Choosing YOUR Leather: Help a brother out!

holdencain · Apr 3, 2018

I'm on the cusp of ordering up a new jacket. I've hit a few members up privately, and would like to hear from some more jacket gurus regarding leather choices.
The only jacket I've owned was an Aero 30s Halfbelt in their Seal Goat. I found it not too thick or heavy.

I'm specifically looking at a Thedi Shawl . I am awaiting samples in the mail from him. It appears his primary choices are Cow,steer,horse, and buffalo.

I know there is another thread regarding Thedi leathers, but I'm just trying to also get an opinion on what might be the best leather for as much a "multi-season" jacket as possible. I live in Virginia, climate has 4 seasons. I'm not sure if there is a clear winner for what I'm looking for. What leather would you choose if this was your one leather jacket? I just don't want to feel like I'm wearing set of Armor. Got to be comfortable!
Thanks
H

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ton312 · Apr 3, 2018

The Thedi HH I had was plenty robust. Certainly nowhere near CXL in terms of weight or thickness but not thin eiither. If you want a jacket that will get you through winter give thought to the liner as well. The cotton he used in the CR I had was quite easy to get into but not near warm enough for a true winter jacket. More a cool summer night, fall/spring jacket. That said I'm in Chicago, where the winter winds are like talking the crack of a bull whip right in the face.

Guppy · Apr 3, 2018

The shawl collar isn't what I would wear as a winter coat. Thedi sizes are pretty close fitting, and I can't layer under mine. It's a good jacket for milder spring and fall temperatures, though. Mine is buffalo, I think.

holdencain · Apr 3, 2018

Good points. I'm not looking for a winter coat. 40s-70s F will do it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Guppy · Apr 3, 2018

I'd probably prefer something heavier/more insulated below 50, personally.

holdencain · Apr 3, 2018

Guppy said:
I'd probably prefer something heavier/more insulated below 50, personally.

Ok 50s-70s[emoji41]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

dannyk · Apr 3, 2018

ton312 said:
The Thedi HH I had was plenty robust. Certainly nowhere near CXL in terms of weight or thickness but not thin eiither. If you want a jacket that will get you through winter give thought to the liner as well. The cotton he used in the CR I had was quite easy to get into but not near warm enough for a true winter jacket. More a cool summer night, fall/spring jacket. That said I'm in Chicago, where the winter winds are like talking the crack of a bull whip right in the face.

Side note here. @ton312, I live in Buffalo NY. The winds coming off the lake from late fall through spring are brutal. Lake effect snow, thunder snow, the struggle is real. No amount of leather thickness or stiffness helps. For our kind of weather it’s all about the liner.

Bfd70 · Apr 3, 2018

The steerhide is plenty good for 50-70.
Agree with guppy. The cut is not designed for much layering. A tight sweatshirt at best. What size are you?

Bfd70 · Apr 3, 2018

Ps, in Chicago too. Well put Ton312
January in Chicago (and this year a bit of April) require something more substantial.

holdencain · Apr 3, 2018

Bfd70 said:
The steerhide is plenty good for 50-70.
Agree with guppy. The cut is not designed for much layering. A tight sweatshirt at best. What size are you?

I’m likely an XL, 42/43

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sloan1874 · Apr 3, 2018

Buffalo is pretty heavy and robust - I have an A-2 in it and despite being 30 years old, it’s in excellent condition. Out of all those options you’ve listed, I would probably go with horse as all my most flexible jackets are hh.

ton312 · Apr 3, 2018

Bfd70 said:
Ps, in Chicago too. Well put Ton312
January in Chicago (and this year a bit of April) require something more substantial.

The only reason I'm not pissed about the weather right now is I have something new to break in. But. For the love of God...opening day is a little less than a week away, and there's still snow in the forecast.

tropicalbob · Apr 3, 2018

I have the LHB in CXL HH and it's perfect for the temps you mention. I think some people get the wrong idea of HH's stiffness because either they've never tried one on or because they only did so for a minute or so: the hide really softens up from your body heat after about ten minutes.

red devil · Apr 3, 2018

holdencain said:
I'm on the cusp of ordering up a new jacket. I've hit a few members up privately, and would like to hear from some more jacket gurus regarding leather choices.
The only jacket I've owned was an Aero 30s Halfbelt in their Seal Goat. I found it not too thick or heavy.

I'm specifically looking at a Thedi Shawl . I am awaiting samples in the mail from him. It appears his primary choices are Cow,steer,horse, and buffalo.

I know there is another thread regarding Thedi leathers, but I'm just trying to also get an opinion on what might be the best leather for as much a "multi-season" jacket as possible. I live in Virginia, climate has 4 seasons. I'm not sure if there is a clear winner for what I'm looking for. What leather would you choose if this was your one leather jacket? I just don't want to feel like I'm wearing set of Armor. Got to be comfortable!
Thanks
H

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have tried both cowhide and buffalo from Thedi, and I would probably recommend his buffalo more, but it's close

handymike · Apr 5, 2018

It is really down to personal preference as they are all pretty nice looking:
Buffalo:

buffalo vs. cowhide:

Horsehide:

Me personally, when I buy one again.....

unlined Goat.

HoosierDaddy · Apr 5, 2018

Unlined? Why would you want it unlined..??

holdencain · Apr 5, 2018

handymike said:
It is really down to personal preference as they are all pretty nice looking:
Buffalo:
View attachment 113155
buffalo vs. cowhide:

Does Theo age this leather to look worn and old, or is it like this from factory?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Guppy · Apr 5, 2018

holdencain said:
Does Theo age this leather to look worn and old, or is it like this from factory?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The finished jacket looks like this. Whether it's done by Thedi or by the tannery, I can't say. It looks amazing, and not like artificial distressing.

Guppy · Apr 5, 2018

holdencain said:
Does Theo age this leather to look worn and old, or is it like this from factory?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The finished jacket looks like this. Whether it's done by Thedi or by the tannery, I can't say. It looks amazing, and not like artificial distressing.

handymike · Apr 5, 2018

My horsehide one wasn't aged or distressed

I personally love his finishes, but if you like smoother than go cow or horse.

Choosing YOUR Leather: Help a brother out!

One of the Regulars

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

I'll Lock Up

My Mail is Forwarded Here

My Mail is Forwarded Here

One of the Regulars

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics