These days Star Trek can, and is, a collection of tales with multiple settings. From secretive science experiments, to unimportant Starships. In the 1990’s Star Trek was seen as only one thing: A crew exploring space on the Enterprise. And there was even pushback to there being a different Enterprise and crew in the 80’s before the launch of The Next Generation. But producers of the time weren’t worried about cries of heresy as they came up with a new plan to expand the Star Trek Universe with Deep Space Nine.
Having a show on air that followed the Enterprise flying through space and meeting the bumpy foreheads of the week, Deep Space Nine would go the other way, focusing on a space station that finds a gateway to a far away quadrant allowing them to focus on exploring the local Bajoran cultures, whilst the aliens of the week would instead come to Deep Space Nine. A galactic crossroads.
It was a risk, and one that would give the opportunity to show something different in the Starfleet world. Though how it would begin in it’s pilot episode would show less risk while setting up what would end up becoming the most arc-based series of it’s time.
As always, there’s a few places to get your hands on the field jackets, from the budget costume suppliers Cosermart, to the high end made to measure Excellent Leather Store. Though as soon as Picard showrunner Terry Matalas shared Hero Within’s efforts, our interest was instantly gained.
Licensed retailers for costume pieces in the Star Trek Universe are few and far between these days. Having already produced some Trek-wear, as well as a copy of the Strange New Worlds field jacket, Hero Within had been gaining traction in their popularity. Despite some retailers being let downs (saying Anovos is enough to anger a lot of out of pocket fans!), Hero Within’s attention to detail combined with very reasonable pricing made this an instant win for me – and the first time I’d take a risk with a licenced costume piece.
Being in the second pre-release wave, there was a bit of await. But Hero Within laid out the expectations instantly, letting each wave know their ET and offered tracking as soon as it shipped. After an impatient wait for arrival in the UK, and seeing others showcased on their twitter feed, when the jacket finally appeared it took around three seconds to get the package opened and give it a whirl. Despite the fact I was in the middle of a shift….
The fit is the most impressive part. It’s always a gamble buying something online, especially having to face the reality that having a ‘dad bod’ in reality means I’m visibly middle aged. Plus many outfits sold online have a disconnect to UK sizing. However Hero Withins measurement chart was one of the few honest ones I’ve came across and it fits perfectly.
Detailing of course isn’t entirely screen accurate. On the show the jackets had a slight delta pattern on the shoulders which has been replicated by other companies in both cut-outs and print. If I was making this myself (my original plan, but time is limited!) I know the exact upholstery leather I’d be using. But through development HW made sure to stress test everything and removed the detail in the shoulders to improve durability and longevity as well as to ensure the jacket wasn’t just a costume piece, but a fully wearable item any day of the week. I did think I’d miss the detail, but as soon as it’s in my hands I don’t mind and really appreciate the effort from HW to make sure it’s an outfit that lasts.
In terms of material, most of the jacket is vinyl. All elements that do include the pierced sections are leather, while heavy duty spandex is used in the elbows. The vinyl doesn’t give the worn look I usually prefer, but does make the jacket look sharp and clean as well as keeps cost down significantly. Not all of the measurements are spot on perfect and don’t mirror up perfectly, but thats a point I appreciate as it gives more authenticity to a semi-military outfit.
And of course, the element that makes it stand apart from non-licensed works. The lining. It’s a small thing that you’d never see but having the bright blue star-field and Picard logo inside is a wonderful touch that’s hard not to appreciate, topping their previous lining print efforts.
To make the jacket pop more, I did get myself some new Admirals pins from a non-licensed retailer which really does bring the jacket alive. In wearing so far, I’ve also added a Fansets magnetic pin, who I’m a big fan of, but the magnets hold far better through different fabrics and due to the thickness of the vinyl will have to be replaced by a proper pin at some stage to be able to hold in place.
The pins – both rank and Starfleet insignia – really bring everything together. I won’t lie, I don’t think I’d love it as much without them on there. So in a weird way, it’s really a team effort and I hope Fansets, with their recent addition of TNG era rank pins, produce some 25th century pins to help compliment it down the line for non-flag officers. In terms of the delta however, as much as I appreciate the creative logic of changing the colours and Fansets releasing the season 3 version of the pin, I much prefer the cleaner style of the original release.
Overall, part of me does prefer real leather. But that’s the only real gripe I’d have, and it’s quite a small one. Even the smaller yolk I don’t mind. Forgoing any shoulder padding really helps with the comfort of wearing it. The product is excellent and if anything, I think it’s underpriced in the current market. But thats good for all fans and absolutely wonderful for a licensed company to produce this kind of quality for such great value for money.
In terms of their licensed products, Star Trek seems to be their biggest output. Though HW’s more generic jackets include items from DC, Marvel. Their Doctor Who line also has some interesting products. However, with their customer base supporting the Star Trek Universe line, Hero Within are one licensee worth keeping an eye on for some great products at even better prices!
Check out Hero Within and see their full range!
Note: The Picard Field Jacket retailed at £81 GDP excluding postage. Other items, including tactical bomber jackets and the SNW field jackets retail at roughly the same price.
About the author
Comms/Comms Relay Revisions from Beta Quarter 2025 Onwards
Following our last released issue of Comms as a downloadable publication, we've been moving to an easier and more accessible format by using Q2's website for various articles and updates throughout the year which has included some carry over features from Comms itself. After some trial and error experimentation, our 2025 plan began with some tests through the first quarter and a new comms line up for the site ahead of any plans by our next Fleet Comms Officer. To mirror the old style, reduce workload and offer some variety to our regular posts, we've broken down the year of updates through our operating quarters and scheduled in a rotation of our regular features to keep the fleet updated, entertained with some positive Trek hijinks and more. The current quarter (Beta Quarter: April, May, June) is the first full use […]
[Q2&A] If I Could Get Serial For A Minute…
With a long history and many people coming to SFC over the decades, there can often be a lot of curiosity for members – both old and new – about various subjects. From questions about our base structure, how to get four pips, how Q2 and Q1 diverged many moons ago.... even questions on the curse of the Daring. Sometimes we have questions where the answers are as mundane as the question. One of the most common.... what is my serial number and why do I have it? Like any account number in the known universe – whether it's your broadband provider or local Blockbusters – your service ID is a unique membership number that helps us identify each member whether we're updating a record or assessing a Fleet Support application form. With our structure and organisational systems based on […]
[Retro Review] Latent Image; Voyager S5E11
Running through annual check-ups and playing around with a 24th century version of a digital camera, the Doctor spots some weird scars on Ensign Kim. Scars that could only have come from a surgical procedure he developed, but has no memory of ever performing. The surgery isn't the only gap in the Doctors memory. What else has he forgotten? And how...? No matter the show or the season, Star Trek loves diving into the lives of it's artificial characters. Data explored everything from his basic rights to the meaning of dreams as he developed to become more of a person. For the Doctor, things had always been a bit more complicated. He was a program developed for short term use. A piece of equipment built into sickbay that could be turned off and on at will. While Deep Space Nine's […]
A New Class: Academy Revisions For The Class of 2402
It's only April and the year has been one for us to take a step back and review our operations to do some much overdue maintenance on our overall performance and offerings. One of the major hurdles for the second quarter is one of the tougher parts of Q2: The Academy. Once upon a time the Academy was a core part of the experience in joining SFC. After singing up new members would pass through the Academy, completing a series of tests before becoming an ensign, joining their unit and becoming an active member of the club. Many people over the years enjoyed the more immersive and playful nature of being part of an organisation modelled after Starfleet. Some didn't. As years went by, the franchise itself evolved, opening it's door to new fans who'd want to reach out and […]
A Fistful of Vulcan Emotions
Being a key element in the Sstar Trek lore from the very beginning, Vulcan mythology can often seem distorted by simplicity. Seen as a stoney emotionless species, their society is built on logic and science in helping them understand and navigate through the complexities of the universe. Though when it comes to them being emotionless, nothing could be farther from the truth. Once a volatile and primitive species, the Vulcan culture came from the teaching of Surak who learned to repress his violent urges and find peace within logical thought. Surak's teachings would become the basis for Vulcan core values for centuries. When it came to the original series, Vulcans were introduced through Spock – a half Vulcan with a human mother who often wrestled with the cultural norm of repressing emotions alongside the human half's more emotional state. Over […]
[Retro Review] Year Of Hell: Voyager Season 4
Embracing all aspects of science fiction has been Star Trek's thing since it's inception and time travel was no exception. Ever since the first time travel adventure with Kirk's Enterprise ending up in the 1960's, we've seen the various crews out of time and desperately trying not to change their own history. In one adventure, history would constantly change around the USS Voyager. One of the most memorable and loved two parters, Year of Hell remains a symbol of how desperate the situation could have been for the Voyager crew. As Janeway negotiations with an alien species for free travel through their region, a small annoyance of a ship interrupts them. Then suddenly, the timeline changed. The aliens, the Zahl, were gone. Erased from history. And the unsophisticated Krenim ship that was no match for Voyager one second was now […]
Related
Delta’s Done Right: A look at FanSets Recent Offerings!
When it comes to collectables in the Star Trek world, one of the most reliable lines of merchandise were pins that fans could wear or display to replicate the brave Starfleet heroes on screen. For many fans, back in the day the go to place for these was Hollywood Pins' collection as they churned out every Starfleet emblem from all era's, rank pins and even a few commemorative pins including limited edition anniversary designs and Starships. Several other contenders have came and gone providing the coveted icons of Star Trek fandom, including the Roddenberry Store and QMX. However, the latest supplier – FanSets – seem to be the most enthusiastic yet.
