestly hesitate to buy any more RC without trying them in person since my two 2024 jackets have somewhat thinner/flatter leather than my 2023 ones. Might just be bad luck on my part but a few dealer blogs mention that RC was pumping up production to meet demand which is never a good sign.

I also own a used Freewheelers Journeyman which has a really nice lining but it doesn't justify the premium like everyone else said. I'd personally say it's about 10-15% better than the RC Spider in terms of comfort/feel (and runs a bit bigger too, both being size 44).

 

[Brandrea33]

Not the other poster either but just wanted to give my 2 cents. I'm 6'1" 185 lbs for reference. I have a size 44 Hercules that's pretty snug on me even in a t-shirt, the jacket definitely runs slim. Rainbow Country recently started making size 46s for some of their dealers but those tend to be relatively rare. Mushmans also offered 40 Wide sizing for a few models like the Bear Lake (wider/shorter than size 42).

Out of my size 44 RC jackets, the G-1 and Spider are the roomiest ones where I can comfortably layer up. I'd honestly hesitate to buy any more RC without trying them in person since my two 2024 jackets have somewhat thinner/flatter leather than my 2023 ones. Might just be bad luck on my part but a few dealer blogs mention that RC was pumping up production to meet demand which is never a good sign.

I also own a used Freewheelers Journeyman which has a really nice lining but it doesn't justify the premium like everyone else said. I'd personally say it's about 10-15% better than the RC Spider in terms of comfort/feel (and runs a bit bigger too, both being size 44).

I’ve looked into the 46 RC Hercules. Unfortunately, it measures more like a 42 (Under 23” P to P). Apparently they are making another batch and Dels Duds (in the US) is getting a bunch including size 48 ….. I’m hoping these measurements might work out for me.

 

[Iron Horse]

1. First of all, FW is not making leather jackets anymore.

2. FW does not use a custom Shinki horsehide, they mostly use Shinki’s stock pigment-dyed HH. Shinki calls it SF Horse.

Shinki offers 4 kinds of horsehide:
-SF Horse (Pigment dyed)
-Pony Antique (AFAIK discontinued)
-Standard (What Himel calls “oil tanned”)
-Standard Uncoated (no acrylic topcoat)

Most brands use one of these offerings.

 

[AeroFan_07]

1. First of all, FW is not making leather jackets anymore.

2. FW does not use a custom Shinki horsehide, they mostly use Shinki’s stock pigment-dyed HH. Shinki calls it SF Horse.

Shinki offers 4 kinds of horsehide:
-SF Horse (Pigment dyed)
-Pony Antique (AFAIK discontinued)
-Standard (What Himel calls “oil tanned”)
-Standard Uncoated (no acrylic topcoat)

Most brands use one of these offerings.
View attachment 775188
View attachment 775189

Not sure where this information about FW "Not making leather jackets anymore" is coming from.

This source simply states they are Out of Stock, and will be re-offered again once back in stock:

https://www.brogueshop.com/products...WJargi1iIOkIdCShKCfEFoIQje1inZHuU7I18AgRMpuoi

It's hard to tell based off this page: https://freewheelers.co.jp/about/english/store/index.html

Or even this FL thread: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/is-freewheelers-still-producing-leather-jackets.119610/

 

[Iron Horse]

Desolation Row’s staff last spring said they have no plans to make leather jackets anymore for the foreseeable future. They didn’t make an announcement but their 2025 F/W lineup didn’t include any leather jackets, we’ll see about this fall.

 

[Bennarion]

I think they'll still be making leather jackets.

 

[Iron Horse]

I would refer you to this thread: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/is-freewheelers-still-producing-leather-jackets.119610/

 

[Bennarion]

I have a brand new FW jacket in size 40, bought in 2024. If anyone wants to buy, write to me.

 

[natefreezy]

I’ve emailed with them several times over last couple years and they have consistently said they have no plans to resume production of leather jackets. Reason being they can’t source quality of hides that they want.

That’s not to say they couldn’t resume again at some point in future.

 

[Iron Horse]

I’ve emailed with them several times over last couple years and they have consistently said they have no plans to resume production of leather jackets. Reason being they can’t source quality of hides that they want.

That’s not to say they couldn’t resume again at some point in future.

AFAIK Shinki had a couple of years in which they didn’t get enough first-quality hides as usual but I would think they still have enough to meet FW’s orders.

Who knows.

 

[JonS1967]

AFAIK Shinki had a couple of years in which they didn’t get enough first-quality hides as usual but I would think they still have enough to meet FW’s orders.

Who knows.

I heard Horween had this same issue (probably during the same timeframe).