AERO's undersized zips

[Albe64]

I have a small collection of Aeros as I love the brand since 1985 so I am not here to just criticize...I just need to know from more expert loungers what could be their point in placing these small uncomfortable things in lovely bulky and heavy FQHH jackets.... In the good cases it's tricky to zip the jackets, in the bad ones (like my brand new Windward - which I LOVE btw) the zip cannot stay close but keeps on unzipping...Why not simply put a #8 or #10??

 

[Marc mndt]

Why not simply put a #8 or #10??

I guess because the bigger # zips aren't historically correct.

Which I can appreciate, but in terms of looks the difference between a #5 and a #8 isn't all that big. Yet a #8 feels much more solid plus it's easier to operate.

My Kit Karson originally had A #5 but when the zipper tape gave way I had a #8 repro installed. Looks great imo.

the zip cannot stay close but keeps on unzipping...

That's not good, sounds like the auto locking mechanism is broken. You might want to replace the slider which is a fix you can easily do yourself.

 

[MrProper]

I suppose because of historical correctness.
But I have to say that since I only order the universal zipper, I no longer have any problems with the zipper.

 

[Albe64]

I guess because the bigger # zips aren't historically correct.

Which I can appreciate, but in terms of looks the difference between a #5 and a #8 isn't all that big. Yet a #8 feels much more solid plus it's easier to operate.

My Kit Karson originally had A #5 but when the zipper tape gave way I had a #8 repro installed. Looks great imo.

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That's not good, sounds like the auto locking mechanism is broken. You might want to replace the slider which is a fix you can easily do yourself.

Yes, I already changed the slider by myself (Aero kindly sent me a replacement) but it's not enough...I will send the Windward back in Galashiel asking for a zip (bigger) replacement...

 

[Albe64]

I get the whole point of style correctness BUT...

 

[photo2u]

Aero uses low quality zippers. That is the bottom line. Most zippers in the old days where #5. They worked great for many years. #5 zippers can handle most leathers even the heavy ones. It is not manly the # of the zipper but the quality. Back in the day, #10 and #8 existed. I have excellent examples of them from the late 30's. They were used in motorcycle garments and very heavy jacket. It was not until the mid 50 when #10 became a good option for jacket makers due to their availability mainly from military surplus sources. Crowns #8 were used in Trojans in the late 50's. A former workers share some with me. My personal favorite zip is the talon like the one in Brandon's wild one jacket and the conmar used in the Cal Leathers. I have a Cal leathers prototype cafe racer that is so minimal with a beautiful #10 conmar. Truly, such a nice designed with the huge zipper was ahead of the game. I have seen variation of the design currently being produce by our friend in Greece. I post a picture of him wearing one at the Pasadena show last year. Very nice gentleman.

 

[Albe64]

Aero uses low quality zippers. That is the bottom line. Most zippers in the old days where #5. They worked great for many years. #5 zippers can handle most leathers even the heavy ones. It is not manly the # of the zipper but the quality. Back in the day, #10 and #8 existed. I have excellent examples of them from the late 30's. They were used in motorcycle garments and very heavy jacket. It was not until the mid 50 when #10 became a good option for jacket makers due to their availability mainly from military surplus sources. Crowns #8 were used in Trojans in the late 50's. A former workers share some with me. My personal favorite zip is the talon like the one in Brandon's wild one jacket and the conmar used in the Cal Leathers. I have a Cal leather's prototype cafe racer that is so minimal with a beautiful #10 conmar. Truly, such a nice designed with the huge zipper was ahead of the game. I have seen variation of the design currently being produce by our friend in Greece. I post a picture of him wearing one at the Pasadena show last year. Very nice gentleman.

Thank you for your insight. I agree that older zip were better and that #10 are amazing both for bikers' jacket and "civilian" ones...I have a Thedi Grizzly with a #10 on and it's something else. I will ask Aero to replace my zip, I hope they will do it for a low price

 

[Canuck Panda]

Number 5 zipper is big enough. Bad zipper is bad zipper no matter what size. Current Universal is good. Older Waldes also sucks big time, newer ones are ok. Learning to do a zip replacement is almost a necessary skill in this hobby.

 

[Tom71]

it’s been said before, but I’d like too echo that the Universal (which is basically a YKK) is a very solid compromise.

It seems that on top of using some problematic zippers, some Aero machinists bury the zipper tape deep in the leather. That gives a very clean look when closed and minimises windchill but apparently puts additional strain on the puller. Not my own analysis but from a cobbler who replaced a zipper after failure

 

[Aloysius]

Yes, I already changed the slider by myself (Aero kindly sent me a replacement) but it's not enough...I will send the Windward back in Galashiel asking for a zip (bigger) replacement...

They won't give you a bigger zipper, which you already know, so why demand that and antagonise them?

Just ask them to use the Universal zipper, which won't have any issues.

The fundamental thing is this. Original #5 zippers were simply the zippers of the time, of the highest "tech" of the time.

The Universal zip still falls into this category because it is a YKK zipper with the vintage look pull. The Talon on the other hand is a visual reproduction so it is not as robust. This won't present an issue on a lightweight jacket really, but on yours it would. So just ask for the Universal. It's that easy.

 

[Albe64]

it’s been said before, but I’d like too echo that the Universal (which is basically a YKK) is a very solid compromise.

It seems that on top of using some problematic zippers, some Aero machinists bury the zipper tape deep in the leather. That gives a very clean look when closed and minimises windchill but apparently puts additional strain on the puller. Not my own analysis but from a cobbler who replaced a zipper after failure

Exactly...I have an Aero motorcycle jacket from the early 90s and it's really tricky to zip because of this issue...and my new Windward too

 

[Albe64]

They won't give you a bigger zipper, which you already know, so why demand that and antagonise them?

Just ask them to use the Universal zipper, which won't have any issues.

The fundamental thing is this. Original #5 zippers were simply the zippers of the time, of the highest "tech" of the time.

The Universal zip still falls into this category because it is a YKK zipper with the vintage look pull. The Talon on the other hand is a visual reproduction so it is not as robust. This won't present an issue on a lightweight jacket really, but on yours it would. So just ask for the Universal. It's that easy.

Won't they? How could I know if I haven't asked yet....but thank you for the advice

 

[Aloysius]

Won't they? I could I know if I haven't asked yet....but thank you for the advice

Because larger zippers are ahistorical for this kind of jacket and Aero takes that side of things very seriously. It's true that jackets of that time period were usually not made in heavy leather, but if you choose the Universal it will be more than strong enough.

 

[Marvin Berry]

Have to admit, after discovering the brand (Aero) here, and finally picking up a used but like new Ridley, I was very upset at the terrible zipper, frustrated at how difficult it was to find a place to replace the main zipper, and then the additional cost of the zipper replacement in order to make a high end jacket wearable.

Then I found out that both Aero and Thurston are aware of this issue, but still put the same #5 zippers in the jacket. Huh.

 

[Edward]

Because larger zippers are ahistorical for this kind of jacket and Aero takes that side of things very seriously. It's true that jackets of that time period were usually not made in heavy leather, but if you choose the Universal it will be more than strong enough.

Have you ever seen some of the early Eighties British bike jackets with those huge zips? Look like they were made for GI Joe, really comical.

 

[Peacoat]

The #5 on my Thunder Bay lasted about 6 months. When I first got it, I told Thurston about the problem and was told it would be OK when broken in. I could tell it would never be OK.

The zipper was installed incorrectly and no amount of break in would resolve the problem. The zipper started next to the grommets at the bottom of the jacket, which made it difficult to get the slider inserted into the male pin. The zipper should have been installed above the grommets to give sufficient room to get the zipper started.

When I posted pictures, @Worf immediately noticed the incorrect installation, as did Allan at Johnson Leather where I sent the jacket for repair. So, $200 later I had a correctly installed #10 Talon and no further problems.

I love that Thunder Bay, as well as my other two Aeros but I'll never have another. Don't want to have to deal with zipper problems again.

 

[Marc mndt]

To be fair, zipper issues are not exclusive to Aero.

-I had to replace the sliders on two ELMC jackets because their made in USA Talon repro's gave way.
-The zipper tape near the male insertion pin on my Field Leathers jacket started fraying after just 6 months.
-The zippers on double Helix jackets are crappy.
-The zippers RMC uses are fiddly and are known to break easily.
-The sliders on the Freewheelers Mulholland are notorious for splitting in half.
-Thedi leathers had to replace numerous Thedi branded zippers because they failed.
-The standard zipper on Lost Worlds jackets is not up to its task.
-Did I forget any?

I think it's fair to conclude that repro zippers in general are of low quality. If you want a zipper that lasts you should either get a Universal (YKK) or Riri or a NOS vintage one.

 

[TartuWolf]

From my perspective Aero would agree to add larger zippers if they were running out of customers / orders. I suppose they still have more demand than they can supply and therefore are in a position to hold to their guns.
Overall I might be alone on this but zippers (especially the male insert pin tape fraying) seem to be such a weak spot / common issue for leather jackets (with no other competition in terms of durability) that I'm surprised no one the market has solidly solves this issue one way or another.

 

[Albe64]

From my perspective Aero would agree to add larger zippers if they were running out of customers / orders. I suppose they still have more demand than they can supply and therefore are in a position to hold to their guns.
Overall I might be alone on this but zippers (especially the male insert pin tape fraying) seem to be such a weak spot / common issue for leather jackets (with no other competition in terms of durability) that I'm surprised no one the market has solidly solves this issue one way or another.

I agree with you...I have become good at repairing the male pin issue but I am still facing the (typical in Aeros) issue of "getting the slider inserted into the male pin" due to the small dimension of the zip and the leather's bulkiness

 

[El Marro]

The #5 on my Thunder Bay lasted about 6 months. When I first got it, I told Thurston about the problem and was told it would be OK when broken in. I could tell it would never be OK.

I had a similar experience with my Bootlegger, but I think it was more like 3 months in my case. I had the zipper replaced with a #8 riri and it hasn’t been a problem since then.
And Marc is correct that this is not unique to Aero. The Talon zipper on my heavy LW CHP gave out after about a year and I had Johnson Leathers put in a new YKK.