They were wonderful to work with. My flight suit arrived just in time and very happy!

This company has gone downhill since I first did business with them a few years ago. Their website is nice, their product offerings are nice, but their customer service is wretched! Over a month ago, I ordered two matching Velcro name patches for my flight jacket. G&B's website says turnaround time is usually around two weeks before shipping. Reasonable, I thought. Now, at over FOUR weeks, I'm told that the name patches will likely go out in (you guessed it) another week. During this wait, I was never contacted with updates on my order's progress, when it would now arrive, no acknowledging apology for the longer time it was taking, nothing. The only information I was ever given was when I'D call or email for it, and then I'd get only terse, clipped responses from the customer service reps -- no feeling that I was a valued customer or that they would do what they could to move along the order. What I was curtly told by was that "it's the busy season and we're backed up". I asked what busy season occurred in September but was never given an answer. Additionally, I asked for a courtesy waiver of my shipping costs ($9 for two patches!!) and again did not get this addressed in the reply I got. Lastly, I also found out that the patches are embroidered in a shop down in Mexico, despite G&B presenting itself as a "Made in America" type of company. Lame. Today, I asked to speak to a supervisor and lo and behold I got Claudia, who'd been my apathetic contact in numerous past exchanges. She asked what it was regarding and I repeated my request for a supe. "None are available right now," she told me. I asked when one might be available to speak to. "I don't know," she said. (This was exactly what happened when I last asked for supervisory help a couple of weeks ago). I told her I'd try back another time. A company is only as good as its most forward-facing point of contact, and I've not been wowed at all by this one. Once I get my name patches, I'll be using another company for any future aviation uniform needs. This one apparently can't be bothered to treat its customers with any courtesy or respect. read more

Wow what a great place to get all of your flight paraphernalia. The store is located in the middle of nowhere but they have done some great work (ie flight suits for Top Gun and Ghostbusters). I take my transport team out here to get their flight suits fitted and they have always been stellar in customer service. customization is part of their forte as they are very helpful with any special requests. Just a note: it will take quite sometime for them to get it back to you. read more

Gibson & Barnes - Cool helmets. Too expensive for me ha - Fashion Near Me - El Cajon, California

See all

The agency I work for ordered 30+ Gentex helmets from this company 3 YEARS AGO. Sizes were also taken. They finally arrive with nothing but small and medium sizes. Despite the fact over half of the measurements taken were either large or bigger. WTF. This place is an inexcusable shit show. First of all 3 years to complete the order. Then the salesman has the nerve to show up at our facility with an incomplete order then hope they can shoehorn some big melons into the smalls and mediums they sent us. I'll tell you this much, G and B has a lot of nerve. I'll be imploring my agency and any others to go elsewhere from here on out. The customer service and follow up is pathetic. They took the grant money and ran. Agencies and people looking to do business with these clowns beware. Message me and I'll be glad to explain the details. read more

I ordered my helmet parts on 12/9/2021, and I ordered about $420 worth of parts. When I got the box I got the helmet lens I ordered but nothing else in the box, but the packing slip indicating I was to have received everything. When I called I was told that they would have to look into it, but I should double check everywhere in my house cause it still may be here. Given the hectic time of the year (Christmas) I did that. I even opened boxes for Christmas, thinking they may have gotten wrapped inadvertently. They didn't. I called back a week later and I was told that they would probably be sending me replacements for the parts I didn't received but she wasn't sure yet and needed to talk to someone to find out for sure. A MONTH LATER I STILL HAVENT HEARD ANYTHING. Suffice it to say I will never be using this "vendor" again. read more

I have been a customer for years, own several of their leather jackets. All impeccable construction, quality and value for money. Have purchased several for friends over the years, who rave over them. Glad they are still very much in business. A great thing in light of what is happening to quality in this country. Hats Off to Gibson and Barnes. read more

I was really looking forward to my visit yesterday, until I got there. First, despite what it says on the website: The factory has been moved to mexico so all that is left are administrative office staff... there are no daily tours (really surprised by this since I called in advance and was told... sure come on down)... their signature jacket is listed as being silk lined, but when I questioned the lining material I was told they ran out of silk and were having trouble finding some (amazing!!!)... Also, be aware that despite any indications jackets are in stock they only have a few on hand so I couldn't even see samples of some options and there was only 1 46 tall on hand so that jacket was my only option... but at that point the sales guy told me it would only take 5 to 6 weeks to make me a jacket When discussing all of the innacurate info on the website and the fact that I called the day before he just shrugged his shoulders and said he would relay on... Having driven 120 miles to visit the factory and find my perfect jacket I left without buying a jacket and they gave me no reason to give them my business. read more

The Air Ambulance Company I work for ordered 5 Fight suits for our pilots. There was a small issue with USA Flags for the shoulder on the suits. I talked with Samantha and she solved the issue without question or hesitation. It is simple; this business still provides Great Customer Service in these times when it seems lacking. read more

Years ago, I found they had on their rack, a Civil A-2 jacket with substantially reduced price. I was working in North County and called to find out when they closed, and mentioned I was coming by for the jacket. I managed to get stuck in heavy traffic on the south bound 15 fwy, and met the owner's son, locking the front door of the business. I apologized for being late, and this gentleman was kind enough to unlock the front door and serve me, even though I had clearly missed the close of business time. He was great to deal with. Both he and I had careers in accounting and shared a few nice exchanges. The jacket has been with me for many years and is constructed excellently. This store is owned by a former USMC aviator, and his family. It's a small business which caters specifically to real pilots and those in the business of aviation. I am not a customer for their helmets, and oxygen masks, but I appreciate that this is truly the "real McCoy" and not just working the "historical recreations" market. I think G&B produces one of the best values in recreation A-2 and G-1 leather flight jackets. High quality and very decent price. The historically accurate editions of these kinds of jackets can run many hundreds of dollars at other companies. Download the PDF catalog to get a fuller listing of the various flight jackets they offer. read more

Sent my helmet in for CEP installation - was told 12-14 day turn around for the work to be completed. After a month I called and my work order had been closed but I had not received my helmet. After some research they found my helmet sitting on their shelf. Work still wasn't completed. Glad I called them on it. I won't send my helmet to them again. I can't believe they are held in such high esteem. I won't make that mistake again. Find someone else to do your helmet mods. These guys don't deliver. read more

There haven't been many times that I have received the type of customer service that I received from Gibson & Barnes. I took my 38 year old leather Navy flight jacket, that I was issued in Flight School to them with hopes they would refurbish it. While it isn't a service that they normally provide, they took on the challenge because they new how much history and memories I had wearing my Navy G-1. I could not be more pleased with their work. If I could give them 10 Stars I would. Special thanks to Amanda. I highly recommend anyone looking for a leather jacket or aviation apparel, you won't be disappointed with G&B. read more

I've purchased six A-2 aviator leather jackets from G&B. I ordered my first one, two weeks before traveling to England in 1990 to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain celebration and to visit the American Air Museum in Duxford dedicated to US airmen who fought and died on the bomber campaign in WWII. G&B told me they probably couldn't finish the jacket in two weeks but they would try their best. The jacket arrived the day before my departure and it added immensely to my enjoyment of the trip. They stopped doing custom orders due to costly returns but I showed up at their store and they made me a special black lambskin A-2 which is very sharp looking for a dressier look. I wear it for special occasions. If you want custom features, it's best to show up at their store in person and inquire during late Spring and early Summer when their business is slow. Also pay cash up front and agree to not return the jacket for any reason - this minimizes their risk of losing money on the sale. Their workmanship on all six jacets are impeccable; not a loose thread or crooked seam anywhere, unlike a previous jacket I bought from The Cockpit. Diehard A-2 reproduction collectors complain that G&B A-2 jackets aren't exact copies of actual wartime A-2 jackets but if you're like me, happy with a generic A-2 jacket that is 95% authentic, this is the best deal in A-2 jackets. read more

After doing business with this company for many years, There customer support has gone down severely. We have ordered products and never received them or even a call back to get an updated status on the product. We had to call them back many times with many assurances. Still no call back from them or product. We finally canceled business with them and would not recommend this company to anybody anymore. Extremely poor service if any.... read more

A little disappointed. Despite charging high prices, Gibson Barnes won't support the all volunteer air show at their home airfield each year. Sad. They are the only game in town and profit from all the volunteer work of the pilots and the business they bring in. read more

I ordered a jacket and the wrong size was sent, had to be re-ordered. It just arrived - and is totally perfect. Throughout the entire (couple of month) process, my contact there was Amanda Stroud - who couldn't have been kinder, more diligent and competent. Because of Amanda the process, though a bit unfortunate, was a fine experience in the end. Thanks Again, Amanda!!! read more

I have been a Gibson and barnes customer for a long time. I have bought a multitude of items from them. Helmet parts, leather civil A2, flight gloves, and I just recently purchased a uniform sentinel flight jacket in nomex along with a flightsuit with the same pattern every thing was perfect. But at the cost, they should be. The customer service via email and phone was outstanding. I had a question about something on my order and they were able to help me. The only issue was that they struggled a bit with specific details on my item. Not sure if the customer service reps are not in the same facility as the gear, but it did create a hiccup in information. Other than this issue, I would go back and recommend these guys for flight gear. Honest company with some periodic sales that give the shopper some real value! A pilot could would benefit from shopping with G&B read more

We were looking to purchase two new flight helmets for our law enforcement operation. We contacted Nate and he walked us through the entire process and answered every question we had concerning options. Every transaction we have had with Gibson & Barnes has been trouble free and the items arrived quickly. We will continue to give them the first opportunity for all of our flight uniform purchases. Great Job G&B and Nate! read more

I dont know how this place does business.I ordered 2 flight suits in February 2013 and didnt receive them until the end of March....they were the wrong size......sent them back for an exchange. I've been dealing with this one guy who never calls me back. And ships back the exchanged flight suits one at a time without telling me. And then tries to charge me AGAIN for the flight suit....it is almost May and my order is still not complete......February to May for 2 flight suits ???!!!!! come on!!! and then double charging.....somethings wrong here......their customer service is BAD! If i ever need a flight suit,jacket or any other Aviation related apparel I'm definitley going somewhere else. Their customer service is really that bad.......slow and terrible!!! read more

I purchased a motorcycle jacket from them 4 years ago. It still looks and feels as good as it did when it was new. The prices are great for the quality of their jackets. read more

Very disappointing. This company comes pretty well recommended amongst pilots looking for helmet and aircrew equipment service or sales, but I cannot for the life of me figure out why. They have literally had a helmet of mine for over 6 months to get a working headset installed...all new and none of which worked for more than a part of a single sortie in my plane. They keep blaming my plane...as if the 12 partners that fly it also, have somehow had to crack some mystery code to get their systems to work? So after paying well over $1000 to get the "State of the Art" system that THEY recommended, not that I asked for, with a great sales pitch of "we know a lot of guys that use this in their planes just like yours and they really love it..." I have yet to complete a sortie without comm loss and a return of my equipment for a couple months at a time while they are "Out to Lunch" every time I call to ask about my kit. Bottom line: They don't care about what you need or when. If they can't slap it together fast and get to you and out of their hair quick, then you will be put on the back burner... read more