Goat vs. Steer

Jrolfe · Oct 30, 2019

Thanks to my obsessive behavior I've purchased several leather jackets in a short amount of time. (Don't tell my wife) Some of them I regret, some I'm in love with. Some really nice Aeros, vintage Golden Bear & Schott. Some no name cheaper made knock around jackets. Some horsehide & steerhide, but I've still yet to own a goat hide jacket. What are your thought in comparison? Comfort, durability, grain etc..

Guppy · Oct 30, 2019

Goatskin is a great leather. Very tough, yet not heavy, although heavier goat can be sourced, it is typically thinner than cowhide, but tougher for a given thickness, and requires no break-in. Most will say that goat doesn't show age very quickly at all, but I have to believe that this depends at least in part on the tannage.

Dr H · Oct 30, 2019

I really like the weight and drape of goat, particularly in slightly warmer weather.
I’ve only had one jacket in steer (LVC Menlo), but I didn’t like the weight/grain at all, and sold the jacket on quickly.
I’m a massive convert to deerskin: similar weight to steer, but much more comfortable with superb drape.

Jrolfe · Oct 30, 2019

Dr H said:
I really like the weight and drape of goat, particularly in slightly warmer weather.
I’ve only had one jacket in steer (LVC Menlo), but I didn’t like the weight/grain at all, and sold the jacket on quickly.
I’m a massive convert to deerskin: similar weight to steer, but much more comfortable with superb drape.

I've seen some of the Eastman deer hide jackets and they look amazing!

Dr H · Oct 30, 2019

Mine is from Freewheelers.

Jrolfe · Oct 30, 2019

Dr H said:
View attachment 192798 Mine is from Freewheelers.

Beautiful jacket! I recently sent a photo very similar to that jacket to a tailor in Australia & asked if they could make me a jacket as close to the photo as possible. He stated that they could. Then asked if I wanted goat or steer. Hence my thread! What are the odds of this? Lol. I chose black dyed goat.

Dr H · Oct 30, 2019

The grains of the two leathers could be mistaken at a glance, but the weights are quite different.
If you need a spring/autumn weight I’d go for goat; if winter then deer.
Here is my goat:

Jrolfe · Oct 30, 2019

Dr H said:
View attachment 192799 The grains of the two leathers could be mistaken at a glance, but the weights are quite different.
If you need a spring/autumn weight I’d go for goat; if winter then deer.
Here is my goat:

Very nice! Is this a Himel Bros. ?

Dr H · Oct 30, 2019

Thank you, this was made to measure by Dave Sheeley, and based on a Monarch design.

Gamma68 · Oct 30, 2019

My impression is goatskin is a typically lighter yet a very durable hide. I have a goatskin G-1 from 1968 in great condition.

Further the evidence: you can find more vintage jackets in goatskin in better condition than steer or horse. I’m taking 1930s/40s. Goat doesn’t seem to crack and flake as much as other hides.

So33 · Oct 31, 2019

I have a mid 60's G-1 it's a durable lighter goat and my go to everyday wear jacket.
I also have much heavier goat Langlitz Columbia and Timberline. The heavier goat feels different from horse or cow, doesn't have the stiffness/structure and when soaked, much more limp.
In colder weather, more protection for motorcycle riding I go with cow or horse, the kind that standup on their own.
Goat hide for warmer weather and every day wear.

dan_t · Oct 31, 2019

Jrolfe said:
Beautiful jacket! I recently sent a photo very similar to that jacket to a tailor in Australia & asked if they could make me a jacket as close to the photo as possible. He stated that they could. Then asked if I wanted goat or steer. Hence my thread! What are the odds of this? Lol. I chose black dyed goat.

Out of curiosity, which Australian tailor?

I have an Aero goathide jacket & it’s one of my most comfortable to wear. I love it as a hide.
It does show character, just not the same as horse does.

Edward · Oct 31, 2019

I find goat excellent for a number of things. It's light, yet extremely durable. If you want a 'smart' leather jacket and/or, like me, don't much care for the idea of making it look seventy-years old as quickly as possible, goat breaks in but doesn't 'age' as rapidly as some horsehide types. It seems - always allowing for different tanning methods, of course - to hold its colour better than some other hides. Goat is one of the most abrasion-resistent leathers there is (in this regard I'm told it is second only to kangaroo). That makes it an excellent option for motorcycle wear, especially if seeking something lighter or more flexible for the Summer. MC gloves are commonly made from goat for this reason.

Being a bit lighter, goat with a light lining can be an excellent leather for wearing in warmer weather / climates, though it also retains the same great wind-breaking properties as most hides, and the warmth factor can be added to with an appropriate lining. For longer jackets it is much lighter, though obviously there are limits on how big a jacket can go without being very multi-piece because goats prvide smaller hides that horses or cows, being smaller animals.

As with all leathers, there will be a level of variation from one goathide to the next, depending on factors such as how it is treated and tanned, as well as, of course, the natural and inevitable variations of any organic material. My Wested Raiders Indiy jacket is a very light goatskin, feels almost like lamb, but without the same fragility. The Aero A2 and AN6552 I have in their goat are a little thicker, more durable feeling, but still lighter by far thedwear than a CXL FQHH. Notably, the breathable silk-lined A2 with its leather collar is more wearable in warmer weather than the rayon-lined, mouton collared AN6552. Couldn't get two jackets closer in the hider material (both Aero goat made around the same time), BUT the lining and fur collar on the AN6552 simpyl make it a warmer jacket to wear.

Jrolfe · Oct 31, 2019

Thank you guys for all the info! Very helpful. I asked them to continue with goat hide instead of steer. @dan_t I asked the seller twice for any info on the company manufacturing these jackets and all I got was that he was working with a local tailor "no name" and they specialize in multiple vintage styles. I would be skeptical about them, but I recently received a steerhide jacket from them that I absolutely love! Very comfortable, fit is great, seems to be well made & was VERY cheap! I'll post pics when I go home today from work. I sent them some pics of a Himel jacket & a Thedi jacket I would be interested in and they were very familiar with both. We'll see if they can pull it off

Seb Lucas · Oct 31, 2019

Jrolfe said:
Thank you guys for all the info! Very helpful. I asked them to continue with goat hide instead of steer. @dan_t I asked the seller twice for any info on the company manufacturing these jackets and all I got was that he was working with a local tailor "no name" and they specialize in multiple vintage styles. I would be skeptical about them, but I recently received a steerhide jacket from them that I absolutely love! Very comfortable, fit is great, seems to be well made & was VERY cheap! I'll post pics when I go home today from work. I sent them some pics of a Himel jacket & a Thedi jacket I would be interested in and they were very familiar with both. We'll see if they can pull it off

From this it sounds like they probably have the jackets made in Pakistan.

Jrolfe · Oct 31, 2019

Seb Lucas said:
From this it sounds like they probably have the jackets made in Pakistan.

I actually suspected that very thing!

dan_t · Oct 31, 2019

I doubt anything of even middling quality, hand made in Australia would be “very cheap”.

Seb Lucas · Oct 31, 2019

Jrolfe said:
I actually suspected that very thing!

Nothing wrong with that but it might be nice if they were more transparent.

tropicalbob · Oct 31, 2019

I've noticed that Orvis has replaced its lambskin with goat for several of their jackets over the last year or so. I think it was a very good idea on their part. The lamb was horrible -- like tissue paper.

Jrolfe · Nov 1, 2019

What do you guys think? I am still a rookie when it comes to quality control on these jackets. The leather is extremely soft! Softer than any of my others by far. Fit is good, had they tailored it for me I'd have the waist brought way in. But other than that i can't complain. The wrists are fairly tight which I really like. They stay put and don't bounce around on my hands. All zippers are YKK and are must smoother than any of my Talon zips. The cuffs do have snap buttons, I wish they were traditionally sewn buttons. The entire lining is a "grippy" cotton which makes sliding my arms down the narrow sleeve a little more difficult but not horrible by any means.

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