New user here, looking for some guidance on a first time leather jacket purchase.

[Sirkrimzon]

I am a brand new enthusiast who is looking to upgrade from his pleather flight jacket purchased from primark. Based on some preliminary research, it seems the two major areas to look for a “budget” leather jacket (roughly $100-$350) is vintage on eBay (brands like Schott, Vanson or vintage military) or going with one of the repro makers such as Avi or Five star.

Is vintage or the new repro generally better regarded around here? for example is a vintage flight jacket made in US better quality compared to a vintage vanson repro? I know it’s hard to speak in terms of absolutes, but if you can offer me some general guidance that would be great.

 

[TheSeeker]

I like FMC leathers. I just bought The Enforcer. I have several leathers, this new FMC is a favorite. I prefer heavy leather to lamb skin for durability.

 

[LeatherHunter]

I am a brand new enthusiast who is looking to upgrade from his pleather flight jacket purchased from primark. Based on some preliminary research, it seems the two major areas to look for a “budget” leather jacket (roughly $100-$350) is vintage on eBay (brands like Schott, Vanson or vintage military) or going with one of the repro makers such as Avi or Five star.

Is vintage or the new repro generally better regarded around here? for example is a vintage flight jacket made in US better quality compared to a vintage vanson repro? I know it’s hard to speak in terms of absolutes, but if you can offer me some general guidance that would be great.

Spend some time on the Finds and Deals thread. We are always posting some good stuff.

 

[El Marro]

Is vintage or the new repro generally better regarded around here? for example is a vintage flight jacket made in US better quality compared to a vintage vanson repro? I know it’s hard to speak in terms of absolutes, but if you can offer me some general guidance that would be great.

Welcome to the lounge Sirkrimzon!
So there is no such thing as a “vintage vanson repro”. Reading your post makes me think that you have been reading a lot here, absorbing a lot, and getting it all kind of jumbled up in your head. I think this happens to everyone when they dive into the world of leather jackets and the fedora lounge.
If your budget is $100-$350 you are not going to have a lot of options with vintage or repros. I think @LeatherHunter had a good suggestion regarding the find and deals thread.

 

[Sirkrimzon]

I like FMC leathers. I just bought The Enforcer. I have several leathers, this new one is one of my best.

Thanks I just took a look at them. Don’t have much in the way of vintage styles which I gravitate towards.

 

[Doctor Death]

Depends on what you want. New or used. Moto or military style. I guess if you don't really know what you want, maybe used is better. That way, you waste less money finding out what you really like.

If you know what you want, like if you want a leather flight jacket, Cockpit USA sells the A2 for $550. If you want a moto jacket, Vanson has good prices. Prices for new Schott are pretty out of control.

There's Fox Creek Leather, Hillside USA, Legendary USA also. Some pretty good deals can be had when they do sales. You could get a new jacket for less than $400 from FCL and Hillside. There's also San Diego Leather. And Wested.

 

[TartuWolf]

Some thoughts:
1. Vintage as used/2nd hand are two different things. I'm not interested in Vintage and extremely interested in 2nd hand / used. Likely there is no such thing as a vintage Vanson, but it depends on how old something needs to be for you to consider it Vintage.
2. 300$ new vs 300$. Think of it this way - leather jackets age very well if you don't thrash them. You could even argue that a used leather jacket is better and nicer because it is already broken in. So if you're buying a 300$ new jacket then you're getting a 300$ jacket and loosing about half of that in value as soon as you start wearing it. So you end up with a 150-200$ jacket. If you buy a used 300$ then you're likely buying a 500-1000$ jacket. Assuming that it doesn't go into luxury stuff you're likely getting better materials, better construction, better pattern, etc.. So you're getting much more for your money.
3. Five star is a very sketchy path, but people have had success with their stock jackets, especially if they know which ones are reproductions and which ones are inventions (likely by the clientele..).
4. If your budget is so small then you will have to compensate with time if you want to improve your chances at scoring something decent/good. Scouting listings, being patient, doing research, etc..

 

[tamoko]

Some Schott, VANSON, Cooper A-2 still great jacket. Vintage before 70s will be tricky. 80s and above pretty similar in quality.

 

[Bennarion]

Vintage or reproductions, it doesn't matter. It's important how the jacket will fit you.