Fair Warning about Aero Alpaca Lining ... and any suggestions, please!

Hello Fellow Loungers,

I hate to make a ranting post like this, but I kind of feel the need to warn others about my recent experiences with the Aero alpaca lining.

I got my first Aero jacket about 3 weeks ago, which I posted about here: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...icenza-…-arrived-in-china.91864/#post-2318308

The fit and the leather are great, and I have to say that Aero customer service has been doing everything they can to try and help with my situation, but I’m ready to just cut this lining out of the jacket.

So, if a friend were to ask me advice on this lining, I would tell them the following:

1. It’s incredibly itchy. Both Thurston and Aero advised that this lining would not be itchy. I figured it would be along the lines of cashmere. It is the itchiest wool I’ve ever touched. And I own several wool scarves, sweater, and jackets. As soon as I put it on, I realized I would not be wearing this jacket with just a t-shirt.

2. It sheds like crazy. After wearing the jacket for a bit, I realized the wool was shedding onto my shirt. I took a lint roller to it to try and clean it. After going through 10 sheets with the lint roller, the shedding still persisted, and I gave up and took it the dry cleaners.

3. It is difficult to clean. I took the jacket to my regular cleaners, and initially, they didn’t want to touch it. They said they couldn’t dry clean it because it was sewn into the leather, and they didn’t want to hand wash it for fear of ruining the wool. I finally persuaded them to give it a try, and promised that I wouldn’t hold them accountable if they did ruin it. They hand washed it and combed it twice. It is still itchy and sheds!

4. Aero doesn’t have a good solution for this problem. I did contact them and asked them what I could do. They seemed surprised that I was having this problem (even though I’ve read in other posts that others find the alpaca itchy too). They recommended wearing a thicker t-shirt under it, taking it to the cleaners, and just letting it wear down. So far, I’ve got no fix for this problem.

5. Aero can’t get a hold of the alpaca manufacturers. Yep. Aero tried to contact the weavers in Peru for advice. Aero did mention it was a slow going communication. That was 2 weeks ago. No word back from them yet.

6. It is difficult and expensive to replace the lining. I live in China, so replacing this lining is going to be a problem. There aren’t any leather alteration shops around here that I would trust with this job. I’d have to send it back to Aero in Scotland to be replaced. Or back to Thurston in America. In either case, it’s gonna take weeks and cost me hundreds of dollars in shipping and repairs.

7. The alpaca isn’t very warm. I got this lining because both Thurston and Aero claimed it would be the warmest lining. I wanted a slim fitting winter jacket that I wouldn’t have to layer. I was wearing this jacket in 80-degree weather and didn’t feel hot in it. I’m likely going to have to layer with thermals anyways.

8. You might be allergic to alpaca. At first, I thought the itchiness might be an allergic reaction. Aero did admit that one customer had to return their jacket because they were allergic to the alpaca. So after some research, I did an allergy test … I wore the jacket against my bare skin for an hour, then checked for any rashes or other reactions. Nothing. I buried my face in the alpaca and breathed it for 5 minutes. No reaction. So, I deduced that I was not allergic to the alpaca, just sensitive to it. But hey, it would really suck to drop tons of cash and wait months for your new Aero jacket, just to find you were allergic to the lining!

9. My pet snake tried to eat me after I wore the alpaca. Yeah. Sounds far-fetched, but it happened. After I wore the alpaca against my bare skin for an hour, I took out my pet corn snake to hold him for a bit. After a few minutes, the snake bit my arm and was trying to swallow! My snake has NEVER done that before. The only conclusion I could come to was that I somehow smelled like food (a furry little animal), and my snake went for it. The only thing that could have possibly smelled like a furry little animal was that alpaca lining.




So yeah, that’s been my recent experience with the Aero alpaca lining. Unfortunately, I have nothing good to say about it. It has been nothing but trouble since Day 1.

At this point, I really don’t care if I ruin the lining, so I’m trying some other remedies. I’m currently soaking the alpaca lining in water and hair conditioner to try and alleviate the itchiness (a random remedy I found online). I tried this last night on a wool scarf with positive results, so it’s worth a try.

Failing that, I’m going to see if I can find someone to sew a lining over the alpaca. Hopefully, I can retain some of the insulation of the alpaca while covering up the itchiness.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS?

If nothing else works, I guess I’ll just cut out this lining and have a lining-less jacket this winter. And I’ll send it back to Aero in the spring to get a new lining.

Hope no one else has the same bad experience that I’ve had!

Well to be fair...it's not Aero's alpaca. It's sourced from a distributor. I am sorry to hear of your troubles. That's a bummer. I had an alpaca lined jacket and I am sensitive to wool and I sold it. Fortunately I don't have a pet that would confuse me with food. I think you are on to something with sewing a lining over the top of the wool. If you have the room to do so that's not a bad idea. Saves you any real reconstruction. The alpaca would be my last choice. For warmth the quilted nylon or corduroy seem like way more comfortable options.

Some of your gripes are legitimate. Being in China and owning a snake aren't Aero's problem. But I sympathize.

I have a very nice looking alpaca blanket that I've had for years, and can't tolerate next to my skin for very long, which sucks, because it's a really nice blanket. One of my Aero half-belts is alpaca lined, and it doesn't bother me. It's not particularly itchy, but it's not cotton, either. It doesn't shed, either. Obviously, things like this may vary depending on who Aero sources from, the batch, and who knows what else.

I don't know why Aero told you alpaca was the warmest lining, because that distinction obviously belongs to their shearling lining. But that's also much bulkier, as well, and you wanted something slim fitting, so they wouldn't have recommended shearling for that reason.

Since you're not satisfied with the lining at all, if the hair conditioner treatment doesn't help and you opt to re-line it, I'd recommend trying Aero's quilted rayon. It should be smooth and silky against the skin, and warm, being quilted, and look nice. Hopefully not too bulky, either.

Edit: Also, don't rip out the lining yourself. You might do better to sell it off and have Aero make you another one with a different lining. Instead, just wear a comfortable, long-sleeve shirt under the jacket, and you shouldn't feel the alpaca.

I hope it gets better.

How long have you had the snake and how many times has he bitten you? If this is the first time, I think it is time to get rid of the jacket.

Alpaca is not wool, so someone with a wool allergy shouldn't be affected by the Alpaca. Those few with an allergy to Alpaca would be affected. Evidently you have an Alpaca allergy, so I would get rid of the jacket. The Alpaca isn't that warm anyway.

Guppy said:

Some of your gripes are legitimate. Being in China and owning a snake aren't Aero's problem. But I sympathize.

I have a very nice looking alpaca blanket that I've had for years, and can't tolerate next to my skin for very long, which sucks, because it's a really nice blanket. One of my Aero half-belts is alpaca lined, and it doesn't bother me. It's not particularly itchy, but it's not cotton, either. It doesn't shed, either. Obviously, things like this may vary depending on who Aero sources from, the batch, and who knows what else.

I don't know why Aero told you alpaca was the warmest lining, because that distinction obviously belongs to their shearling lining. But that's also much bulkier, as well, and you wanted something slim fitting, so they wouldn't have recommended shearling for that reason.

Since you're not satisfied with the lining at all, if the hair conditioner treatment doesn't help and you opt to re-line it, I'd recommend trying Aero's quilted rayon. It should be smooth and silky against the skin, and warm, being quilted, and look nice. Hopefully not too bulky, either.

Edit: Also, don't rip out the lining yourself. You might do better to sell it off and have Aero make you another one with a different lining. Instead, just wear a comfortable, long-sleeve shirt under the jacket, and you shouldn't feel the alpaca.

I hope it gets better.

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Thanks for the recommendations, Guppy. Yeah, both Aero and Thurston recommended the alpaca for some reason. Probably because the jacket is a board racer, which is quite slim fitting. I'll try to restrain myself from cutting out the lining myself. I figure if I cut close enough to the edges (without actually trying to pop the stitches out of the leather), I might be OK. Then Aero can deal with the stitches when I send it back to them.

Peacoat said:

How long have you had the snake and how many times has he bitten you? If this is the first time, I think it is time to get rid of the jacket.

Alpaca is not wool, so someone with a wool allergy shouldn't be affected by the Alpaca. Those few with an allergy to Alpaca would be affected. Evidently you have an Alpaca allergy, so I would get rid of the jacket. The Alpaca isn't that warm anyway.

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Hi Peacoat,

I got the snake earlier this year and it's never bitten me before. I handle him a few days a week too. I'm not too concerned about the snake, just need to keep him away from the smell of the jacket.

As for the alpaca allergy ... like I said, I did my own allergy test with the alpaca. I wore it bare skinned for an hour, and inhaled it for a few minutes, and found no reaction. So I don't think I'm allergic to it. Just sensitive to the itchiness.

I would really hate to get rid of it because it fits great and it was such a hassle to obtain, especially in China. I'm really just looking for a fix at the moment. And I don't think I would have to get rid of the whole jacket, just the troublesome alpaca lining. That's gonna be a giant hassle too, tho

Thanks for your review, the snake attack part was pretty funny!
Alpaca probably would not have been my first choice for a slim fitting jacket lining as per other loungers reports.
Sorry to hear your troubles. Cool jacket though.

I have an alpaca lined Hudson and a Grizzly and can detect a slight itchiness when worn with a thin cotton long sleeved shirt but not with anything thicker like a heavy Field and Stream cotton shirt for example.Presumably your Board Racer does not allow for anything much thicker as an under-layer.If you have to have it re-lined I would like to recommend moleskin which is warm and comfortable next to the skin

I have never seen a slim fitting jacket here like a BR lined in Alpaca. Sounds like it just isn't the best lining for your skin/jacket/snake! which is disappointing. I hope you can get it worked out. Don't worry, my cockatiel shits on my jackets!

I found alpaca kind of itchy when I first received my Teamster. That itchiness dulled down with time though, just like coarse wool becomes softer over time. At some point I could wear it with a t-shirt only, no problems. Should mention I am not particularly sensitive to rougher wearing clothing and I never expected it to feel as soft as cashmere, which frankly is a quite surprising assumption for me to hear. However it did not shet at all though, so I am not sure what to think about that one.. I don't think it should.. maybe an unlucky batch or a different supplier than back shen

Regarding warmth.. I keep telling and telling for ages that alpaca isn't nearly as warm as some people or Aeros website would make you believe. May work in spring and fall but certainly not in winter, unless you are living in subtropical climate.

I bought a second hand Aero halfbelt which happened to have Alpaca as a lining two years ago. I can't say I would have chosen that but its been fine for me. I've never had an issue with the linking when worn over a long sleeved t-shirt or whatever, but I guess on a slim fitting jacket its probably going to feel a ltitle different. I've had no problems with shedding but then this is a 2nd hand jacket.

Only mention this as maybe once its worn in a little these problems will go away. I guess you aren't considering returning it for a different lining as you want the jacket to wear over the winter?

I can, thankfully, report no animal attacks!

It ended up being my go to jacket last winter, which was admitedly relatively mild here in the UK. It was warmer than I expected given how thin the lining is but then I've never found leather jackets to be that great for warmth. I wouldn't generally pick a lighter weight leather jacket as my go too jacket if I were living somewhere cooler for sure.

I'm surprised Aero would even put such a lining into a slim fitting jacket. My Alpaca lined jackets are fine with other wool of reasonable thickness in there, i.e. a heavy shirt or a sweater. I would never want it without something to take the spikeiness of the lining away though.

If I were you I think I would stop experimenting with trying to soften up the lining. Maybe there is a chance that you spoil something more than the lining. Relining (or selling the jacket) I think is the best solution. Applying an extra lining would make your slim fitting jacket too bulky.
I have a few aero's with different linings. My Mariner is alpaca lined and I never had any issues with it. Marginally warmer than my lochcarron tartan lined HB, definitely less than my shearling lined LHB.
Good luck!

Harris HTM said:

If I were you I think I would stop experimenting with trying to soften up the lining. Maybe there is a chance that you spoil something more than the lining. Relining (or selling the jacket) I think is the best solution. Applying an extra lining would make your slim fitting jacket too bulky.
I have a few aero's with different linings. My Mariner is alpaca lined and I never had any issues with it. Marginally warmer than my lochcarron tartan lined HB, definitely less than my shearling lined LHB.
Good luck!

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I figured if this jacket is indeed supposed to last a lifetime, the lining can take a soak in a diluted hair conditioner solution for a while. I got this jacket specifically so I could wear it hard and beat it up, and I'm planning to get rid of the alpaca somehow anyways, so I wasn't too concerned about ruining anything important. So far, the hair conditioner method hasn't damaged anything, but it hasn't helped anything either. The alpaca is still itchy. And it smells very girly now.

I probably won't be selling it simply because it does fit great, which is so so so difficult for me to find. Re-lining is probably my best option, but I don't really want to do it right now because, well, I need a winter jacket. So I'm really looking for a fix for these winter months, then I'll send it back to Aero.

Thanks for your advice and reply!

I owned an Aero mariner with brown alpaca lining and it was not itchy at all. I could even wear it with short sleeved shirts. May be I am immune to alpaca wool. Your case might be an exception and should not be accepted as a rule regarding alpaca wool. A second layer of sateen lining might be a solution but Aero is not keen on adding second layers.

TheJuniper said:

I figured if this jacket is indeed supposed to last a lifetime, the lining can take a soak in a diluted hair conditioner solution for a while. I got this jacket specifically so I could wear it hard and beat it up, and I'm planning to get rid of the alpaca somehow anyways, so I wasn't too concerned about ruining anything important. So far, the hair conditioner method hasn't damaged anything, but it hasn't helped anything either. The alpaca is still itchy. And it smells very girly now.

I probably won't be selling it simply because it does fit great, which is so so so difficult for me to find. Re-lining is probably my best option, but I don't really want to do it right now because, well, I need a winter jacket. So I'm really looking for a fix for these winter months, then I'll send it back to Aero.

Thanks for your advice and reply!

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Be careful with soaking the lining so water does not reach the inner side of the leather. Vicenza leather is not as water repellent as FQHH (your jacket is a vicenza right?).
As for relining ask the guys at Aero what would be warm (and thin) enough: melton wool, harris tweed, quilted nylon or the heavyweight Strome Lochcarron.

MET said:

I owned an Aero mariner with brown alpaca lining and it was not itchy at all. I could even wear it with short sleeved shirts. May be I am immune to alpaca wool. Your case might be an exception and should not be accetpted as a rule regarding alpaca wool. A second layer of sateen lining might be a solution but Aero is not keen on adding second layers.

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Owner of an alpaca lined Mariner as well, great jacket. A second layer could be an option but for such a slim fitting jacket it would probably be bulky.

I have an Eastman B-15 and I find the alpaca to be quite itchy as well. Even if I wear a long sleeve t shirt it irritates my skin, somehow through the t-shirt.

Harris HTM said:

Owner of an alpaca lined Mariner as well, great jacket. A second layer could be an option but for such a slim fitting jacket it would probably be bulky.

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Let's say former owner. Their generous sizing made me sell it.

MET said:

Let's say former owner. Their generous sizing made me sell it.

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I know, I downsized on it.