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Aero jacket weight

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
Aero will do some reasonable alterations at their own discretion - though not if it means redrafting the pattern (which is fair enough for the business model). Military jackets aside, Ken's approach has always been primarily to make items that were "possible" in the pre-1960 era, rather than necessarily direct copies. Personally, I prefer that approach -more room for interesting variations / 'best of' features.

Jerky would be a good option - or goat. I've come to prefer goat in a light leather, but someone who wants the pronounced wear look on their jacket would probably be better off with the horse.

I agree Edward - re Aero. I think you can have an August back with a 30's halfbelt front, or whatever to get this look.

With Aero, I found the goat slightly heavier than Vicenza. Like Han I would probably go Five Stars for this in goat. The Five Stars goat would wear fairly quickly. Mine has. Willis' jacket is probably 70 years old.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,081
Location
London, UK
The Five Stars goat would wear fairly quickly.

Interesting - I tend to think of goat as a leather that breaks in nicely, but keeps a nice, uniform colour, which has been my experience across a few brands. As ever, it obviously comes down to how it's tanned.
 

KissMyMuscle

One of the Regulars
Messages
245
It’s interesting to see how similar styles and size in cxl jackets can vary in weight so drastically. I’ve seen examples of them weighing from 5lb to 8.5lb in the same size. I wonder if it’s an error in using a weight scale or if the thickness of Aero’s cxl varies a lot. I noticed that when I purchased a fish hook scale that my jackets were really about 20% lighter than me weighing them using a body weight scale.
I used electrical weight scale to have the result, I also weighed my dumbells, they are pretty accurate. I also have another cxl horsehide jacket in similar size is also 5.5 lbs from another brand. My cxl s are definitely on the lighter side, I have seen someone post a 11 lb+ cxl steerhide aero J 106 here.
 

99mex

New in Town
Messages
15
Location
ny/nj
My aero j106 cxl hh in 48 long is 9lb .8 oz and would definitely be considered a heavy leather jacket. For comparison I just weighed my size 54l 70’s Brooks cafe racer and it weighs 3lbs and 9.2oz and I would consider it very light weight
 

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,725
Location
Iowa
Aero Jackets vary very varibly in weight due to construction, size, design, leather type & thickness, lining and hardware.

Having owned quite a few Aero Jackets in Vizenca, CXL FQHH and CX Steerhide I have found the Horween or Connely Steer tend to be on the heavier side(6-10 lbs), FQHH Horween & Jerky in the middle(4-8 lbs), Vicenza toward the lighter side (3.5 - 5 lbs). Many of the "super heavy" jackets were "storse" (Steerhide labled as horsehide, do a search on here for much information on this) from the timeframe of 2008 - 2012 and these leathers are not often used by them now. I owned a Bootlegger that was over 10 lbs and it was just too much to be honest.
 

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,355
Location
claremont california
My aero j106 cxl hh in 48 long is 9lb .8 oz and would definitely be considered a heavy leather jacket. For comparison I just weighed my size 54l 70’s Brooks cafe racer and it weighs 3lbs and 9.2oz and I would consider it very light weight

Cafe racer and x zips as you already know, they are designed differently. Cafe racers are more of a "rocking" around town type of leather jacket. I personally used them when I am doing rides around the city. X zip leather jackets are were design to be a safety tool when riding. They suppose to be heavier. If you would compare your j106 to say an excellent quality low price jacket such as branded leathers, they very compatible. I have some gold label branded leathers x zips, that as thick/heavy as any of the "premium brands. Last one I picked was 40 dollars in my local offer up. Beautiful jacket. Regardless of price. My heaviest leathers are two j23/Trojan both LW in size 46. Johnsons leather adventure "cruiser" riding type is a close second. I am old school. When I take long rides, I usually take my Cal leather type or my LW car coat (with body protection).
 

99mex

New in Town
Messages
15
Location
ny/nj
Cafe racer and x zips as you already know, they are designed differently. Cafe racers are more of a "rocking" around town type of leather jacket. I personally used them when I am doing rides around the city. X zip leather jackets are were design to be a safety tool when riding. They suppose to be heavier. If you would compare your j106 to say an excellent quality low price jacket such as branded leathers, they very compatible. I have some gold label branded leathers x zips, that as thick/heavy as any of the "premium brands. Last one I picked was 40 dollars in my local offer up. Beautiful jacket. Regardless of price. My heaviest leathers are two j23/Trojan both LW in size 46. Johnsons leather adventure "cruiser" riding type is a close second. I am old school. When I take long rides, I usually take my Cal leather type or my LW car coat (with body protection).
I’ve had cross zips from Schott, Excelled, and Unik. The aero is significantly heavier built than any of the rest probably to an excessive degree. For cafes I have the brooks and an 80’s schott 141. The Brooks is significantly lighter. Just trying to help make a meaningful weight range to gauge a heavy jacket from a light one. They all serve different purposes. How do you like the LW?
 

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,355
Location
claremont california
I’ve had cross zips from Schott, Excelled, and Unik. The aero is significantly heavier built than any of the rest probably to an excessive degree. For cafes I have the brooks and an 80’s schott 141. The Brooks is significantly lighter. Just trying to help make a meaningful weight range to gauge a heavy jacket from a light one. They all serve different purposes. How do you like the LW?

I view Schott,excelled and Unik as "fashion" leathers. Schott and Excelled are well made jackets, but I preferer other brands in that price range. Lw jackets are serious crafted leather jackets. I like them. But a Cal leather LAPD type is by far a much better purposely built jacket for the motorcyclist. In true honesty, none of the mention above jackets are going to provide good protection in an accident in a serious accident. Trust me, I have been in several. For real protection a

Motorcycle Full Body Armor Protective Jacket is the only option.​

 
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photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,355
Location
claremont california
Are all aero jackets heavy? Really looking for a vintage style half belt light in weight. The guys at Steele and Jones have a perfect weight horse hide but they only do Indy jackets. I love the aero styles just afraid of another heavy jacket.

There are many options for quality leather jackets. Johnsons leather make an excellent quality jackets. I have several of them. At their price points, they make much better value than aero.
 

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