Why a bootlegger over a half belt?

[mtrlr]

A sincere question, as I've never come close to any bootlegger let alone try it on, but I've seen (on picture) some people who really own it. But I'm just curious, what are the real reasons you get a bootlegger over any other centrally-zipped jacket?

 

[ton312]

Well having owned both I can tell you the simple and obvious answer to your question is this. The bootlegger looks cooler. I opted for the opposite tho...Sold my Bootlegger and ordered a 50's HB B/C it's just much easier to wear in most situations. The standard HB design is generic and somewhat boring. The Bootlegger is pure cool but I found I wouldn't grab it all that often.

 

[Guppy]

Why pick one over the other when you can have both? Lol.

The double breasted look of the cross zip style is very cool. A center zip Half-belt is also very cool, but a little more toned down, less morotcycle-y, less aviator-y

 

[Carlos840]

The Bootlegger is faster on a bike, it's about a 7hp gain compared to a half belt.

 

[Superfluous]

The Bootlegger is faster on a bike, it's about a 7hp gain compared to a half belt.

But the half belt is more aerodynamic — less coefficient of drag.

 

[Sloan1874]

I love both, but I find the Bootlegger has a more 'heroic' silhouette that looks very cool. it's a lot like the Irvin, sans the belt.

 

[Carlos840]

But the half belt is more aerodynamic — less coefficient of drag.

Well, if we want to get all scientific it's actually worst at high speed...
Because you don't have a windflap or a cross over zip a HB will balloon like crazy above 50mph!

So in short, if you ride a bike and want 7hp extra, get a bootlegger.
If you want better aerodynamics at low speed, get a Half belt, the lower drag coefficient might help you walk a couple mph faster.

Science!

 

[jonesy86]

Well, if we want to get all scientific it's actually worst at high speed...
Because you don't have a windflap or a cross over zip a HB will balloon like crazy above 50mph!

So in short, if you ride a bike and want 7hp extra, get a bootlegger.
If you want better aerodynamics at low speed, get a Half belt, the lower drag coefficient might help you walk a couple mph faster.

Science!

“It’s poetry in motion”


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[AeroFan_07]

Style, and taste preferances. I have a 30's HB and a BL (Thanks Tony) and would wear either to *most* any occassion. The 30's HB is a bit dressier for certain occassions.
I agree, both are worth adding to a collection...

 

[El Marro]

I’m with Guppy on this one, best to have one of each! I do love my Cordovan Bootlegger though, I have gotten more compliments from friends and strangers on that jacket than all of my others put together.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Well having owned both I can tell you the simple and obvious answer to your question is this. The bootlegger looks cooler. I opted for the opposite tho...Sold my Bootlegger and ordered a 50's HB B/C it's just much easier to wear in most situations. The standard HB design is generic and somewhat boring. The Bootlegger is pure cool but I found I wouldn't grab it all that often.

The thing about the standard HB down here is that you never see them. I have not seen a half-belt jacket in Australia in over two decades of looking. So the HB is a highly exotic item down here. As to the Bootlegger - I have to admit (as a guy who hates most cross zips - especially those jackets with those ugly belts, extra pockets and little annoying zips) it looks pretty cool. Not sure I could pull it off however.

 

[Seb Lucas]

A sincere question, as I've never come close to any bootlegger let alone try it on, but I've seen (on picture) some people who really own it. But I'm just curious, what are the real reasons you get a bootlegger over any other centrally-zipped jacket?

Personal taste.

 

[ton312]

Not sure I could pull it off however.

You absolutely could.

 

[Lebowski]

I love the Bootlegger for its clean reference to the beginning of flying history period
and I love half-belts for its very stylish 30-40-50s all-in-all looking, which I love very much.
The Bootlegger actually is a cross-zipped half-belt jacket.
To have both would be smart decision. No doubts.

 

[red devil]

I will echo @Guppy here and say just get both
You can start widening your collection even more after that

 

[Edward]

The Bootlegger was one of the first Aeros I bought, and I still love it. The appeal, I think, lies in the design referencing those 'sports jackets' in leather in the 20s and 30s that essentially were the fore runners of what became the standards cross-zip 'biker' jacket. That has an appeal for those of us who cut out leather jacket teeth on the Perfecto style, but who also love a halfbelt back and the other design touches.

I love both, but I find the Bootlegger has a more 'heroic' silhouette that looks very cool. it's a lot like the Irvin, sans the belt.

The Bootlegger is based on a 50s halfbelt pattern - essentially it's a 50s HB with a different front on it. Wider at the shoulders/chest than the pre-war HB patterns by 2" or so, but still snug in the waist. Great 'V' to it. I often thought if you dropped the chest pocket, widened the lapels and lined it inside and over the collar and lapels in shearling you could get close to the jacket Jude Law wore as Sky Captain.

I love the Bootlegger for its clean reference to the beginning of flying history period
and I love half-belts for its very stylish 30-40-50s all-in-all looking, which I love very much.
The Bootlegger actually is a cross-zipped half-belt jacket.
To have both would be smart decision. No doubts.

I have and wear both. Interestingly, I think I've worn the Bootlegger more with collar and tie than the regular hb. Has that great Howard Hughes sort of look to it.

 

[Lebowski]

Original pattern from late 30s - early 40s is for sale on eBay now:

 

[Lebowski]

 

[Lebowski]

^^
There's no epaulets on the original pattern above, but the main features incl. silhouette and pockets look quite similar to Bootlegger from Aero.

 

[felix03]

The Bootlegger is faster on a bike, it's about a 7hp gain compared to a half belt.

Which colour would you say is the fastest?