Why did you sell your nearly new aero leather jacket(s)?

[MrProper]

My point about the cold and damp is not that the CXL will keep you warm, but that because it hardly really gets warm in Scotland things don't dry properly when used outdoors constantly (in my case, when I was hiking).

Yes, that's what I understood.
As an indestructible rain jacket, CXL is a good choice. It helps if the jacket is wider. I rode my CXL Cafe Racer motorbike for a while and it got really wet. Cool jacket, even if there are more comfortable things on a motorbike. I like CXL anyway.

 

[MrProper]

How does CXLSH compares to Badalassi steerhide?

I have two Badalassi.
One is identical to the CXSH in terms of both weight and leather thickness. The other Badalassi is slightly lighter and thinner.
The CXSH seems to me to be softer than the two Badalassi. Badalassi squeaks and creaks with every movement, CXSH is quiet I like the colours of the Badalassi better than the CXL. If I could only have one leather jacket, it would probably be a CXSH. But not with the thickest hide possible.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Yes, that's what I understood.
As an indestructible rain jacket, CXL is a good choice. It helps if the jacket is wider. I rode my CXL Cafe Racer motorbike for a while and it got really wet. Cool jacket, even if there are more comfortable things on a motorbike. I like CXL anyway. View attachment 652262

It does look really freaking cool.

I have to admit, you call them indestructible and that's my feeling as well, but I see SO MANY used Aero jackets on eBay that are cracked. Way more than any other brand. Am I just imagining that? I'm just constantly surprised at how many have broken leather (particularly sleeves and collars).

 

[MrProper]

It does look really freaking cool.

I have to admit, you call them indestructible and that's my feeling as well, but I see SO MANY used Aero jackets on eBay that are cracked. Way more than any other brand. Am I just imagining that? I'm just constantly surprised at how many have broken leather (particularly sleeves and collars).

Hm... maybe they're not indestructible. I only know that mine was 13 years old when I sold it and it was in perfect condition. But I didn't wear them all the time either. Who knows what people have done with them

 

[TartuWolf]

With regards to the specific question / topic:
Similar to what others have mentioned I feel the main reasons are:
- Custom jacket didn't work out, can't return, have to sell. Perhaps customer didn't specify the right measurements. Maybe the measurements are right on paper but the pattern just didn't work out. So fit issues.
- Want's to try CXL / heavy leather for the first time. After some wearing realizes that it's just not for him/her. Sell.
- Too many jackets already, hard to place into rotation, especially if comfort is compromised. Has not returned in time. Sell.
- Catch and release situation (especially in relation to the mentioned huge supply) - the measurements could potentially work, but eventually don't. Sell.


My experience with Aero:

I wear one of 2 jackets 90% of the time : Vanson E or Aero Hooch Hauler.
I've had the Aero Hooch Hauler since 2023 Sep, so about one year. I've worn it a lot.

CXL:
Mine is made out of CXLFQHH. It's great. No regrets. Would take the same leather again without a doubt. I don't understand all the "cardboard" name calling and hate it gets from time to time. Yes the sprayed on stain/dye rubs off rather easily and the thin aniline top coat doesn't help with that either. Yes you need to be patient and break it in. But that's the compromise you accept if you want the undeniable and unrivaled (in my opinion) beauty of CXL. A great option was "thin" CXL that was available by accident for some time and was highly praised by Canuck Panda. Easier break-in, more give, more comfort, better drape, same beauty.
But I would like to try CXLSH just for comparison, so that would be my choice if I'd ever lock in another Aero order. Likely won't because of the several price increases since my purchase.
Maybe I'm clueless but I haven't noticed a strong stiffening of the leather either, even though I've worn it around freezing temperatures a lot.
Surely my Hooch Hauler would be a bit more comfortable and would have a bit more mobility if it was made out of a different (thinner / more stretchy) leather, but I happily wear 25oz denim daily (feel free to make fun) so I'm not bothered by a bit of restriction. Similar to the 25oz denim, the cut/pattern/size plays a much bigger role in comfort than the fabric (specially once broken in). As for the Aero pattern/cut..

Pattern/cut:
This is where Aero doesn't shine. According to countless comments I've seen on TFL and based on my own experience as well. The neck thing being the main culprit.
The way it fits fully zipped up is also rather silly, maybe they just assumed no one would wear it fully zipped up when designing the jacket/pattern?
Otherwise the Hooch Hauler fits lovely, but the mobility is rather mediocre. I'm sure it would be much better if the jacket had some proper shoulder gussets or bi-swing / action back. Or just more volume in the upper back. But it's a slim fitting, more dressy/fancy of the two jackets that I use, so the mobility is good enough. Better neck cut + move volume in the upper back and I'd be 100% happy with the fit/mobility.
The pattern/cut/mobility especially pales in comparison to the Vanson E, but let's be honest, it's very hard to compete with Vanson patterns, especially seen in dedicated riding jacket like the model E.

Hardware:
The silly and stubborn insistence on the #5 zippers, especially on CXL jackets... I know we have allies fighting a battle from the inside to convince the decision makers to allow giving customers an option for a beefier zip, but I think it's a loosing battle.

Customer support:
This is not specific to Aero, but I hate the fact that you can't get a clear set of stock measurements for a given model/size. They will vaguely give you some and will actually agree to do adjustments other than length. For example I've asked for extra width in the shoulders and extra taper in the waist and both were accommodated very nicely. My jacket was even remade without question because the first one had narrower shoulders than I requested, even though they never guaranteed the shoulder width that I wanted.
In terms of communication calling is great (and expensive in my case, lost 50eu that way...). In terms of emails you're lucky if you get Danny, not so lucky otherwise in my experience.

Overall the Hooch Hauler is a shorter, slimmer (upper body and upper arms) moleskin lined Aviator jacket with button cuffs. Works best in the 5c to 15c range, does not work very well with layering, but it's doable to some extent, feeling fine at 0c in certain weather conditions. My Vanson E is a longer, roomier (upper body and upper arms) quilted lined moto cross zip jacket with zip sleeves. Works best in the -10c to 10c range due to better layering options, zipped sleeves keeping wind out and being able to comfortably fully zip it up.

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Brown CXL in all it's glory for some visuals to relax after all the text

 

[NamoAmituofo]

That hooch is a beauty!

I love CXL too and I like it heavy and thick! Same goes with belts - I have a 7mm Samurai belt and a 12mm custom Latigo ‘gun belt thickness but dress belt width).

It may be just me!

 

[Canuck Panda]

Hmm... How about something more personal experience.

I went through two regular Highwayman jackets before settling on the third and final one.

The first one was a stock size 40 in CXL HH on the sale page,

The second one was Vicenza HH also stock size 40 also from sale page,

The third and final one is also a size 40 but added length, different lining, and in CXL SH,

I truly enjoy CXL for its finishing and hand feel. HH is stiffer and takes longer to break in than SH. But this brown one I had I was lucky to break it in reasonably fast, about the same time as the Vicenza HH (which is a rare case and an outlier for Vicenza tBH that's probably why it ended up on the sale page). However I do still have stiff as board CXL HH jackets that are still not broken in, yet.

CXL SH is pretty easy to wear I find.

See how this relax fitting bomber jacket drape change within maybe two to three weeks. CXL SH.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Love the brown CXL SH jacket! The other two jackets are cool too but agree the stock cut didn’t fit you.

Oh I forgot to mention - I went through a long process of considering different hides for my KoTR jacket - I was informed by the very helpful aero team that for this particular style (cross zip, classic mc jacket) a thicker/stiffer hide
would be better for keeping the structure / shape of the jacket. I’m so glad I went with this recommendation!

 

[Canuck Panda]

Another one of my Aero story, this time about the Cafe Racer pattern,

The Cafe Racer jacket was actually technically my very first Aero. Brown CXL HH. But I return it the minute I open the box because I ordered it too small, not Aero's fault but my first try I didn't know anything. They gave me a replacement which I wore for a while and sold because I wanted even bigger size for comfort. But I was able to wear it non the less, in CXL HH.

It wasn't until year later I made another attempt at this pattern again, this time in bigger size with full action back and in Badalassi,

While this is a keeper jacket for me, I do often wished I had gone with CXL SH, it'd would have been a bit quieter than the Badalassi, and just as good imo in terms of finishing and hand feel, and was £100 less, now the difference is much less.

Aero Cafe Racer pattern block has an aggressively forwarded neck hole. They're not the only one. Some other brands in this forum also has this design. Aero Board Racer neck lines, by comparison, are much better for daily wear.

Last year I added a CXL HH Sheeneman back into the rotation, this is the stiffy kind, I am iffie about it, but not ready to move it on just yet. Gonna give it another year or two to see how it breaks in,

If Aero offered this awesome color in CXL SH I would have gone with that over the HH for sure. But the cool colors are only in HH not SH, mid night blue and natural. Worth the time it takes to break them in imo. Some takes longer than others but all breaks in sooner or later.



As a side note, very recently I found out that there is an CXL variant tannage called "Kudu", not to be confused with actual Kudu hide, but the tannage has the name Kudu. It is basically CXL but with 15% to 20% more oil stuffed in before sealed by wax. It is even softer than the normal CXL tannage. Maybe an option for the future CXL HH, SH don't need it, but HH could benefit from that. Kinda like the over conditioned Double Helix HH, that's how they make it softer and no break in time. Just trying to help with the break in time on the horses that's all. SH would be the better option when time is not as available.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

@Canuck Panda you have an envious collection - even just for aero jackets!!

As someone nearing 50 years old, I’ve set myself a goal of wearing the hell out two jackets for the next 10 years. My KoTR is a keeper - I really wanted to buy a Daytona in black CXL HH which is new and for £900 on aero website as ‘the other jacket’ (and if anyone is looking at a stock size 40 Daytona, this is a good deal given aero prices are now £1100-1200 depending on model). But I thought hard and decided to have a straight zip jacket instead. I was looking for a CHP in super heavy HH (aero or LW), but the Vanson Enfield came up and I wanted to see how it fits me and more importantly how heavy it is. If it’s less than 6lb I won’t keep it. My life is limited and I want to break in some seriously thick hide before I get too old. I can then say - look I lived in these jackets for x years.

But I’m going to wet wipe the Enfield and (cold) stuff it with a special bridle feed I got from an old fashioned saddle maker in the UK, leave it for two weeks to soak in, polish it, before weighing it. Given it’s age it’d have lost some fats and waxes which I want to replace first

 

[MrProper]

If it’s less than 6lb I won’t keep it.

Out of interest... what's the reason, judging by the weight of the jacket? Is that such a status thing?
Of course, if a leather jacket is too light, then it must be thin leather, but you hardly notice whether the jacket is 5.7 or 6.2. So... what do you expect from high weight?

 

[Canuck Panda]

@Canuck Panda you have an envious collection - even just for aero jackets!!

As someone nearing 50 years old, I’ve set myself a goal of wearing the hell out two jackets for the next 10 years. My KoTR is a keeper - I really wanted to buy a Daytona in black CXL HH which is new and for £900 on aero website as ‘the other jacket’ (and if anyone is looking at a stock size 40 Daytona, this is a good deal given aero prices are now £1100-1200 depending on model). But I thought hard and decided to have a straight zip jacket instead. I was looking for a CHP in super heavy HH (aero or LW), but the Vanson Enfield came up and I wanted to see how it fits me and more importantly how heavy it is. If it’s less than 6lb I won’t keep it. My life is limited and I want to break in some seriously thick hide before I get too old. I can then say - look I lived in these jackets for x years.

But I’m going to wet wipe the Enfield and (cold) stuff it with a special bridle feed I got from an old fashioned saddle maker in the UK, leave it for two weeks to soak in, polish it, before weighing it. Given it’s age it’d have lost some fats and waxes which I want to replace first

I had a horsehide Model B Vanson and sold it. If my memory serve correctly it felt very similar to CXL HH, just drier hand feel, could be because it was almost 20 some years old jacket. There is also the X leather which I had a jacket but returned to Vanson because it was too big. The X leather was also very similar to CXL style hand feel and finishing, I would totally recommend that leather, the X leather. LW is totally different style leather. And since you got Aeros and Vansons already maybe just keep an eye out for a LW at this point. They're out there on the used market for decent deals, just be patient.
Vanson horsehide, Aero CXL HH, LW 4oz HH, left to right, I would say the stiffness is about the same for all, but very different styles both in the leather finishing and stitch style.

 

[Canuck Panda]

There are more available LW Suburban jackets on the used market, similar design to your horsehide Enfield. And there are more available Vanson X leather CHP jackets on the used market, similar design to what you're looking for in LW jacket... Buying and selling is part of the jacket hobby...

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Out of interest... what's the reason, judging by the weight of the jacket? Is that such a status thing?
Of course, if a leather jacket is too light, then it must be thin leather, but you hardly notice whether the jacket is 5.7 or 6.2. So... what do you expect from high weight?

It’s my bug - my mind associate thickness and weight with… well masculinity?!

Or just call it my human stupidity

 

[NamoAmituofo]

I had a horsehide Model B Vanson and sold it. If my memory serve correctly it felt very similar to CXL HH, just drier hand feel, could be because it was almost 20 some years old jacket. There is also the X leather which I had a jacket but returned to Vanson because it was too big. The X leather was also very similar to CXL style hand feel and finishing, I would totally recommend that leather, the X leather. LW is totally different style leather. And since you got Aeros and Vansons already maybe just keep an eye out for a LW at this point. They're out there on the used market for decent deals, just be patient.
Vanson horsehide, Aero CXL HH, LW 4oz HH, left to right, I would say the stiffness is about the same for all, but very different styles both in the leather finishing and stitch style.
View attachment 652467

Am I right to recall that LW jacket was once listed in classified? The weight looks amazing!

 

[Canuck Panda]

Am I right to recall that LW jacket was once listed in classified? The weight looks amazing!

Yup I got lucky with that one, it was from the Classifieds here.

If you want the thicker LW jackets and are looking at the Japan used market, look for the ones that mentions "Hakuraido", that is the only retailer that I know of that for sure ordered the thicker hides. Most other retailers in Japan who carried LW jackets tends to carry the normal 3oz weight for the target audience there. I've seen Hakuraido LW jackets on Mercari and Yahoo auction before, mostly Ryder and Suburbans though, one J-24 but no CHPs.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

I have a white CR bought from classified here. It’s Johnson Leathers and the cut is as if tailored for my measurements. Fits very well. It’s boring cowhide but man at 2mm thickness and 6lb weight (for a CR that’s heavy)! My wife keeps asking me to sell it. I considered that because I don’t get to wear it a lot given nothing to break in for a cowhide - so no fun - but each time I hold it in my hand it feels so heavy and nice and gives my deltoid an instant pump - I just can’t let it go!

I wore it to fireworks night last night - it was a real eye catcher I regret not taking any pics.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Just noticed I’m now ‘one of the regulars’ what’s the next level called?

 

[Canuck Panda]

And if you want ultimate thick, expand your search to include this,

The thickest off rack jacket right now I think, without going custom ordering. Supposedly 3mm thick in some spots, probably will take a bit longer to break in than all the horsehide mentioned here... Their eco horse is also a stiffy challenge too if you're into that kind of leather.

You could also swap your old JL jacket for a CHP one with the heavy wax cowhide they did for Westride many many years back,

This one above is overpriced for used jacket but I've seen similar ones go for ¥60,000 and less. These were quite thick and robust too. Made by Johnson under the Westride labels, should fit like your white CR in a size up (42).

It's 2025 and Used Jackets is where its at imo...

 

[MickeyPunch]

And if you want ultimate thick, expand your search to include this,
View attachment 652473

The thickest off rack jacket right now I think, without going custom ordering. Supposedly 3mm thick in some spots, probably will take a bit longer to break in than all the horsehide mentioned here... Their eco horse is also a stiffy challenge too if you're into that kind of leather.

You could also swap your old JL jacket for a CHP one with the heavy wax cowhide they did for Westride many many years back,
View attachment 652474
This one above is overpriced for used jacket but I've seen similar ones go for ¥60,000 and less. These were quite thick and robust too. Made by Johnson under the Westride labels, should fit like your white CR in a size up (42).

It's 2025 and Used Jackets is where its at imo...

That y2 is the ultimate Spongebob jacket, absolutely zero drape in any pic I’ve seen.