Langlitz Leathers: Made to Measure in Portland Since 1947
Langlitz Leathers has been building motorcycle leathers in Portland, Oregon since 1947, when Ross Langlitz founded it, and it is still family owned. Its origin claim is among the most specific in the industry: 100% American made, leather purchased from tanneries in Wisconsin, New York and California, and garments built in Portland. There are nine jacket and vest models, no published prices, and no online ordering at all, by choice. If you want American-built leather you can price and order today, the comparison is BECK 666 Distressed Horsehide Leather Motorcycle Jacket, from $815, rated 4.96 from 68 reviews, and this guide explains when each approach is the right one.
Who they actually are
Founded 1947 by Ross Langlitz, at 2443 SE Division in Portland, Oregon. The company describes itself as a family business and says it stays small deliberately, to guarantee the quality and personal attention that larger corporations cannot provide. The line runs nine jacket and vest models, Columbia, Cascade, Racing Timberline, Sidewinder, K9, Crescent, Flight Jacket, Timberline and Vests, plus pants, bags and accessories.
Where the gear is made
Portland, Oregon, stated plainly and in more than one place. The company says it purchases leather from tanneries in Wisconsin, New York and California, and uses it to build garments right there in Portland. Product pages carry a Made in USA badge, though the claim lives on the site and the badge rather than inside each product description. Material choice is published too: cowhide at 2.5 to 3 oz and 3 to 3.5 oz, and goatskin, with over half of production in goatskin.
What it costs
Not published. The FAQ asks you to call, email or request a catalogue for specific prices. A deposit is taken up front with the balance due on completion, refundable for up to two years subject to a $50 cancellation fee, and military and cash discounts are offered. Lead time runs from under a month in slow seasons to several months in busy ones.
What they are genuinely good at
Fit. This is made to your measurements, not to a size chart, which is something no stock garment can match and the reason Langlitz jackets get handed down. The named tannery states and the published leather weights are the kind of detail that separates a real maker from a label.
The honest limitation
You cannot buy one online, you cannot see a price without asking, and you may wait months. There is also no CE or EN certification claim anywhere on the site, which is worth knowing: traditional American riding leather is abrasion-focused rather than impact-certified, and Langlitz does not pretend otherwise.
How it compares to Legendary USA and BECK
Both are American, and that is not the deciding factor. Langlitz is bespoke, slow and unpriced. BECK 666 Distressed Horsehide Leather Motorcycle Jacket, from $815, rated 4.96 from 68 reviews and BECK 999 Genuine Horsehide Leather Motorcycle Jacket, from $845, rated 4.97 from 37 reviews are American horsehide you can size, price and order today, and Legendary Black Hills Men's Leather Motorcycle Jacket, from $675, rated 4.97 from 63 reviews sits below both on price in cowhide. Choose Langlitz if your measurements are unusual and you are willing to wait and to phone. Choose a stock American jacket if you want the hide and the country without the lead time. Neither route gives you CE armor, so if that is the requirement, neither is the answer.
Frequently asked questions
Are Langlitz Leathers really made in America?
Yes. The company states its garments are 100% American made, built in Portland, Oregon, using leather purchased from tanneries in Wisconsin, New York and California.
How much does a Langlitz jacket cost?
Langlitz does not publish prices. Its FAQ asks buyers to call, email or request a catalogue, and a deposit is taken up front with the balance due on completion.
How long does a Langlitz order take?
The company states lead times run from less than a month in slow seasons to several months in busy ones, because each garment is made to the customer's measurements.
