And Another Happy Highwayman Owner

[OneEyeMan]

The mailman just dropped off my Highwayman.
For the record:
- Ordered 1 March 2009
- Aero USA
- Received 20 June 2009

Sorry, but no pix for a week.
We have 2 digital cameras. My wife just took the newer one (which is compatible with Windows Vista) to WV. I have the old one which is not compatible.
Anyway, it's a spectacular jacket.
Fit is spot on, with a little room when I let out the side straps to wear a sweater underneath. It's thick and stiff like everyone says, but not unmanagable. First thing I did was put it on and go for a walk in the rain. Seems like that's all it does in NJ lately.
Unfortunately, it's finally starting to warm up, so I won't be able to wear it much till fall.
I got the jacket with the Common Riding Worsted Wool lining. Very classy and subdued. It's been shown here before so do a search if you can't wait till next week.
The zipper is a little tough to get past the thick sewn overlap of leather 2" up from the bottom, but that'll eventually wear in nicely I assume.
The color is gorgeous. The backs of the sleeves are more reddish than the deep rich brown of the rest of the jacket. After I beat the heck out of it for a few months in the fall, I'm sure it'll all fade into one similar color. If not, no worries, I like the contrast. After all, variations in color should be expected with leather.
Anyway, the whole thing is extremely high quality.
And it makes me feel safe and protected when I wear it.
Kudos to Aero and Mark Moye:eusa_clap
Lenny

 

[Cooperson]

Hi Lenny - Congrats on getting your jacket. The Common Riding is a great lining for a brown Highwayman, I love mine. The difference in shades of the hide panels can be a bit off putting when you first see it, but don't worry, it will all mellow out with wear. I had the back of one sleeve that was a bit lighter that the rest of the jacket but you cant even see the difference now.

At least I got a few weeks wear out of mine before the warm weather kicked in. Mine is now resting on the back of a soft chair waiting for the autumn - I still put it on now and again though, for a bonding session, because I just love the feel and smell of it

Enjoy and wear it in good health.

Cheers.

 

[OneEyeMan]

Another man with fine taste! :eusa_clap
I'm sure I'll be like you, wearing it from time to time during the summer.
But I'll wait till the wife is out of the house.
She already thinks I'm crazy!
Lenny

 

[Fenton]

Hi Lenny, congrats on your new jacket ... no doubt it'll last forever and will be a steady companion over the years to come I remember that we placed our orders on exactly the same day - March 1st, that is. The only difference is that I ordered mine through Aero's headquarters in Scotland ... thus far, no sign that it'll be shipped soon. Now isn't that weird? - seems like the first case where a jacket ordered through Mark Moye is actually available sooner than one ordered through Amanda ... hmmm, might have to contact them to see what's going on.

In any case, enjoy your new jacket! Can't wait to see some pictures!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Congrats,Lenny
I knew that you were anxiously awaiting the Aero...and did your research before ordering. Glad that you like it! They are certainly quite unique.....
HD

 

[OneEyeMan]

Thanks Fenton and HD.
Patience does pay off.
That's interesting Fenton about us both ordering at the same time.
Looks like there's no rhyme or reason to their delivery times.
I'll post up pix next week.
Lenny

 

[Volpone]

Congratulations for your new HWM, this "common" will become soon a little star between AERO linings, it is a versatile indeed, with mine I'm very happy ...
Enjoy !
V.

 

[OneEyeMan]

I figured out how to upload the photos.
Here you go.
Lenny

 

[OneEyeMan]

After wearing the Highwayman around the house for a few days, I feel that a few comments are in order.

1. It's not perfect. The lining isn't even all along the waist line, and is in fact, bunched up and sewn thru a small fold towards one zipper side. Also, some of the other seams are less than straight. Finally, when zippered, the 2 bottom edges are ever so slightly uneven. All this means that it was made by a human. None of them detract from my enjoyment of the jacket. After all, nothing is perfect.

2. Having the exterior chest pocket and inner gun pocket on the same side causes that side to have a lot of extra "bumpage" in the area. Moving one pocket to the other side is probably the way to go.

3. The Common Riding Worsted Wool lining is absolutely gorgeous. However, it is already showing signs of pilling. It definitely won't last the life of the jacket. If I had to do it again, (and I probably will when the lining wears through) I'd get one of those Nylon/Acetate linings with some sort of insulating layer underneath.

4. The Horse Hide is absolutely the nicest leather I've ever seen, touched, or smelled. By wearing it and kneading it by hand, it's taken on a nice grainy wrinkly appearance. I can't wait to see how it looks after a month or so of daily wear in the winter.

5. I was surprised at the size of the Aero main zipper. I thought it'd be twice as big and macho looking to match the ruggedness of the rest of the jacket. However, after using it a dozen or so times, it works smooth as a Swiss watch.
Lenny

 

[Lear]

That's incredibly beautiful. :eusa_clap

I particularly like your choice of lining. Is it full weight or the lighter 3 season cloth?

You'll now be praying for summer to end.

Lear

 

[OneEyeMan]

Thanks for the compliment Lear.
Honestly, I don't know what weight the lining is considered.
Maybe somebody else knows.
It does seem light though.
Lenny

 

[Cooperson]

Great looking Highwayman Lenny - reminds me of another I've seen recently

Although soft, I suspect the lining will last longer than you might think. Enjoy!

 

[OneEyeMan]

Great minds think alike.
I hope the lining lasts a long time too.
Because, of all the linings I've seen, the Common Riding is my absolute favorite!!
(no offense to anybody)
Lenny

 

[Fiver64]

Very Cool!

Very nice. I just picked up a used black FQHH Highwayman from Aero. Never had an Aero before and was amazed at the thickness! I have jackets from Vanson, Taylor's Leatherwear, Schott and a few others, but this FQHH is darn near bullet-proof....literally! It too, came with a nice broken-in grainy/wrinkly finish. I'll try to get a couple of pics up soon. Nice to not have to break it in!

 

[OneEyeMan]

Good Deal Fiver:eusa_clap
I also have a Vanson MC jacket in Steer hide though.
My FQHH Highwayman is a whole 'nother level of thickness though!
Lenny

 

[Fiver64]

Like you, One Eye, I think my Vanson Mercury is probably more practical for most season wear, being the Firenze mid-weight leather, (and still heavier than most other brands!). I thought I would maybe have found the "perfect jacket" in the AERO HIGHWAYMAN, but I'm going to keep my Vanson and Schott as well. I'm still on the fence about the really wide collar, but it sure is tough as snot!

I haven't heard much from folks on TFL about their experiences with Taylor's Leatherwear. I have a Memphis in a black steerhide that I have been wearing on the street for 9 years now. It's been scratched, punched, scraped, cut, spit on, puked on, maced, peed on, punctured with cat claws and subjected to unflattering verbal abuse. It seems to be alive, since it has somewhat of a self-healing nature. Not nearly the fit and finish quality of the AERO or Vanson, but sure takes a lickin' and now has even been taught to leap into my arms from across the room when I gear up!

BTW, I love the Cordovan. From what I've seen at The Lounge, it darkens beautifully! Excellent choice, but now it's got me thinking....

 

[Ace Rimmer]

I think my Vanson Mercury is probably more practical for most season wear, being the Firenze mid-weight leather, (and still heavier than most other brands!).

Fiver, I have three Vansons and one Highwayman, and am considering a Mercury for street wear. How would you compare the fit of the Mercury to the Highwayman?

Sorry for the hijack!

 

[OneEyeMan]

Just wondering if anybody has any comments on my 5 comments post above?
Lenny

 

[Southernwayfare]

Regarding point #1, we've got three posts (OneEyeMan, bobjones, and Southernwayfarer) in the last few days reporting mistakes or minor defects in Aero products. Is this the result of trainee made items? Is this typical? I'd be interested to hear from members who have owned multiple products from Aero about minor defects. I think Aero is a great company and we're lucky to have them but this seems a bit surprising. I don't think a small section of bunched up and sewn thru lining would ever effect the enjoyment of the jacket but when it comes to judging quality craftsmanship isn't the devil always in the details? I've never seen a mis-stitch on a full-priced Alden shoe.

 

[bobjones]

Since you asked:

1. It's not perfect. The lining isn't even all along the waist line, and is in fact, bunched up and sewn thru a small fold towards one zipper side. Also, some of the other seams are less than straight. Finally, when zippered, the 2 bottom edges are ever so slightly uneven. All this means that it was made by a human. None of them detract from my enjoyment of the jacket. After all, nothing is perfect.

My Highwayman had that too, as does my Stockman. It is not a design flaw. As for the seams, they would be a little off as the products are not machine sewed.

2. Having the exterior chest pocket and inner gun pocket on the same side causes that side to have a lot of extra "bumpage" in the area. Moving one pocket to the other side is probably the way to go.

Agreed, and my gun pocket was over the right breast, opposite the typical external front pocket on the left.

3. The Common Riding Worsted Wool lining is absolutely gorgeous. However, it is already showing signs of pilling. It definitely won't last the life of the jacket. If I had to do it again, (and I probably will when the lining wears through) I'd get one of those Nylon/Acetate linings with some sort of insulating layer underneath.

I have the reiver tartan on my Stockman, which has held up quite well, and my Hwyman has the black stewart, which is gorgeous, if seemingly a slightly heavier weight than the Reiver. I think the tartans will last a very long time...

5. I was surprised at the size of the Aero main zipper. I thought it'd be twice as big and macho looking to match the ruggedness of the rest of the jacket. However, after using it a dozen or so times, it works smooth as a Swiss watch. Lenny

The zipper on my Hwyman worked quite well, and was not overwhelmed by the leather.