Why Should I Buy A Vanson?

[Coriu]

I’ve owned 3 Vanson’s and sold them all because I’m an idiot. Not because they sucked. Because in this hobby we’re always chasing some new maker or some new leather and then regret what we let go. Without a doubt the single best jacket for the price.

"the single best jacket for the price"...that's a very interesting phrase. When I got into flyfishing, I was told a certain rod was the best for its price...and it was. So, ignoring my mentor's advice, I bought several of them in different weights. ...one problem...as my skills and tastes and budget evolved, I wanted more. Long story short..I ended up giving all of those rods away and replacing all of them over time.

In the end run, I ended up spending more on fly rods than I would have if I would have been patient and taken the time to learn what I could/could not live with. In other words, I think something is only the "best for the price" if someone is going to keep it a long time and get his/her money's worth out of it. If one is lucky enough to sell a jacket for a profit, lucky them, but I have to think there are plenty of folks who have lost money replacing a jacket because their tastes have outgrown it. Of course, if you have an infinite budget, none of that matters.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

For the collector, I am not sure what Vanson offers that is truly unique.

And in terms of style, I have seen some older Vansons that were quite nice, but am not sure I would describe them as particularly unique.

Outside of being able to say "I have a Vanson in my closet," please help me understand the attraction to this brand.

It's not about seeing a Vanson, it's about trying one on and living with it.
If you did that you would throw all your Aeros out of the closet, i know i did.

If you are talking new...can’t help you. If you are talking vintage unique...then a pic is worth a thousand words. Try one of these 7 lb+ babies on and as @Carlos840 said, you’ll understand.
As far as a truly unique attraction, you will have arrived at the uniquely attractive badass “Cal-Langlitz” step aside arena, truly.
B

 

[Monitor]

Vanson jacket, that right leather and yeah, it's the 2nd place every other maker can only hope to compete for.

 

[Carlos840]

Vanson jacket, that right leather and yeah, it's the 2nd place every other maker can only hope to compete for.

I should have bought that from you when you decided to sell it...
That was stupid from both of us...

 

[JMax]

I should have bought that from you when you decided to sell it...
That was stupid from both of us...

I got one. Yours for only $1,500. It’s a deal.

 

[Monitor]

I should have bought that from you when you decided to sell it...
That was stupid from both of us...

Dumbest TFL related thing I did. Seriously.

I got one. Yours for only $1,500. It’s a deal.

If it was in the same hide as one that I had, I'd be sending the money your way yesterday.

 

[ton312]

If you have to ask, maybe you should not.

 

[JMax]

Dumbest TFL related thing I did. Seriously.



If it was in the same hide as one that I had, I'd be sending the money your way yesterday.

I think it is. Beautiful. I need to get it out and take pics in the sun.

If you have to ask, maybe you should not.
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Please stop posting the gray E! You are killing me lol. So damn cool.

 

[dannyk]

@Coriu I can see your point. I can’t claim to have had every maker and every leather. So best for the price based on what I’ve owned. But also to your point very few if any of us get our money’s worth. So that’s a moot point. We all sell, trade and buy way too much. Unless you’re getting something for free and you’re a TFL member you won’t get the necessary wears out of it to justify the price. Even those of us who keep something for 10 years, we own 30 jackets and they don’t get worn nearly often enough. So to me when I say best for the price it’s because they make a damn fine product for under 1,000. Almost all the brands we discuss here are now 1,000 if not 2, or coming close to 3,000 these days. And most lose 25-40% off retail just for having been owned and worn 2-3 times. Where you can get a 700-800 dollar vanson and sell it for 500. And when you add up stitching quality which isn’t the sexiest but I’ve never had a flaw, the leather which hasn’t been the nicest I’ve ever owned-but never had bad. The hardware again the best? Nope. But 100% good. I can’t think of any other that do everything so well but also don’t break the bank.
So I can see your point but being on TFL I also don’t see it cause we all have a disease and no one ever really gets their money’s worth ha

 

[ton312]

One of the only jackets I’ve sold that brought in nearly three times it’s purchase price was the gray model E. An unrelenting ebayer messaged me at least a dozen times and he paid the price. So did I.

 

[Psant25]

I dont think I would buy a new vanson right now with the current comp weight. I had and sold maybe 4-5 vansons I bought new. Only gripe on the model b is the seam in the back and the huuuge biceps. Otherwise fit me great. When new the longer length was a real pain in the butt on the bike basically choked me out for a few months. Worn in they were great though. I think if you bought new the flip price would be more like 350-400 bucks. Can say it will be a keeper but prlly not. All these jackets i think we discuss are worth trying if you can afford it. About 1200 is my max on a jacket. So leaves out a lot of brands for me. Vanson fit me much better than all my aeros. Custom Langlitz on the way we shall see how that goes but like 400 dollars more for plain columbia compared to vanson. I would buy a used one on ebay if ya can get a good price. They have a great used chp on ebay now in my size for about 400 bucks

 

[ton312]

I think it is. Beautiful. I need to get it out and take pics in the sun.



Please stop posting the gray E! You are killing me lol. So damn cool.

Brass conmar zips too. That one was so cool. I should’ve kept it. Insane hide too. A rare but not solitary regret in the leather gigolo journal.

 

[JMax]

Brass conmar zips too. That one was so cool. I should’ve kept it. Insane hide too. A rare but not solitary regret in the leather gigolo journal.

It really was cool. In the past couple of months I’ve been lucky to cross off a number of jackets that have been on my wishlist for a long time. The Leatherman Cal, Sportclad, HH Fidelity IR, to name a few. I only have two, maybe three more that I continually search for. And this damn Gray E is one of them. Years looking. To the point that I will take any gray X-zip Vanson. I’m desperate.

 

[navetsea]

I don't have Vanson, but if I do later in life, I would want the oval on sleeve the black and white oval, for me personally that's the only reason , so perhaps the Full Throttle, also if a leather jacket maker to throw on perforated leather on a jacket then to me personally it better be vanson and not thedi.

 

[Coriu]

@Coriu I can’t think of any other that do everything so well but also don’t break the bank.
I understand. Vanson is clearly a good value and an excellent recommendation for some, based upon their needs/desires. It's not going to check all the boxes for all.

Many people who collect things (beyond leather jackets) find joy in collecting one particular brand, artist, etc. One thing I appreciate about lines such as Aero is that I could see someone building a well-rounded collection of them in different styles and leathers, like Hoosier Daddy has done with his Thedi's. I think there is a an art in building a small, discriminating collection of anything, and there's a lot to be said for simplicity.

Unless one goes custom, Vanson's standard line appears to be somewhat limiting in terms of leathers and styles. They seem to favor a biker slant. I like wearing my jackets, and I like jackets which can be worn for different occasions. No doubt, Vanson has some super cool jackets, but I have no interest in owning a collection of, let's say, CHP's. At my age, outside of riding, the opportunities to wear a CHP are extremely limited. And wearing a different CHP every day of the week would come across as one-upmanship in my crowd. I understand if others feel differently.

 

[ton312]

Why would you start a thread seeking an answer if you’ve (apparently) already done enough research to answer your own question?

 

[Hh121]

It's also interesting if you go to "what jacket are you wearing today " thread, you will find only very few people who wear Vanson, and used Vanson has very little value for sale.

 

[JMax]

It's also interesting if you go to "what jacket are you wearing today " thread, you will find only very few people who wear Vanson, and used Vanson has very little value for sale.

Yep, the cool kids. Those with real style and class. You were lacking and left to slum it with 5*. To return, you have to find me a gray Vanson.

 

[Coriu]

Why would you start a thread seeking an answer if you’ve (apparently) already done enough research to answer your own question?

All I know about Vanson is what I have seen on their website. The big takeaway for me from this thread has been the positive comments about fit. Also, I had read some positive comments about Vanson in prior threads, but did not fully realize how well-respected they were. It has convinced me that I should seriously consider a special piece, if it comes along.

 

[AeroFan_07]

If you have to ask, maybe you should not.
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It's posts such as this one that make me so appreciative for the Fedora Lounge - Outerwear. I feel at least somewhat "normal" around here. Trust me, no one in my family (extended included) "Gets" this hobby. They all just think it's crazy.