Casual double rider jacket - SB Oakland, or Aero King of the Road?

[NamoAmituofo]

Hello all

My first post here. I have an Aero size 40 HWM with wool lining for colder months, as can layer a thin cashmere jumper underneath.

But for the warmer months, I'm thinking of getting a second jacket - size 38 with just cotton lining.

I know the common advice is get a design that can be worn at all occasions - but for some reason I'm quite keen on getting a double rider style.

So I've narrowed down to either SB Oakland, or Aero King of the Road.

- for SB Oakland, I'd go with their 4oz elk (available in black only) - I think the lack of a belt, and the not so shiny finish of elk can pull this off as a 'casual jacket', and not looking too 'bad ass' (thinking of wearing this for school run too...) cost would be £600

- for Aero KotR, I'd go with CXL HH natural, or SH brown - given this is the belted and studded design - I'd go with a non-black version for casual wear. Cost would be £950 so 50% higher than SB. (I've seen this amazing jacket as well https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...106-kotr-indian-mix-biker-jacket.97528/page-6)

If they're priced the same I'd go for KotR no doubt. But for £350 more, I can almost pick up another 2nd hand jacket off ebay.

What would be your advice?

Thank you
Namo Amituofo

 

[Aloysius]

There’s a reason SB cross-zips are significantly cheaper. While early on this didn’t seem to be the case, these days they don’t seem to have a quality control check and they don’t provide after sales support if they screwed up on this. I’m talking people ordering size 38 cross zips and getting a 22” hem, with SB insisting this is normal. It’s a gamble.

You might want to keep an eye on Aero’s sale/stock page where you’re likely to see a jacket you want at a significantly discounted price.

I think the KotR is a great design and I’ve had an eye on one or one of the 50s Hercules jackets it’s based on for a while now.

A note on sizing: why do you want to go 38 if your Highwayman is 40? The Highwayman is an intentionally oversized design so if you’re going down to 38 in a more typical design that’s a significant change.

 

[TartuWolf]

If you go for SB make sure you demand QC with all measurements done before shipping the jacket out.
If everything turns out great - you'll have a great jacket for a great price. Didn't turn out well for me, had to go for a full refund.
I'd give them another shot myself but I'd be much more demanding regarding QC and adherence to requested measurements.

For Aero make sure you understand the cuts well - consult their customer support. A highwayman and the KOTR a shaped very differently.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Thank you guys I really appreciate the help here. I didn't finish reading that long SB 22" hem post - I won't be bothered with that kind of risk/hassell.

So it comes down to either biting the bullet ordering a new KOTR from Aero, or wait for a used one to appear.

What's the best way to follow the latest' for sale listings' on this forum? I had a quick search and there isn't an obvious market place I can find.

 

[jacketjunkie]

Thank you guys I really appreciate the help here. I didn't finish reading that long SB 22" hem post - I won't be bothered with that kind of risk/hassell.

So it comes down to either biting the bullet ordering a new KOTR from Aero, or wait for a used one to appear.

What's the best way to follow the latest' for sale listings' on this forum? I had a quick search and there isn't an obvious market place I can find.

classifieds

 

[JMax]

KOTR is a beautiful jacket. They are not often seen for sale.

If you go new please be mindful of Aloysius’ sizing comment.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

KOTR is a beautiful jacket. They are not often seen for sale.

If you go new please be mindful of Aloysius’ sizing comment.

Thank you - I appreciate that - will go for size 40

 

[AeroFan_07]

Not bad ideas, but there are many other brands and patterns that may be a better overall product for you.
I would encourage you to find a place to try some on, best way be far to tell what fits you and what you like best.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

After quite some time considering, looking at other brands here and on ebay - I'm ready to put in an order for Aero KoTR! There is something about the D-pocket and the back of this design that bugs me - if I settle for anything else, like a Daytona (with the plain back) - this will always haunt me and make me order a KoTR eventually. So I thought - buy it once, buy what I really want, and be done with that.

The only thing I've not decided on is leather - pondering between natural HH and russet goat. I do love a goat grain but Aero's russet goat looks a few shades darker.

 

[TartuWolf]

KOTR is an awesome choice I'd say!
Personally I would go for the new Vincent as that gives you a lot of customization options.
But the KOTR back is just something else for sure, amazing.
The denim dentist recently got his first short vintage cross-zip as far as I can tell and it has a very similar back which looks incredible:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Bm9jHLjVM/
Also reminds me of one of the coolest Aero jackets I've ever seen - a custom J-106:
https://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/threads/aero-j106-review.15080/

Be vary cautious and understand what you're getting into if you're considering natural HH. It's a very extreme choice from my perspective! It's opposite of russet (or any) goatskin from Aero in many ways.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

How come natural HH is extreme to you? I thought this is the hide that gives most character from wearing.

I do understand goat tends to look the same even after worn in.

 

[Monitor]

@NamoAmituofo - Hi. Just a word of advice; None of these jackets are going to be any more wearable in warmer, sunny weather. Warmth-wise, Aero's woolen lining and their cotton drill are comparable so you might find this heavy horsehide cross-zip jacket similarly (un)wearable as your HWM thus not really worth the investment.

I'd go for a lighter jacket altogether.

 

[TartuWolf]

Do some research on this topic, plenty of threads and discussions on TFL. Don't take my word for it. From my perspective it is the extreme/brave (not in a bad sense), most high cost/risk high reward option. I'm intrigued by it for sure and I love it in small leather goods, but likely will never opt for it in boots or jackets.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

@NamoAmituofo - Hi. Just a word of advice; None of these jackets are going to be any more wearable in warmer, sunny weather. Warmth-wise, Aero's woolen lining and their cotton drill are comparable so you might find this heavy horsehide cross-zip jacket similarly (un)wearable as your HWM thus not really worth the investment.

I'd go for a lighter jacket altogether.

Thank you! What would you say is a better choice for warmer weather? goat, or mid weight Italian HH, perhaps satin lined?

 

[MrProper]

Thank you! What would you say is a better choice for warmer weather? goat, or mid weight Italian HH, perhaps satin lined?

I had a jacket made of unfinished HH with a cotton drill that was lighter than the usual one. And that was the jacket that worked best in warm, sunny weather. If you want to wear jackets at all.

 

[Monitor]

Thank you! What would you say is a better choice for warmer weather? goat, or mid weight Italian HH, perhaps satin lined?

Depends on how warm are we talking about.

Lightly lined goatskin is a much better call for a summer jacket. Italian HH is still pretty heavy plus all material Aero is using is pretty hefty. Satin might be a good idea.

Light coloured jackets deal better with sunlight, of course but the lighter you go, cooler the jacket is going to feel.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Hmm... you got me thinking about the Blattwerk Mahagony from Simmons Bilt again!! lighter weight for sure and breathes better I'm sure due to natural tanned. SB charges £150 for that leather on top of the £675 for standard Daytona, which is the closest to what I want (that's already £825 VS Aero's £930 tag for KoTR)- maybe if they let me put in a top V york on the back and not charging me too much extra for that.

I initially considered SB for value, not this almost is on par with Aero.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Top left - CXL HH natural

Bottom left - goat russet from Aero (too bad it’s too dark for me liking)

Top right - Blattwerk Mahogany (my fav color)

Bottom right - Mustang natural HH from SB

 

[3.14nche]

If it's any help here's russet goat and natural CXL side by side.

As for lining I find that by the time it's too hot for a jacket it does not make that much of a difference.
If I had to pick a jacket to wear when it's hotter it would probably be my coton sateen lined Vicenza Board Racer mainly because it is significantly lighter than the 2 jackets above.

 

[TartuWolf]

Note that natural cxl is not the same as the natural/unfinished hh.