On the stiffness of Aero Horsehide

[Lando]

First time poster, long time reader. You guys had me all worried here that a horsehide jacket from Aero was going to be like wearing plate armor. I was awaiting a box from Scotland bowing at the bottom from the sheer weight of its contents. To be fair, I do wear alot of the Vanson leathers in their competition weight leather. By comparison, Aero horsehide is almost buttery in its flexibility, which was a welcome surprise. To someone who never experienced some of Vanson's heavier leathers, Aero may seem like armor, but I can assure you, there are much stiffer jackets out there. Otherwise, I now own an Aero Hercules much to the fault of the discussion of the gentlemen here. For anyone who may ever think they are posting too much detail, I assure you, you are not. There is always someone out there like me looking for more detail on a company, or an ordering process, or a type of leather. I love the Aero and am well on my way to getting my hands on more. Thanks guys.

 

[Peacoat]

Thanks for the report. I can't imagine anything heavier than the Aero, but then I don't have a Vanson.

 

[SamReu]

Spokes Man

I don't know much about Vanson, but I have a rubbing familiarity with the horsehide A-2s from U.S. Authentic. Wearers of that jacket know that they come out of the box as heavy and stiff as a bundle of shingles.
Mine, acquired three years ago, is finally supple. I wore the thing every time I went camping to get it that way.

 

[KhalilSheikh]

Thanks for the report. I can't imagine anything heavier than the Aero, but then I don't have a Vanson.

Try ~4 oz horsehide from Lost Worlds. Two winters of regular wear and the damn thing still looks unworn.

 

[eClairvaux]

I have my Highwayman for two months now and I have been wearing it on all but 4 or days since I have it. That means rain, snow, sunshine, cold and hanging close to the heater sometimes (because it won't fit into the wardrobe).

My wife says I should apply as a professional for breaking in leather jackets, since mine has become really soft and supple, while my wife's Vanson Comet hasn't changed a bit since she's got it.

So, I have to agree: I don't find FQHH that hard to break in. Let's see how my next one does.

 

[DBLIII]

Lando - welcome and thanks for your own comments, I've got a Hercules on my very short list of things to get.

 

[Lando]

Vanson is not carrying horsehide anymore, or at least for the time being they say. This is a huge bummer since I was real curious what a Vanson Horsehide jacket would feel like. They have the new Firenze leather which is much softer and easier to manage, but if you're buying a Vanson you might as well for the full weight leather. By comparison, the Aero Hercules wears like a dream and feels like a Vanson that's been well worn for years, so there are no complaints from me there.

Mazeta, I would love to check a Lost Worlds out but their prices and reputation have always worried me. They sound very hit or miss and it seems like too much money to have a miss. I was nervous enough ordering a jacket from Scotland. At least with Vanson, you can always show up at their Massachusetts warehouse if there are problems. In fact, the last time I ordered from Vanson I drove up to their facility to pick the custom jacket up and got to watch the finishing touches be put on the jacket. Aero and Vanson are definitely on my short list of top companies. Any suggestions of others I should looking into, other than Lost Worlds?

 

[CodeRed]

I have vanson HH and I can attest that they are VERY hard to break in..mine took me about seven years, but I finally got the best of it I just picked up a vintage aero and it seems more flexible than the vanson but also very very thick and just great quality. Sorry to see vanson stop the HH. Oh well, guess mine will be a hard to find vintage item some day. cant lose on aero

 

[KhalilSheikh]

Vanson is not carrying horsehide anymore, or at least for the time being they say. This is a huge bummer since I was real curious what a Vanson Horsehide jacket would feel like. They have the new Firenze leather which is much softer and easier to manage, but if you're buying a Vanson you might as well for the full weight leather. By comparison, the Aero Hercules wears like a dream and feels like a Vanson that's been well worn for years, so there are no complaints from me there.

Mazeta, I would love to check a Lost Worlds out but their prices and reputation have always worried me. They sound very hit or miss and it seems like too much money to have a miss. I was nervous enough ordering a jacket from Scotland. At least with Vanson, you can always show up at their Massachusetts warehouse if there are problems. In fact, the last time I ordered from Vanson I drove up to their facility to pick the custom jacket up and got to watch the finishing touches be put on the jacket. Aero and Vanson are definitely on my short list of top companies. Any suggestions of others I should looking into, other than Lost Worlds?

I wish I could help you with some info.
I've read all over the web (and heard from others) about Stuart and about how 'difficult' he can be, but my experiences with him have all been positive. I've been buying jackets from him for about 10 years now (mainly custom pieces but a few 'sale page' items) and he has always been accommodating. I think the current LW horsehide is just too thick for non-riding, Southern California weather. The best horsehide he had was back when I first discovered LW, which was a lighter 2 oz hide that was still indestructible, yet grained so beautifully with wear. My most recent jacket from him was in his goatskin, which I discovered to be much wearable than the horsehide. I think models such as the Ryder look (and drape on the body) much nicer in the lighter goatskin.

 

[Rufus]

LW make quality stuff.. but it's almost too good.

Their HH is incredibly heavy and stiff. As an MC jacket it makes it hard work to wear practically.

I've owned many original 40-60s Buco HH jackets and none are the weight or stiffness of LW.

I've always found Stuart (the owner) very straightforward, but he can be abrupt, so may be trying to cover too many bases, and I know that's annoye some customers.

I've bought new from him and had a jacket repaired and the quality is incredible.

As a riding jacket though, I wouldn't get another J23, it was just to heavy.