Made to Measure Leathers ?

[Yorick]

I need a new set anyway for trackdays, and will be a pain to try to buy online, so I'm thinking about getting a set made.

It's a long time since I knew anything about this market.

I could fly over to UK to get measured up. Or could they get me to measure myself very carefully ?

Any good companies ? Any idea of prices ?


TIA

[cheb]

I'd say fly over and get them to measure you. They'll know where to allow adjustments, and any mistakes are theirs, not yours.

I can't help on companies, mine were made by Interstate back in the 1980s and they went out of business shortly after. And very shortly after supplying leathers that fitted me but not in colour I ordered. They still fit me too.

[weeksy]

4SR seem the most common at the moment.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Get measured, years ago I got measured up by MJK and they told me to buy a set of their off the peg 42" leathers as they would be an almost perfect fit for me - the young lady doing the measuring took one look at me and said "42", she then measured me and confirmed this.

Sadly I'm too fat for 42" these days.

[mangocrazy]

I had a set of one piece Crowtree leathers made in the mid 90s and they were/are a fantastic piece of kit, but unfortunately Crowtree are no longer in business - the main man died of cancer and his missus tred to keep it going, but couldn't. A great shame.

Unfortunately they appear to have shrunk. Getting into them requires fasting and the ability to pull the stomach in almost to the point of passing out.

So all in all, not much help really...

[Yorick]

Any idea of starting prices ?

[weeksy]

800 euro

[Skub]

It also depends on how much of the herd has to lose it's hide.

[Mr Moofo]

Hideout stuff in great - but heavy and about 1.5 k now, I believe...
MJK may still make stuff in NL, but the guy with the shop in Flitwick has gone.

I found with my made to measure Hideouts, it took 3 fittings to be really happy - not sure that just flying in for one session would work

[Nordboy]

I have three sets of BKS handmade leathers through work. Fantastic quality but I think the suit is about £1800+ these days depending on spec. Brian measured me up (very closely ) at their place in Exmouth.
They do online ordering though but not sure how that works.

[weeksy]

I have three sets of BKS handmade leathers through work. Fantastic quality but I think the suit is about £1800+ these days depending on spec. Brian measured me up (very closely ) at their place in Exmouth.
They do online ordering though but not sure how that works.

Well you don't get a special finish, but basically the same

[Mr. Dazzle]

I've got Crowtrees too, but as above that's of little use now!

Price wise though they were £850 ten years ago. Deffo need to be there to get measured - and try on the finished product - I'd say.

They weigh a bloody tonne too!

[KungFooBob]

NF Moto seem quite popular on the club scene, especially for a juniors/kids.

I suspect they're actually made in Foreign, but iirc the prices are good.

http://www.nfmoto.com/

[Cousin Jack]

Never used them but have heard good things about BKS leathers.

Eye-watering prices though. https://bksleather.co.uk/sites/default/ ... %25%29.pdf
£2400 and upwards

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I've had a set of leathers altered by Hideout, good service, did a good job, when they said they would, and charged way they said they would

[Horse]

I've had a set of leathers altered by Hideout, good service, did a good job, when they said they would, and charged way they said they would

[Supermofo]

Hideout always come up in these types of conversation on forums and mags. Only been in there once myself and was surprised how small it was, but they have a big reputation. If you did go there I'll shout you a coffee in Finchingfield

[GuzziPaul]

+1 For Hideout. You could fly into Stansted and be there is half an hour, especially if someone local picked you up then be back at the airport in a couple of hours and home for tea.
I've been having to wear by denim jeans and textile jacket as my leather jean and jacket have shrunk during lockdown.

Seems you can measure yourself as well.
https://www.hideout-leather.co.uk/bespoke/

[Hot_Air]

@Yorick With wild abandon, I have had Hideout trousers and the odd Scott Leathers jacket. In both cases, the quality was way ahead of the likes of Dainese and Astars.

Short answer: If you can afford it, get Hideout – worth every penny – maximum comfort and protection. Older Hideout leathers used to be hefty and stiff, but mine are more recent and incredibly supple. Scott Leathers are excellent too. However, you need to get Scott to confirm what happens if the measurements aren’t perfect the first time and the leathers need a tweak to get right.

More detailed thoughts:

• Hideout: There's a reason why everyone who has bought from Hideout recommends them so highly: Hideout take pride in ensuring your leathers are spot-on. Most of the cost goes on the highest quality of leather and manufacturing. Some of your money is paying for their know-how in measurement (it means visiting Hideout to benefit from this expertise). Also, Hideout takes evident pride in the protection and longevity of their leathers. Despite not being lightweight, my Hideout pants are the most comfortable gear I own. Money permitting, now I wouldn't go anywhere else.

• Scott Leathers: It’s significantly better quality gear than the best Italian leathers, IMO, yet the price is often lower than high-end Italian clobber. I bought my jacket from Scott Leathers at a bike show: after three months of radio silence, a parcel turned up with my clobber. While the jacket was perfect, I’m uncertain what would happen if it wasn’t – I recommend asking Scott Leathers what happens if anything needs tweaking to get the fit right.

[Hot_Air]

@Yorick Here are a couple more tips regarding Hideout:

• I would start with an exploratory chat on the phone (or email: hideout@btconnect.com) with Kate at Hideout. A natter on the phone or email conversation doesn’t commit you to anything, but it will help you know your options. The problem with Hideout is they can do almost anything, so it's handy to know roughly what you want before you visit. You could have a perforated cowhide right leg in pink with D30 armour and unperforated kangaroo in green for the left leg with Knox MicroLock armour. Kate’s a font of leather knowledge and advice, so it’s valuable to chat with her before you decide about a flight.

• Do you want airbag-equipped leathers? Hideout can do the In&Motion (electronic) or Helite (tethered) airbag in your jacket or suit. See: https://www.hideout-leather.co.uk/produ ... ull-suits/

Any idea of starting prices ?

For a one-piece race suit, Hideout starts at £900 plus 30% for made-to-measure. Scott Leathers is about £100 cheaper. Either of them would be considerably better, IMO, than the equivalent Dainese Laguna Seca (from £1,530 to £1,960 for made-to-measure without an airbag).