Vanson! Vanson! Vanson!

[Schambach]

Thanks! Hopefully a brewery in the vicinity (I know Providence isn't far) to make it a bit of a "day trip" too for anyone who comes with

If yore coming through Boston, hit Treehose in Tewksbury, or Trillium who have a couple locations in the area.

 

[Viking752]

I am impatiently waiting on this Vanson A-2 to arrive.

 

[cpstecroix]

So i have searched the forum but I am not sure I have seen the answer (but it is also possible i suck at searching lol)

Wondering if anyone has a comparison of the Brandy Roma vs the Hickory and Dark Maple offered by Thurston? I am new to leather jackets and am in a bit of analysis paralysis lol. I have nailed it down to a Maverick in one of those or the comp black.

Having chatted with Vanson, my only option size wise custom so I am wondering if it is worth the splurge for the Thurston leathers/process.

 

[Aloysius]

So i have searched the forum but I am not sure I have seen the answer (but it is also possible i suck at searching lol)

Wondering if anyone has a comparison of the Brandy Roma vs the Hickory and Dark Maple offered by Thurston? I am new to leather jackets and am in a bit of analysis paralysis lol. I have nailed it down to a Maverick in one of those or the comp black.

Having chatted with Vanson, my only option size wise custom so I am wondering if it is worth the splurge for the Thurston leathers/process.

Thurston has posted both leathers in their thread with an identical camera/lighting setup so I would look there.

 

[cpstecroix]

Cheers. Not sure if I’ll find it there but fires anyone have any thoughts having had those leathers in hand? Weight, feel, wear etc? Honestly, all things being equal I would likely pick up a thurston but the premium over the regular Vanson is enough that i am pausing to ask questions

 

[Schambach]

Cheers. Not sure if I’ll find it there but fires anyone have any thoughts having had those leathers in hand? Weight, feel, wear etc? Honestly, all things being equal I would likely pick up a thurston but the premium over the regular Vanson is enough that i am pausing to ask questions

I have a jacket In whiskey Roma and quite like it. it’s definitely lighter and more pliable than comp weight, but doesn’t feel cheap. Lots of pull up. In terms of feel it reminds me a lot of schott naked cowhide. Vanson Are pretty good about sending samples.

 

[panigale]

Cheers. Not sure if I’ll find it there but fires anyone have any thoughts having had those leathers in hand? Weight, feel, wear etc? Honestly, all things being equal I would likely pick up a thurston but the premium over the regular Vanson is enough that i am pausing to ask questions

Ask Carrie to mail you leather samples.

 

[Aloysius]

Honestly, leather swatches are too small to tell you much besides color.

 

[JMax]

I’d go CW. No mark-up and at its is best has few peers. If you want a thinner hide ignore me. I had a Cheyenne in CW and it was perfect.

 

[TartuWolf]

For me CW with Vanson is like CXL with Aero - their specialty / signature. A no brainer for your 1st jacket to get that 100% Vanson experience. Unless you want more lightweight leather specifically.

 

[discodaft]

Just took the trip to Vanson this past week. I was visiting people north of Boston and convinced them to take a day trip to R.I. and stop in Fall River at Vanson HQ.
The building itself is full of character and fantastic looking, inside and out. The place is well worth a trip, and the front room and back showrooms are both essentially a museum to riding and jackets. Plenty of fodder for geeking out, and I must have spent an hour+ in the main room trying on jackets across the board. Some I was interested in, some I could never pull off. I didnt really see anyone except for the photographer at first, a really nice guy, who just passed thru the main room.
Then, the back room had the sample racks (where I grabbed a surprise Z150 Continental Daytona sample to buy) and just enjoyed the scene of it all. The entire hour and a halfish I was there...I was the only customer (and person) in the sales spaces. Basically had it to myself.

I have to say, the competition weight is the real deal. Someone on this forum described it something like...looks like glass, feels like cardboard. I'd say that's 100% right, in a good way. That hide would save you many times over but damn if it wouldn't fight you along the way (in the best way possible.)

I asked the photog a question about adding length to my Portland, not knowing he was just the photog. He then led me to the owner's office. Very cool. The man himself was friendly, shook my hand, and after we chatted for a minute he sent me to Nick to get some details down, etc. Nick was extremely friendly, and we also chatted with another woman who seemed like she had worked there a while (Kim? Didnt catcher her name but she was lovely)...who took time out of her lunch prep to show me a map of Fall River with town history, and collab with Nick on the measurements to add length to my jacket. Nick got my info for the custom work, we chatted about the 50th anniversary this year, and off I went. A fan and customer for life.

Shout out to my wife and mother in law who handled our 3 month old outside and let me run around the playground inside.

 

[Aloysius]

Kim is Mrs. Vanson.

I need to finally post pictures of my own Vanson visit.

 

[Rebus]

Just took the trip to Vanson this past week.......

Great write up - thanks!

 

[TartuWolf]

Lovely write up, put a smile on my face, thank you! When exactly is the anniversary?

 

[Aloysius]

Lovely write up, put a smile on my face, thank you! When exactly is the anniversary?

This year in general is their 50th anniversary.

They have some special items for it, like you can get many jackets in Roma direct from the site without the customization fee.

 

[JMax]

Lovely write up, put a smile on my face, thank you! When exactly is the anniversary?

Anniversary Party at Vanson on 1-2 June. They sent out an email.

 

[Will Zach]

A vintage Vanson C2 inbound. I don't know why the hell I bought it living in South Florida, but the price was right and I like the look of the C2. I'll wear it in Europe.

 

[jacketjunkie]

Time for a new Vanson then, it is. Maybe a Size 38 Dakota? My Size 40 is mostly worn by my larger brother these days..

 

[Viking752]

I am impatiently waiting on this Vanson A-2 to arrive.

View attachment 597696

Was a nice enough jacket, not comp weight and sleeves way short. Was a catch and release

 

[JMax]

Was a nice enough jacket, not comp weight and sleeves way short. Was a catch and release

It looks like brown CW. The brown CW is much easier to break in than the black. It seems like a different hide. If for sure it isn’t CW, any idea what it is?