Good Wear Ventura / Imperial vs. ELMC Californian

I'm surprised to hear that. Maybe I should search out a RC.

Robbie79 said:

...The reason for the high price difference between FW and Rainbow Country is most likely the stitching quality - I would rate the stitch quality on one level with Aero which is still very good but not as accurate as FW

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I know that jacket! It was owned by two different people I follow on the gram..great score man!

It’s interesting to hear you compare the stitch quality to Aero though. I got mine brand new a few months ago and it’s WAY better than any Aero I’ve ever owned both in overall quality and the stitching. Honestly, they weren’t even on the same level. In fact, my RC is the most precise, well put together and overall best quality jacket I’ve ever owned...better than my Lost Worlds Ryder I got rid of a long time ago, better than my Himel (actually by far) and even better than my RMC wayward.

Ive never owned a Freewheelers jacket so I can’t make that comparison, but as far as I know they are made by the same people and probably use very similar leather.




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Funny that you know the former owners - I bought it in Belgium. To a certain extent I definitely agree with you as the overall quality is better than Aero (I simply didn't want to be impolite as these are nice guys making high quality jackets!). As far as stitching quality is concerned there is a difference between RC and FW, e.g. double stitching lines, more accurate like a laser, etc. - if I have time tomorrow I will send comparison pics of the RC and the FW Caboose.

Robbie79 said:

Funny that you know the former owners - I bought it in Belgium. To a certain extent I definitely agree with you as the overall quality is better than Aero (I simply didn't want to be impolite as these are nice guys making high quality jackets!). As far as stitching quality is concerned there is a difference between RC and FW, e.g. double stitching lines, more accurate like a laser, etc. - if I have time tomorrow I will send comparison pics of the RC and the FW Caboose.

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Well I don’t know them, I just follow them on Instagram and happen to have seen that jacket before. Love the grain that has developed on it!

And yes I definitely agree Aero puts out a very high quality product. My comment was meant to emphasize how nice my RC is and not disparage Aero in any way. The stitching on the Aeros I owned were for the most part very straight they just had larger stitches and you could see the holes created by the stitching from a distance which I didn’t really like. Although it did give it what I think is a more rugged look as opposed to what I think is the more refined look of my RMC, Himel and RC.

I can only speak to what I’ve seen on my jacket. My RMC has laser precision stitching and my RC is somehow even better. Cant imagine it getting better or more precise than this. Only thing I can say is that Freewheelers has way more intricately designed jackets with a lot more intricate stitch work with doubles stitches and such so it’s that much more impressive that they produce such flawless jackets.

My Rainbow County was very well built. I'm not one to look over stitching with a magnifying class, but I'm pretty picky and it was as nice as any jacket I've owned. It was heavier than my GW Imperial - not sure if that was due to hide thickness or liner thickness. The hide was as nice as any jacket I've owned - other than my High Large Oklahoma (which I hear isn't Shinki but has the best grain I've ever seen).

I haven't owned a FW jacket yet, but I've seen very detailed pics. If given a choice between a FW, a GW and a RC...I'd take the one that fit me best.

Grayland said:

My Rainbow County was very well built. I'm not one to look over stitching with a magnifying class, but I'm pretty picky and it was as nice as any jacket I've owned. It was heavier than my GW Imperial - not sure if that was due to hide thickness or liner thickness. The hide was as nice as any jacket I've owned - other than my High Large Oklahoma (which I hear isn't Shinki but has the best grain I've ever seen).

I haven't owned a FW jacket yet, but I've seen very detailed pics. If given a choice between a FW, a GW and a RC...I'd take the one that fit me best.

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How do you compare High Large (now FK) to RC in terms of Overall quality? I agree that this is the Most beautiful grain but have no idea how the leather feels and if FK is worth the $ - price Range is Similar to RC or a little Bit less

Robbie79 said:

How do you compare High Large (now FK) to RC in terms of Overall quality? I agree that this is the Most beautiful grain but have no idea how the leather feels and if FK is worth the $ - price Range is Similar to RC or a little Bit less

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Really hard to compare two totally different jackets. One is a half belt in Russet Shinki, one is a "denim" jacket in black tea core leather (no idea where the leather is from). I bought them both second-hand, so I really don't even know the retail prices. I was as impressed with the build quality of the RC as any jacket I've owned. In addition to a great hide, the RC had nice features like a thick lining, great back design, hand pockets and an interior pocket(which I need). The HL just has a simple black cotton lining with no pockets other than the one on the chest which is kinda useless. On the other hand, the copper rivets, the beefy stud fasteners, the olive contrast stitching, and the way the leather is folded Type I style are great features that really accent the leather. The grain of the leather just pops and the sleeves crease better than any other jacket I've seen. Check out HL/FK on Instagram and their leather just has a different (awesome) look to it.

I was lucky to find both second hand and they fit pretty perfectly. The RC was a size 40, the HL is a size 42. Sorry I can't be more specific about quality, esp. stitching. Unless I can see imperfections when I look at the jacket from a few feet away, I really don't care.

Shocked at the language being used tonight on TFL