Are Aero Jackets that good?

[cl206]

Hi I am on the market for a crosszip jacket and would like to pick up an Aero, something like the vincent or J106 which would go nicely with my Schott 689HH. However I do ride a z400 and found this:
https://firstmfg.com/products/fillmore-mens-motorcycle-leather-jacket?variant=37307691565254
This is on sale for sub $200 and the J106 is around $1000 or more. Is the J106 5 times as good?
Can someone give me some reasons I would spend 5 times for the J106? TIA!

PS I get that the Aero can be custom made and is made in England and has the more prestigious name but if you remove these items, how much better is the chromexcel steerhide than the drum dyed naked cowhide? Im really new to this!

 

[Marc mndt]

However I do ride a z400 and found this:
https://firstmfg.com/products/fillmore-mens-motorcycle-leather-jacket?variant=37307691565254

The leather looks really cheap. Makes sense because it is cheap.

I don't think it makes much sense to compare a jacket like this to an Aero jacket. An Aero is built to last, the Pakistan jacket might last a season or two.

 

[zebedee]

In the last 15 years I have owned a lot of Aero jackets. I would only ever really have needed one or two, but they're great jackets, fairly priced when you look at other custom makers, and rock solid. I have worn an Aero in just about every climate where it's practicable (and a few where it's not) and recommend them without reservation. The first one here is about 15 years old.

 

[zebedee]

Hi I am on the market for a crosszip jacket and would like to pick up an Aero, something like the vincent or J106 which would go nicely with my Schott 641HH. However I do ride a z400 and found this:
https://firstmfg.com/products/fillmore-mens-motorcycle-leather-jacket?variant=37307691565254
This is on sale for sub $200 and the J106 is around $1000 or more. Is the J106 5 times as good?
Can someone give me some reasons I would spend 5 times for the J106? TIA!

PS I get that the Aero can be custom made and is made in England and has the more prestigious name but if you remove these items, how much better is the chromexcel steerhide than the drum dyed naked cowhide? Im really new to this!

It's hard to make a comparison; it's a bit like trying to determine how many times better a Global paring knife is than a steak knife (I cook a lot) - the steak knife 'does the job' and the Global is a chef's knife - it's more specialised, sharper, precisely-made, etc. Just as there are more expensive chef's knives than Global, there are more expensive jackets than Aero (Thedi, Himel, etc), but an Aero is still miles ahead of the mass-produced PK jacket above.

 

[cl206]

The leather looks really cheap. Makes sense because it is cheap.

View attachment 628111 View attachment 628116


I don't think it makes much sense to compare a jacket like this to an Aero jacket. An Aero is built to last, the Pakistan jacket might last a season or

Hi I am on the market for a crosszip jacket and would like to pick up an Aero, something like the vincent or J106 which would go nicely with my Schott 641HH. However I do ride a z400 and found this:
https://firstmfg.com/products/fillmore-mens-motorcycle-leather-jacket?variant=37307691565254
This is on sale for sub $200 and the J106 is around $1000 or more. Is the J106 5 times as good?
Can someone give me some reasons I would spend 5 times for the J106? TIA!

PS I get that the Aero can be custom made and is made in England and has the more prestigious name but if you remove these items, how much better is the chromexcel steerhide than the drum dyed naked cowhide? Im really new to this!

So is everyone also suggesting/implying that (armor aside) an aero jacket would protect me better than the fillmore in an event of a motorcycle crash/slide?

Hi I am on the market for a crosszip jacket and would like to pick up an Aero, something like the vincent or J106 which would go nicely with my Schott 641HH. However I do ride a z400 and found this:
https://firstmfg.com/products/fillmore-mens-motorcycle-leather-jacket?variant=37307691565254
This is on sale for sub $200 and the J106 is around $1000 or more. Is the J106 5 times as good?
Can someone give me some reasons I would spend 5 times for the J106? TIA!

PS I get that the Aero can be custom made and is made in England and has the more prestigious name but if you remove these items, how much better is the chromexcel steerhide than the drum dyed naked cowhide? Im really new to this!

So would everyone agree that the Aero would protect me better in the event of a motorcycle crash/slide (armor aside ofc)? I also doubt the fillmore will only last one season or two bc I do have another first manufacturing armored jacket and it has lasted more than a season

maybe for 175 i might just get it for experimental purposes lol

 

[MrProper]

This is on sale for sub $200 and the J106 is around $1000 or more. Is the J106 5 times as good?

I would say yes. At least I still have all my Aeros, but none of the $300 jackets.
Do they provide better protection in the event of a motorbike accident? No idea. Not tried.

 

[cl206]

I would say yes. At least I still have all my Aeros, but none of the $300 jackets.
Do they provide better protection in the event of a motorbike accident? No idea. Not tried.

Thanks! I think you guys most certainly helped me avert a disaster lol

 

[ProteinNerd]

Personally, while I love Aero and have owned about 20 of their jacket over the years, they aren't good riding jackets in my experience. They just aren't cut very well for it. You need a jacket designed to allow high arm position (depending on your bike's riding position) and for me that is Aero's worse feature.

They look amazing, will last a lifetime and I would recommend one in a heartbeat for general wear but for riding, your better off buying something designed primarily as a riding jacket.

 

[cl206]

Personally, while I love Aero and have owned about 20 of their jacket over the years, they aren't good riding jackets in my experience. They just aren't cut very well for it. You need a jacket designed to allow high arm position (depending on your bike's riding position) and for me that is Aero's worse feature.

They look amazing, will last a lifetime and I would recommend one in a heartbeat for general wear but for riding, your better off buying something designed primarily as a riding jacket.

I do have a couple dedicated riding jackets and ofc the 689hh. just wanted to add a crosszip for variety sake. i use the dedicated armored wear for longer and highway rides and the schott and the new crosszip for shorter rides when I need to look good in front of the kids and ladies and gents haha

 

[Faux59]

I think Aeros are too nice for riding. The 2 I have are for casual. I wear a Schott P571 on my bike and I'm looking for a second hand offset Schott too.

 

[cl206]

I think Aeros are too nice for riding. The 2 I have are for casual. I wear a Schott P571 on my bike and I'm looking for a second hand offset Schott too.

aha thats why i was considering the much cheaper fillmore. compromises.

 

[Batoidea]

If you're looking for a crosszip that can be used for riding as well, have you considered a Vanson C2? I see a lot of them on the used market at excellent prices and Vanson has more experience with making patterns for bike-use than Aero does. A few members on here own or have previously owned a C2 and it looks like a damn good jacket. If I didn't already have 4 black crosszips in my closet, I would definitely be on the look-out for one.

 

[cl206]

If you're looking for a crosszip that can be used for riding as well, have you considered a Vanson C2? I see a lot of them on the used market at excellent prices and Vanson has more experience with making patterns for bike-use than Aero does. A few members on here own or have previously owned a C2 and it looks like a damn good jacket. If I didn't already have 4 black crosszips in my closet, I would definitely be on the look-out for one.

Ive actually looked at the vansons but liked the looks and the customization options of the aero more (looking at maybe getting cordovan chromexcel steerhide) but might reconsider. keeping my mind and options open for sure

 

[MrProper]

I think Aeros are too nice for riding.

They can take it and won't get any worse. Just do it if it's comfortable enough.
This one was used on the motorbike.

 

[torfjord]

Ive actually looked at the vansons but liked the looks and the customization options of the aero more (looking at maybe getting cordovan chromexcel steerhide) but might reconsider. keeping my mind and options open for sure

If you want to ride in it go for the Vanson. I’ve had around 10 Aero jackets and they all lacked in mobility. Their patterns are not good which makes it really hard to move in them.
I currently own 5 Vansons and they all allow for a wide range of movement.
I don’t ride - but if I did I would choose Vanson over Aero any day of the week.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Aero make a nice jacket, but,if you're wearing your jacket for riding,go vanson. Personally ii hate the quick wear that Aero and other jackets take on.some call it patina,it's not,it's premature colour loss,horrible looking scratches and wear spots.Buy a vanson.you won't regret it .

 

[Tom71]

Aero uses great leather and makes handmade jackets by skilled craftspeople. They are definitely worth the asking price.
If you’re comparison jacket is even worth its small price tag is a question of personal valuation. I wouldn’t invest a single cent in a jacket so obviously mass produced, but that’s a personal not an objective statement.

As for riding, others have pointed to the pattern issue. It’s not a dealbreaker per se, but Vanson or Langlitz are MADE for riding, Aero CAN be used on a bike, but you will have to compromise.
If you do go down the Aero road, make sure to get a universal zipper. The other No. 5 offerings are a nightmare for casual use but an absolute no on a bike where your safety depends on reliability.

 

[cl206]

If you want to ride in it go for the Vanson. I’ve had around 10 Aero jackets and they all lacked in mobility. Their patterns are not good which makes it really hard to move in them.
I currently own 5 Vansons and they all allow for a wide range of movement.
I don’t ride - but if I did I would choose Vanson over Aero any day of the week.

The biggest drawback is vansons mainly come in black right? Im considering a nonblack crosszip, maybe brown or cordovan or oxblood etc. The 689hh is pretty stiff but I did use it for riding a lot last season and it was fine. best way to break in a leather jacket is to wear it, while riding

 

[Bennarion]

You can start by buying an Aero jacket on the secondary market for half the cost or even cheaper.

 

[cl206]

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You can start by buying an Aero jacket on the secondary market for half the cost or even cheaper.

Yes ive been looking and who knows might get lucky!