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Schott goes after the Restoration Hardware crowd

25B

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So...I did a search about unlined jackets and this post came up. I just bought what appears to be an Avirex copy of the Schott Perfecto...paid $100 for it and planning on wearing it in Texas in the summer for riding my Triumph here. As such, I'm considering removing the liner...the liner is not in the best shape anyway, so no big loss there. I have a police jacket similar to the Perfecto that has a thinsulate lining that I wear when it is cold.

Are there any disadvantages to wearing it without a liner? I always wear short sleeve t-shirts in the summer...(heck, usually in the winter too as I work indoors and just wear a heavier jacket when it's cold). I know there are places where I could have an uninsulated liner installed, but...after reading all these posts, it looks like I don't want silk as it would be too warm...and I don't think I like the idea of a cotton/linen liner. Not sure what else might be available. Nylon maybe?

Anyway, looking for input on the comfort (or lack thereof) of an unlined leather jacket in the Texas heat. Used to be "sun's out -- gun's out", but...I'm getting older and less inclined to do that anymore, even when it's hot.
 

AeroFan_07

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I simply cannot imagine wearing any leather in Texas in the summertime. Too much heat & humidity, sun baking down on you, sweating up a storm (inside) the jacket. I think you would regret it, but just my $.02.
 

25B

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...I made it clear I’ll be riding a motorcycle, right? (“ram-air” cooling)

I currently wear an Icon leather jacket in the summer. Looks like the Avirex might be lighter.

Also, I’ve been in Iraq when it was 138 degrees outside with no A/C in our connex, so.........I guess it’s all relative.
 

El Marro

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I think that an unlined jacket would be really uncomfortable if you started sweating while wearing it. Might actually be hard to get your arms out of the sleeves depending on how tight they are. A light cotton drill lining would probably be my choice in a warm weather jacket like this, but I know you said you weren't to keen on cotton. Rayon is another option but I don't think it breathes as well as cotton.
 

Graemsay

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I've got a feeling that the lining in a motorcycle jacket means it doesn't grip your body as much in a slide, which prevents it from damaging your skin. But I don't know the details off the top of my head.
 

25B

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I've got a feeling that the lining in a motorcycle jacket means it doesn't grip your body as much in a slide, which prevents it from damaging your skin. But I don't know the details off the top of my head.

My Icon jacket lining isn’t anything special...just a light nylon layer. Guess I’ll look into breathable linings. The one in the Avirex is quilted and insulated...it’ll have to go as it’s in bad shape anyway.
 

Seb Lucas

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Leather jackets without lining are not that unusual. Historically this was common. It's largely a question of taste. I have worn jackets with the lignin removed before and they are fine. Sweat? Well sweat evaporates from leather or fabric. You can actually freshen up an unlined jacket much easier by using a damp sponge an a little soapy water every few weeks to remove any sweat smell. The leather washes up really well.
 
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I think that an unlined jacket would be really uncomfortable if you started sweating while wearing it. Might actually be hard to get your arms out of the sleeves depending on how tight they are. A light cotton drill lining would probably be my choice in a warm weather jacket like this, but I know you said you weren't to keen on cotton. Rayon is another option but I don't think it breathes as well as cotton.

I agree with this. Living in South Florida and having a motorcycle as my primary means of transport = same boat as your summer but almost year round. And 25B (Computer bubba?), is right, you kinda force yourself to embrace the heat in order to wear a jacket at in those temps. I certainly try to always ride with a jacket, though sometimes I just can’t (won’t).
 

Carlos840

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If i had to ride in Texas summer, i would buy a "real" riding jacket, they usually have vented pannels on the arms, and air inlets and outlets in the front and back.
They don't look as cool, but they sure do work.
 
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If i had to ride in Texas summer, i would buy a "real" riding jacket, they usually have vented pannels on the arms, and air inlets and outlets in the front and back.
They don't look as cool, but they sure do work.

Good point. I usually wear a Vanson Perf Force in summer. Still looks good imo.
 

AeroFan_07

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25B - yes I figured you were taking about riding. I tended to ride with textiles when that warm.

Thank you for yuor service by the way! Very appreicated!
 
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Edward

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I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work unlined, provided there are no odd spots where hems or stitching rub uncomfortably once the liner is removed; worth remembering that this is not something that will have been taken into account when the jacket was manufactured, given that it was designed to lined. A nylon or rayon lining would be a bad move - those manmade fibres keep in the heat much more than naturals like cotton, as the former are not breathable. A light cotton as seen in an A2 might be the best option. That said, I'd price it out first. It's entirely possible that a relining doesn't make economic sense, unless you managed to buy the jacket for a fraction of its resale value.

One option that occurs to me if it works unlined is that you could also remove the pocket bags and use the pocket zippers as vents!
 

Graemsay

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If you're worried about heat, you really want to get an Outlast lining. It's a smart fabric which regulates body temperature, and developed by NASA. Or witchcraft.

As for ventilation, once the air gets warmer than skin temperature, you don't want a lot of it. (I can't remember the exact figure, somewhere around 34°C / 95°F.) So scrap the perforated jacket in really hot weather.

Basically, the hot air will heat up the body, rather than cool it.

My set of leathers are white (reflects heat), have some perforated patches (light airflow to carry off water vapour from sweat), and have an Outlast lining (regulates temperature). They're comfortable in temperatures of 36°C / 100°F and up.
 

navetsea

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or just have a pair of black spandex arm sleeves and wear those when you wear that unlined jacket with your short sleeve t-shirt.
 
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