Aero Jackets Weak/Fragile Zippers

[Barabus]

I own 4 Aeros and would strongly prefer a larger zipper as an option. The lack of the option is what bothers me. Stuck with a small talon. Some are fine with that. Others, like me, wonder why I can spec everything else but not a larger zipper. It has stopped me from purchasing additional Aero. Need added options here. Please listen to your Customers.

 

[Monitor]

It's really not that big of a deal...

 

[Sloan1874]

+1

I've had more of a problem with the back-to-front American style of zipping up. If I can cope with that and a slightly smaller zipper, I can only imagine how high maintenance you lot are.

 

[Dracorex]

You know us Americans, we like everything bigger over here!

 

[Monitor]

Dracorex, out of curiosity, what were the other reasons you returned the jacket for?

That's not plastic, it's super high-tech space-age polymer. You know, like Glock handguns. Seriously, I've never had a problem with them doing this, as only the barb and the box are made from plas....polymer, and the zipper itself is quite heavy duty. And,.....it will not scratch a motorcycle's gas tank.

lol lol Not that it was bad I guess, just that I strongly dislike plastic.

Seems to me that people keep forgetting Aero is all about repros. They're not in the business of making modern leather jackets. That's the reason they're using these zippers they're using and not something that wouldn't make any sense at all. I mean, think about it - why go through all the fuss of making a perfect reproduction of, I don't know, 30's half belt, only to stick a gigantic YKK zipper on it? That'd be pretty dumb.

 

[pawineguy]

Seems to me that people keep forgetting Aero is all about repros. They're not in the business of making modern leather jackets. That's the reason they're using these zippers they're using and not something that wouldn't make any sense at all. I mean, think about it - why go through all the fuss of making a perfect reproduction of, I don't know, 30's half belt, only to stick a gigantic YKK zipper on it? That'd be pretty dumb.

That's exactly the point, they just wouldn't look right with a heavy gauge zipper. I see these modern jackets with huge zips and many look horrible, completely out of proportion. My 65 year old Hercules has the smallest (and still original) zip that I've ever seen on a jacket.

 

[Big J]

That's exactly the point, they just wouldn't look right with a heavy gauge zipper. I see these modern jackets with huge zips and many look horrible, completely out of proportion. My 65 year old Hercules has the smallest (and still original) zip that I've ever seen on a jacket.

100% agree.
If that's how original zippers were, that's how the repro should be. It's part of the whole experience.

 

[nick123]

I hardly ever zip my jackets, but so far the YKK is the easiest to fasten. (By this I mean join together). It's also one of the ugliest, right before a Scovill. I agree it doesn't look right on a vintage reproduction. Even on my Johnson flight jacket, which is more of a modern design, I feel the YKK zip takes away from look of quality. I still like the zipper for its practicality. But the Aero/Talon zips look a lot better. A dead stock Talon on my Kelso was the only zip that's ever been fussy. The smaller zips just require a bit of finesse. Can't really comment on the Aero zip longevity from my experience.

Another interesting zip is the modern RiRi on my Aerial Star. Pretty delicate operation getting it together but it's smooth sailing from that point upward! (It does experience a bump occasionally).

 

[navetsea]

well you can replace YKK slider with some variants that look better or less offensive, their #5 metal zip can use one of these sliders, quite easy to replace, you only need a pliers to open the metal crimps/ stopper on the top

I like the reversible slider ones, not because my jacket is reversible, but just to tuck in my puller inside so it won't flap around when I use it on bike.

 

[AdeeC]

I am quite happy with the Talon zips on my jackets. Filddly and sometimes annoying I agree but happy to trade out convenience for authenticity. One must remember we are dealing with old designs and not modern ones that have had decades of continuous development. I find the earlier Talon Grommet design which is a bigger gauge even more fiddly but would never change it. I have them on three of my jackets. If one avoids ham fisted operation, vintage style Talon zips should pass the test of time as they have done on my original A2 and M422A

 

[ProteinNerd]

I'm all for people wanting authenticity from their Aero jackets but from what I understand none of the original vintage jackets were ever made out of FQHH as thick as Aero uses....so if its ok for them to change the leather, why not the zips?

 

[pauleway]

I have learned(the hard way:eusa_doh:) that you just have to be a little more careful with the old style zippers, make sure they're hooked on correctly before you pull them up!

 

[Windstorm81]

I do agree with the fact that Aero is all about Repros and so by default they should stick to going with the period-specific Talon zippers on their jackets. However, on the flip side of the coin, I feel it would also be reasonable to keep the #10 YKK zipper option available to those few customers who aren't so specific about the time accuracy of their jackets and want that ease and functionality of a large YKK zipper. After all, we are paying $1000 + for these jackets and to have that large zipper option available if needed by some clients would just be a nice thing.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I'm all for people wanting authenticity from their Aero jackets but from what I understand none of the original vintage jackets were ever made out of FQHH as thick as Aero uses....so if its ok for them to change the leather, why not the zips?

Some were thick like FQHH but not very many, mostly those of German manufacture. Other than this, you are very wise. I have not liked the period accurate zips i have had or seen. I am content with one of the more tasteful YKK zips for efficacy. I am one of those owners of leather that likes to have most of the aesthetics and quality of vintage, but only where it works or suits my taste. I like the fact that modern jackets are often better made that the old ones, for instance.

 

[thor]

Some were thick like FQHH but not very many, mostly those of German manufacture. Other than this, you are very wise. I have not liked the period accurate zips i have had or seen. I am content with one of the more tasteful YKK zips for efficacy. I am one of those owners of leather that likes to have most of the aesthetics and quality of vintage, but only where it works or suits my taste. I like the fact that modern jackets are often better made that the old ones, for instance.

+1

 

[Carlos840]

Not an Aero, but the only Talon zipper i had, on an Alexander Leathers jacket, failed after a month of light use, it got stuck at the neck, and completely opened down to the bottom, just attached at the top.
It took me a good 10 minutes to break free...
My current jacket has a Riri zipper and it feels a lot smoother and better quality.

 

[Sloan1874]

Though the point about using FQHH is not so much the weight than the fact that it takes on a patina quicker than lighter weights, to give the appearance of a vintage jacket . So, the accurate-sized Talon is really part of the package, and to use larger ones would look 'off' [huh]. Again, though, this feels like a very First World Problem thread...

 

[Monitor]

+1. And it's not that the zipper doesn't work or is prone to failure or anything. Perfectly fine zippers. I never even thought of it being small until someone mentioned it some time ago.

Again, these are recreation of classic styles. I'm sure those three seconds how long it takes to zip up a Talon must be excruciatingly painful but they're there for a reason.

You should go with Aero because of these little details like the zippers they're using, not despite of it. Otherwise, a velcro might be an even better option.

 

[Big J]

+1. And it's not that the zipper doesn't work or is prone to failure or anything. Perfectly fine zippers. I never even thought of it being small until someone mentioned it some time ago.

Again, these are recreation of classic styles. I'm sure those three seconds how long it takes to zip up a Talon must be excruciatingly painful but they're there for a reason.

You should go with Aero because of these little details like the zippers they're using, not despite of it. Otherwise, a velcro might be an even better option.

Yeah, I agree. If these things bug you, why did you buy a vintage jacket repro? Shoulda gone to GAP!

 

[Otter]

As Worf stated , the perfect vintage alternative is buttons ! The only issue I have had was with an Aero brand main zipper which failed around the 6 month mark on a M/C jacket. The pocket zips were fine. The Conmar on my Aero Flight goat has gone after almost eight years of use, can't honestly complain about that.