Link Hogthrob
4th April 2009, 05:12
Since my old jacket developed a bad case of road rash, it was time to get some new leathers. Having heard (read) a lot of positive comments about FCL, they seemed worth a try. I opted for the "Commander" model; similar to a traditional jacket but less hardware.
It's been said before, their jackets are heavy. This is truth. The skin is very thick. It's also soft and flexible with nice freedom of movement.
The inside.
The jacket comes with a thinsulate zip out liner with sleeve buttons. There is also a fleece neck warmer that buttons to the zip out liner and closes with velcro tabs. The jacket itself is lined with mesh and there are pockets for additional back and shoulder armor; both available from FCL. There are two pockets on either side; one with a snap and the other with a zipper.
The outside.
The most noticable feature is the large pocket flap on the upper left chest; the "map" pocket. This is a snap closure and once opened, there is a vertical zipper that opens the rest of this very roomy pocket. Oh, after you unzip it there is also a velcro closure to open too. This pocket will not open unless you want it open! Security to the hilt for sure. Once fully opened, there are two more sub pockets. Big enough for a Zippo and a pack of smokes or, if you're not a smoker, a little GPS unit and a couple packs of gum to chew on while you ponder just where the heck you are. There is also a secured elastic lanyard with a clip on the end. Kind of like what one would use to chain up the dog outside (a very small dog). I'm not sure what this is for but, I know I'll be glad it's there if I do(?)
The other outside features are pretty standard; zippered cuffs, snap side pockets. There are also zippered vents on the sleeves and lower back and grommeted breather holes at the arm pit area. All zippers are YKK. The sides can also be adjusted with velcro straps.
Fit and finish.
It looks very well made. The stitching is nice and tight with no loose threads hanging out. I'm on the small side at 5'8" and 165lbs. I ordered a size 42 and I swear the thing is custom taylored. The fit is perfect. With arms extended the cuffs don't creep up my wrists. This is the nicest set of leathers I have ever owned by far.
The cons. Yea, I got just a couple.
Those velcro side straps. The buckle these wrap around is some sort of plastic/ nylon material. I think brass would have been a sturdier choice but, who knows how long these things will last. Time will tell.
The neck warmer does not adjust for size. Currently, it should fit a linebacker for the Steelers. More velcro for dealing with us non-linebacker types would be a good thing.
Lastly, I'm a firm believer in the old addage "you get what you pay for". FCL gear is on the pricey side but, see the previous sentence.
It's been said before, their jackets are heavy. This is truth. The skin is very thick. It's also soft and flexible with nice freedom of movement.
The inside.
The jacket comes with a thinsulate zip out liner with sleeve buttons. There is also a fleece neck warmer that buttons to the zip out liner and closes with velcro tabs. The jacket itself is lined with mesh and there are pockets for additional back and shoulder armor; both available from FCL. There are two pockets on either side; one with a snap and the other with a zipper.
The outside.
The most noticable feature is the large pocket flap on the upper left chest; the "map" pocket. This is a snap closure and once opened, there is a vertical zipper that opens the rest of this very roomy pocket. Oh, after you unzip it there is also a velcro closure to open too. This pocket will not open unless you want it open! Security to the hilt for sure. Once fully opened, there are two more sub pockets. Big enough for a Zippo and a pack of smokes or, if you're not a smoker, a little GPS unit and a couple packs of gum to chew on while you ponder just where the heck you are. There is also a secured elastic lanyard with a clip on the end. Kind of like what one would use to chain up the dog outside (a very small dog). I'm not sure what this is for but, I know I'll be glad it's there if I do(?)
The other outside features are pretty standard; zippered cuffs, snap side pockets. There are also zippered vents on the sleeves and lower back and grommeted breather holes at the arm pit area. All zippers are YKK. The sides can also be adjusted with velcro straps.
Fit and finish.
It looks very well made. The stitching is nice and tight with no loose threads hanging out. I'm on the small side at 5'8" and 165lbs. I ordered a size 42 and I swear the thing is custom taylored. The fit is perfect. With arms extended the cuffs don't creep up my wrists. This is the nicest set of leathers I have ever owned by far.
The cons. Yea, I got just a couple.
Those velcro side straps. The buckle these wrap around is some sort of plastic/ nylon material. I think brass would have been a sturdier choice but, who knows how long these things will last. Time will tell.
The neck warmer does not adjust for size. Currently, it should fit a linebacker for the Steelers. More velcro for dealing with us non-linebacker types would be a good thing.
Lastly, I'm a firm believer in the old addage "you get what you pay for". FCL gear is on the pricey side but, see the previous sentence.