Aero jackets worth it?

[Fatboab]

I've been buying and repairing leather jackets for fifty years (Scott, Hein Gericke, Irvin, Frank Thomas, Aero, Furygan , Moto etc. etc.) I notice old Aero jackets around 400 ,500 £sterling on ebay these days quite often in not great condition really (You can take the patina thing too far). I've always thought that its more of a brand thing that justifies Aero prices and I know James Bond wears one and all that but it doesn't make the jackets any better. Anyone agree?

 

[hughesovka]

Aeros really aren't that expensive compared to many leather jacket manufacturers

 

[Guppy]

I've been buying and repairing leather jackets for fifty years (Scott, Hein Gericke, Irvin, Frank Thomas, Aero, Furygan , Moto etc. etc.) I notice old Aero jackets around 400 ,500 £sterling on ebay these days quite often in not great condition really (You can take the patina thing too far). I've always thought that its more of a brand thing that justifies Aero prices and I know James Bond wears one and all that but it doesn't make the jackets any better. Anyone agree?

I've seen a lot more like-new Aero jackets around $500-600. And now own a lot of them. At that price they're really excellent.

 

[Mister Rivets]

Aero is the working mans leather jacket. In my opinion the best bang for your buck. I've had one in my closet for over 20 years.

 

[Fatboab]

I've seen a lot more like-new Aero jackets around $500-600. And now own a lot of them. At that price they're really excellent.

That seems reasonable. I just object to very ropey looking jackets at high prices because of the name. Just a careful Scotsman.

 

[Edward]

A lot of things appear on ebay, bearing very many brands, with overly-ambitious start prices. A closer idea of what selling price for anything really is is the completed listings section.

For the most part, though, Aeros seem to hold their second hand value - if in decent condition - fairly well. I'd expect to pay around 50%-60% of the new price for a used example in good condition, much the same as most labels. Myself, I prefer to buy new if it's a model I really want, though I always have half an eye on a mythical used bargain. Most of the big name leather brands I see second hand are usually in very good shape, though, most likely being sold by a collector looking to fund the next new jacket fix!

 

[Carlos840]

Personally i find Aeros very uncomfortable and i would not put 500 GBP in one, especially if it is in bad condition.
They look good on people, they don't feel good on my back.
It's a personnal thing, a lot of people think they are worth it, i think they are a good entry into the "custom" leather jacket scene and decent value for money, but i also think they have limitations that become apparent once you have handled/worn a lot of other brands.

 

[El Marro]

I've always thought that its more of a brand thing that justifies Aero prices and I know James Bond wears one and all that but it doesn't make the jackets any better. Anyone agree?

I’m not sure how true that is, considering that Aero is a brand most people have never heard of. I am happy with the Aero jackets I own, I feel that I got good value for the price and if Aero used better zippers I would probably own a couple more of them by now.

 

[Cyber Lip]

Personally i find Aeros very uncomfortable and i would not put 500 GBP in one, especially if it is in bad condition.
They look good on people, they don't feel good on my back.

LOL, that is so true. There's something about the way they are cut that distributes the weight of the jacket inefficiently. You especially feel it with the heavy CXL

 

[Finn Vigorous]

Do you guys mean, that some models of their 60+ range don't fit you right, or quite a many of them actually, or maybe almost all of them?

 

[Carlos840]

Do you guys mean, that some models of their 60+ range doesn't fit you right, or quite a many of them actually, or maybe almost all of them?

It's not about fit, it's about comfort and ease of life whilst wearing the jacket, a jacket can visually "fit" and be uncomfortable to live in.

 

[Finn Vigorous]

Fair enough, jackets need to feel comfortable to live in for sure.

For me, the easiest leather jacket to wear has always been Aero's Highwayman. Have had some ten of them in different sizes and leathers, and they have never been the fanciest ones of my rack but easily worn in many occasions and with different outfits.

 

[Blackadder]

A lot of things appear on ebay, bearing very many brands, with overly-ambitious start prices. A closer idea of what selling price for anything really is is the completed listings section.

For the most part, though, Aeros seem to hold their second hand value - if in decent condition - fairly well. I'd expect to pay around 50%-60% of the new price for a used example in good condition, much the same as most labels. Myself, I prefer to buy new if it's a model I really want, though I always have half an eye on a mythical used bargain. Most of the big name leather brands I see second hand are usually in very good shape, though, most likely being sold by a collector looking to fund the next new jacket fix!

Agree. I doubt people would pay 500 for a poor conditon Aero when a brand new custom one costs around 700 on their website. Those asking for 500 likely target customers who don't know Aero at all or the seller themselves have no clue so I doubt it is a brand name effect.

 

[Monitor]

Used Aero jackets keep their value very well, compared to many other brands which is a good thing if you plan on going through a few to find the style that works for you but I personally would no longer order one.

I believe Aero's pre-CXL leather made up for a considerably sturdier jacket. Most early Aero jackets, made in their undefined Steerhide indeed look much better and newer after 30 something years than coupla years old CXL jackets. But that is the nature of this particular hide. . .

 

[Finn Vigorous]

Most early Aero jackets, made in their undefined Steerhide indeed look much better and newer after 30 something years than coupla years old CXL jackets. But that is the nature of this particular hide. . .

Agreed. The Steerhide of my Hockey Coat from the 90's looks fresher than CXL horse of the Seven I bought last year.

 

[Damon141]

LOL, that is so true. There's something about the way they are cut that distributes the weight of the jacket inefficiently. You especially feel it with the heavy CXL

Do you think this applies to all of their models?
I was curious if the cafe racer would be more forgiving if you can deal with the look of shoulder gussets.

 

[Guppy]

Do you think this applies to all of their models?
I was curious if the cafe racer would be more forgiving if you can deal with the look of shoulder gussets.

I think it changes dramatically when the leather fully breaks in. New CXL, especially horse, is much stiffer than most people are used to. And really breaking it in takes time. I think most of the lightly used jackets I've picked up on the relatively cheap were given up on without much of an attempt at breaking them in. But if you give them the wear they need, they will become extraordinary. The heavy steer is like nothing else.

 

[Fatboab]

Interesting to hear your views. I forget that the forum isn't just Britain. I remember my dad being happy to be able to offer a lady a cigarette during WW2 and then the Americans arrived and offered whole packs. Most of you seem to have spare cash. Good Luck!

 

[CBI]

I've owned maybe 4 or 5 Aeros over the years. Excellent jackets worth their retail price. I was recently on a short trip and stopped by a Nordstroms which is considered a mid-upper range department store. Those prices for mens clothing were ridiculously high for total crapola. Looking at traditional retail prices, Aero is fairly priced IMO. Definitely more vintage old school workwear style leather for sure.

 

[Cyber Lip]

Do you think this applies to all of their models?
I was curious if the cafe racer would be more forgiving if you can deal with the look of shoulder gussets.

I had one of their Cafe Racers in CXL and it was the most uncomfortable jacket I've ever experienced. It's cut so that it's most comfortable if you're on a bike and in the riding position. But it's otherwise terrible. There's a curve to the back of the neck and collar that make it great for riding because it's designed to hug your neck while your hunched over, so wind doesn't get down in there. But if you're standing upright that curve hangs right on your neck joint, and you feel the weight of the jacket in that one spot. You know when you hang your jacket on a hook? Well imagine that hook is your neck joint and the entire weight of the jacket is hanging from it. That's what it feels like after an hour or two. When I wore mine out I couldn't wait to get home and take it off LOL.

The Board Racer does not have that issue, however, it has another one...the sleeves are cut at such a curve so that the jacket feels best and most natural with your arms up holding handlebars. But again, if you're not riding and have your arms down at their sides, the curved sleeves create an uncomfortable pull to the shoulders and upper chest.

So really, those two jackets are cut so that they work well for riding, but are a real drag to just wear as an out and about non-riding jacket. They may feel fine at first, but after a few hours you'll want to rip them off. And no, break-in doesn't solve the problem. They'll get a little easier in time, but not enough.

I've had several Aeros, and for me the most comfortable were the Standard (not Premier) Highwayman, and one of their "Chips" jackets, which is based on the Highwayman cut.