Plate coat: Out West vs. Flying Cross

[TheRockawayKid]

So I'm looking at getting a plate coat. Living in cold weather northeast. What would you recommend? Which one is better? I assume someone like @MadMax would be an expert in this, as he is in all things equipment. 

[wolfe_man]

I have no personal experience with them, but I had a friend with a lot of experience buy one from Out West and he hated it.  He's had other plate coats and this was the worst he had tried yet he said. YMMV

Flying Cross would be from Fechheimer and should be a superb coat.  I've personally had Honig's and Fechheimer and found them to be very high quality and the fit was very good.  They will last forever and clean up nicely when you take simple care of them.

[834k3r]

I'll let Max and others pipe in when they're available, but I know several folks on here have had success basically making their own (knowing a seamstress or knowing how to sew is key, of course). Can be done for a fraction of the cost of a pre-made from what I understand.

[MadMax]

You're too kind, @TheRockawayKid. 

@wolfe_man is quite correct, that the "new stuff" can't beat the "old stuff". OutWest is a copycat company, and really don't invest, properly or fully, into cultivating a top-quality product. Flying Cross, as a brand, is/was a clothier, and thus their plate coats reflect(ed) the attention to those relevant details (fabric quality, sewing robustness, etc.). Honig's achieved its quality because Honig's had first-hand access to all the Major League uniforms as the official outfitter of MLBUs for 20+(?) years. When your staff personally handles these garments, and performs all the tailoring, alterations, and cleaning for a collection of professionals, wherein appearance and presentation is a premium, you learn and infuse how to build your own version. 

With that said, you can build your own. I did, for a grand total of $80. Here's what it took:

• A 44L Calvin Klein -brand summer-weight sport coat, black, with a box split – which means a split on either hip, instead of a center-split. Purchased from a Sportcoat & Suit Liquidation Sale for $25. 
• 3 yards of black fabric, type-matched as closely as possible to the sport coat. $15. 
• Velcro, raw 3" wide. $5. 
• A tailor/seamstress willing to accommodate a unique request, and securely design, fabricate, and sew on billowed ball pockets, reinforce the primary button, and sew on: A) a velcro landing patch on the yoke (for a national flag) and B) a velcro landing patch on the right sleeve (for numbers) (optional C) a velcro landing patch on the left chest lapel pocket for league patch; I use magnets for this one) $35. 

"Recycling" or "upcycling" a sport coat is such a beneficial endeavor, since you can get a well-made sport coat at a tremendous bargain, and keep it from the land-fill, or being shredded into bulk fill. 

[DerekGDS]

Fechheimer and it isn't even close but as MadMax said, if you want to make you're own it certainly possible and none on the market are available in a more suitable summer fabric.

[Marcus6]

I have a navy Fechheimer from 20 years ago that looks brand new and has been worn a lot for high school. After about 18 years I needed to have the top button that you button when wearing it re sown. I believe in buying quality. I’d def be fine spending the extra for the black Fechs/Flying Cross now that are used by MLB and MiLB.

[cgroom]

If you get the Fechheimer be sure to keep the wedding ring polished up. A line of suitors generally starts to form near the field exit if you don't have the ring on prominent display.

[mac266]

I have a Fechheimer and an Out West. The Fechheimer is rather old; it was a hand-me-down. That being said, I love both. I do not agree with the first reply; I think the Out West is both top notch quality and the material is great. I get tons of complements on it. I had it tailored after I bought it, so it fits better than the factory specs. The Fechheimer is a little big on me (seen in my profile pic)

[Jonump]

Mr. Mad Max,

How does the 44L relate to your standard size as a coat?

Awkwardly phrased but I mean how would you ballpark the right size for it if you were say a little loose 42 regular? Some of the websites say different stuff.

Do you buy the same size as you wear?

I don't think I deserve to wear one yet, but have aspirations. They look cool and great for cold weather

[Jonump]

Oops, missed the "same size you wear" on the officials depot site. still, would appreciate a real world opinion

[MadMax]

4 hours ago, Jonump said:

How does the 44L relate to your standard size as a coat?

I’m 6’2”, 215lb, and can wear a 44R, but the 44L makes it drape on me properly while wearing the fabulously low-profile DX family of CPs (shameless, shameless plug). My first-ever plate coat was a Fechheimer 46R, and while it did fit me (and the Schutt XV I wore) well, I was… “treading water in it”. In a 44R, with the CP on, the cuffs ride up a bit for my liking, so YMMV. The 44L turned out to be “just right”. 

If you’re going to a liquidation sale to track one down, or heck – just to determine your size, take your CP along; no shame in that.