I wrote in my most recent blog post that I ordered “the ultimate” in premium leather gear from Langlitz Leathers of Portland, Oregon. The gear was delivered last Friday. The box as stated in the shipping information weighed 20lbs (9kg). The goods were a pair of competition leather breeches and a padded pocket Columbia jacket.

The majority of the package’s weight was the jacket. Man, it is really heavy! The scale tipped 15lbs (6.8kg) just for the jacket itself! But it is terrific. Warm, exceptionally well-constructed, and…

…perfect for wear on cold winter days even if not astride my Harley. This jacket is very warm. It can be left open at the front collar with the lapels and collar snapped down as worn traditionally, or unsnap the lapel/collar snaps and zip it all the way up to reduce wind chill when actually wearing it whilst riding a motorcycle.

The jacket is made of “medium weight” cowhide. If this is “medium weight,” I really wonder what “heavy weight” would be. (Frankly, I don’t want to know!)

It has 10 pockets — count ’em, 10! Six on the outside: two hand, chest, watch, left biceps, right forearm. Four pockets on the inside: an open map, zippered wallet, leather lined gun, and hidden armpit pocket. Bikers want and need pockets, though I think if one filled all of them, he would look like he was wearing bulky body armor.

I usually use pockets on my jackets to hold coins, keys, wallet, visible medical information and notification card, a small pocket knife, a clamshell old-fashioned cell phone, and a copy of a ride sheet (streets and turn instructions) when I go on organized rides and want to know precisely where I got lost when the group went one way and I went another. (giggle.)

Actually, these days, I doubt anyone carries actual printed maps in a map pocket of a motorcycle jacket. I actually do carry maps, but have them in my Harley’s TourPak (like a trunk) for those inevitable times my GPS lady gives up screaming “recalculating” and I have no idea where I am. (That happens often.)

This jacket is secured at the bottom with a fully-functional, perfectly-fitted, Sam Brown belt. I am thinking about adding a Sam Brown shoulder strap for the full effect of a tough biker’s jacket.

This jacket has “that scent.” The intoxicating aroma of new leather. When I hang it up after wearing and then open the closet door to get it out for the next time, the scent is, well, intoxicating! My spouse watched me the other day open the closet door and just stand there and inhale the strong aroma of new leather. He just smiled. He knew what I was doing — enjoying this jacket with all of my senses.

This jacket also creaks just like leather should. As I move my arms, one hears the sound of leather stretching and rubbing against itself in the arms. I’ve been told that some guys really get off on that “leather creaking” sound. I can’t say that the sound does that to me, but I do enjoy hearing those creak-creak-creak sounds when I wear it and move my arms naturally.

So this jacket is a delight for the senses of smell, hearing, sight, and touch. (I am not one to attempt to find out anything about the sense of taste. Leather is treated and conditioned with poisons. ‘nuf said about that.)

To top off the style of this jacket, the shoulders and elbows have quilted padding. The padding is a design feature, not for function. But those pads add to the mystery and seriousness of this jacket. It makes a commanding appearance, even for inconsequential old married bikers like me.

Yeah, I have a lot of motorcycle jackets, but never one so excellently constructed and commanding. I look forward to enjoying it for the rest of my lifetime.

Photos taken on the first day I wore this jacket are here. Inevitably, more photos will follow in the months and years to come. I am anxiously awaiting for the weather and my schedule to cooperate so I can take this jacket for a ride on my Harley.

Life is short: enjoy the sensual nature of supreme quality gear.