Shearling coats: are they really wearable day to day?

[Hobbes1]

As the title states, I'm curious of anyone's opinion on the day to day usefulness of a lambskin/shearling type coat. I am talking about the real deal, Marlboro Man style coat. I think B3 and the like are also in this category of heavy, cold weather gear as well.

Those of you who have had them, or currently have them, how do you find them? Only suitable for use in the far north, glacier country? Winters in my area are as cold as 5-10F at the very coldest. Mostly avg temps are probably in the 30s(F) with some extended breaks into the 20s. Would a shearling likely be a waste for me as it's too hot for my temps? Thanks!
p.s. Extra credit for fit pics of any shearling coat(s) you may own.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

That's me, Cabin man living the far north, and Yeah the B-3 is part of my deal here in the extreme cold, At the top of Lake Ontario that cold wind rips off the bay, come the witch of November it shall rattle your bones. Also, on the speak of a Marlboro man, I bought an Aero B-3 from WWII that came from Wyoming, it had hay in the slash pocket and some evidence of Horse grime on the sleeves, so yeah fair to argue a B-3 is also good if you're a cowboy...Though the horses down the road at the ranch from my place seem to be fine out there all through the winter, it gets too hot for them if they go back into the barn, albeit they tend to stand behind the barn to cut down the whipping wind. I go by them and sometimes wish I was a horse on the more brutal Flurried dismal days slogging my way through the silent desolate wintery forrest paths.

I Once wore a real moorlands coat, a Nice nice one found at a local thrift, I gave it to a friend of mine regretfully, he was punched in the nose and bled all over it coming off the bar in Oakville one night, shooting off his big mouth I shouldn't wonder...That sheepskin coat, who knows what happened to it, regardless He's a "former" friend these days and I'd aim to keep it that way, he can keep that coat I gave him and knows where he can put it too..But I digress.

my opinion is that if you want to live here in the county and you're kicking around the farm fields in early spring, then you're an animal. Otherwise you're city folk here with no real intention of getting out in the back 40 with an ATV or snowmobile and really have no place here with a million dollar house on a hundred dollar road. This place was a real hold-out town but now it's being gentrified completely...so it's brutal.

A sheepskin Jacket is my home in the winter, and shelters me and comforts me from that and I feel more insulated and protected from the harsh conditions.

I've been saying where I live it's like a Jesuit mission... at least it feels that way for the early months of the year...Have you ever seen the film "Black Robe" ...It can be very grim and frost bitten here, so for me the Sheepskin stays on....Now where's my Fire water?

 

[Hobbes1]

Thanks for your reply!

Anyone else with shearling experience to relay?

 

[powersci]

As any regular TFL member knows, I own way too much shearling. I live in Chicago, which has typical winter temps in the 20s and 30s...although this week we're in the 40s and 50s.

Shearlings come in different thicknesses/lengths and backings which will affect how warm they are. My heaviest shearlings (B3s and ANJ4) are my go-tos when temps 30 and below. All I need is a t-shirt under them and I'm fine. When it's bitterly cold, I'll layer with them. My lightest is best for upper 40s and low 50s.

My lightweight

Aero B3

Another Aero B3

Aero B6

3/4 length (better for dressing up)

Shearling Peacoat

Drome Shearling (awesome for day to day)

Nylon jacket with shearling (good for wet weather)

 

[Bfd70]

Powersci does take the shearling gold. I own one of his D1. I find it all day comfortable to wear for movement. Temp range of 15f-35f depending on sun and wind. Have been eyeing a Lost Worlds Rancher lately.

 

[Monitor]

I wore a shearling coat, like the one in the pic, for years on a daily basis during the autumn / winter and honestly, wasn't ever so happy with a jacket as back then. I was practically living in it. I'd wear it unbuttoned over a t-shirt when it wasn't particularly cold (around 50f). Once it got colder (15 or so), adding a sweater would suffice.

They're the best thing you can wear during any winter.

 

[SinSir]

@powersci does take the shearling gold! I own an eastman B3 from him. I wear the jacket a ton more than I thought I would on initial purchase. If I see 30s or less, even the 40s with clouds and wind its one I want to grab. If its below freezing, and I ride it does a perfect job. It seems to be just as comfortable 30 and sunny or freezing and windy. I don't own another jacket that like it. I'm constantly talking myself into or out of buying another one.

 

[Hobbes1]

As any regular TFL member knows, I own way too much shearling. I live in Chicago, which has typical winter temps in the 20s and 30s...although this week we're in the 40s and 50s.

Shearlings come in different thicknesses/lengths and backings which will affect how warm they are. My heaviest shearlings (B3s and ANJ4) are my go-tos when temps 30 and below. All I need is a t-shirt under them and I'm fine. When it's bitterly cold, I'll layer with them. My lightest is best for upper 40s and low 50s.

My lightweight

Aero B3

Another Aero B3

Aero B6

3/4 length (better for dressing up)

Shearling Peacoat

Drome Shearling (awesome for day to day)

Nylon jacket with shearling (good for wet weather)

I really like that shearling peacoat. Very nice!
Thanks, all, for the replies.

 

[Michael A]

I had this one on for awhile today.
IMG_9853 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
Made in Milwaukee by a company named Ardney.
And I had this one out for a bike ride today.
10-17-2019 Today's Clothes by Michael A2012, on Flickr
Made by a German company. And I also have this one,
12-6-2017 Today's Clothes by Michael A2012, on Flickr
Made by a New Zealand company that no longer exists. And also this vest
12-13-2016 Today's Clothes by Michael A2012, on Flickr
Don't remember who made that, could have been one of those Napa California companies.

For me they are great from about 15 to 50, depending on how active you are. And especially good when there is a wind.

Michael

 

[El Marro]

As any regular TFL member knows, I own way too much shearling. I live in Chicago, which has typical winter temps in the 20s and 30s...although this week we're in the 40s and 50s.

Shearlings come in different thicknesses/lengths and backings which will affect how warm they are. My heaviest shearlings (B3s and ANJ4) are my go-tos when temps 30 and below. All I need is a t-shirt under them and I'm fine. When it's bitterly cold, I'll layer with them. My lightest is best for upper 40s and low 50s.

My lightweight

Aero B3

Another Aero B3

Aero B6

3/4 length (better for dressing up)

Shearling Peacoat

Drome Shearling (awesome for day to day)

Nylon jacket with shearling (good for wet weather)

Powersci,
That is truly an epic collection of shearling jacket you have, especially considering the ones that you have sold off to fellow tfl members. From now on I think all questions regarding shearling should be referred directly to you!

 

[Peacoat]

The temperature range you mentioned is right in the wheelhouse of the shearling jackets. Can also go into the 40s with no problem. If it gets a little warm, do as @Monitor suggested—wear it open.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

@powersci does take the shearling gold! I own an eastman B3 from him. I wear the jacket a ton more than I thought I would on initial purchase. If I see 30s or less, even the 40s with clouds and wind its one I want to grab. If its below freezing, and I ride it does a perfect job. It seems to be just as comfortable 30 and sunny or freezing and windy. I don't own another jacket that like it. I'm constantly talking myself into or out of buying another one.

What bike have you got, and what is the make of that Zipper on the B-3?

 

[Peter Mackin]

I only get to wear my ANJ4 5/6 times a year on really cold days .Scottish winter tends to be too wet to get any more.I certainly would never ride a motorcycle wearing it,,no protection at all in the event of an off.

 

[Bfd70]

Meh

 

[Peter Mackin]

View attachment 202559 Meh

Meh,,that’s not to say you can’t ride in one ,I’m saying that I wouldn’t,,same way I wouldn’t ride in shorts or sneakers,or redwings ;-)

 

[bn1966]

Find my ELC D-1 easy to live with in the UK, sold an Irvin type that wasn't earning it's keep..would love a B-3 (ELC 50 Cal) but couldn't justify the couple of days a year it would come out to the wardrobe.
I do ride in my D-1 now and again but only with Kevlar and armour underneath.

 

[avique]

My wife wears a B-3 from Cockpit USA everyday between September and April here in Washington. However I don't pull out the sheepskin unless it drops into the 30's.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[regius]

wearing this sheep lined steer bomber today in New York City, also ran in it like a madman from 18th/Madison to 6th Ave, down to 14th st, to union square & back to 15th union square north....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bfd70]

Meh,,that’s not to say you can’t ride in one ,I’m saying that I wouldn’t,,same way I wouldn’t ride in shorts or sneakers,or redwings ;-)

I’m in Illinois in the US. I’m one of 10% of the population that wears a helmet.

 

[SinSir]

Meh,,that’s not to say you can’t ride in one ,I’m saying that I wouldn’t,,same way I wouldn’t ride in shorts or sneakers,or redwings ;-)

There's armored shirts or base layers you can wear under it for abrasion and impact protection. The horsehide on the eastman helps on the sleeves and at seems too. That said a quick run around the city for brunch or something I'm not as worried about low speeds. Sometimes staying warm is just as important to avoid issues on the road as being prepared if something goes wrong.