Spongy Haptic on a Leather Jacket means what?

58panheadfan · Mar 31, 2021

As mentioned in the thread "What Jacket are you wearing today" Post #32124 I got a Pike Brothers Glendale (made in Portugal) cowhide leather jacket which was formerly made in Greece (Bill Kelso?). It looks like a BK Wingman. I like the jacket, really. The craftsmanship is nice, the hardware used also, the fit is spot on, optically also excellent and the cowhide leather and lining is lighterweight, just I was looking for.

But what concerns me is this spongy feeling/haptic. I want to know more about it, my questions:

A: Has anyone had the same experience with this lighterweight type of (cowhide) leather (also from other manufacturers)?
The leather reminds me more of lamb—or capeskin.

B: What is the cause? Is it the tanning process or the finish (top coat)?

C: Is it an indication of poor quality (such as cheap imported goods from the Far East)?

Thank you!

Guppy · Mar 31, 2021

It's tough to assess how something feels through photos or written testimony.

I've noticed some leather feels soft/spongy, and wondered about why that is. I have to assume it has to do with the process the leather went through to become leather, but I don't know anything about it, really. It might also have to do with the type of animal it came from, or the specific qualities of that particular hide, but that's all just speculation on my part.

What I notice is that soft/spongy leather is not as tough as leather with a harder "hand" to it. Soft/spongy leather is easier to scratch, tear, and perforate, and less resistant to abrasion.

On the other hand, it is less likely to crease or wrinkle, drapes easier, requires less break-in, and would be more comfortable out of the box.

ton312 · Mar 31, 2021

It certainly looks nice! Any fit pics? I like the look of this jacket but wonder if the shoulders are cut too narrow for me.

58panheadfan · Mar 31, 2021

ton312 said:
It certainly looks nice! Any fit pics? I like the look of this jacket but wonder if the shoulders are cut too narrow for me.

As requested some quick bathroom pics:

Here are measurements from PB Site, which are pretty accurate for my Size M (5`11", 167 lbs).

58panheadfan · Mar 31, 2021

Right now there is a special 20% off Code Easter at Cultizm (beside 19% VAT off outside EU):

Black (XL)

Brown (M, L, XL)

58panheadfan · Mar 31, 2021

Guppy said:
It's tough to assess how something feels through photos or written testimony.

I've noticed some leather feels soft/spongy, and wondered about why that is. I have to assume it has to do with the process the leather went through to become leather, but I don't know anything about it, really. It might also have to do with the type of animal it came from, or the specific qualities of that particular hide, but that's all just speculation on my part.

What I notice is that soft/spongy leather is not as tough as leather with a harder "hand" to it. Soft/spongy leather is easier to scratch, tear, and perforate, and less resistant to abrasion.

On the other hand, it is less likely to crease or wrinkle, drapes easier, requires less break-in, and would be more comfortable out of the box.

Thank you for your inputs. I see that too. After wearing the jacket for a few days, I don't think that this spongy/soft leather is of poor quality. At first I was a bit surprised about the haptic because I didn't know it. But I have to say I love the jacket (and the haptic) more and more. It is perfect for spring and autumn. Exactly what I've been looking for.

ton312 · Mar 31, 2021

Jacket looks fanfreakingtastic! Damn man. I might have to snag one!

ton312 · Mar 31, 2021

58panheadfan said:
As requested some quick bathroom pics:

View attachment 323214

View attachment 323215

Here are measurements from PB Site, which are pretty accurate for my Size M (5`11", 167 lbs).

View attachment 323216

Does the jacket have a front drop? Hard to tell from the pics on the PB site and the back length is listed on the shorter side for me (if it's blunt cut) @ 25.2" on a L.

TREEMAN · Mar 31, 2021

Spongy or not it looks good ............

58panheadfan · Mar 31, 2021

ton312 said:
Does the jacket have a front drop? Hard to tell from the pics on the PB site and the back length is listed on the shorter side for me (if it's blunt cut) @ 25.2" on a L.

There is a minimal front drop from about 1/2"...

Benny Holiday · Mar 31, 2021

TREEMAN said:
Spongy or not it looks good ............

Exactly what I was thinking!

dudewuttheheck · Apr 1, 2021

Looks like a good fit! I know that cowhide isn't supposed to be as dense as horse generally, but the cowhide I have owned and tried on wouldn't be spongy by my definition. The only spongy leather I've had is deerskin.

ton312 · Apr 1, 2021

dudewuttheheck said:
Looks like a good fit! I know that cowhide isn't supposed to be as dense as horse generally, but the cowhide I have owned and tried on wouldn't be spongy by my definition. The only spongy leather I've had is deerskin.

Yeah and goat can have a spongy feel too. I’m interested in this jacket but I’m afraid it’ll be too short!

TG3 · Apr 1, 2021

ton312 said:
Yeah and goat can have a spongy feel too. I’m interested in this jacket but I’m afraid it’ll be too short!

I really dig this jacket too. I think you should buy it so I can live vicariously through you and not spend any money

Jin431 · Apr 1, 2021

I have a mr freedom cowhide that I would describe as spongy with a soft hand compared to the other Leathers I have handled. It is dyed all the way through and there seems to be no top coat finish to it. It drank up the leather honey I applied to it like no other. It's lightweight (unlined) but even with a liner I'd say this would still be lightweight. It drapes really well and reminds me of deerskin. The only issue I have with this spongy leather is that the sleeves will probably not crease/roll/shorten and it's 1" longer than what I would like.

TG3 · Apr 1, 2021

Jin431 said:
I have a mr freedom cowhide that I would describe as spongy with a soft hand compared to the other Leathers I have handled. It is dyed all the way through and there seems to be no top coat finish to it. It drank up the leather honey I applied to it like no other. It's lightweight (unlined) but even with a liner I'd say this would still be lightweight. It drapes really well and reminds me of deerskin. The only issue I have with this spongy leather is that the sleeves will probably not crease/roll/shorten and it's 1" longer than what I would like.

View attachment 323251

I dig the color with the contrasting buttons. Other than getting the sleeves altered not sure what else you could do. Don't some guys on here swear by shrinking leather with water? Maybe strategically apply it lol

Jin431 · Apr 1, 2021

TG3 said:
I dig the color with the contrasting buttons. Other than getting the sleeves altered not sure what else you could do. Don't some guys on here swear by shrinking leather with water? Maybe strategically apply it lol

It's a matte black by design and I thought it was dry at first. If the sleeve alteration is relatively cheap I'll go for it if not I'll leave it alone. Maybe I'll try hot water treatment on the elbow/forearm lol that's pretty affordable

handymike · Apr 1, 2021

Steamer is easier for the forearms.

Jin431 · Apr 1, 2021

handymike said:
Steamer is easier for the forearms.

Alright another how to instruction manual by @handymike
How do you do this?

58panheadfan · Apr 1, 2021

Jin431 said:
I have a mr freedom cowhide that I would describe as spongy with a soft hand compared to the other Leathers I have handled. It is dyed all the way through and there seems to be no top coat finish to it... It's lightweight (unlined) but even with a liner I'd say this would still be lightweight. It drapes really well and reminds me of deerskin. The only issue I have with this spongy leather is that the sleeves will probably not crease/roll/shorten and it's 1" longer than what I would like.

That's excatly how the leather on the PB Glendale feel... beside it has a top coat

Spongy Haptic on a Leather Jacket means what?

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