BECK makes jackets the way they were originally made — from genuine horsehide, with construction methods built for decades of use rather than a season of fashion. The Northeaster Flying Togs is the kind of jacket that gets passed down. Legendary USA carries BECK horsehide jackets because we share the same commitment to real American leather gear — not fashion gear with vintage branding, but working jackets built from materials that perform.
What Makes BECK Different
Most leather motorcycle jacket manufacturers switched from horsehide to cowhide decades ago for one reason: cost. Horsehide is harder to source and more expensive to process. Cowhide is abundant and cheap. The result is that nearly every leather jacket sold today, regardless of price point or brand name, is made from cowhide.
BECK never made that switch. BECK continues to produce jackets from genuine horsehide, maintaining the material standard that made American leather jackets legendary in the first place. The fiber density of horsehide makes it more abrasion-resistant, more water-resistant, and better at holding its cut over years of hard riding. A BECK jacket doesn't bag out or go soft — it holds its shape and builds a patina that tells the story of where you've ridden it.
The Northeaster Flying Togs
The Northeaster is cut in the tradition of American aviation and riding gear from the era when these garments were designed to perform rather than just look the part. The horsehide construction means you're getting a jacket with the same material quality as the originals — not a reproduction designed around aesthetics with modern cost-saving materials under the branding.
Horsehide breaks in over time. The first weeks in a BECK jacket are firmer than you might expect from a cowhide jacket. That firmness is the density working for you — it's the same characteristic that makes horsehide more resistant to abrasion than softer, more porous cowhide. As the jacket conforms to your body, it becomes more comfortable while retaining the structural integrity that makes it worth wearing for decades.
BECK Vests in Horsehide
BECK also produces horsehide vests for riders who prefer the vest profile. The BECK 566 horsehide vest brings the same genuine horsehide construction to a riding vest format — built with the same material integrity as the BECK jacket lineup. For riders in warmer climates or who prefer a vest for layering, the 566 is the horsehide option.
Pairing BECK Horsehide with Legendary USA Deerskin Gloves
A BECK horsehide jacket pairs naturally with Legendary USA's deerskin gloves. Both are American leather gear built around material quality rather than price point. The Spitfire in black is a clean pairing for the Northeaster — matching the serious aesthetic of horsehide with premium deerskin glove construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BECK Northeaster Flying Togs jacket?
A genuine horsehide leather jacket built in the tradition of classic American aviation and motorcycle gear. One of the few horsehide jackets still in production. Legendary USA carries the BECK Northeaster and other BECK horsehide styles.
Where can I buy a BECK Northeaster Flying Togs jacket?
Legendary USA carries BECK horsehide jackets. Browse available styles in the Legendary USA jackets collection.
Is the BECK Northeaster made from genuine horsehide?
Yes. BECK uses genuine horsehide — not cowhide labeled as horsehide. The material difference is real and apparent when you handle the jacket.
How does a BECK horsehide jacket fit?
BECK is cut in the tradition of classic American gear — more fitted than modern motorcycle jackets. Size to your measurements. Horsehide takes time to break in but conforms to your body and holds that shape.
Browse Legendary USA's jacket collection to view available BECK horsehide styles and other American leather riding gear.