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This jacket feels like it can handle anything. The leather quality is top-notch with a nice grain. It is heavier than expected for a middleweight (in my opinion), but that is a good thing. It starts out shiny and stiff but is breaking in well. I can't wait to see the teacore start to develop.
The little touches like the Conmar hardware, open collar snap, and removable liner are most appreciated.
Best of all is the regular fit. I am a boxy fella, and most racers are slim or very slim. The cut and the teacore leather made me pick this over the 689H and definitely any other racer. A collar like the 689H or Storm, etc., with hidden snaps, would bring this jacket from an A to an A+, but that's just personal preference. If you are on the fence, I would go for it. It is worth the premium price.
I wasn't sure about this purchase. First of all, I really don't like the shiny, almost plastic appearance that some horsehide jackets have. Secondly, I've read that horsehide jackets can be very stiff for a long time until they are broken in. Lastly, this is a fairly expensive jacket, especially if you're not sure about it.
Let me just say, absolutely nothing about this process was anything but perfect. I ordered the jacket in the early afternoon and received it the next day. Free shipping is normally not fast, but it is Fedex with Schott. The jacket is not too shiny. Right out of the box it looks absolutely amazing. I have had quite a few leather jackets over the years, several from Schott, but I this Shinki horsehide is on a whole different level. You don't need to be a leather expert to see that this leather is very special. For horsehide, it's not very stiff right out of the box. The hardware, liner and overall appearance of this jacket is stunning. It's not a cheap jacket, but to me, you can tell why it costs more. I am 6', 220 with a large frame. I went with the 2Xl, and it fits perfectly. It's definitely a fairly trim fitting jacket.
I am very happy with the purchase. This jacket isn't cheap, in price or construction. If you can afford it, I feel it's well worth the investment.
Absolutely exceeded my expectations in quality and cut. I was worried it would be too stiff or heavy for everyday, but that is not the case at all. Once I put it on, I couldn't get the tags off fast enough. The exchange process was so easy and fast to swap for an XL too. If you are on the fence, don't hesitate. Schott's knowledgeable staff will make sure you get in the perfect jacket.
This is a brand new high end specialty item, and looks like I am one of the first purchasers. Big responsibility on the review. I will try to get it right.
Me: 57 years old 6 ft. 175lbs 44 chest 32 waist athletic build. Owned 5-6 Schotts over the last 30 years, Been to the flagship store in NYC. Owned other brands of jackets including ones costing 4-5k, and custom.
The fit: I bought a large. It fits me personally better than any other Schott jacket. Like it was custom made. A lot of Schotts have room for a belly. This is a pretty trim and athletic cut. Sizing seems consistent with other Perfectos. I have an old 533 and this matches up. The only difference is that the Shinki may be slightly trimmer. Or, my 533 may have stretched, but basically identical sizing.
The liner: This is a very high end ribbed green tartan zip out liner. Zip out liners are often an afterthought, a gimmick, a bit of cheep fabric or fleece. This is not that. schott went all out. The color is awesome and matches the jacket and makes it pop without being showy. It is thin but substantial, and warm. It adds real versatility and usability and having it in or out doesnt change the drape or comfort. This particular liner is a huge feature of the jacket, that should be getting attention. I hope they do this more. This is the way it should be.
The cut, and style: The collar stands up a bit more than my 533, the hardware is there but it’s subtle unlike the 641 which has that dog collar look. You can dress this up a level or two and wear it to the office or out to dinner with a button down and slacks, and you are comfortably within corporate casual, or it works really well with jeans and a tshirt of course. Very versatile. Dress it up, dress it down.
The Leather: Shinki is special. Maybe you know that, maybe you don’t, but this is the good stuff. It’s horsehide. So it is relatively thin, lightweight, hard, tough as nails, shiny and stiff. Some horsehide looks plasticy and too shiny out of the gate. This looks burnished. It has depth. Shinki is known for this and unlike a lot of horsehide it looks amazing right away. I am going to have to earn the break-in and beauty that comes with age with this. I have had one other horsehide jacket and the reward for the initial stiffness is that it breaks in and molds to your body over time like no other leather, and Shinki is among if not the very best. My guess is that Schott knew that they had something special with this leather and they went all out and took some risk making a jacket above their current outstanding quality, with much better than their average (again outstanding) materials and techniques. They are going after the premium market, and to get into it they are offering an extreme amount of quality for value. If successful, with this, I am sure prices will be going up. This meets or exceeds the quality level of custom premium brands. Look out Himmel Bros.
Other thoughts: I’m not a review guy. I saw this one, and i thought i might like this, but probably not. I ordered it thinking there was probably a 75% chance I would return it, but I was truly blown away by every aspect of this jacket, if you are thinking about it, buy it now. Yes, it’s expensive, but I think this is Schott’s opening gambit into the luxury market. They absolutely killed it with this one. It’s going to be a success, and then the word will get out, it’ll be tough to get and the prices will skyrocket. Right now, you’re getting very high value for your buck.
Back in the 90s and 200s i drank Pappy Van Winkle because i thought it was very good and a decent value. I would just order a bottle every month or so. Then the word got out, and you cant get it at any price anymore. That’s an extreme example, but there is something similar going on here, I predict. Schott has always been the real deal, but they are taking it up a couple of notches with this one.
So yeah, I’m satisfied. If you buy it you’ll see i’m not exaggerating..
Just as its name implies, quite literally perfection. I got this one a couple weeks ago in store and I've been wearing it pretty much on the daily. It's quite warm even in 25F wintry weather.
Since 1913, we have stood behind the quality of our products. That's why for our customers, if you are not happy with your item, you can send it back to us, with no questions asked. Our return and exchange policy is valid for *30 days from when the item was shipped, and make sure the original tags are attached, and it has not been worn.
For US customers:
• Need to exchange an item? No problem. The shipping label for the first exchange is FREE
• Need to return an item? The shipping label is a flat rate label of $9.95
For more information on returns including for international customers please visit www.schottnyc.com/returns/