Jackets

Original Jackets
Mad Max (MFP)

Jacket worn by Max and the MFP. Bubba Zanetti also has a jacket made to the same pattern, but it's made of fabric. The jacket has large collars and lapels, has waste-adjustment tabs, and only one visible pocket. Jacket has no epaulets. The seam on the upper back is scalloped or "V"-shaped. No other seams appear on the back.

Mad Max 2 and 3

Jacket worn by Max in Mad Max 2 and Mad Max beyond Thunderdome. Jacket has two symetrical diagonal pockets. Jacket has no epaulets. The seam on the upper back is straight. No other seams appear on the back.

Gayboy Berserker

Jacket worn by the silver-helmeted bad cops, also known as the "Gayboy Berserkers". This jacket features a European racing collar with two snaps. The jacket has epaulets, waste-adjustment tabs, two symetrical diagonal pockets, and a front flap imbedded with 10 pairs of snaps. The brass sleeve zippers are placed in a peculiar place - outside of the seam. The back of the jacket has expansion seams behind the shoulders, and one seam on the lower back.

How Aussie Jackets Differ

Those familiar with American motorcycle jackets might be surprised to learn that most Australian jackets do not have the fabric webbing between the sleeve zippers, but rather a piece of leather sewn to one side. Also, the zipper tab for the main zipper is actually attached to the left-hand side, which would make the task of zipping up an Aussie jacket a bit awkward for most Americans.

Available Jackets
ABBYSHOT MAD MAX JACKET

SPECS:

RETAILER: Abbyshot Clothiers LTD
COUNTRY: Canada
PRICE: US$499
MATERIAL: Cowhide

PROS:
In my opinion, this is a more accurate jacket than the MFP Japan jacket (below). Also, it is half the price! Also made with the more accurate and comfortable cowhide (as opposed to horsehide).

 CONS:
For some in the parsimonious Mad Max community, this may still be too expensive.
Also, this jacket was not made to Mad Max 2 (The Roadwarrior) specs, so it is not as good for that application.

Check out additional images and an interview with the design team (exclusive to MadMaxCostumes.com)

MFP JAPAN JACKETS

SPECS:

RETAILER: MFP Clothing Branch
COUNTRY: Japan
PRICE: US$1000
MATERIAL: Horsehide/Cowhide

PROS:
The first Mad Max jacket replica. Perfect for the fan who wants to dress like Goose, or Max. The Max and Goose are made of horsehide, so it is especially good for the fan who rides a motorcycle and wants a durable jacket (many Police motorcycle jackets are made of horsehide). There is also a Roadwarrior jacket and available shoulder pad for those who want that look.

 CONS:
At about US$1000, these jackets are very expensive. You can get a fully custom-made jacket in the U.S. or Australia for half the price.
The horsehide jackets may be a bit stiff and uncomfortable. The original Goose jacket was most likely made of cowhide, so horsehide would also be inaccurate.

THE MARLON

SPECS:

RETAILER: Mars Leather
COUNTRY: Australia
PRICE: AU$458 (add $50 for a custom)
MATERIAL: Cowhide
PROS:
Comes with the knowledge that your jacket is an Aussie jacket. Made by Mars Leather, a well-known, high-quality motorcycle clothing maker in downtown Melbourne. The Marlon features the scalloped or "V"-shaped seam on the upper back, and has no epaulets or snaps on the collar.		 CONS:
The jacket is inaccurate because of the brass zippers and snaps, the belt, and a third pocket. The Mars logo is sewn-into the lower back. There is also another seam on the lower back. A couple of fans have commented that the collar is too small. But of course all of this can be corrected by special ordering a customized Marlon jacket.
From my own personal inspection of the jacket, the leather actually appears too-high-quality. The leather has a fancy, almost lambskin matte finish, with unusually large grain patterns. The jacket also did not seem to have the form-fit appearance of Max's jacket, but instead seemed a bit bulky.

THE DOUBLE DIAMOND and POLICE 'A'

SPECS:

RETAILER: Classic Jackets and Leather.com
COUNTRY: U.S.A.
PRICE: US$245 - $700
MATERIAL: Cowhide
PROS:
No epaulets, no snaps on collar and the "V"-shaped seam on the upper back. 2 symetrical, diagonal pockets.
CONS:
Although these jackets are meant to be custom-made, there are several things that need to be changed: the lapel snaps must be external, the collars must have pointed tips, the lacing and waiste-padding must be removed, and the seam between the tops of the pockets must be avoided. There is also a fold of leather behind the shoulders that should be removed.

Used Australian Jackets

SPECS:

RETAILER: Found at second-hand shoppes and pawn shoppes
COUNTRY: Australia
PRICE: AU$70 - $200
MATERIAL: Cowhide
PROS:
The main advantage is the price. In my opinion, if you don't have the money to get a fully accurate custom-made jacket, get one of these. You can find Australian-made jackets with no epaulets, no collar snaps, with only two pockets and a straight seam across the upper back. Why spend hundreds of dollars on a jacket if you're going to hack the sleeve off, roll it in the dirt, and barely ever wear it?
 CONS:
If you don't live near Melbourne, Australia, these jackets will be hard to come by. Most of the jackets will have belts, and have the brand name embossed into the lapel snaps. Belts can be cut off, and the snaps are easily replaced.
Where to look: I have thoroughly searched both Sydney and Melbourne for used jackets. I found none in Sydney, but was able to find 3 great jackets in Melbourne. This leads me to believe that Max's jacket is a Melbourne style. The fact that Mad Max was filmed around Melbourne also seems to support this.
The jackets can be found at trendy second-hand shoppes (don't waste your time in the Salvation Army), as well as pawn shoppes like Cash Converters. Chapel Street is an excellent place to find these shoppes. Also, Elizabeth Street is lined with many motorcycle shoppes (including Mars Leather), some of which sell used motorcycle clothing.

Mad Max | Mad Max 2 (The Roadwarrior) | Mad Max beyond Thunderdome
Special Topics | Tutorials | Inspiration
Main Menu