Langlitz leather jackets

Langlitz Leathers in Portland Oregon makes, quite simply, the best leather jacket in the world (although as the owner of a custom-made jacket, I have to confess I might be a little biased). They've been making custom leather jackets (and pants and gear) for almost 50 years.

Columbia

• Langlitz's Columbia jacket is the epitome of the traditional leather biker jacket. It has a heavy-duty adjustable band at the bottom, strong enough to support the weight of a heavy policeman's gun belt, and the back dips down to give better pant overlap.
• The jacket has a heavy duty offset front zipper made of brass. In fact, all the zippers on the jacket are high-quality brass. The sleeves cant forward for easy handlebar reach, assisted by semi bi-swings on the back.
• The Columbia comes standard with a dress collar, but you can easily substitute a fur or cassock collar.
• Shoulder epaulets are a popular option, as are diamond-quilted shoulder and elbow pads.
• You can also order the Columbia with belt loops and a Sam Browne belt if you want desire a bit more support or need to use the jacket for police work.
• Badge patches are also available if you plan to wear an outside badge and don't want to punch a hole in the leather.

Pocket Columbia

• The Pocket Columbia comes with four inside pockets (map, wallet, gun and hidden) and six outside pockets (two outside hand pockets, one each on the right wrist, left biceps and chest, and a small watch pocket on the lower left front.)
• It also comes with belt loops and a Sam Browne belt.
• The Pocket Columbia also includes epaulets on the shoulders.

Padded Columbia

• The Padded Columbia comes with the same four inside pockets (map, wallet, gun and hidden) and six outside pockets (two outside hand pockets, one each on the right wrist, left biceps and chest, and a small watch pocket on the lower left front.)
• Like the Pocket Columbia, the Padded version also includes belt loops and a Sam Browne belt.
• The difference between this jacket and the Pocket Columbia is that diamond-shaped shoulder and elbow pads (not the epaulets) come standard on the Padded Columbia.

YouTube's Leatherbyker shows off his Padded Columbia, Sam Browne and red-striped Rangers from Langlitz:

You can of course customize a jacket however you want it to be configured. The guys at Langlitz Leathers are happy to oblige if at all possible. For example, I ordered both epaulets and pads on my jacket. I also ordered leather lining on some pockets, and skipped the inside map and hidden pockets (but kept the wallet and gun pockets).


The jacket seems quite stiff and armor-like for the first few months. Langlitz staff advise you that their cowhide garments can take a few months of wear to soften up, and that's spot on. I've been wearing mine since August, and it's just starting to feel 'right' now.


Tip: Ask for 'finished edges' on your shoulder and elbow pads (with the edges folded under and sewn rather than leaving a visible line of suede).


LANGLITZ LEATHERS 2443-A SE Division Portland, Oregon 97202
Website: http://www.langlitz.com/
503-235-0049 (Phone)
503-235-0959 (Fax)


To request a catalog, email Catalog@Langlitz.com
For general questions, email Question@Langlitz.com
To contact the owner directly, email Dave@Langlitz.com

If you live close by or happen to visit Portland, stop by their shop, a short five minute drive from Portland city center. The store's open Monday to Friday and closed weekends.

Sarge D