Aero 50 s half belt vs 30s half belt vs highwayman

[Sockeye]

As my 42 highwayman is a bit large on me, I'm at the point of reordering. I was looking to size it down to a 40, but the half belts, especially with their longer front length seem appealing. I am 5'10" 200 pounds and long waisted , short legs...so a slightly longer front length would be nice.

I'm particularly interested in how the 50's half belt fits and which those of you with more expierience would choose as an "everyday" jacket (well aware there will be more to follow!).

Thanks

 

[ykurtz]

If you have short legs, wouldn't a shorter overall jacket be more appealing?

 

[Aether]

I've got an Aero 50's Halfbelt. I'm the same height as you but a bit lighter at 160 pounds. Initially I was going to go for the 30's halfbelt for the slimmer fit, but after discussing it with Aero I decided on the 50's HB. The cut is fairly boxy but you can nip the waist in a bit with the side adjusters. It is still quite a short jacket though, I don't get the impression it'd be much longer than the Highwayman?

Here's a couple of fit pics from a while ago for you (it was quite new at the time, so it drapes a bit better now):

 

[Fanch]

You might want to consider a Pioneer rather than a 50's HB but ask for an extra 1/2" to 3/4" in body length if you have a long torso. Although I am 6'2" and 190 pounds, I have a somewhat short torso in relation to my height and ordered a size 42 Pioneer with 26.5" back.

 

[Sockeye]

Aether,

Looks like it fits you well! What size is it? The highwayman seems to come out a bit shorter in the front than the rear, so the drop front of the 30s half belt was appealing.

Does anyone know how the 50s half belt compares in fit to the highwayman specifically?

 

[Sockeye]

Fanch,

I've always been fond of that Pioneer of yours. Is the fit that of a half belt, or less slim? How do you think it would translate into FQHH?

 

[Aether]

Sockeye,

It's tagged as a 38" but when I was discussing the size with Aero they said they'd take 'large turnings' to make it a bit bigger.

 

[handymike]

I've had both.
The 50's HB is similar to the Hwyman in the length.
I found it too short in the front for my taste (hitting just at the belt). The 30's HB drops 2-3" which allows for a shorter back length.
I'm 5'11 ish, and found the Aero 50s cut doesn't work for me.
I am interested in the 30's Highwayman though.

 

[tropicalbob]

Sockeye,

It's tagged as a 38" but when I was discussing the size with Aero they said they'd take 'large turnings' to make it a bit bigger.

That's exactly what I did for my size 38 LHB and it came out perfect. I honestly don't know if I'd want a slimmer fit (I'm 5'9" and 150lbs.), as I can wear a sweater under it, but even with a t-shirt it feels perfectly trim when zipped up.

 

[Fanch]

Fanch,

I've always been fond of that Pioneer of yours. Is the fit that of a half belt, or less slim? How do you think it would translate into FQHH?

Holly told me that the Pioneer was very similar in fit to the 50's HB. I have a couple of 1930's HB's (Maxwell and Mulligan) in the same size that are definitely more tapered through the torso and also have the front drop that one can see in many of the pics including mine. I have no problem with Pioneer with FQHH. My Teamster has FQHH and is probably my best fitting jacket of all. My brown FQHH Teamster now has a soft hand and is very flexible, more so than my seal jerky MWHH Mulligan, although the FQHH is heavier, maybe in part because of the tanning process with hot waxes pressed into the hide.

 

[Sockeye]

Thank you for all the wisdom and experience....and you're a size 42! Fanch, if you ever decide to give up some from your collection, send me a PM!