THE THIRD ADDITION TO THE RIDE OR DIE OUTERWEAR COLLECTION IS THE SALT LAKE VEST JACKET. THIS MID-LAYERING PIECE IS IDEAL FOR THROWING ON OVER A HOODY OR LONG-SLEEVE; PREPARING YOU FOR AUTUMN ADVENTURES IN THE MOUNTAINS, ON THE BIKE, OR AROUND THE CAMPFIRE.

 

THE VEST JACKET OR “CUT-OFF” (OR GILET IF YOU LIKE) HAS BEEN AROUND FOREVER, BUT THE IDEA OF ADDING PATCHES AND BADGES REALLY BEGAN DURING WORLD WAR II WHEN ARMY PILOTS WOULD DECORATE THEIR FLIGHT JACKETS WITH ICONIC IMAGERY FROM AMERICAN POP-CULTURE.

 

FOLLOWING THE WAR MANY OF THOSE AIRMEN TOOK TO MOTORCYCLES AS MEANS OF ESCAPISM AND TO REPLACE THAT ELEMENT OF FREEDOM ASSOCIATED WITH FLYING. FAST BIKES REQUIRE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING- AND WHAT BETTER PROTECTION THAN AN OLD FLIGHT JACKET? HOWEVER MANY FOUND THAT THE HEAVY SLEEVES WERE RESTRICTING THEIR RANGE OF MOVEMENT… SO THEY CUT EM’ OFF AND THE CUSTOM VEST JACKET WAS BORN!

 

OUR SALT LAKE VEST HAS QUILTED LINING AND IS CUT FROM A COTTON CANVAS, UNLIKE THE MORE ORIGINAL LEATHER AND DENIM STYLES- YET IN KEEPING WITH TRADITION WE’VE ADDED OUR BEST-SELLING WILD ONES SKULLS AND OF COURSE THE  SALT LAKE 1976 PATCHES.