I had issues with LeatherUp and the zipper breaking , they gave me the run around regarding fixing it. I went to the local Tandy leather and had them repair it, wont buy from them again. my $0.02

 

I have purchased from them and they have good quality items... however my favorite is a HD Leather Coat that allows me to unzip the front and back and turn it into a mesh jacket for cool airflow but retains protective leather reinforcment in areas like the elbows and outer arms. Trully a muti-faceted coat. I bought it off season as I do all my gear including heavy hunting clothes and save 50%+. Not cheap... frugal.

 

Ok, I just looked at Craigslist for Jacksonville and turned up this one. I bought my jacket off craigslist (St. Louis) and it was really nice. 100.00 The one I just turned up is 75.00 and is said to be brand new!
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/clo/2151584239.html
So take a look at it and if it fits your bill give them a call. Didn't know what size you are so guessed large, they have all sizes.
Ride Safe

 

My .02 cents. Find a local leather person. I found a shop in Cleveland where an American Indian made me a buffalo hide jacket, custom, that will last me a lifetime for about 400 bucks. I agree with the other guys on here that say ya get what ya pay for.

 

where did you go in cleveland?

 

Not to disagree with other posters about the "better" jackets but sometimes you just cant start out with the mercedes.....and the OP is is proce sensitive. My .02

+1 on Leaterup.com if your wallet is skinny.
Get a lined leather MOTORCYCLE jacket (longer zippered sleeves) with zippered vents (front and back) with inside pocket and a zip out insulated lining. Should have gussetts in the shoulders so you can move freely when wearing it, YKK zippers and reinforced elbows. Leatherup.com sells several kinds. Not to disagree with other posters about the "better" jackets but sometimes you just cant start out with the mercedes.....and the OP is is proce sensitive. My .02

 

i love my vanson leather. iconic and very cool. i live close to factory and could go pick one out. agree about longevity and getting what you pay for.

tin

 

Legendary USA sells both domestic and imported jackets. Their Legendary branded jackets are made in the us, apparantly by the same people that make Schott jackets. They've got jackets starting at about 400 bucks, and are very good quality. For 500 bucks, they've got a HEAVYWEIGHT 5 oz (2mm) cowhide leather jacket. Most of the leather jackets we buy are closer to 1.2 to 1.6 mm, depending on quality. The heavy but cheap "buffalo" leather jackets from Pakistan or China are water buffalo, not bison. They've also got a horsehide jacket for about 650 bucks, a good deal considering most mfgrs would charge a grand or more for a horsehide jacket.

Walter Dyer makes very nice leather jackets and vests. I've got one of the leather Levis style cut vest. It's not quite Lil Joe's quality, but for 160 bucks, it's pretty nice. It's definitely comparable to Fox Creek in quality, and also made in the U.S.

I've got Langlitz and Schott and Vanson in my closet. For my money, I'd say Vanson has the best blend of toughness and quality at a semi-reasonable price. I've got 4 of their jackets, soon to be 5 with still one more I'm planning on adding to my collection of riding gear in the next year or so. Their jackets are unbelievably tough, and if I go down, I hope I'm wearing Vanson.

My leather FXRG jacket was the biggest disappointment. The zippers are cheap nylon coils, and are troublesome. (the pin comes out of the stop, and the zipper seperates from the bottom up). Not what you expect to see in a 600 dollar jacket. I'm going to have the main zipper on my jacket replaced with something heavier, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Made in China, it's going to be the last Chinese jacket I ever buy. It's warm and comfy, but if the main zipper doesn't do it's job, the whole jacket is worthless.

I've also had jackets from Branded garmets. All U.S. made, heavy quality leather for a bit less than Vanson or Schott.

 

Also, Branded Garments makes U.S. made leather jackets. Or at least they used to. I just went looking for their website, but couldn't find it. It would be a shame if they went out of business, they made tough, classic motorcycle jackets at a very reasonable price. I've got a milspec horsehide A2 jacket in my closet that I used to wear a few years ago. It's 15 years old and still looks almost brand new.

 

My bud just picked up a Leatherup jacket for under a $100.00. Looks like a decent jacket for the price. If you're tight on funds that may be a good place to start. However, I wouldn't trade my Fox Creek for nothing. Fits like it's taylor made. Just received a ad from Fox Creek about some great clearance items.