Best of the new Aero bunch

[Edward]

I agree - jackets are an excellent motivation to lose weight! I went from a 52" to 44'' (even managed 42" at one point) - it's increasing again though

I dropped a huge amount of weight some years ago - I actually looked fresh out of Belsen at one point. Put a little back on and was about right. Then I got into staying in the ofcie til all hours, and only eating junk around midnight when I got home (often the only meal of the day). Working on finding that happy medium again!

 

[Rudie]

Edward, find a good hypnotist and you'll be on the right track in no time! Stop whining, start changing. Seriously, it's easy and it works. I can help you find a good one (most aren't). The downside would be that most of your clothes wouldn't fit anymore.

 

[bn1966]

Currently on a little diet myself to reduce the old mid-section, A2 zipping up a bit easier. Must admit that Aero mid weight red cafe racer floats my boat but couldn't see myself wearing one (doesn't match my complexion).

 

[ButteMT61]

It's tough. I was solid for two years and last month I got about 8 pounds back. Hosed my back and I didn't go to the gym and got lazy with food. it happens

 

[nevadapd]

I should add that the Thunderbay also looks very cool -- or, rather, warm -- especially with the featured collar. Seems more attractive for really cold weather than the very heavy looking Hudson and Northeaster. I feel I should be doing something more butch in life, though, if I were to wear the Thunderbay.

SJ

At this point I have two Aero jackets suitable for Fall, Spring, and warmer Winter days, so I would consider the Thunder Bay "best" at suiting my needs. It looks like a fine jacket.

As far as losing weight goes, I'm down 16 lbs. as of today from my early January weight, so my size may well change when it comes time to buy. I wonder how much the Thunder Bay weighs.

 

[bretron]

Bump this thing up;

Whatchall think of the tumbled FQHH? Trying to decide on the hide for my Dustbowl

Judging by picks of the Original Herc on the Aero site, I think I'm sold, but if anyone had experience with it that hates the stuff for one reason or another I'm interested to hear it

 

[Fanch]

I have a HWM that is vintage black, which I understand is essentially the same as tumbled, and a brown FQHH Teamster. The vintage has a somewhat dry feel to the leather, whereas the FQHH has a smooth, waxy feel that is somewhat pleasant. I understand that the tumbled breaks in faster than the regular. I personally feel that you could not go wrong with either choice.

 

[Sloan1874]

I think the vintage would work really well. The Dustbowl design has a strong period feel in itself, so it'd be just the ticket. I think black in any hide would be great though. Or really dark brown, like my one

 

[bretron]

I have a HWM that is vintage black, which I understand is essentially the same as tumbled, and a brown FQHH Teamster. The vintage has a somewhat dry feel to the leather, whereas the FQHH has a smooth, waxy feel that is somewhat pleasant. I understand that the tumbled breaks in faster than the regular. I personally feel that you could not go wrong with either choice.

Thx for the perspective, Fanch. I briefly owned a 50s HB in the standard FQHH, so I know what you mean about the hand feel of the hide. And I agree completely with you. Knowing how stiff that stuff is kind of leads to my interest in the tumbled hide. I also think the enhanced grain looks nice. One of my concerns is that it looks too forced, eg ELC's "time worn" hides or a pair of pre-distressed jeans. Howevet, fom the photos I've seen the tumbled/vintage looks pretty badass. But photos can be very deceiving.

also, if I'm not mistaken its the same density/thickness as the standard 3oz FQHH, no?

 

[bretron]

I think the vintage would work really well. The Dustbowl design has a strong period feel in itself, so it'd be just the ticket.

thx man, that's been my thought as well. But pod to hear from ya since you've actually seen and tried these on.

I think black in any hide would be great though. Or really dark brown, like my one

Yeah except yours is made out of the illustrious Shinki- no sour grapes, just sheer jealousy

I'm going black on this one. Modified Dustbowl with angled chest pocket and no front yokes. Killer diller. Done and done.

 

[handymike]

Mine's gonna be Shinki like Butte's- someday....But Ken sure did a great job with that Hercules!

 

[Fanch]

Um, the leather of my black vintage jacket "feels" thicker and stiffer than that of my brown FQHH, although there is some variation in thickness/texture/color between batches. I think that both do have the same basic density/thickness of the standard 3 oz. FQHH. My black vintage HWM looks and feels "hardcore" compared to my brown FQHH Teamster if that makes any sense.

 

[bretron]

Mine's gonna be Shinki like Butte's- someday....But Ken sure did a great job with that Hercules!

Mike, you're gonna be happy with your decision to dump the used 30s HB, suck it up and buy the Ventura. All the more since you got your depisit in before JC's price hike!

 

[handymike]

Aero does have a mis-matched dustbowl with pocket screaming at me on their sale page though....
"Gotta hold on...." but soooo tempting.

 

[schitzo]

Original Hercules, final answer.

 

[Highwaymanman]

Thunder Bay for me. It looks badass.

 

[handymike]

I find it funny that in 2011, Mark Moye rejected my idea for the original Hercules as a Frankenjacket that he wouldn't order for me from the factory.

 

[pauleway]

thx man, that's been my thought as well. But pod to hear from ya since you've actually seen and tried these on.




Yeah except yours is made out of the illustrious Shinki- no sour grapes, just sheer jealousy

I'm going black on this one. Modified Dustbowl with angled chest pocket and no front yokes. Killer diller. Done and done.

To me, the Dustbowl is just a 30's HB with more small pieces of leather sewn together and no chest pocket. If you went with the 30's HB, you would be getting the chest pocket standard (No mod.) and a jacket basically the same as the Dustbowl without all the seams and small pieces of leather sewn together. I would much rather have one solid piece of leather than 2 or 3 sewn together to make the same thing!!

 

[handymike]

I really like the strip on the bottom of the front. I always felt that was the one thing missing on the 30's halfbelt.

 

[bretron]

I really like the strip on the bottom of the front. I always felt that was the one thing missing on the 30's halfbelt.

+1, not to mention the back piece