Aero Steerhide

[Fanch]

We will now conjugate the verb am addicted:
I am addicted
You am addicted
We am all addicted

 

[pak]

+1 In it's brand new state, bullets bounce off that stuff!

Maybe Nerf bullets

 

[dan_t]

I'm curious, there seems to be references to 'bullet proof', Old, New, Soft, 'Super Heavy', Heavy & normal versions of Aero's Steerhide.
What's the story?
On their website, I can see two references to their Steerhide.
One is; 'Chromexcel Steerhide' under the same page as their 3oz FQHH - which is titled 'Heavy Leather'.
One is; 'Soft Black Steerhide' under the page for A-2 / Mid-Weight Leathers

From a historical perspective, have different weight products been used over time, or has essentially the same weight / quality product always been available?

 

[Sloan1874]

The super heavy stuff, if I recall, is 4oz. I've only ever tried on one jacket made from it - a six pocket hippy jacket - and it's not just the weight but the stiffness of the leather that is striking. Even compared to FQHH, it was it took an effort to bend the arms. Personally, I couldn't be really bothered with the breaking-in process.
The A-2 steer is considerably lighter, as you'd expect, probably half the weight.
Historically, FQHH and heavy steer have always been roughly 3oz, mainly because it's Horween who've provided the product. The lighter weight stuff I can't speak to, as suppliers have changed over years.

 

[dan_t]

Thanks Sloan, so if I paraphrase you're saying that Aero have a 'standard' heavy steerhide & a mid weight one. The heavy is comparable to the FQHH, but with it's own characteristics.
They have used a 'super heavy' hide before, although this is not the normal hide that one could expect.
Would that sum it up?

 

[Sloan1874]

Absolutely.

 

[Mike D]

First of all, dammmm that jacket smells good. They sent me a cafe racer in black FQHH, nice. Here are the pics. Will post more tomorrow during the day. Let me know what you think. I was thinking, make it a sheene, get rid of the shoulder gussets, add some hand pockets, thighten up the upper back and brown FQHH, thats it. Let me know what you think. Let me know what you think. Black sure is nice though.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Imo...a very good fit. The other options & deletions you mentioned would also work. I would definitely prefer handwarmer pockets.
HD

 

[dan_t]

Woah! careful there......... asking for advice on fit pics here is bound to cause the poster some angst!

I think it fits well, although I would probably size down 1 size as it appears there is some additional room around the back and upper arms.
I have a sheene (café racer without the gussets + a highwayman collar) and the upper is actually quite generous in proportion to the rest of the jacket.

 

[kronos77]

The shoulder seams do appear to be hanging off your shoulders a slight bit. Down one size I would say.

 

[Mike D]

ok, i can see what your are talking about. The front "collar bone" leather is pulling down a bit.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

After a closer look, I agree. Probably a size too large.
HD

 

[ProteinNerd]

Another vote here for sizing down, there is a lot of room in the upper back.

 

[Fanch]

Eliminating the gussets should tighten up the shoulders and upper back to the extent that maybe nothing else is needed. Is another fit CR one size smaller feasible?

 

[Sloan1874]

Down a size and you'll be fine. Great colour.

 

[nick123]

Going against the grain (pun) here, but I think it's fine, and I like the idea of having some extra room. I'm sure it would look sleeker sizing down, but you're good as it stands.

 

[pawineguy]

It's really close, how do you think the jacket would fit with 2 inches off the chest? Remember that a cafe racer jacket should have a large upper back, it's part of the inherent design. I agree that the shoulders could come in a little but it's hard to tell if it will fit well through the chest after that.

 

[tropicalbob]

Also, the leather's going to relax a bit with some wear. A lot of new jackets I've seen have that slightly puffy look at first in the back but tend to lie down after a while.

 

[Mike D]

Ok, so if I go with a 40 instead of that 42 the shoulder width will go down by .5 inches (across the top of the shoulders), the chest width will reduce by 2 inches (total circumference) and the waist/torso will reduce by 2 inches (total circumference). The waist/torso can be half sized to only 1 inch smaller.

 

[Fanch]

If you size down to a 40, and the final result is too tight, you will not be a happy camper. A jacket a bit too big will make you smile but one a bit too small ... Proceed with caution.