Trucker suggestions

[vntg60s]

Hello hi everyone,

Been thinking of a leather trucker but unsure how to spec it out. Looking at one from LW. Thinking of going heavy, like 4 oz. I’ve read the Vanson trucker in competition weight is is awesome. I’m leaning towards 4 oz but concerned that the heavier hand may take something away from the unique beauty of a leather trucker. I’ve never handled 4 oz leather from LW. @tmitchell59 had a heavier LW trucker that he didn’t like. Agreed, the trucker is a jacket, not a coat.

Perhaps heavier 4 oz may be better for another style? How long should a trucker fit? Are these typically a shorter jacket then other styles? Thanks for your thoughts on this.

 

[Yango]

My Schott 100 trucker weighs 4.6 lbs… it’s very heavy, but supple leather—it’s super comfortable. I picked it up used in pretty much mint condition for an amazing price. The design is based on the Levis Jean jackets, with a 25” length in the back—so it just covers my belt. It’s definitely one of my favourites!

 

[vntg60s]

That’s gorgeous. Any idea of the year? Do they still make them that heavy?

 

[Monitor]

Just like regular jean jackets, leather truckers should be short, ending just at the belt line. Personally, I wouldn't care to wear any leather trucker that's longer than 24" at the back.

Weight of leather is completely irrelevant but pliability makes all the difference. The softer, the better.

I've tried on just about every leather trucker under the sun, sans (most) Japanese ones, and my personal favorites are by Levi's, Vanson and Aero.
Lost Worlds trucker is somewhat 90's in cut and it fits & looks kind of goofy (the details are all off), although it clearly is a good, high quality jacket.
Vanson's Maverick is one of the best fitting leather truckers you can buy. It's a best buy, really.
I know for a fact that Aero put a LOT of work into their Type-3, using a specific 1950's Levi's model as a base which Ken, the owner, deemed to be the finest example of the style - Something I can only agree with.
Levi's is all over the place but the ones they got right, they sure got right. Good Levi's Type-3 stands with the best of 'em.

I absolutely have to mention Lewis Leathers Western Jacket which I also adore but it deviates from the classic jean jacket in minute details but if you don't mind, it would perhaps be my first recommendation, if your budget allows for it.

Iron Heart sells a very good version, too.

 

[Goel]

Johnson Leather also has a nice trucker pattern and lots of leather choices (or you can supply your own). If you want to do a type 1 or 2 trucker you won't be able to use a heavy weight leather due to the pleats.

 

[Monitor]

This is, to me, what these jackets should look like on a person.

 

[JMax]

Vanson Cheyenne or Maverick.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Monitor's suggestions are sound as per my limited experances with these.

I have a LW J-23 in 4-oz Horse - I would not suggest this leather for that style of jacket. Too stiff & heavy.
If you go LW I would ask Stuart to build it from 3.0 or even 2.5 oz HH - or Goatskin. This style would look and feel great with a nice goatskin hide.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

I would not go thick leather on a trucker, even it it's pliable. I'm not good with these measurements with the mm and all that, but I think a Badalassi or Vicenza weight leather is about right and it definitely needs to be pliable. Because of the shorter/wider look, a thick stiff leather is going to look like you're wearing a turtle shell. it's all about getting some good drape and you want some flexibility so you can push the measurements.

My Levis buffalo one is probably the favorite I've come across but it was a little too thin and lacked long term evolution potential. Mine was a newer version, but I've heard some of the older buffalo were actually end game level.

 

[vntg60s]

Vanson Cheyenne or Maverick.

The Maverick and LW are very close.

 

[JMax]

The Maverick and LW are very close.

They really are. I regrettably sold an old Cheyenne. Vanson doesn’t make them anymore. I prefer the Lee design. If you can find one, that would be my recommendation.

Monitor also had one, and he pulled a JMax and sold it. Or did I pull a Monitor. Whatever. Two dumb decisions.

Edit: I currently own a lightweight Schott trucker. More of an inspired trucker design than a true repro. But it does the job until I find another Vanson.

 

[vntg60s]

I would not go thick leather on a trucker, even it it's pliable. I'm not good with these measurements with the mm and all that, but I think a Badalassi or Vicenza weight leather is about right and it definitely needs to be pliable. Because of the shorter/wider look, a thick stiff leather is going to look like you're wearing a turtle shell. it's all about getting some good drape and you want some flexibility so you can push the measurements.

My Levis buffalo one is probably the favorite I've come across but it was a little too thin and lacked long term evolution potential. Mine was a newer version, but I've heard some of the older buffalo were actually end game level.

I too was concerned that the added heft of the 4 oz may initially (and may forever be) be to square and boxy for a shorter length jacket. But I was hoping that over time, the jacket would soften and relax into place.

 

[Guppy]

I agree with everything @Monitor said. He really nailed his response.

The Type III or Lee 101 Storm Rider are such versatile patterns that they can be done in almost any way and come out great.

I have numerous examples: Levi's, Schott, Gap, and no-name, just about everyone makes one, and a good Levi's is probably the best all around. I would love to get an Aero but they refuse to do them with handwarmer pockets, and I'm an 80s kid so to me the revised 80s pattern Type III is "It" for me, and I don't like having no handwarmers, and that's that. But Aero does the pattern perfectly, and have the best leather options and lining options. Vanson is a solid choice too, but they don't do the front seams the same way the original Levi's jackets were done, and I can't get past that. But if that doesn't bother you, Vanson is an excellent A-tier pick, as is Schott.

I think lighter weight leather that is pliable and drapes is best, but you can certainly go heavy, thick, and stiff if that's what you want.

You could easily own 10-20 different examples and have enough variety among them to justify keeping them all and wearing them regularly.

 

[Yango]

That’s gorgeous. Any idea of the year? Do they still make them that heavy?

I’m thinking it’s 2009 based on my conversations with the previous owner (but it could be 1999)—Schott’s tags only use a single digit designating the year, so the experts can narrow the date by looking at the buttons, lining and any interior tags—I’m no expert.

I do know that the guy hardly wore it—I’m still breaking it in. But even so, it’s supremely comfortable.

Knowing the quality of Schott’s jackets, I would assume that the new ones are made of excellent quality/weight leather. Perhaps someone on the forum will chime in with that info.

There’s a size L Schott Trucker for sale in the Toronto, Canada area… asking $320.00 cad—which is a great price.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-clothing-men/oakville-halton-region/leather-jacket-schott-usa/1646771047

 

[Mickiemac]

I've got 5 trucker style jackets (Vanson Maverick, Schott #121, Iron Heart III, Aero III and a Fox Creek - image attached) and the Aero and Vanson are the best of the bunch. Both fit me well and are made to take it although the Vanson is the more robust of the two. The Schott #121, which I got in late 2021 is OK but the leather has a kind of vegan vibe to it with little character or grain. It is well made and the leather is very smooth/soft but now the price is $985.00 which is Aero territory and if your considering new I'd go with Aero or Vanson. The Iron Heart Type III is made of Japanese horsehide and is impressive in every way. The Fox Creek trucker jacket is very heavy and well made and the leather is quite grainy and pliable. I got mine in 2011 and sadly it is no longer offered.

I consider the trucker jacket to be one of the best leather outerwear jackets for most any occasion.
Enjoy the hunt and pick one that appeals to you the most.

 

[vntg60s]

Just like regular jean jackets, leather truckers should be short, ending just at the belt line. Personally, I wouldn't care to wear any leather trucker that's longer than 24" at the back.

Weight of leather is completely irrelevant but pliability makes all the difference. The softer, the better.

I've tried on just about every leather trucker under the sun, sans (most) Japanese ones, and my personal favorites are by Levi's, Vanson and Aero.
Lost Worlds trucker is somewhat 90's in cut and it fits & looks kind of goofy (the details are all off), although it clearly is a good, high quality jacket.
Vanson's Maverick is one of the best fitting leather truckers you can buy. It's a best buy, really.
I know for a fact that Aero put a LOT of work into their Type-3, using a specific 1950's Levi's model as a base which Ken, the owner, deemed to be the finest example of the style - Something I can only agree with.
Levi's is all over the place but the ones they got right, they sure got right. Good Levi's Type-3 stands with the best of 'em.

I absolutely have to mention Lewis Leathers Western Jacket which I also adore but it deviates from the classic jean jacket in minute details but if you don't mind, it would perhaps be my first recommendation, if your budget allows for it.

Iron Heart sells a very good version, too.

How do the Maverick and LW trucker compare in person? Are the fits similar? I’ve only seen them in pics and they look very similar.

 

[Monitor]

I would love to get an Aero but they refuse to do them with handwarmer pockets, and I'm an 80s kid so to me the revised 80s pattern Type III is "It" for me, and I don't like having no handwarmers, and that's that.

This is crucial. I can understand and even respect Aero's insistence on the historical accuracy but the truth is that the end result is a piece of cosplay that nullifies what could potentially be the ultimate leather trucker options on the market.

What makes Type-3 the most versatile choice for a daily jacket are the hand-warmer x inside pocket combo which never left me wanting more carrying space. The inside pockets can be so spacious that the jacket can replace a smaller backpack. Of course, I'm not expecting that from a leather Type-3 but take away the double pockets setup entirely and you're left with a jacket with essentially ZERO pockets as the two chest pockets are basically useless for anything thicker than a folded bill.

Besides, if Levi's did it, what's there to even talk about?

Monitor also had one, and he pulled a JMax and sold it. Or did I pull a Monitor. Whatever. Two dumb decisions.

Dumbest thing I ever did here.

 

[Monitor]

How do the Maverick and LW trucker compare in person? Are the fits similar? I’ve only seen them in pics and they look very similar.

Lost Worlds costs 4x as much and doesn't do a single thing better & many things worse. It's boxy with baggy sleeves. And strictly aesthetically speaking, it's crude. Pockets should slightly taper toward the bottom, among many things, something Vanson respects with their version.

LW is the best when it comes to motorcycle jackets but their Type-3 has been in a need of a revision since 1996.

 

[MrProper]

I would love to get an Aero but they refuse to do them with handwarmer pockets, and I'm an 80s kid so to me the revised 80s pattern Type III is "It" for me, and I don't like having no handwarmers, and that's that.

I do not like handwarmer pockets in trucker jackets. The bumps out only and mess up the figure
I transport everything in the pockets of the pants anyway and the hands I have if necessary also there. So no reason for handwarmer pockets on the jacket. I also do not use any of the pockets on the PHWM or LL.

 

[Monitor]

All this talk of leather jean jackets convinced me to hit BIN on this HD.