vicenza horsehide or badalassi cowhide?

[BladeOfAnduril]

I'm in a similar position as OP and David r. I have started the custom order process with Carrie for a 30s half belt. She didn't have one in stock in my size for the fit jacket, but has a Sunburst inbound from Scotland in about a week and a half that she's going to send me to try on. That jacket is tobacco badalassi, so I'm looking forward to seeing the leather in person. Can anyone help me understand the differences between the leather offerings?

So far I've gathered that CXL is the heaviest, patinas the fastest, has the longest break-in and most water resistance.
Badalassi seems to be lighter than CXL but not as light as Vic, has a shorter/easier break-in than CXL, but doesn't patina as much, pretty water resistant.
Vic seems to be the lightest, least interesting in terms of color/grain, is the most resistant to patina (maybe?), and isn't really water resistant at all.

Is that accurate? Also, can anyone comment on the overall durability of these three different leathers, or any other factors that I'm not thinking of that would make one preferable over another?

 

[ton312]

I'm in a similar position as OP and David r. I have started the custom order process with Carrie for a 30s half belt. She didn't have one in stock in my size for the fit jacket, but has a Sunburst inbound from Scotland in about a week and a half that she's going to send me to try on. That jacket is tobacco badalassi, so I'm looking forward to seeing the leather in person. Can anyone help me understand the differences between the leather offerings?

So far I've gathered that CXL is the heaviest, patinas the fastest, has the longest break-in and most water resistance.
Badalassi seems to be lighter than CXL but not as light as Vic, has a shorter/easier break-in than CXL, but doesn't patina as much, pretty water resistant.
Vic seems to be the lightest, least interesting in terms of color/grain, is the most resistant to patina (maybe?), and isn't really water resistant at all.

Is that accurate? Also, can anyone comment on the overall durability of these three different leathers, or any other factors that I'm not thinking of that would make one preferable over another?

I think you've summed it up pretty well actually. I have not handled badalassi but purely from the looks of things I'd put it ahead of vic. I've had one vic jacket and it wasn't without it's charms but like I said earlier, it's just nothing to write home about imho. I'll update this thread tomorrow with my thoughts on vic. I'm hoping the black to brown might make it a bit more interesting (I should say too I love the navy blue vic).

There is really no comparing CXL to Vic. I have noticed the CXL from Aero (at least on my last three jackets) is thinner/lighter and less stiff. Could be random batches but I've wondered if it is a deliberate move.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

IMO...Aero's CXL finish mainly scuffs and easily scratches rather than favorably blending with true desirable patina.

 

[ton312]

IMO...Aero's CXL finish mainly scuffs and easily scratches rather than favorably blending with true desirable patina.

It does scratch very easily. I’ve found those scratches to be just surface level and actually adding to the character though. But I agree, for being such a rugged hide it’s also somewhat surprisingly delicate.

 

[Moostyle]

I will be ordering an Aero August and am having a hard time deciding which leather to choose.
I don't need a heavy jacket for warmth as live in a subtropical climate. Chilly in the winter, but never freezing. Both leathers look good in the pics, but as of now am leaning towards the badalassi.

Hu maikerru81 would you be able to please provide some update to this thread and let us know which leather you went with, how you feel about it, and maybe a pic or two?

I am basically trying to make the exact same decision here but I am leaning towards Vicenza Dark Seal as I love dark browns, where as Badalassi Tobacco seems like it is more of a Burgundy-esque colour.

 

[Daniel Veit]

Vic seems to be the lightest, least interesting in terms of color/grain, is the most resistant to patina (maybe?), and isn't really water resistant at all

I cant really compare all three leathers but I must say that I don't find my example to be boring at all.
Vicenza russet :

 

[Canuck Panda]

Vicenza is made for the long haul. If you plan to keep your jacket and wear it lots then Vicenza. It may take months to years to build up to the climax.
Badalassi is made for instant gratification. It climaxed the moment it is unboxed, then goes down hill from there, like driving a new Maserati off the dealer's lot.
Both are great but peak at different times.

Vicenza:

Badalassi

 

[Jedy617]

Vicenza is made for the long haul. If you plan to keep your jacket and wear it lots then Vicenza. It may take months to years to build up to the climax.
Badalassi is made for instant gratification. It climaxed the moment it is unboxed, then goes down hill from there, like driving a new Maserati off the dealer's lot.
Both are great but peak at different times.

Vicenza:
View attachment 401700

Badalassi
View attachment 401701

That is completely incorrect. Badalassi is a a much nicer veg tan than Vicenza, and ages beautifully.

 

[Canuck Panda]

That is completely incorrect. Badalassi is a a much nicer veg tan than Vicenza, and ages beautifully.

OK Show me your aged beautifully nicer veg tan Badalassi please. Photos.

 

[Jedy617]

OK Show me your aged beautifully nicer veg tan Badalassi please. Photos.

Coming right up.

Before:

 

[Jedy617]

That's the hilarious thing. If you know much about leather you would know that badalassi is pretty highly regarded in terms of vachetta....while vicenza is just a brand name and is actually as you described badalassi at first...made for feeling comfy out of the box for those that couldn't handle CXL...but it's more plasticky and cheap feeling. There are tons of examples of jackets/wallets/boots out there in badalassi aging gorgeously. Check out some of the badalassi threads on here. It's pretty well agreed upon that at least in aeros offerings...badalassi is a much higher tier. Way deeper colors, better aging, better hand, better grain...literally everything

 

[Canuck Panda]

I must be blind because I don't see it. And that's not your jacket it's some one elses. I'll let you know in a few years if my veg tan Badalassi ages well or not. So far it's not going the direction you said, but it's only been a few days, so I will take your word for it for now, even you have not shown me your Badalassi jacket.

 

[Jedy617]

I must be blind because I don't see it. And that's not your jacket it's some one elses. I'll let you know in a few years if my veg tan Badalassi ages well or not. So far it's not going the direction you said, but it's only been a few days, so I will take your word for it for now, even you have not shown me your Badalassi jacket.

Honestly worse than blind if you cannot see the changes in the first pic and the following. Also, I said badalassi ages beautifully. Said nothing about my jacket in particular. You are welcome to see mine but I have not had much of a chance to wear mine in a year and a half, so does not have much wear in it yet. But you are welcome to see it

 

[Jedy617]

Edited better pic

 

[Marc mndt]

Honestly worse than blind if you cannot see the changes in the first pic and the following.

I don't see it either tbh. All I see are rolls and wrinkles. I can create those within 30 minutes with a spray bottle. I'm not seeing any grain.

(I'm not saying Badalassi isn't nice leather, I'm just not seeing any real aging on @Imuricecreamman Aero)

 

[Jedy617]

I don't see it either tbh. All I see are rolls and wrinkles. I can create those within 30 minutes with a spray bottle. I'm not seeing any grain.

(I'm not saying Badalassi isn't nice leather, I'm just not seeing any real aging on @Imuricecreamman Aero)

He has better close ups on the aero badalassi thread, and plenty of other great examples on there. However besides the rolls you can see dramatic color shift . Out of the box the grain is also quite pronounced...doesn't need to be worn a ton to "pop"

 

[Jedy617]

Grain

 

[Marc mndt]

Grain

Where?

Here's some Vicenza (jacket on top)

 

[Jedy617]

Where?

Here's some Vicenza (jacket on top)

View attachment 401724

uhh in the picture? Also that is fresh off the box with 0 wear. I'll come back to you in a few years lol

 

[Aloysius]

I don't see it either tbh. All I see are rolls and wrinkles. I can create those within 30 minutes with a spray bottle. I'm not seeing any grain.

(I'm not saying Badalassi isn't nice leather, I'm just not seeing any real aging on @Imuricecreamman Aero)

Badalassi is a wonderful leather but I’m guessing this is one of the many many cases in this subculture of someone reading up some material/construction ‘facts’ and becoming a zealot about them while calling people with much more leather knowledge and experience blind. Ten years ago he’d be doing this about storse.

Incidentally, I’d love to do a Badalassi Thedi someday.