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.

 

[Canuck Panda]

The biggest obstacle is the cognac color. Aero's russet badalassi and cognac pinnacle are both more red and darker shades than the tan cognac. If you are going down the Aero Hooch Hauler route and wants cognac finish then the best options are to get it in natural cxl or raw horsehide (comipel) and patina yourself to get it to that cognac color, it's gonna take some time but totally worth it.

Or when you are searching on the used market in Japan, look for the natural hides jackets, include Tenjin into your search, they can also get to that cognac color too in time. Tenjin JW03 brand new might work out to be slightly less than Aero at this point, depending on where you're buying from. The biggest difference is that the Tenjin is drop two to the waist typical half belt shape whereas the Hooch is drop four more taper like a typical motorcycle jacket fit.

Th Johnson jacket is mine. They can do the most customization out of all the brands listed in this thread. But they are at the same price as current Aero's. The WWL-41 is the model name and it has a nice fit. If you go down this route then I would also recommand some kind of natural horween and get to the tan patina yourself.

Tan to mid brown is always harder to come by than the darker browns. Good ones even harder.

 

[Aloysius]

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.

That is a California Highway Patrol jacket. Specifically the PNW influenced WWL-41 model that Canuck mentions; both of us have this.

If you call Johnson they might well have one available on the rack which would cost you much less than the customs that Canuck and I got.

 

[kilinrax]

It's a cracking jacket. I've just found this two-tone version from another forum member, which also looks stunning. Very glad I made an account and posted here! You guys have completely solved my conundrum. The WWL-41, in my eyes at least, eclipses the Hooch Hauler.

 

[TartuWolf]

As someone who owns a Hooch Hauler, has dealt with SB, is rather shocked by the Aero price increases, highly prefers jackets from the EU and lives in Estonia I have many tips and advice for you, but main one would be - take your time before you do the purchase. Spend at least a few months researching and really feeling out what exactly do you want. I'd even take at least a year, keeping an eye out on used jackets in EU/US and the auctions in JP. Don't rush it. Write and talk to various makers, find out the prices and the possibilities.. And welcome to officially joining the lounge, no longer as a lurker

 

[MrProper]

Spend at least a few months researching and really feeling out what exactly do you want.

Interesting. I see it exactly differently. If you are sure that you want a jacket, buy it quickly. As soon as the first jacket arrives, the learning process begins. Everything else is just theory. And yes, of course the first jacket may not be what you had in mind, but that can happen even after a year of research.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Take the time to do research, especially on pricing, but pull the trigger quickly when one shows up within the budget range.
Johnson is a great option for guys in North American. But for EU customers there's always the 20% ish VAT to think about.
The biggest difference between the Hooch and the WWL-41 is that the Hooch has a vintage sports jacket vibe and the WWL-41 is very CHP, both are short in the front slim in the torso but WWL-41 has wider shoulders.

 

[Dbrn]

In terms of taking your time and research, I'll say as the 5-year owner of a HH in CXL HH: putting aside all the reasons to like or dislike my leather choice, Aero patterns are not for everyone. You can read a ton on here about Aero patterns, the "neck hanging" problem, etc. I think it comes down to somewhat small neckholes on the HH and that the shoulder drop is not made for people with sloping shoulders, like mine. That's not about deltoid size, it's about how much lower your shoulders are than your neck. When they slope, you end up with the jacket hanging more on your neck than your shoulders and it's not great. While this is probably most felt with my leather because of the weight and stiffness, others with Aeros in other leathers have also complaines, while many with heavier/stiffer jackets from other manufacturers have found them much more comfortable. So, just something to consider with this model that I wish I'd known back then.

 

[TartuWolf]

In terms of taking your time and research, I'll say as the 5-year owner of a HH in CXL HH: putting aside all the reasons to like or dislike my leather choice, Aero patterns are not for everyone. You can read a ton on here about Aero patterns, the "neck hanging" problem, etc. I think it comes down to somewhat small neckholes on the HH and that the shoulder drop is not made for people with sloping shoulders, like mine. That's not about deltoid size, it's about how much lower your shoulders are than your neck. When they slope, you end up with the jacket hanging more on your neck than your shoulders and it's not great. While this is probably most felt with my leather because of the weight and stiffness, others with Aeros in other leathers have also complaines, while many with heavier/stiffer jackets from other manufacturers have found them much more comfortable. So, just something to consider with this model that I wish I'd known back then.

My Hooch Hauler is also in CXL HH (The HH HH!). The pattern is definitely the worst aspect of this jacket. The neck problem mostly goes away (for me) with proper posture or a scarf. But the lack of mobility can't be helped. But that's what you get with a slim and form fitting pattern without mobility features (the mid back slit doesn't do that much), not too surprising. It would need a lot more room in the upper back or some shoulder gussets / full by swing to be mobile and that slim fitting. Personally I would buy the Hooch Hauler again (not at these prices!) in CXL (would try steer this time), but size up in the upper back and bottom hem, slightly longer sleeves and body as well.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Hooch Hauler vs WWL-41, both size 42,

Hooch neck 17" vs WWL-41 neck 18.5"

Hooch shoulder 18.5" vs WWL-41 shoulder 19.75"

Hooch P2P 22.75" vs WWL-41 P2P 21.5" Both can add 1" with the action pleats pulled open

Personally I don't think it's a fair compare. Hooch being more of a pre-1959 cut as Aero likes to call it vs WWL-41 being more 70s and later cut.

I have found that if a jacket is being sold as a "repro", especially a "30s repro" it's gonna be a smaller jacket even the P2P is wider. That means tiny neck hole and comparatively narrower shoulders. It may have wider P2P than later era jackets I will give you that, but the top three holes are smaller, neck and the two armholes.

Another example, not Aero, I have an Eastman size 46 A2, house pattern, neck hole just under 18"! with 24.5" P2P.

If you want repro jackets to fit as comfortable or in the same ball park as later date cutting jackets, it will have to be boxier armpit down without going custom. I got some repro jackets and that's a consistent finding I find.

For reference I have 16" neck, and I find in order to feel comfortable, the hole needs to be at least 18" or larger. A modern 42 or size Large slim mostly have neck holes between 18.5" to 19", P2P will vary depending on style, and shoulders will be on the wider side of 19" and not under like repros.

If I could redo my Hooch to make it more modern comfort and mobility, I would have gone up at least one size or more. I should have listened to Aero, they did tell me to size up but I insisted on not, that's on me. Even so it's wearable, I just tug it backwards a bit, I do this a lot with a lot of the non Aero repros jackets I have as well.

 

[Alex.A]

If you were set on Hooch Hauler then another ''similar'' jacket might not scratch that itch. Perhaps look at used or save for a bit longer and go for it. I got mine in 2022 before the price increases, in natural CXL FQHH. It is stunning and surprisingly comfortable after it fights you for the first 5 minutes after putting it on.

 

[kilinrax]

If you were set on Hooch Hauler then another ''similar'' jacket might not scratch that itch.

Please don’t mistake this for sour grapes. I was never set on the Hooch Hauler. It was just one of two jackets which drew my eye out of Aero’s catalogue, and a Aero were the only manufacturer whose catalogue I’d gone over thoroughly.

Side by side, I much prefer the WWL-41, so if anything, that’s the jacket I’m set on.

 

[TartuWolf]

If you were set on Hooch Hauler then another ''similar'' jacket might not scratch that itch. Perhaps look at used or save for a bit longer and go for it. I got mine in 2022 before the price increases, in natural CXL FQHH. It is stunning and surprisingly comfortable after it fights you for the first 5 minutes after putting it on.

Pics of the natural hooch hauler please.