Aero Sonoma Cafe Racer Fit Questions...

[tnjyoung]

On the Aero Sonoma Cafe Racer FQHH...Is it normal for the fit to look "spot on" from the outside, but as you are wearing it...it feels a bit tight and restrictive in the armpit area? I mean, it is brand new FQHH after all (stiff). I have read about "High Armholes", which gives the classic look, but I am concerned as to whether to try to wear the jacket, sleep in it, move in it, etc. to get the leather to soften and stretch in the armpits, or if the fit is just a bit too small for me. Have any of you experienced this? What did you do to resolve the issue?

Also, on length. The jacket in front covers about 1/2 my belt (when zipped) and come just below my belt in the rear. I tend to wear a bit lower waisted jeans, too. Think America Eagle. Is this a correct fit for this cut of jacket?

The sleeves are perfect and drop just below my wrist bone and cover about 1" of the top of my hand.

Mine fits almost identical to this photo:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/384450/...ts-north-america-official-affiliate-thread/60
Curious..

 

[Jägernaut]

My sonoma racer fit the exact same in regards to length. Seems perfect for those who ride but i personally didnt care for the look of that fit. I had good movement through shoulders though. Im 5'7, 200lbs and 42 fit me well.

 

[Cyber Lip]

Depends on your body type and the size of the jacket. That jacket is ideally made for a slim/narrow waist body type. Also, I'd really only recommend it for riding, as the neck/collar area is shaped to be most comfortable in the hunched over riding position, but not in the upright walking around position.

 

[tnjyoung]

Thank you for your comments. The jacket fits slim and looks great. I have a much smaller waist that my shoulders so the fit in the torso is fine. My main concern is with the armpits getting softened enough for comfortable everyday wear.

 

[theeggcarton]

Hi thnyyoung.....I recently purchased a used (barely used...not broken in yet) Board Racer and upon first wearing had the exact same concerns. I received the jacket last Saturday and armpit areas were tight and uncomfortable. Was worried as well, but only took a few days of wearing and feeling this and now it has completely conformed and it no longer tight or uncomfortable at all in the armpits.

 

[nick123]

Having an A-2 I had to sell because it was causing me great discomfort in the pits, my own test of whether it was too small was if I felt like there was too much pressure on the seams.

 

[tnjyoung]

Hi thnyyoung.....I recently purchased a used (barely used...not broken in yet) Board Racer and upon first wearing had the exact same concerns. I received the jacket last Saturday and armpit areas were tight and uncomfortable. Was worried as well, but only took a few days of wearing and feeling this and now it has completely conformed and it no longer tight or uncomfortable at all in the armpits.

THIS is what I wanted to hear. I'm so used to wearing comfy north face jackets, Arc'Teryx, Marmot, Patagonia, and the like...that I think I'm just going to have to get used to a leather jacket feel. So stretch and softening happened well for you?

 

[tnjyoung]

Having an A-2 I had to sell because it was causing me great discomfort in the pits, my own test of whether it was too small was if I felt like there was too much pressure on the seams.

I hope this is not true in my case... :-( I absolutely love this jacket, but now I'm worried.

 

[pawineguy]

@tnjyoung @theeggcarton Are you guys saying I have an unnaturally small armpit area? I think with HH jackets, there is a period of adjustment which involves the leather conforming to your body AND getting used to something that thick and heavy. My steer hide Sonoma Racer, which is about 20% heavier than HH, is just starting to become more comfortable after a little over a month of wear.

 

[nick123]

I hope this is not true in my case... :-( I absolutely love this jacket, but now I'm worried.

I wouldn't worry. If it's REALLY uncomfortable after wearing it for a few daya it may be too small. When I had my A-2, every second of wear was spent focusing on the discomfort. I could actually see the pressure being pulled on the armpit seams when I took it off. If you don't feel that way, you're probably alright. But give it some time. Hard to do, I know.

 

[tnjyoung]

@tnjyoung @theeggcarton Are you guys saying I have an unnaturally small armpit area? I think with HH jackets, there is a period of adjustment which involves the leather conforming to your body AND getting used to something that thick and heavy. My steer hide Sonoma Racer, which is about 20% heavier than HH, is just starting to become more comfortable after a little over a month of wear.

Hahaha! It's just me I think. Too much time in the gym in my 20's. When I buy shirts, polos for example, a large fits everywhere but the shoulders. After one wash, the shoulders are too tight. An XL fits perfect in the shoulders, but is loose and sloppy elsewhere. Ugh...lol

 

[nick123]

And I think with the slim fit of the attached photo, you're probably going to always feel the pits to some degree. But you'll get used to it. As long as you aren't feeling regular discomfort.

 

[tnjyoung]

I wouldn't worry. If it's REALLY uncomfortable after wearing it for a few daya it may be too small. When I had my A-2, every second of wear was spent focusing on the discomfort. I could actually see the pressure being pulled on the armpit seams when I took it off. If you don't feel that way, you're probably alright. But give it some time. Hard to do, I know.

I've only worn it for about 10 minutes, plan on a LOT more soon. Not at home now, but I'll begin working on the "break in" ASAP. Unfortunately, the armpits, like your experience, is what I remember most about the "feel". Looks spectacular on, though. Hard to say. Maybe shoe trees for the pits? Lol

 

[tnjyoung]

And I think with the slim fit of the attached photo, you're probably going to always feel the pits to some degree. But you'll get used to it. As long as you aren't feeling regular discomfort.

I was amazed at how close the stock
Photo was to the fit of my jacket. Albeit, I'm much more muscular than the model. He looks like 165lbs and I'm pushing 200. Think Gerard Butler. He's more my shape. Looking at a stock photo of him in a similar styled jacket, it looks like his pits are pretty cinched up, too. http://globalsuperstar.net/?p=482

 

[Peacoat]

I am 6' 185 lbs. Had a Sonoma in a size 42, and it was too tight all over for my comfort. Had to move it on. Don't remember the armpits being particularly tight, though.

As others have said, the HH will soften and conform to your body. May take awhile. Regular flexing with the arms and shoulders will go a long way toward making it looser. Your Sonoma is only a 3 oz. leather, so it won't take too long to get it broken in to your body.

 

[tnjyoung]

I am 6' 185 lbs. Had a Sonoma in a size 42, and it was too tight all over for my comfort. Had to move it on. Don't remember the armpits being particularly tight, though.

As others have said, the HH will soften and conform to your body. May take awhile. Regular flexing with the arms and shoulders will go a long way toward making it looser. Your Sonoma is only a 3 oz. leather, so it won't take too long to get it broken in to your body.

. Mixed bag of news (mine is also a 42)...too tight for you and I am also 6' tall, but close to 200lbs. I hope it will stretch ! Thank you for the information. I'm sure there is a tad bit of fear (money already spent) mixed with my inexperience. I've never kept much of anything long enough to "break it in", but I want to. The only thing that comes close is leather shoes. And with them, they have always stretched and always softened...

 

[Peacoat]

. Mixed bag of news (mine is also a 42)...too tight for you and I am also 6' tall, but close to 200lbs. I hope it will stretch ! Thank you for the information. I'm sure there is a tad bit of fear (money already spent) mixed with my inexperience. I've never kept much of anything long enough to "break it in", but I want to. The only thing that comes close is leather shoes. And with them, they have always stretched and always softened...

You will probably be OK. Wade, of Wade and Carrie at Insurrection, is our height and about 205. He wears a 42 and says most men of our size wear the Sonoma in a 42. I felt as if my chest, shoulders and arms had been swallowed by a boa constrictor. Fit around the abdomen was comfortable, however.

 

[pawineguy]

. Mixed bag of news (mine is also a 42)...too tight for you and I am also 6' tall, but close to 200lbs. I hope it will stretch ! Thank you for the information. I'm sure there is a tad bit of fear (money already spent) mixed with my inexperience. I've never kept much of anything long enough to "break it in", but I want to. The only thing that comes close is leather shoes. And with them, they have always stretched and always softened...

And don't forget that starting right at the arm pit on your jacket you have an extra .5" on each side. I'm hopeful that you're going to see it become more comfortable in the coming days. As Peacoat points out, Wade is a pretty big guy, but it also comes down to personal taste. I have seen people squeezed into jackets who say they are comfortable, and others who appear to have plenty of room say it's too tight... YMMV

 

[tnjyoung]

And don't forget that starting right at the arm pit on your jacket you have an extra .5" on each side. I'm hopeful that you're going to see it become more comfortable in the coming days. As Peacoat points out, Wade is a pretty big guy, but it also comes down to personal taste. I have seen people squeezed into jackets who say they are comfortable, and others who appear to have plenty of room say it's too tight... YMMV

thanks. To some extent I wonder if all of us Americans just want things "right now" and don't want to grow, over time, with a particular piece.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I was under the impression that the "standard" Sonoma was based off the regular Aero Cafe Racer pattern which has lower arm holes than one based off the Board Racer. At least thats definitely the case in my situation, although my BR is a 40 and my CR is a 42. I'm pretty surprised to hear that its the arm holes that are pinching.

As for length, its something that most of us seem to battle with sooner or later... I've seen jackets that look really great on others, yet when mine hits the same spot on me length wise, it bugs the hell out of me for being too short. The pic you linked too looks great on that guy, yet I've sold on 2 jackets that hit half to an inch below the belt for being too short and his is above the belt! Its whatever you feel comfortable enough to wear.