Aero vs Johnson for leather cafe racer?

[MattCrush]

I live in the U.S. so a trip to San Francisco is possible, but will likely be in Scotland next year. If you were going to pick one, I’m not sure if I would go black or natural, which would you pick? How do they compare and contrast?

If I understand it correctly, the aero might be a bit more expensive, and the Johnson could be completely custom

 

[Canuck Panda]

I have both. The biggest difference is the different way they do the neck hole and the comfort or discomfort that comes with the different design.

Aero Sheene custom vs Johnson M200 custom

With the Aero CR pattern you have to find one to try it on to see if it works for you before going for a custom. Johnson M200 pattern is very easy wearing you just add lengths and your own custom design details. Both can be done in the normal CR style with the band collar, I custom both to have the dressier style.

Both has all kinds of Horween. Johnson has Shinki, Aero has Badalassi. Johnson can custom skive the leather down. So they can take a 6oz bison hide and bringing it down to garment weight. Johnson can do more customization than Aero.

Current is about the same if you are buying from the US.

 

[MattCrush]

I have both. The biggest difference is the different way they do the neck hole and the comfort or discomfort that comes with the different design.

Aero Sheene custom vs Johnson M200 custom
View attachment 655080
View attachment 655081

With the Aero CR pattern you have to find one to try it on to see if it works for you before going for a custom. Johnson M200 pattern is very easy wearing you just add lengths and your own custom design details. Both can be done in the normal CR style with the band collar, I custom both to have the dressier style.

Both has all kinds of Horween. Johnson has Shinki, Aero has Badalassi. Johnson can custom skive the leather down. So they can take a 6oz bison hide and bringing it down to garment weight. Johnson can do more customization than Aero.

Current is about the same if you are buying from the US.

Good info, thank you very much.
If you could only have one leather jacket who would you pick?

 

[jacketjunkie]

Johnson Leather any time.

I sold most of my Aeros. They look great on pictures but JL is just more comfortable to wear. Even the people who champion Aero, you rarely see them post pictures in their Aeros and many of their jackets end up in the Classifieds.

 

[Al 916]

JL are beautifully made. I have not owned one of their Cafe Racers.

The Aero CR is a hard one to fit as The Panda says.

 

[TartuWolf]

I'd also definitely go for a Johnson if I was in the US, even though I love my Aero and despite @jacketjunkie remark I wear it all the time and post it in the WJAYWT thread regularly

 

[MrProper]

I'd also definitely go for a Johnson if I was in the US, even though I love my Aero and despite @jacketjunkie remark I wear it all the time and post it in the WJAYWT thread regularly

I also wear my Aeros regularly. From now on I wear the shearlings more, because it has become much cooler, but they are all from Aero lol

 

[Tom71]

Not going to vote here, but I believe Aero gets less credit than is deserves.

Scroll back in TFL threads a few years and everybody (and their dogs) were all over Aero. The mainstream has since moved on, but the jackets are every bit as good as they used to be.
The tide may turn soon enough again, with all the world in turmoil; armor-like garments may well become the future rage again....

The issue with a well fitting Aero in CXL HH is not so much pattern as its is hide. It will mold to your body, but it won´t give. 10 pounds more on the hips and the jacket will become unwearable. If that seems high a price for an excellent lokking jacket, a different hide may be the solution.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Good info, thank you very much.
If you could only have one leather jacket who would you pick?

Look wise, I think the Aero looks better from the front. This is the main reason I have them.

Johnson M200 or Vanson model B are way better for every day wear, looks good overall, but less avenger look than the Aero from the front.

I have more Johnson jackets than Aero jackets at this point because I wear Johnson jackets more often. But that doesn't mean the Aero jackets don't look good either.

I also don't think its a fair comparison to compare these jackets. If I guess correctly, the Aero CR was originally from an armor or padded jacket, hence the forwarded collar and flat shoulder and V look from the front. I have once tried on a model A at the local re-ride store, it was a smelly jacket and I didn't get it, but it fits very similar the Aero CR and it has pockets for shoulder pads and elbow pads.

Johnson M200 vs Aero CR Sheene from the front

M200L (similar fit to Enfield) vs Aero CR Sheene from the front

Model B vs Aero CR from the front

I do not believe in one jacket or brand that is best and surpass others. Everyone does something better or different than the next. You have to find what works for you. There is no perfect jacket. Having two or more very different jackets is close enough to perfection for me.

 

[Monitor]

I live in the U.S. so a trip to San Francisco is possible, but will likely be in Scotland next year. If you were going to pick one, I’m not sure if I would go black or natural, which would you pick? How do they compare and contrast?

If I understand it correctly, the aero might be a bit more expensive, and the Johnson could be completely custom

Johnson Leathers. No contest.

Much, much more refined pattern, especially in terms of utilitarian wearability. Aero makes a lovely, strong jacket but I wouldn't even put them in the same category as JL or Vanson, makers that both make professional motorcycle apparel which translates to much deeper understanding of anatomy and thus pattern making.

 

[Tom71]

Not going to vote here, but I believe Aero gets less credit than is deserves.

Scroll back in TFL threads a few years and everybody (and their dogs) were all over Aero. The mainstream has since moved on, but the jackets are every bit as good as they used to be.
The tide may turn soon enough again, with all the world in turmoil; armor-like garments may well become the future rage again....

The issue with a well fitting Aero in CXL HH is not so much pattern as its is hide. It will mold to your body, but it won´t give. 10 pounds more on the hips and the jacket will become unwearable. If that seems high a price for an excellent lokking jacket, a different hide may be the solution.

After I did disclose my conflict of interest due to my very latest acquisition of a JL Cafe Racer, I might as well be direct:

Aero is the much more aggressive look with a massive taper from shoulder to hem and the curved sleeves. JL is much more easy wearing.

So, if I was back to below 10% body fat and an athletic physique, I’d pick Aero any day of the week. As a +50 guy trying to shed some weight via the kitchen instead of the gym (horror of horrors!), no way I am going back to squeezing myself into these monsters again.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

How about JL CR can be both comfortable and fitted

 

[Tom71]

How about JL CR can be both comfortable and fitted

View attachment 655388 View attachment 655389 View attachment 655391

Oh, the JL is fitted, no doubt. It´s just not that aggressive pattern that attracted me to the Aero.

This one looks great, BTW!

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Oh, the JL is fitted, no doubt. It´s just not that aggressive pattern that attracted me to the Aero.

This one looks great, BTW!

Thanks! I actually thought about selling this CR several times - BUT each time I put it on I feel it’s almost tailored for me except perhaps the sleeves are 1/2” longer than ideal.

3 years ago I had much larger waist and no way I could squeeze in this jacket. I had fatty liver diagnosis and that freaked me out. I went through 5 months of crazy cardio plus no alcohol and lost 10% body weigh. My body fat went down to 12%, waist went from 36 to 31 and fatty liver was reversed. I’ve since retained that leanness and really careful with carbs intake. Liver has been normal and I can live

 

[Chris2]

Johnson Leathers offers excellent tailoring and customer service, allowing a more personalized experience.

 

[postman10mm]

I spoke with Johnson over the summer and they said they were no longer performing alterations, anyone know if this is going to change?

 

[Canuck Panda]

no longer performing alterations

permanently or periodically? I've seen them not take on new alteration jobs when they're loaded with work on hand, but only periodically.
The last time I had a jacket altered by them was the trucker jacket and it was earlier this year.

 

[postman10mm]

permanently or periodically? I've seen them not take on new alteration jobs when they're loaded with work on hand, but only periodically.
The last time I had a jacket altered by them was the trucker jacket and it was earlier this year.

They did not say nd I did not ask - I called about replacing a zipper and taking in the body on a Board Racer, they said to email for zipper options, but that they were not doing alterations any more - they never did respond to my email about the zipper either.

 

[Canuck Panda]

They did not say nd I did not ask - I called about replacing a zipper and taking in the body on a Board Racer, they said to email for zipper options, but that they were not doing alterations any more - they never did respond to my email about the zipper either.

From the other thread, drop in and talk to them if you're in the area. Or give them a call from where you are at. I find with most US makers a phone call gets things done better than an email.

 

[Alan@JohnsonLeather]

They did not say nd I did not ask - I called about replacing a zipper and taking in the body on a Board Racer, they said to email for zipper options, but that they were not doing alterations any more - they never did respond to my email about the zipper either.

Hi,

Yes, we are still doing zipper replacements only at this time. The time frame is about two weeks.

Thanks,
Alan