Alternatives to Aero "Hooch Hauler"

[kilinrax]

After lurking for a long time I'd resolved to buy either an Aero "Hooch Hauler" in cognac, or a "King of the Road" in classic black, as a reward for losing the Covid weight.

I'm about halfway to my goal, so revisited their stock jackets for the first time in 6+ months, to discover their prices are now 30% percent higher than I remember?

This has left a sour taste, and I feel like no matter how objectively good value their jackets still are, I'd never be able to get past the bitter feeling that had I started the regimen earlier or pursued it more aggressively, the same jacket would have cost several hundred euros less. So, barring a second-hand find - which seems unlikely, Hooch Haulers don't seem to turn up often second hand, which seems to underline the popularity of that particular pattern - what similarly styled alternatives are there?

For the "King of the Road", Field Leathers' "Manhattan" seems like a good alternative.

I'm aware of Thedi, but they seem to not list prices, so I suspect they're in the 2k EUR+ bracket? Which would be hard for me to justify.

Are there classic leather jacket manufacturers in the EU with quality at or above Aero, and prices lower than Thedi?

 

[Canuck Panda]

Vanson C2 in Cognac Badalassi.
Just learned about this jacket just now. Very tempted myself.
https://dudsbydel.com/product/dudsbydel-x-vanson-c2-in-cognac-badalassi-steerhide/

 

[Zoro]

Fellow lurker here also working on getting his first serious jacket and have been researching the strictly EU options. In your case I would go with Aero as that's what you've wanted, even if it's price went up (I mean, what didn't go up in price!?).

Alternatively, you got Simmons Bilt too and, honestly, if you are considering Field's Manhattan, that's 1300 GBP which is around 1550€ (plus shipping it will go over 1600€) and has a 10-12 months lead time, you might consider Thedi too. Thedi may be more expensive but still below 2000, so I would tell you to email for a quote... But then again, Aero would still be cheaper than any of them. Edit: Simmons Bilt may actually be cheaper than Aero.

 

[Guppy]

Used Aero.

 

[Faux59]

I'm about halfway to my goal, so revisited their stock jackets for the first time in 6+ months, to discover their prices are now 30% percent higher than I remember?

I think the increase was 15%. Make sure you select rest of world and not UK when browsing their website unless you live in UK.

 

[Herrvallmo]

There is a lot of used Aero HH out there, I would suggest you look at Ebay, Mercari, Yahoo-action and so on for a slightly used one and save some bucks!(bought my two Aeros, HWM and 50's HB for around 250-300euros on Ebay/Yahoo)-

If you want something new, check out Simmons Bilt Pacific/Oakland, or maybe Bill Kelso Duke/Wild boy/something from their archive-line(a bit cheaper aswell!) as they are all similar-ish in style as the HH.


Cheers!

 

[Aloysius]

The King of the Road and Field Manhattan have basically nothing in common, unless you mean just having a D-pocket. The KotR is a pretty close repro of the early Sears Hercules jackets.

As much as I like the finishing on Field's jackets, which is fantastic, unless this is going to be one jacket among many, I wouldn't recommend that you get the Manhattan for this. Others have reproduced the Hercules, including Sugar Cane. The most recent has been Schott with its 568 jacket, which a few people here own. The benefit with this one is that the pattern will almost certainly be better than any of the repro-oriented brands.

As far as a Hooch Hauler type aviator, your option apart from Aero would be a custom from Johnson Leathers in San Francisco.

 

[kilinrax]

Thank you guys for the great suggestions so far. Canuck Panda, the C2 Vanson is going on the shortlist. Zoro, I take your suggestion and have been going through Thedi's designs. The back on the MTC-10075 makes a strong candidate.

I'd seen this Thedi horsehide jacket which is glorious, but an eye-watering 2,637 EUR, so assumed they'd all be beyond my 'justifiable' price range.

I'll keep a look out for used HHs, or if Aero have a sale which takes the edge off their new pricing. Mercari is a good tip, Herrvallmo - though Yahoo Auctions no longer seems to exist outside Japan?

Aloysius, you're right, the Schott 568 seems like a better replacement. Johnson Leathers are also a great suggestion, browsing their instagram discovered this cognac mouton-collared jacket, which is pretty much perfect.

Perhaps I should be more specific about what I'm looking for. I would like a jacket with a less busy front than a classic motorcycle jacket (no belt, no D-pocket) - which I guess is what is rightly termed an aviator? (which meant a shearling flight jacket in my mind, happy to be corrected though). Conversely, I'd like the back to not be plain; either a low bi-swing back, or vented panels like the HH, or something like Aero's 'Sunburst'.

Currently the only leather jacket I own is a Belstaff cafe racer in black, so a cognac/tan/mahogany leather feels more different/unusual, and thus versatile in ways my existing jacket isn't.

I'm British, living in Finland. Which means my preference, weather wise, is for both cross-body patterns and mouton collars for extra wind protection. And that, if I need to pay import fees on the jacket, I'd rather it came from the US or even Japan than back home.