Is Freewheelers still producing leather jackets

[greenc]

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all well and that the weekend was good - I'm just back from eight days in South Texas and to all our friends there I hope everyone is getting through the flood tragedy as best you can. What an unbelievable turn of events.

To move then to the topic at hand - and I'm 100% sure I'm late to this party - but did I read on the forum somewhere that Freewheelers is no longer making leather jackets?

I went to their website and it shows all manner of products except leather jackets - from there to Desolation Row and the only jacket available is a 3rd Stone (East West style) piece.

Can someone please let me know if my information is right or completely backwards? Thanks very much, looking forward to speaking with you all soon.

Take care.

Chris

 

[Pliksoff]

Hi Chris,

Freewheelers did make leather jackets in 2024, although most of the stuff sold out pretty quick. I don't know their plans for 2025+ but it looks like they've resumed production.

I'd suggest checking with the official dealers listed on Freewheelers' website (link below) for upcoming releases. I know from personal experience that many of the Japanese folks are willing to work with overseas customers via email correspondence - such as Speedway Sendai, Mirror Ball, Genco Clothing, Avenue, Wolf Pack, etc.

List of dealers:

【フリーホイーラーズ】FREEWHEELERS OFFICIAL WEBSITE”

アメリカのリアルな歴史から生まれた服を、ヴィンテージウェアに見られる生地やディテール、パーツなどに着想を得ながら、最高レベルのクォリティを目指して創作するファッションメーカー「フリーホイーラーズ」のオフィシャルサイト。

freewheelers.co.jp

Store | FREEWHEELERS

I recall reading in some Japanese dealer's blog that Freewheelers had stopped for several years because they weren't satisfied with the quality of Shinki leather available.

Their current prices have technically kept pace with inflation, but it's still hard to stomach. Most new jackets are listed around 400k yen which would be ~$2700 with today's exchange rate. Used jackets tend to range from 150k-270k yen ($1000-1800) depending on the rarity and condition.

Example - 2024/2023 offerings from Speedway Sendai's website:

 

[BaslerChrysler]

Yeah, I’ve also read somewhere on the forum with someone referring to visiting Freewheelers/Desolation Row and asking directly. And eventually they confirmed that nothing is planned. IDK whether that’s correct or not. Last time I saw new Freewheelers jackets on sale was around Jan 2024 at Corlection and VMC Zurich but those were single pieces and not the whole batches with full size range. I guess only size 42 was offered. Plus maybe DC4 Berlin. That’s all I guess. Since then haven’t seen or heard anything.

 

[greenc]

Hi Chris,

Freewheelers did make leather jackets in 2024, although most of the stuff sold out pretty quick. I don't know their plans for 2025+ but it looks like they've resumed production.

I'd suggest checking with the official dealers listed on Freewheelers' website (link below) for upcoming releases. I know from personal experience that many of the Japanese folks are willing to work with overseas customers via email correspondence - such as Speedway Sendai, Mirror Ball, Genco Clothing, Avenue, Wolf Pack, etc.

List of dealers:

http://[URL]https://freewheelers.co.jp/store/

[/URL]

http://[URL]https://freewheelers.co.jp/about/english/store/index.html

[/URL]

I recall reading in some Japanese dealer's blog that Freewheelers had stopped for several years because they weren't satisfied with the quality of Shinki leather available.

Their current prices have technically kept pace with inflation, but it's still hard to stomach. Most new jackets are listed around 400k yen which would be ~$2700 with today's exchange rate. Used jackets tend to range from 150k-270k yen ($1000-1800) depending on the rarity and condition.

Example - 2024/2023 offerings from Speedway Sendai's website:
View attachment 717262

Thank you @Pliksoff I appreciate the information and your efforts with the links and screengrab - the prices are indeed tough to swallow. That said, I've been known to rationalize far more trivial spends - one of these days I'll spring for a Freewheelers.

Thank you again, enjoy the day.

Chris

 

[greenc]

Yeah, I’ve also read somewhere on the forum with someone referring to visiting Freewheelers/Desolation Row and asking directly. And eventually they confirmed that nothing is planned. IDK whether that’s correct or not. Last time I saw new Freewheelers jackets on sale was around Jan 2024 at Corlection and VMC Zurich but those were single pieces and not the whole batches with full size range. I guess only size 42 was offered. Plus maybe DC4 Berlin. That’s all I guess. Since then haven’t seen or heard anything.

I appreciate you reaching out @BaslerChrysler, thank you. A goal in the next two years would be a tour of Japan and the leather works - airfare is bananas from North America. Just the same it would be epic. Enjoy the day.

Chris

 

[pj_odin]

The reply I received by sending an email to inquire was that there are no production plans for the time being. As for how long this "temporary" lasts, there is no answer

But it is certain that the leather material of the new jacket is indeed not as beautiful as before, and the price is very high. So perhaps FW believes that making too many new leather jackets is not a good business plan

 

[Iron Horse]

They did not release any in 2025, correct?

Even their stockists show nothing in stock and didn’t last F/W: https://www.genco-clothing.com/category/24/?mode=pc

https://speedwaysendai.com/collections/leather