Help me decide please... CXL FQHH vs. tumbled CXL FQHH

[BladeOfAnduril]

I'm in the process of getting my first Aero (via Carrie at TB). I have the fit jacket, I have the samples. My wife likes the tumbled CXL FQHH. I like the non-tumbled variant best... at least based on the samples.

I'm assuming that break in would be easier with the tumbled, since it comes a little softened up from the tumbling. But I like the deeper look of the non-tumbled. With break in and wear, does the regular CXL FQHH end up looking like the tumbled version?

I'd be grateful for any input from you fine, more experienced gents that would help me choose. Thanks.

 

[Guppy]

It does eventually look the same, it just takes longer.

 

[Psant25]

I am a stickler for symmetry of grain on the sleeves and body panels. I think the cutter may have an easier time matching on a tumbled version. You sometimes cannot tell where a grain spot is on a new stiff cxl leather and then all of a sudden bam pops out after some rain and wear. If there is a particularly grainy spot and not really so on the same panel opposite side it kinda bugs me. I chose “extra grainy” for mine and liked that quite a bit. I have had few of each and prefer tumbled cxl. I wish this JL cxl heavy horse was tumbled it is taking a long while to break in. I even soaked this one and wore dry still stiff as can be.

 

[Sloan1874]

Weirdly, and I cannot explain why, but my tumbled jacket feels slightly lighter to my un-tumbled ones. However, if it's your first, I would recommend a straight ahead, brown FQHH. You'll get acres of wear from it and the leather just ages beautifully. My brown long half belt was my first jacket and it remains my go to jacket, year in and year out.

 

[Aerielle Max]

It does eventually look the same, it just takes longer.

I would agree with this 100%. You just have to wait a little while.

 

[Robbie79]

Weirdly, and I cannot explain why, but my tumbled jacket feels slightly lighter to my un-tumbled ones. However, if it's your first, I would recommend a straight ahead, brown FQHH. You'll get acres of wear from it and the leather just ages beautifully. My brown long half belt was my first jacket and it remains my go to jacket, year in and year out.

I made the same experience when I received a two-tone Sunburst made of black/cordovan tumbled CXFQHH a while ago - the weight felt like my Vicenza Wayfarer and lighter in weight than standard CXFQHH. Of course, probably batches may vary. Less break-in is needed when selecting tumbled CXFQHH.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

If it's going to get a lot of wears, go for the non tumbled. I broke my Sheene down in less than a year wearing 4-5 hours a day, rolling it up into a ball, etc. Took about 4 or 5 months. It's probably 80% at this point. Very soft, color shading is gorgeous, more form fitting, etc. Wish it were a tad bit bigger, but that was my fault.

 

[BladeOfAnduril]

If it's going to get a lot of wears, go for the non tumbled. I broke my Sheene down in less than a year wearing 4-5 hours a day, rolling it up into a ball, etc. Took about 4 or 5 months. It's probably 80% at this point. Very soft, color shading is gorgeous, more form fitting, etc. Wish it were a tad bit bigger, but that was my fault.

It's going to be a Fall/Winter/Spring jacket for me. I run too hot to be able to wear anything of weight during the Summer months. I'm going with cotton drill lining to keep it on the relatively lighter side. When you say you were wearing it 4-5 hours a day, is that daily wear? I'll admit I'm a little intimidated by the break-in on the FQHH... I really wish my fit jacket had been FQHH so I'd have a better feel for it.

 

[Jin431]

the regular cxl and tumbled version is the same, you really can't go wrong with either one. If you want a grainy hide to begin with go for tumbled but if you want to do all the work yourself go for the regular cxl. If you will only have one leather jacket go for CXL, it will only get better with time and wear. If you have plenty of jackets (leather/denim/wool etc) to rotate it will take years before you can fully appreciate the beauty of it.

i have the regular cxl and tumbled cxl, there's really no difference with weight/stiffness and the break in really depends on how much wear you put on it. I prefer the tumbled cxl because it has visible grains right off the bat. What pattern are you going for? Maybe explore into midweight Leathers if you don't want to rigors of breaking in a heavy cxl jacket

 

[BladeOfAnduril]

the regular cxl and tumbled version is the same, you really can't go wrong with either one. If you want a grainy hide to begin with go for tumbled but if you want to do all the work yourself go for the regular cxl. If you will only have one leather jacket go for CXL, it will only get better with time and wear. If you have plenty of jackets (leather/denim/wool etc) to rotate it will take years before you can fully appreciate the beauty of it.

i have the regular cxl and tumbled cxl, there's really no difference with weight/stiffness and the break in really depends on how much wear you put on it. I prefer the tumbled cxl because it has visible grains right off the bat. What pattern are you going for? Maybe explore into midweight Leathers if you don't want to rigors of breaking in a heavy cxl jacket

I'm going for a 1930s Half Belt. I was sent a Sunburst in Tobacco Badalassi as a fit jacket, since they share the same pattern. I looked through all of the brown samples that were sent with it, but the CXL were the two that stood out.

 

[Jin431]

I'm going for a 1930s Half Belt. I was sent a Sunburst in Tobacco Badalassi as a fit jacket, since they share the same pattern. I looked through all of the brown samples that were sent with it, but the CXL were the two that stood out.

I hear you the brown cxl just has that classic beautiful look and it really shines when paired with a classic pattern especially with a half belt.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

It's going to be a Fall/Winter/Spring jacket for me. I run too hot to be able to wear anything of weight during the Summer months. I'm going with cotton drill lining to keep it on the relatively lighter side. When you say you were wearing it 4-5 hours a day, is that daily wear? I'll admit I'm a little intimidated by the break-in on the FQHH... I really wish my fit jacket had been FQHH so I'd have a better feel for it.

during covid, stuck at home, when I woke up, I'd put the jacket on and then wear until about lunch time. Every day I would lay flat and roll it up into a log, folding the arms in on themselves. Then "squish" it with my knees a dozen times. wash, rinse, repeat.

Brand new:

Handful months later:

 

[BladeOfAnduril]

Thanks for the pictures @TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead !! They were really helpful. I just told Carrie I want to go with the standard CXL. I might as well not cheat myself out of the full experience, and since over time it'll look more like the tumbled, my wife will like it the more I wear it! Win-win. Haha

 

[AeroFan_07]

I'd stick with regular CXL for the "Experance" Good things come to those who are patient (and proactive). Like Too Many said, proactive wearing in (air conditioned) buidlings through the summer really helps.

This very recent aquisition, also through Carrie, is CXL FQHH and will be taking me quite a while to break in here..

 

[roadking04]

That jacket really fits you Aerofan!! A MUST keeper. That thing is going to be epic in a few years.

 

[ton312]

I think if it’s your first, go with straight up CXL. It’s an experience. Some people love and some hate it. It takes commitment but in all honesty, not that much. For depth of color it’s impossible to compete with full blown CXL.
In this regard, it has no equal. At least none that I have ever seen.