Feedback on fit of Aero Board Racer?

[newtojackets]

Just bought a used Aero Board Racer. This is my first non-mall leather jacket so what do you guys think, a keeper? (I believe it’s modified to make it longer than the average board racer but I don’t mind the length)

A few things I’ve noticed but heard this is fairly common for board racers / Aero:

1. Quite a bit of weight / pressure on the neck. I can probably deal with this by breaking in the collar

2. Extremely high armholes- impossible to wear this with anything long sleeved

3. Currently very stiff (was barely worn by previous owner)- this should become more comfortable with time right?

4. The back sticks out slightly (seen most obviously from the side where the jacket doesn’t contour with the lower back). How can I break in / mound the lower back of the jacket (as I’m assuming regular wear won’t break in this part)

Thanks I’m advance!

 

[newtojackets]

Forgot to mention, this is CXL Horsehide

 

[Guppy]

Looks like it fits pretty well. Just wear it and break it in. If it gets uncomfortable, take it off for a bit, then wear it some more. The Board Racer is a peculiar fit, but you look like you have the right build for it.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

The neck thing with Aero is common topic. I don't think this gets better, especial with CXL.

The problem with CXL is even when broken in, it's still going to be stiff in colder weather because of the waxes. So this really depends on the climate you're in. My Sheene is pretty comfortable (except for the neck issue you describe) if it's a warmer day. But if I wear anything sub 60 Fahrenheit, it's like a turtle shell.

The stiff back and all that should relax with more wears. The way I speed-broke in my Sheene was rolling it up into a log and kneading it with my knees every night for a few minutes. Also laying flat and just sitting across it in different spots through out the day. You can try spritzing with water and putting in the dryer with air dry, no heat. All of this helps to "break it in" but as I mentioned, it's still pretty stiff when it's cold. The upside is you'll get beautiful color evolution with the break in process. I'm not sure how many wears or years or if ever a CXL jacket will feel like a veg tanned one that drapes and flows with the body. After 2 years with my Sheene, I see no sign of that ever happening.

Fit wise, I think you're pretty good. Most are probably going to say it's too long, especially since you're sagging a bit LOL. True, might be an inch long, but I don't mind as much.

 

[newtojackets]

Looks like it fits pretty well. Just wear it and break it in. If it gets uncomfortable, take it off for a bit, then wear it some more. The Board Racer is a peculiar fit, but you look like you have the right build for it.

Thanks, only thing is it’s a bit too slim to be perfect to me but doesn’t mean it isn’t still great

 

[newtojackets]

The neck thing with Aero is common topic. I don't think this gets better, especial with CXL.

The problem with CXL is even when broken in, it's still going to be stiff in colder weather because of the waxes. So this really depends on the climate you're in. My Sheene is pretty comfortable (except for the neck issue you describe) if it's a warmer day. But if I wear anything sub 60 Fahrenheit, it's like a turtle shell.

The stiff back and all that should relax with more wears. The way I speed-broke in my Sheene was rolling it up into a log and kneading it with my knees every night for a few minutes. Also laying flat and just sitting across it in different spots through out the day. You can try spritzing with water and putting in the dryer with air dry, no heat. All of this helps to "break it in" but as I mentioned, it's still pretty stiff when it's cold. The upside is you'll get beautiful color evolution with the break in process. I'm not sure how many wears or years or if ever a CXL jacket will feel like a veg tanned one that drapes and flows with the body. After 2 years with my Sheene, I see no sign of that ever happening.

Fit wise, I think you're pretty good. Most are probably going to say it's too long, especially since you're sagging a bit LOL. True, might be an inch long, but I don't mind as much.

Makes a lot of sesnse, thanks! I was actually thinking of rolling the neck (possibly with water) to essentially the pressure there.

Not actually sagging haha, the nudie jeans I bought have really low back pockets which give it that impression

 

[newtojackets]

The neck thing with Aero is common topic. I don't think this gets better, especial with CXL.

The problem with CXL is even when broken in, it's still going to be stiff in colder weather because of the waxes. So this really depends on the climate you're in. My Sheene is pretty comfortable (except for the neck issue you describe) if it's a warmer day. But if I wear anything sub 60 Fahrenheit, it's like a turtle shell.

The stiff back and all that should relax with more wears. The way I speed-broke in my Sheene was rolling it up into a log and kneading it with my knees every night for a few minutes. Also laying flat and just sitting across it in different spots through out the day. You can try spritzing with water and putting in the dryer with air dry, no heat. All of this helps to "break it in" but as I mentioned, it's still pretty stiff when it's cold. The upside is you'll get beautiful color evolution with the break in process. I'm not sure how many wears or years or if ever a CXL jacket will feel like a veg tanned one that drapes and flows with the body. After 2 years with my Sheene, I see no sign of that ever happening.

Fit wise, I think you're pretty good. Most are probably going to say it's too long, especially since you're sagging a bit LOL. True, might be an inch long, but I don't mind as much.

Also I do live in the UK so fairly cold winters but I don’t really see myself wearing this at anything below 10 degrees Celsius / 50 Fahrenheit as the jacket is so slim I don’t think layering is an option

 

[Pandemic]

Personally I call that a perfect fit, with the bottom of the zip landing right at belt level. The shoulder and neck thing would be my biggest worry.

Try pulling your shoulders back and seeing if that looks and feels better - on tailored wear this is a sign that the wearer’s shoulders slope forward more than than the jacket.

 

[AerGuitar]

Looks like a pretty good fit to my eyes. My wife thinks I’m a nutter, but I’ve slept a couple of nights in a few of my jackets to help break them in. That might do the trick for the area in the back that you mentioned? As mentioned above, roll it, knead it, twist it, whatever it takes to beat it into submission. CXL is a beast.

 

[handymike]

If you are going to keep it, I suggest taking a warm shower in it. I know it sounds odd, but it really works with the break-in.
You could also take a hot bath for 20mins while wearing it. Afterwards wear it wet until it cools. Lay it on towels in a cool area of your home and let it dry out of direct sun/heat. Put it on every now and then and bend arms, do some jumping jacks, etc. you want to move in it before the waxes set again. In a week it will be dry and easier to wear. Trust me- CXL can handle anything.
This was mine after a similar treatment and 1 year of sporadic wear:

It was still CXL, but much more manageable.

 

[ton312]

Yeah this fit looks ideal. The BR is a racing shirt. It’s should be tight. CXL is a tough leather for this pattern because of the pattern itself. The back won’t mold inward to follow the curvature of your spine very much if at all, the pattern is not cut that way.
Bottom line, looks superb to me.

 

[Kunja]

Agreed on the fit, it looks just right to me.

These "suit of armor" jackets are for young guys like you. I've finally determined that CXL is just too much effort for lazy old me, but of course that took buying and selling 3-4 of them over a few years to get that through my head!

 

[TREEMAN]

Enjoy your new BR… Looks great !!

 

[Carlos840]

Makes a lot of sesnse, thanks! I was actually thinking of rolling the neck (possibly with water) to essentially the pressure there.

Not actually sagging haha, the nudie jeans I bought have really low back pockets which give it that impression

IMO you can't do anything to make the neck better, it's just how Aero designs their jackets, they wear like heavy leather necklaces.
I own 3 Aeros, they all do it, that's the reason i don't really wear them much.

It's not CXL's fault, i have CXL jackets made by other makers (Vanson and Johnson) that are a joy to wear, it's just a pattern problem with Aero.

Saying all that it's a good looking jacket, if you can deal with the comfort level...

 

[jacketjunkie]

IMO you can't do anything to make the neck better, it's just how Aero designs their jackets, they wear like heavy leather necklaces.
I own 3 Aeros, they all do it, that's the reason i don't really wear them much.

It's not CXL's fault, i have CXL jackets made by other makers (Vanson and Johnson) that are a joy to wear, it's just a pattern problem with Aero.

Saying all that it's a good looking jacket, if you can deal with the comfort level...

+1 CLX gets a bad rep for wrong reasons.

 

[Guppy]

IMO you can't do anything to make the neck better, it's just how Aero designs their jackets, they wear like heavy leather necklaces.
I own 3 Aeros, they all do it, that's the reason i don't really wear them much.

It's not CXL's fault, i have CXL jackets made by other makers (Vanson and Johnson) that are a joy to wear, it's just a pattern problem with Aero.

Saying all that it's a good looking jacket, if you can deal with the comfort level...

I have to say that I have not noticed a problem with the neck/collar on any of my Aero jackets, with the exception of one cafe racer which is too tight for me to snap the throat closure.

I've owned a lot of their jackets over the years, and still have a lot of them. I've never heard of this problem before, either. I've been on these forums since around 2014 or so, and this is the first time I've heard about this. I'll try to pay close attention next time I'm wearing one of them and see if I note anything off about how the collar feels.

Some people don't find their jackets comfortable, whether due to the pattern, the fit, the heavy, stiff leather, or whatever reason. Which suits me fine, since I often have picked up a nearly new Aero for a substantial discount.

 

[newtojackets]

Looks like a pretty good fit to my eyes. My wife thinks I’m a nutter, but I’ve slept a couple of nights in a few of my jackets to help break them in. That might do the trick for the area in the back that you mentioned? As mentioned above, roll it, knead it, twist it, whatever it takes to beat it into submission. CXL is a beast.

Sleeping in it is something I’ve read, might give it a try!

 

[newtojackets]

Looks like a pretty good fit to my eyes. My wife thinks I’m a nutter, but I’ve slept a couple of nights in a few of my jackets to help break them in. That might do the trick for the area in the back that you mentioned? As mentioned above, roll it, knead it, twist it, whatever it takes to beat it into submission. CXL is a beast.

Sleeping in it is something I’ve read, might give it a try!

If you are going to keep it, I suggest taking a warm shower in it. I know it sounds odd, but it really works with the break-in.
You could also take a hot bath for 20mins while wearing it. Afterwards wear it wet until it cools. Lay it on towels in a cool area of your home and let it dry out of direct sun/heat. Put it on every now and then and bend arms, do some jumping jacks, etc. you want to move in it before the waxes set again. In a week it will be dry and easier to wear. Trust me- CXL can handle anything.
This was mine after a similar treatment and 1 year of sporadic wear:
View attachment 454836
It was still CXL, but much more manageable.

oh wow, taking a bath in it… would you say the break in is fine without the bath and just wear or the bath helps a lot?

 

[newtojackets]

I have to say that I have not noticed a problem with the neck/collar on any of my Aero jackets, with the exception of one cafe racer which is too tight for me to snap the throat closure.

I've owned a lot of their jackets over the years, and still have a lot of them. I've never heard of this problem before, either. I've been on these forums since around 2014 or so, and this is the first time I've heard about this. I'll try to pay close attention next time I'm wearing one of them and see if I note anything off about how the collar feels.

Some people don't find their jackets comfortable, whether due to the pattern, the fit, the heavy, stiff leather, or whatever reason. Which suits me fine, since I often have picked up a nearly new Aero for a substantial discount.

That’s surprising, I’ve seen quite a bit of it on this forum. Essentially when you wear it it feels like the weight of the jacket is ok your neck through the collar rather than your shoulders, so forces your neck forward

 

[Carlos840]

I have to say that I have not noticed a problem with the neck/collar on any of my Aero jackets, with the exception of one cafe racer which is too tight for me to snap the throat closure.

I've owned a lot of their jackets over the years, and still have a lot of them. I've never heard of this problem before, either. I've been on these forums since around 2014 or so, and this is the first time I've heard about this. I'll try to pay close attention next time I'm wearing one of them and see if I note anything off about how the collar feels.

Some people don't find their jackets comfortable, whether due to the pattern, the fit, the heavy, stiff leather, or whatever reason. Which suits me fine, since I often have picked up a nearly new Aero for a substantial discount.

I dunno man, i have been here since 2013, we have had this conversation multiple times already (literally the two of us!), you always say that Aero's are fine, i have always felt they hung from the neck, some people agree with me, some don't, not sure we need to go through this one more time...