Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Freewheelers Caboose Jacket

Messages
17,150
Location
Chicago
I hadn't noticed before but there is an actual gusset on the sleeve! How does that function dude? Cool idea. Like an underarm football moved entirely off the body of the jacket.
 

Dr H

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,006
Location
Somerset, UK
74540FFD-E767-4E2F-8A4E-802D41CE6424.jpeg
Is it like this (common feature for Freewheelers)?
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,920
Location
London
I think it is, it's just not expanded outward as it is in your pic. Schott and Vanson use them too (but they don't tuck in as well when not expanded). They add terrific mobility, particularly with forward reach.
View attachment 128474

I don't think it is. The one @Dr H posted look smore like a regular "football" style gusset, like the one on the LaBrea (which doesn't retract, they are just extra panels). This one looks like it has a full on "action style" folded over thing (similar to a real action back) going on.
The upper part of it is clearly stitched differently and folded over into a pleat where it joins the double stich line of the sleeve.

Edit: found a picture online, it is indeed a pleat not a regular gusset, photo near the middle of the page. I would love to try that out, i wonder how they compare.

http://www.thewildone.jp/item/freewheelers_leatherjacket_caboose-jacket-blackjack/
 
Last edited:
Messages
17,150
Location
Chicago
I don't think it is. The one @Dr H posted look smore like a regular "football" style gusset, like the one on the LaBrea (which doesn't retract, they are just extra panels). This one looks like it has a full on "action style" folded over thing (similar to a real action back) going on.
The upper part of it is clearly stitched differently and folded over into a pleat where it joins the double stich line of the sleeve.

Edit: found a picture online, it is indeed a pleat not a regular gusset, photo near the middle of the page. I would love to try that out, i wonder how they compare.

http://www.thewildone.jp/item/freewheelers_leatherjacket_caboose-jacket-blackjack/
ME too. That's really flipping cool!
 

dudewuttheheck

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,280
Bravo! Most excellent...
Leather quality and workmanship are outstanding!
Thanks very much! I could not be happier with the craftsmanship on this.

And there it is- amazing fit too!! Huge win. Congratulations.
Thanks! I was very relieved at how well the fit worked out.

Really outstanding jacket! You are making us all envious;)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Haha thanks! I am blown away with this one :)

Off the charts. Congrats.
Thanks very much!

That looks amazing! Serious stitching porn!
I'm almost not sorry i pushed you over the edge, i hope you like the jacket better than the watch...

Could you post a close up of the armpit? I don't understand what i am seeing, is there a gusset built on the sleeve side rather than the back panel? How does that work/feel?
Stitching porn indeed :D Don't be sorry. I am very thankful for your shove and yes, I like this a hell of a lot more than the watch. I do not regret my decision in the slightest.

Very nice dude! The details are superb. I love the way they treat the pocket stitching. Hide color and lining are beautifully matched. Fit looks great. Really well done! That back design is a work of art! Congrats!
Thanks so much! I cannot find anything that was not thought of from 10 different angles. It's over-designed, yet still fits together as a whole perfectly.

That looks really fine. I absolutely love my Journeyman and Brakeman jackets - the workmanship is superb and the materials are top notch.
The Brakeman shares a collar profile with your Caboose, and it looks really elegant.
The Colt buttons are really a nice touch.
The sleeves are a touch long in my Freewheelers jackets too - for the 42" Journeyman they have creased to make them about the right length. The Brakeman is a 44" and the sleeves are simply too long (in my case it's a keeper so I'll have 3/4" removed to make them comfortable).
Thanks! I love the Journeyman and Brakeman jackets too. Yeah, I forgot to mention how much I love these buttons. These are a touch long, but I think they will crease into a good length. I can always remove a bit if I need to, but I'm going to give it as much time as possible to let it settle. Pretty much anyone else who touches this jacket will not do as good of a job as the original makers :D

That is a fantastic jacket, and the fit is very good! The sleeves will very likely crease the way you want them. Congrats!! :D :D :D
Thanks! I am very happy with the fit. I think they will too and at that point, it will be perfect.

I've made no secret of my love for that design & of course the workmanship is superb. I'm so happy for you Dude. It looks the bees knees.

I also gotta say you look way cool in the hat man, in spite of your lady's misgivings.
Thanks so much! I love the hat, too. I wear it as much as I can.

Beautiful jacket. Thanks for the great photo of the stich detail. It’s a good tutorial for what to consider A+ craftsmanship.Bummer about the watch, but if a stranger ask you the time you can say “shinki time” or “freewheeler o’clock” and throw the jacket with a flourish.
Indeed. Freewheelers jackets really are the yardstick for jacket craftsmanship at this point.
Haha I like the sound of that! "Shinki time" sounds like my kind of time :):)

Very nice! Beautiful! I have lusted for this jacket.

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
I have too... for years. I'm very happy to finally have gotten it.

Man great score, it was worth selling your watch for. The fit is perfect. Well done.
It was indeed worth selling the watch for. Thanks so much.

My man, that looks amazing. Great fit too. Unless the watch had a backstory like Christopher Walken’s character in Pulp Fiction, you absolutely made the right choice. What...a...jacket.
Thanks! It didn't, so this was the right choice :D

Stunning jacket, insane attention to detail. Was in love with this style ever since Super posted it. Fits you perfectly, Dude. Couldn't feel any better, custom or not - It at least fits exactly what I think a leather jacket should, with just a bit of room in the shoulders and some additional length in the sleeves - which only proves what I thought, that there's nothing overly weird about those measurements. Hear that, @Superfluous ? :D

Awesome collar and the back is almost too fancy. Also, good eye, @Carlos840 - what is going on with that armpit gusset??? I've never seen this before.
Thanks so much, man! The attention to detail still bowls me over. Once the sleeves settle, I think this might end up being my best fitting jacket. I am so happy about that! I'm going to post some more shots of the armpit below.

You are the man. That ornate back; wow! Don’t let the sleeves bug you. The back makes up for it and at a minimum, the whole jacket looks cool on you. I have to admire your adherence to principle. You like what you like and you set out to get it. Going to listen to some Speed, Glue, and Shinki lol.
Haha the back does make up for it :D Thanks for the kind words. I do tend to stick to a few specific principles, namely super tight stitching, engineer boots, and Shinki horsehide leather jackets.

Congratulations on a phenomenal jacket!
For an off the rack it fits incredibly well! I know you get customized measurements usually, but a little nip/tuck for the sleeves is pretty easily done here in LA if you wish after break-in. I would leave this alone for 2 years. I think they will ride up and be fine.
I love the collar and the repro buttons (had those on a 1940s Penney's/ Sportclad). Does the chin-tab button back under the collar? Really nice touch to give a choice instead of cutting it off.
Congrats again, it looks really Boss!!!!!! (and appropriate contrast stitching ;))
Agreed. I will have it altered if it doesn't settle after 2 years, but I am quite confident that it will by then.
Indeed, just the right amount of contrast on the stitching :D

Damn, that's so nice, desolation row seems like a must go place if I ever go to Tokoyo
It really is! However, it has more stock during some seasons than others. I would say it is best to go in late winter or early spring, but those who have been more often might know better.

That’s a very very fine jacket in every way. The detailing is epic. Love the stitch contrast and the back....wow!!!
Nice choice of hat as well. Looks like an Open Road?? Nice to see and you wear it very well.
Bowen
Thanks very much! It has more details than I thought a jacket could have.
It is essentially an Open Road, but slightly different. It is made by Tatton Baird Hatters in Utah. I am extremely happy with it.

Superlative jacket Dude! Huge congrats!
Thanks very much! I'm hoping the measurements work out for you too :)
 

dudewuttheheck

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,280
Wow! they thought of everything on this jacket.
They did indeed! It is still boggling my mind.

Here are some more shots of the armpit area. It is some sort of arm pleat. I am unsure of how it compares to the gusset posted above, but it does feel like it gives me more maneuverability than a plain arm/plain back would. The chest is the same size as my Grizzly and the shoulder is only half an inch larger and this one is easier to move my arms in.
CeU2dZ8.jpg

o6caRSu.jpg

MesUWwC.jpg

The back pleat is also stunning and is somewhat functional as well
idsO9HI.jpg
 

Benny Holiday

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,757
Location
Sydney Australia
Hopefully dude can post a couple more pics. I'm intrigued. Cool idea! Would love to see how it works!
They explain it all on the Wild One site Carlos posted the link to. They describe it like this:
脇の下には左右4つずつのベンチレーション(通気孔)があります。
(微妙に見難いかもしれませんが、袖の付け根にはアクションプリーツが設けられています。)
Hahahahahahahahaha! :D:p:D
 

dudewuttheheck

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,280
They explain it all on the Wild One site Carlos posted the link to. They describe it like this:
脇の下には左右4つずつのベンチレーション(通気孔)があります。
(微妙に見難いかもしれませんが、袖の付け根にはアクションプリーツが設けられています。)
Hahahahahahahahaha! :D:p:D
Lol, doesn't say much. Just that there are air holes and an arm pleat :D
 

Dr H

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,006
Location
Somerset, UK
I don't think it is. The one @Dr H posted look smore like a regular "football" style gusset, like the one on the LaBrea (which doesn't retract, they are just extra panels). This one looks like it has a full on "action style" folded over thing (similar to a real action back) going on.
The upper part of it is clearly stitched differently and folded over into a pleat where it joins the double stich line of the sleeve.

Edit: found a picture online, it is indeed a pleat not a regular gusset, photo near the middle of the page. I would love to try that out, i wonder how they compare.

http://www.thewildone.jp/item/freewheelers_leatherjacket_caboose-jacket-blackjack/

Having seen this image on a larger screen, I can see that it's very different from the panels on both the Journeyman and the Brakeman. Very neat detail.
 

Bobby Peru

One of the Regulars
Messages
135
Beautiful jacket! How were you able to order from Desolation Row via the Interwebs? Their site is just descriptive at best. Would I have to go to Japan or bug one of my friends there to buy it and send it over? :)

Gorgeous piece.
 

Dr H

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,006
Location
Somerset, UK
Beautiful jacket! How were you able to order from Desolation Row via the Interwebs? Their site is just descriptive at best. Would I have to go to Japan or bug one of my friends there to buy it and send it over? :)

I have a good contact at Hoosier, 25-2 Murasakinoshimotoridacho, Kita, Kyoto, KYOTO 603-8175 (100% reliable) and English speaking.
Let me know if you need to be put in touch.
 

dudewuttheheck

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,280
Beautiful jacket! How were you able to order from Desolation Row via the Interwebs? Their site is just descriptive at best. Would I have to go to Japan or bug one of my friends there to buy it and send it over? :)
You can email desolation row directly to order, but I ordered from Genco Clothing directly. You can also order from mirror ball/the rising and as @Dr H mentioned, you can order from Hoosier. There are quite a few excellent and reliable stores in Japan that stock Freewheelers.
Gorgeous piece.
 

Bobby Peru

One of the Regulars
Messages
135
Thank you and Dr. H for the tips. In my earlier days of collecting / wearing I was more forgiving about nuances such as stitch precision and consistency, but back then makers such as RM and Freewheelers didn’t make that possibility so easily obtainable. If that attention to detail was my main criterion, something like this from Freewheelers or RM would be my preference.
I would have chosen the rust brown version as well - that color better accentuates the pattern and all the construction details, especially that beautiful back.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
107,257
Messages
3,032,313
Members
52,712
Latest member
Yamamoto
Top