How warm is Aero's Alpaca lining or any alpaca lining?

[holdemchamp1225]

Just want to know people's experience with alpaca lined jackets and how warm you think it is compared to cotton drill, corduroy, blanket, or other linings. I know its not as warm as a sheepskin lining but how would you rate it compared to sheepskin or others? Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[EmergencyIan]

I have experience wearing an Alpaca lined USN Deck Jacket and also an original WWII US Army M1943 Alpaca lined Pile Liner jacket to wear under the M1943 Field Jacket.

In my experience, Alpaca is pretty darn warm. However, it's not nearly as warm as Shearling. I have one of the old "Western" style 1970s Shearling coats (just like Brian Dennehy's character in "First Blood") and it will keep one warm in sub-zero weather.

And, I have one or two WWII blanket wool lined jackets with cotton shells. They aren't as warm as my USN Deck Jacket which, again, is Alpaca lined.


- Ian

 

[jack miranda]

Hi, holdem: I agree with Ian's assessment of the comparative warmth of the different liners.

 

[Peacoat]

It depends on the thickness of the Alpaca. Aero's Alpaca isn't that thick and it isn't that warm. But it is thin and it isn't bulky. Easy to add a sweater to and stay warm when needed. I do have a deck jacket, as mentioned by Ian, and it is a warm jacket. The liner in the deck jacket is much thicker than the Aero, and it is warm.

 

[fenaxton44]

Hi all, I have a ELC B10 lined with Alpaca and it is very warm and a lot less bulky than sheepskin here in England it is more than warn enough and the ELC B10 i have is about 15 years old so durable, I also have a ANJ4 sheepskin jacket so can compare them.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I agree with Peacoat. Aero's Alpaca lining is quite thin and doesn't come even close to the warmth of shearling. However..in my view their Alpaca does have a better insulating quality compared to the cotton drill. Aero's cotton drill..although heavier than the wool blends...is woven in a way that seems to circulate outside air through the weave. On cooler days I always felt chilled with that lining. It would seem to me that the cotton drill is better suited for milder climates on the other end of the spectrum compared to sheepskin..
HD

 

[Dav]

To be honest now the weather has started getting cooler here in the UK I'm not finding the alpaca that warm. I expected it to be much warmer than it is, but maybe it's just me.

 

[Windward]

As Dav already said - if the weather has started getting (much) cooler I'm also finding that the alpaca is not soooo warm as many would expect - Its nice (not bulky) and very cosy - but for sub-zero-weather I hope my new AERO with shearling lining will be ready next . . . .
Thanks to HoosierDaddy for making helpful hints and comparisons to other linings!!
WW

 

[Sillyrib]

alpaca is very warm and not too bulky compared to the quilted lining which is warmer and adds more bulk. Alpaca can be a little itchy though.

 

[JanSolo]

I'm not finding the alpaca that warm. I expected it to be much warmer than it is, but maybe it's just me.

Correct! Especially if Alpaca is paired with heavily oiled and waxed (stuffed) FQHH the jacket can feel quite cold. Well, not exactly cold but not warm enough for longer periods of frost. This is mainly because the "thermal insulation coefficient" of bare leather is s##t. And I always get the impression that Aero's FQHH despite it's thickness, density and weight keeps you less warm than their veg tanned medium weight hh... But maybe that's just me.
If you want to order one of Aero's longer fitting jackets I would recommend to use alpaca as a bias liner and have it covered with satin or gabardine. This improves both durability and wearability (less itchy). Stay away from an alpaca sleeve lining as it would make the jacket too bulky and uncomfortable.

 

[Gancho]

Good morning from Europe,

my last ordered jacket has alpaca linning with a garbadine overlay.

Hi guys,

after a 5 month wait my last order from Aero was delivered. A dream came true when I opened the box. The jacket is a real masterpiece.

It is a LHB based on the 1930 pattern with following specification:
- Brown frontquarter horsehide.
- Big fur collar in a nice brown with a throat flap.
- Pockets from the Halfbelt de Luxe.
- Swingback like the Route 66.
- Alpaca lined, with a olive garbadine overlay.
- Slimdowned sleeves.
- 2 inside pockets with snap closer.
- Olive drap top sitching.

Here are some picture of the jacket. Sorry, the pictures bring not out the nice of the color:

I like to thank AERO LEATHER for this nice jacket. Absolutely amazing!!

Enjoy it.

Oliver

For temperatures between 2 and 10 degrees Celsius it ist perfect with a thinner shirt. For lower temperatures it would work with a wool pullover or a thick sweater. At sub zero temperatures I would choose a sherling linned jacket.

Cheers

Olli

 

[Dav]

If you want to order one of Aero's longer fitting jackets I would recommend to use alpaca as a bias liner and have it covered with satin or gabardine. This improves both durability and wearability (less itchy).

Thanks for that Jan, I've just asked Amanda to cover the alpaca with satin(sateen?) on my impending order.

 

[JanSolo]

I've just asked Amanda to cover the alpaca with satin(sateen?) on my impending order.

If it's a thin synthetic overlay I would also recommend an inside leather hem at the bottom to prevent premature wear. (Corduroy is another option. See Gancho's jacket above.) Cotton drill or olive gabardine can take care of themselves...

 

[Gancho]

hi Dav, the garbadine please me very much. from my point of view it is better than satin. more robust, smooth, a little bit thicker and not so "silky" like satin. Aero should have other colors than olive. my next jacket will definitely have again a garbadine linning.

so long

olli

 

[Dav]

If it's a thin synthetic overlay I would also recommend an inside leather hem at the bottom to prevent premature wear. (Corduroy is another option. See Gancho's jacket above.) Cotton drill or olive gabardine can take care of themselves...

hi Dav, the garbadine please me very much. from my point of view it is better than satin. more robust, smooth, a little bit thicker and not so "silky" like satin. Aero should have other colors than olive. my next jacket will definitely have again a garbadine linning.

Thanks both for your suggestions.

 

[JLStorm]

I had an Aero heavy steer jacket what was lined with alpaca and it was not nearly warm enough for me to wear below 40 degrees, I really was not at all impressed with it. I just had the jacket relined with a fluffy but thin shearling and it is excellent. I also tend to be colder than most people, so that may effect my opinion of the alpaca.

 

[eClairvaux]

@ Gancho: your jacket is an intricate display of your superb taste, congratulations!

as for the warmth of Alpacca: I am wearing it as a bias lining in my Cheyenne and it is quite warm in a temperature range from 0 to 10 degrees. So much so, that I often wear it without closing the jacket's buttons. However, if we are talking about serious cold below 0 degrees (celsius) than this material is certainly no protection from the elements and you will be back in a down-filled garment in no time. I haven't tried any variation of shearling lined jackets (I am allergic to it), but I feel adding the weight would add insult to injury. I rather wear something extremely warm but light-weight in seriously cold conditions, which regularly range as low as -20 where I live.

 

[HighandDry]

Shearling is nice! I was wearing only a light sweater with my B6 in 10 degree F (-12 C) and it was warm!

Personally, I love the feeling of shearling and except for sporting activities, I would take it over down.

 

[Philalethes]

Alpaca in Sleeves

Does anyone else have alpaca in the sleeves?

I received my Barnstormer order this week: the jacket is absolutely outstanding and exceeded my expectations. (Watch the Barnstormer thread for pics soon...)

I chose cotton drill over alpaca for the sleeves. The alpaca is much thicker and warmer than I expected: I have found that my arms are sweating when I take a walk in 40 F (4 C) weather! Has anyone else experienced this?

I can't decide whether I want to keep the alpaca or make arrangements with Aero to remove it.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I've never had Alcapa in the sleeves. Don't think it would wear near as good as the drill.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding. Do you have the cotton drill in the sleeves..or Alcapa? I would want the drill for sure.
HD

Re-reading your post..you must mean that you have Alcapa 'under' the cotton drill inside the sleeves. I bet that would be hot.:eeek: