Thurlow Deerskin Jacket
Thurlow Deerskin Jacket
EVALUATION
Leather jackets and motorcycling go together about as well as pistons and rings because what motorcyclists need most in clothing is well provided by leather. Leather jackets aren't perfect; they are relatively expensive, not entirely waterproof and not as warm as the best insulated suits. But for comfortable protection they are ideal.
The range of leather apparel extends from that kind of thin and stylish coat sold in men’s stores to racing leathers. Between those extremes are the usual sort of leather jackets most motorcyclists wear or wish they could wear, with some kind of collar that doesn’t beat them in the head and enough pockets for a master link or something to eat.
Occasionally somebody announces a new, improved substitute for good old leather jackets, but to riders who appreciate the feel of a good leather jacket, no miracle fabric will ever replace it. There is, however, something better than leather. It isn’t cheap, it’s not waterproof, it doesn’t glow in the dark and it’s not made out of anything that gets pumped into tanks.
This wonderful material is deerskin and it comes from Thurlow Leatherworld. The Thurlow family has been working with deerskin and other leathers for several generations, according to their brochure, and the current line of gloves, jackets, pants, chaps and moccasins are all made with deerskin, or mooseskin for the moccasins.
Thurlow’s gloves, with no seams in the palm and their soft deerskin, have been the most comfortable gloves available for many years. It was only recently that we tried a Thurlow leather jacket, and it turns out to be every bit as pleasant as the Thurlow gloves.
Normal motorcycle jacket describes the style, with a snap-closed collar, zippered sleeves and pockets and a snapclosed waist. Colors offered range from light tan to black, with a couple of browns in between. All this is normal stuff, though well done.
What’s exceptional is the way the material feels. No ordinary leather could be so soft and comfortable. Even a well brokenin cowhide jacket can’t get as flexible as the deerskin. Thurlow cuts his garments to fit motorcyclists, with the sleeves long enough and the backs shaped so you don’t fight to hold onto handlebars. The jackets are available in standard and long sizes, or
custom made. Ours was ordered as a 40 long, and the rider who uses it thinks this is the way a 40 long should fit. Perfect.
Better yet is the temperature range of the deerskin. Normal leather is fairly comfortable at slightly warm riding temperatures, but it doesn’t provide much insulation in cold weather and it gets hot in hot weather. It’s still possible to get too cold or too hot with the Thurlow jacket, but the temperature range of comfort is noticeably greater than with a normal leather jacket. This seems equally split between providing more warmth in cold weather and less heat in hot weather. Up to about 90° it’s not uncomfortable and down to about 60° it provides enough insulation. That’s as good a range as any synthetic material.
There’s more good stuff to report. Our Thurlow jacket has been in use for about a year now. This is daily use, on at home, off at the office, back on for lunch, and again at the end of the day. On weekends it gathers hundreds of miles of bugs and gets to reflect lots of sun and the occasional shower. It still looks good. Walk into a res-
taurant after a day on the road and nobody turns around to see the man from outer space. Zippers still zip. Snaps still snap. It hasn’t gotten stiff or brittle or even particularly dirty. It can be washed, following the instructions, and looks good when it’s done.
Such quality does not come cheap. Considering the value, though, the price is not out of line. List price of our jacket was $219. There are other Thurlow jackets, models with shirt-style collars and ladies jackets and the prices are all a little different. Custom sizes are another $30, and shipping adds another $4. If this sounds steep, check the prices of other leather jackets and the difference isn’t great. What you get for your money is the most comfortable leather jacket money can buy.
Thurlow garments aren’t available in stores, generally. They are sold through the Thurlow shop in San Diego, California. A catalog of Thurlow products and price list are available from Thurlow Leatherworld, 4807 Mercury St., San Diego, Calif. 92111. Phone (714)279-9004.®
