Vanson Enfield "Octagon" Tan Color - a review

[jimmer_5]

Hey all,

I have been wanting to check out a Vanson jacket for some time now, and I have really wanted to try the Enfield in particular. I was also interested in trying it out in Vanson's "Octagon" color - a rich, reddish, saddle-tan color. So when I found out that Vanson had a size 46 Enfield in stock in this color, I jumped at the chance to try it out. It was especially nice to be able to try one without the customary 3 month wait! I normally wear a size 44, but I had heard that Vanson's run small (contrary to what the salesman at Vanson told me - he said this jacket ran true to size).

For starters, it is worth noting that the sizing on this particular jacket DID run true to size - therefore, it was a bit too big on me, IMHO. It's a little hard to see in the pics, but there was a fair amount of excess room in the chest and waist. The sleeve length was wonderful - perfect for my long arms, and the zip cuffs functioned beatifully.

Ironically, this jacket had a similar chest measurement to my size 44 Aero Highwayman, but the waist was over 2 inches larger when laid flat. The measurements of this size 46 Enfield (when laid flat) are as follows:

Chest (armpit to armpit) - 25.5"
Waist (bootom of coat) - 24"
Sleeve (from shoulder seam to cuff) - 27"
Back length (from top of collar to bottom of jacket) - 27.5"

The leather has an oily, almost distressed finish - it is thick, but not as thick as my steerhide Aero, and it has a soft, relaxed hand. The jacket weighs significantly less than my Highwayman as well. This jacket is made of the heavy "competition weight" cowhide, so I was expecting a stiffer creakier jacket - this one feels like it was already broken in. I can move quite freely in it, although being a size too big also helps on that front. The black cotton lining is much thinner and smoother than the Aero cotton drill cloth - this thin lining probably contributes to the somewhat "thin" feel of this particular jacket.

I think this is a nice jacket, but I would really need to try one on in a 44 to make a fully educated decision. I'm curious how a standard black "competition weight" jacket would compare to this one, since I am almost positive the two leathers have a rather different finish.

So, in conclusion, I think this is a very nice jacket, but I will be sending it back - I am looking for a thicker, smoother leather, and a trimmer fit. Nonetheless, I am not discouraging anyone from trying out a Vanson - I'm just not content with this one. The following pictures show the jacket pretty well - the color is a little darker in person, but they're not way off.

Front, Laid Out

Back, Laid Out

Front, Zipped

Back, Zipped

Side, Zipped

Front, Unzipped

Back, Unzipped

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Jimmer
Thanks for the review.
I do see the differences between your Enfield And my black Enfield. I noticed the black plastic zipper box as well where mine is brass. Mine also has a fairly heavy black Rayon lining where you say yours is thinner cotton. It was surprising to me to see how big your jacket is around the chest and waist as well...for a one size up. It leads me to believe that my Enfield although like brand new..was probably made some time ago. I don't blame you for sending the jacket back. It does just look too big..in my view. I do like the color and charactor of the leather,though. BTW...does the plastic zipper box and pin seem flimsy..or heavy and sturdy? Evidently the new Vansons now have this zipper set-up.
HD

 

[rmrdaddy]

Jimmer,
If you don't mind, what did that jacket run you?

 

[Johnnynotoes]

Looks pretty good Jimmer...This is the 46 I was considering when quizzing Nicole about the availability of an Enfield octagon a few weeks ago. She told me then they had just the one in a 46. I believe she said at the time they had a 44 as well???

The sleeve length seems fine. No droop in the shoulders either. Is the colour in the photos accurate? I worried that the 'orange' hue would be too...well,...orange. Apparently the Enfield in brown comes in the firenze leather which is supposedly a fair bit lighter than the competition weight. I need the heavier leather which is why I considered the octagon over brown.

As far as size goes are you just wearing a t-shirt under that? From what I know of Utah perhaps for most of the year a t-shirt would be sufficient. Being from Ontario Can. I usually factor in a sweatshirt+t-shirt when sizing. Plus the fact that I planned to use it for riding. Standard bad-ass black is getting a little tired...

Anyway...I think the sleeves on a 44 might wind up being too short for you. Remember that with most leathers the sleeves will ride up somewhat with buckling and wrinkling. These sleeves look pretty good. I AM a little dismayed at your descript. of the leather weight. I may still order one for a looksee. I'm 5'9" and 210 with a 45" chest so I'm considering the 46. Any chance of getting your rough dimensions for comparison?

In closing Jimmer I think the jac looks good. If they make a tall version and you want a tighter fit then a 44tall might be the way to go. Depends on what you wear underneath as well. The tall version would keep the sleeves at an acceptable length.

 

[South]

Jimmer
Thanks for the review.
I do see the differences between your Enfield And my black Enfield. I noticed the black plastic zipper box as well where mine is brass. Mine also has a fairly heavy black Rayon lining where you say yours is thinner cotton. It was surprising to me to see how big your jacket is around the chest and waist as well...for a one size up. It leads me to believe that my Enfield although like brand new..was probably made some time ago. I don't blame you for sending the jacket back. It does just look too big..in my view. I do like the color and charactor of the leather,though. BTW...does the plastic zipper box and pin seem flimsy..or heavy and sturdy? Evidently the new Vansons now have this zipper set-up.
HD

Rats. I'm assuming mine will have the plastic zipper box, too. That's very disappointing. And a thinner liner? Sigh... I hope I'm pleasantly surprised.

Jimmer - thanks for taking the time to take pictures and do the write-up.

 

[Johnnynotoes]

Rats. I'm assuming mine will have the plastic zipper box, too. That's very disappointing. And a thinner liner? Sigh... I hope I'm pleasantly surprised.

Jimmer - thanks for taking the time to take pictures and do the write-up.

I concur...I wasn't aware of the zip changes. Liner doubts I'm having as well. Probably fine but...??? Well Aero may take more time and money but it seems vintage style/materials won't be compromised at least. Vansons plastic parts may well be sturdy but why for an otherwise fine vintage looking style? Fashion in this area ain't their main concern I guess.

 

[jimmer_5]

HD - The plastic zipper parts feel ok to me, but I will admit they bug me on a $500+ jacket. It seems kind of silly to use two small palstic parts on a zipper that is still 99% metal. It can't be that much of a savings. As for the liner, I'm not usre what it was actually made of - it may not be cotton, but it was quite thin.


rmrdaddy - The jacket cost me $598 out the door with shipping. Enfields are normally $529, but any color other than black is a 10-15% upcharge.


Johnnynotoes - This 46 was the only Enfield that they had in stock in the Octagon color. If they had a 44, I might have considered it. The color in the photos is pretty accurate, but we can't turn off the flash on my wife's camera, so it appears a little lighter than it is. Color is a extremely subjective, but I wouldn't say it lloks too orange. I am wearing only a t-shirt under the jacket, but even with a sweater, I still would have liked a slightly smaller fit. The shoulders fit me well, but they have a very slight upward curve to them. The sleeves on the 46 are 27" long, and for what it's worth, the salesman at Vanson said that the sleeves on the 44 would be only 1/4" shorter than the sleeves on the 46. As for my dimensions, I am 6 feet tall, 43.5" chest, 36" shirt sleeve, and a 37" waist. If you are 5' 9" tall, my only concern would be the sleeve length - I don't know your measurements, but the sleeves are pretty long on this jacket. The leather is not thin by any means, but there was a noticeable difference in weight between this one and my Aero. However, it's worth noting that this jacket was much easier to move around in than my Aero...... it really would make an excellent MC riding jacket.



South - You very well may be pleasantly surprised - I just had a very different expectation of the style of leather. I almost bid on one exactly like this on eBay, but that one had very smooth thick looking leather (you can see pics of that one in Hoosierdaddy's Enfield thread). I do think the $53 upcharge for the "special color" is a bit steep. The lining didn't necessarily feel crappy, but it was pretty thin.

 

[sbhva]

Size 46

I really like the style and color of this jacket for casual wear ( don't have a bike ) . Has anyone else purchased this jacket since it has been returned? I am thinking that I may have to go up to a 46 from my normal chest size 44 due to my build ( something of a beer gut ) .