| Author | Message | ||
     Steveford |
As an offshoot to the Chinese helmet thread, who still makes stuff in their own country? I'm looking for leathers that will last decades, not flake away and fall apart in a few years. So far, it looks like: Hein Gericke, Vanson, Bates, Stone Lake, Nexx, Shark, and Caberg. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Barnacle Bill NJK Leathers | ||
| Fb1 |
Fox Creek Leather In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains Independence, Virginia USA https://www.foxcreekleather.com/
Why Made in the USA?https://www.foxcreekleather.com/about/usa Testimonials: https://www.foxcreekleather.com/product_reviews | ||
| Steveford |
That Fox Creek looks like the winner to me. Thank you so much! | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Langlitz Leathers in Portland, Oregon is the best there is. They still make their products the old school way and because of that, they don't just last for decades. They last for generations. Seriously. Also because of that, there is a waiting line unless you pay them a personal visit. They have a nice selection of used gear available right now. They really are worth the wait. www.langlitz.com | ||
| Slaughter |
I have Z-Custom. The original set were raced, crashed and repaired for a decade. I have an unworn set that I never raced that will be sold in next few months. EBR logo on sleeves. Blue/silver/black if interested. No pics til back home Tuesday. (Message edited by Slaughter on January 17, 2015) | ||
| Jaimec |
Hein Gericke is made here?? | ||
| Jaimec |
This is a VERY popular source for riding gear here in New York: http://www.800branded.com/ Be very surprised if Court didn't know of them. | ||
| 1313 |
Hein Gericke is made here?? who still makes stuff in their own country? Ain't reading comprehension fun? You're not the only example, just the one being used as an example - sorry... 1313 | ||
| Steveford |
At least some of the Hein Gericke isn't made in Der Fatherland. I spied a Made In Korea label in one of them. Ach der lieber, vat iss mitt dis outsourcink? | ||
| Jaimec |
Yup. I have two Hein Gericke jackets hanging in my closet. They both say "Made in Korea." | ||
| Court |
I don;t know them . . . but I have seen them at the local Flea Market on Saturdays here in the neighborhood. Cool looking stuff. I had to look at the leather jacket I got from Harley in 1987. Sure enough . . . MADE IN KOREA. It is . . however, I must add . . . one of the favorites I've ever seen. Alas . . it's a 44 and I no longer am. it's either a goal or an eBay candidate. Hahahaha . . . . ditto some of the Aerostiches. (Message edited by court on January 17, 2015) | ||
| Steveford |
Hein Gericke also lost their US distributor a year or so ago. They made quite a splash when they first showed up here. It looks like they're going to operate under the First Gear name. I blame Kathie Lee Gifford and her infernal sweat shops. | ||
| Buellish |
I have a Police style leather I bought from Sears(where America shops for value and black leather jackets)back in 1979.It says Made in Tennessee on the label. I also have a Buell branded Vanson. (Message edited by buellish on January 17, 2015) | ||
| Crusty |
I've got an Aerostich Darien jacket and pants. They're not leather, but they were made in Duluth, MN and they're top quality. I also have a Schuberth C3 that fits me better than any other helmet I've ever worn, and it was made in Germany. Although it's impossible to do so completely any more, I do try to avoid anything made in China. | ||
| Fb1 |
That Fox Creek looks like the winner to me. Thank you so much! You're welcome. It's a very pleasant 40-minute ride from my garage to their door; when you walk in the front door it smells like SO good. They're good folks, and fellow riders; scroll down the page and look for "Melinda" and "Fox Creek Leather": http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=722684 &page=186 | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Was going to post that Aerostitch offers a "Transit" two-piece leather suit made in Duluth, but after checking their website, the last word of the write up states: "Imported" . . . Am a big fan of the Aerostitch textile RC two-piece, though. . . Read it on the internet, so no way to confirm, but I was under the impression Vanson moved all their production to El Salvador, but repairs and alterations were still done in Boston. . . I do have Harley jacket that is so old it actually has a "Made in the USA" label!!! Good luck. | ||
| Skinstains |
Last I checked the "Transit" suit was made in Japan. Surely not the USA but to me there is a world of difference between Japan and China. I would (have) happily bought from Japan where as I hate giving China any of my money. Last I checked Vanson was training a select group of people to work their machines in Brazil but keeping all the custom work here in the USA. | ||
| Jaimec |
Interesting. I was just looking at the Aerostich pages for the Transit suit and didn't see any mention that it was imported but I seem to remember hearing SOMEWHERE that it was. Hmmm... Just read it more closely. They are now selling the "Transit 2," the original "Transit" is no longer in their catalog. Could that be the difference? Also, their description for the R-3 says "Made in the USA." Their description for the R-3 Light says: "US and Imported" but nothing at all for the Transit stuff... | ||
| Froggy |
The Transit 1 was made in Vietnam, I distinctly remember that as I've looked into it in the past. I liked the Transit I tried on at the popup event in Jersey last year. I just did a web chat, the Transit 2 is still made in Vietnam.
| ||
| Skinstains |
I would've almost bet $ that it was made in Japan. Am I close to correct on the Vanson stuff ? | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
http://www.hideout-leather.co.uk/about-us | ||
| Steveford |
From the Vanson FAQ page: Are all your garments made in the USA? YES. As of late 2012, Vanson has been exclusively producing garments within the United States. Stock from El Salvador still exists and likely will remain, in pieces throughout different styles, for some time. We stand by the quality of these garments still, but currently do not offer the option to have Vanson products, with the exception of some cottons, produced anywhere but at our main facility in Fall River, MA. Can I ask for my garment to be made in the USA? You certainly can and we thank you for it. However, we currently have no options available for your garment to be made anywhere else. | ||
| Jaimec |
As I recall, the original Roadcrafter Lite was also made in Vietnam. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Syed Leathers made in Orlando Florida. | ||
| Jolly |
I've got a Fox-Creek jacket that will definitely outlast my riding days...it is extremely well made and heavy, great quality!! | ||
| Steveford |
A used Fox Creek showed up which is a bit big but I'll have that altered to fit. This is an older one which feels like deerskin to me. Another Vanson showed up, and was returned, as it fit like a circus tent and was made in (GAH!) Pakistan! Yet another Vanson is en route so we'll see. I also have some used Bates leather pants showing up so MAYBE I'll actually have some decent leathers once again instead of the ratty old crap I've been riding around in. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
I've got a 70's era ex-CHP jacket made by Cal-Leather, out of So. Cal. They were gone for a while, but now back in biz. in Ventura. If you can find them used on ebay they go for serious $ (the original vintage ones.) I got mine from a retired CA Highway Patrolman, back in the early 80's, and It's the coat I always reach for when heading out on any of the bikes. It fits like it was custom made for me! Still has the patch and metal grommets for the badge. ("Badges?, we don't need no steenking badges!") The new ones are excellent, well made jackets, and nice owners out to make customer service their main goal, as near as I can tell. You likely could just google them in Ventura, CA | ||
| Steveford |
Ebay madness strikes: I now have one summer weight Vanson, one heavier Fox Creek which I need to get taken in a bit and I'm in the process of getting a 2nd Vanson which is made out of their competition weight leather. From rags to riches in no time flat. The best part is: Made In the USA. |
