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AVI LTHR BRONCO A-2 Jacket Review & Pics

Cooper A-2

Practically Family
Messages
926
Location
France
My deep excuses if not appropriate.
Reading all this and beeing in a start up situation as well ( not the same kind of jackets though... and having orders and contracts from Japan until end of 2018... so happy happy happy)...
But if I may just feed in my humble opinion and experience...
Be as transparent as possible...in EU...CUSTOMS/FINANCE WILL COME AFTER YOU IMMEDITELY AFTER DAWN...We in France must show a lot of documents/ paperwork / compliance stuff if we want to produce, hire, sell commercialise...whatever it is..
Making a mistake by not providing...on the Web/Net or officials..no good...
We import hides from Germany, Malta and mostly Italy...but we have a lot certificates a docs..to provide and procedures to respect....( costly BTW)...
Not that it matters....but just wanted to explain our “great and easy money printing ..””””.this is what our buyers think.....””””””“ saving jobs for our maybe followers...or maybe your kids...LIFE...
Unfortunately all our Western World govenements will only look at their incomes...regardless where it comes from...you stay and provide jobs...you pay....
Help us to stay...but buy also in a way that your children will not pay for what you paid for...
Buy uncertain stuff...fine...many stories about our legal poluting preventing officials failed...the Whistle blowers...maybe here...as well...saved a few things ....think about all issues on authorized stuff...years later...yak yak.
Buy whatever you want but think about your kids...
 
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Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
Any way ....I believe that the country of production MUST BE honestly indicated.

This is my understanding of EU consumer protection law also - that country of manufacture (manufacture being understood in this context to mean place of primary assembly, thus a car assembled in Sunderland from Chinese parts would be 'Make in UK') must be clearly labelled on the product or its packaging. Hopefully AVI can sort that out; it would be a shame for a popular fledgling business such as this to get hut by a slip in legal compliance.

FWIW I don't think this is a meaningful discussion. End of the day it's a very simple equation. The maker can choose to declare where his jackets are made or choose not to.

It's certainly true that all potential buyers have the freedom to choose to buy one of these or not, however my professional understanding of EU consumer protection law is that it is not the manufacturer's choice, but a legal requirement to identify country of manufacture.

Guys, Morten at AVI has replied me that they are working on the provenance issue and "[n]ext week [AVI] will be publishing information regarding manufactoring and CSR". I am sincerely happy that AVI listens to customer feedback!

This is a welcome development. I do tend to find knowing about the manufacturing process of jackets and other goods does indeed influence what I buy. No such thing as 'too much information', imo.
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
Not just the country of manufacture, but the material label needs to be addressed. I was a little put off by the "genuine leather" label, and even though Morten assured me, in no uncertain terms, that it was in fact goat, and I can see the grain plainly, that's not going to help much if I ever want to move the jacket on.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
Not just the country of manufacture, but the material label needs to be addressed. I was a little put off by the "genuine leather" label, and even though Morten assured me, in no uncertain terms, that it was in fact goat, and I can see the grain plainly, that's not going to help much if I ever want to move the jacket on.

I'd be in two minds about that one.... When I buy a military jacket, I only want the same labels as were on the original on it. That said, they could hide it under the pocket flaps, I guess. More information about the hides they use would certainly be welcome - neither Aero nor ELC put any labelling of the hide into their jackets, but then to be fair they have been around long enough to establish a level of consumer trust that a new business has yet to build up. I am surprised at the "genuine leather" tag being used, though, given that these days that can have negative connotations.
 

Cooper A-2

Practically Family
Messages
926
Location
France
Nowadays, due to all the vegan and other movements against “ real genuine “ leather etc...synthetic leather is so well made especially in Asia, so nobody even notices...especially if used in ( jacket ) areas where no direct access or control is granted.... Square meter price 3 Euro...
 

Cooper A-2

Practically Family
Messages
926
Location
France
So far in EU only composition definition ( pe 100% cotton made) is a legal obligation...no others...
Check the backing of your pockets and pocket flaps....( :) )
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
So far in EU only composition definition ( pe 100% cotton made) is a legal obligation...no others...
Check the backing of your pockets and pocket flaps....( :) )

My mistake; the European Parliament voted in favour of introducing country of origin labelling in 2014 (it's already a long-standing requirement in a number of member states), but it's still in the process of harmonisation of law across the EU on this one. Denmark must be one of those places that doesn't have it yet.
 

MeachamLake

A-List Customer
Messages
363
Location
North West, UK
Could anybody who actually owns one of these Bronco jackets in a size 48 give some measurements? I would really appreciate it. Pit to pit, waist, sleeve and body length would all be incredibly helpful!

I ordered their G1 in a size 46 but it was excruciatingly tight - it seems their pattern grading for all their jackets is totally wrong based on some of the comments here.
 

Gutmann

New in Town
Messages
35
Location
Berlin, Germany
Could anybody who actually owns one of these Bronco jackets in a size 48 give some measurements? I would really appreciate it. Pit to pit, waist, sleeve and body length would all be incredibly helpful!

I ordered their G1 in a size 46 but it was excruciatingly tight - it seems their pattern grading for all their jackets is totally wrong based on some of the comments here.

Hi, I had exactly the same problem. Size 48 fits perfectly! I’m 6.2, 78 kg, long arms. Just check my previous posts. I’ll see if I can make some measurements on the weekend.

Best,

Philipp


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MeachamLake

A-List Customer
Messages
363
Location
North West, UK
Hi, I had exactly the same problem. Size 48 fits perfectly! I’m 6.2, 78 kg, long arms. Just check my previous posts. I’ll see if I can make some measurements on the weekend.

Best,

Philipp


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Thanks Philipp! I'm taller than you slightly (6'3) but quite a bit heavier, probably closer to 98kg. Broad shoulders and chest - I fear these jackets are cut far too slim. I hope not!

I look forward to seeing some measurements :)
 

Toto1234

Familiar Face
Messages
58
you probably right. I own a size 48 and I think it probably would be too tight for you.
I am 6'5 for only 83 kg and there is not that much room left ....
GetFileAttachment (7)a.jpg
 

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,339
Location
UK
I ordered their G1 in a size 46 but it was excruciatingly tight - it seems their pattern grading for all their jackets is totally wrong based on some of the comments here.
Hi there, I cant speak for the larger sizes, but my 42 Bronco fits exactly like I would expect a WW2 42 should fit (I have owned A-2, G-1 and M422a originals).
I have the 40 in the G-1 and that also fits exactly like an original 40 55J14. I even recently found an original 55J14 size 40 in a vintage shop here in London and it was a very close fit to the AVI, the sleeves were possibly a touch shorter, but the torso was as trim as the AVI. (In fact, there are currently a number of original G-1s floating about here, size 40 and 42, and they are all quite trim, esp in the torso). To be fair, original G-1 sizes do vary a lot depending on maker and year.
I've always had the opposite problem with some mid-range repros, with size 40s being way too big compared to how original jackets fit and measure.
I guess, unless one can get a hold of a number of originals in a size spread, its never going to be perfect.
How AVI structures their sizing, I can't say, but thats unfortunate as its a very nice jacket.
 

MeachamLake

A-List Customer
Messages
363
Location
North West, UK
Hi there, I cant speak for the larger sizes, but my 42 Bronco fits exactly like I would expect a WW2 42 should fit (I have owned A-2, G-1 and M422a originals).
I have the 40 in the G-1 and that also fits exactly like an original 40 55J14. I even recently found an original 55J14 size 40 in a vintage shop here in London and it was a very close fit to the AVI, the sleeves were possibly a touch shorter, but the torso was as trim as the AVI. (In fact, there are currently a number of original G-1s floating about here, size 40 and 42, and they are all quite trim, esp in the torso). To be fair, original G-1 sizes do vary a lot depending on maker and year.
I've always had the opposite problem with some mid-range repros, with size 40s being way too big compared to how original jackets fit and measure.
I guess, unless one can get a hold of a number of originals in a size spread, its never going to be perfect.
How AVI structures their sizing, I can't say, but thats unfortunate as its a very nice jacket.

Yes, your jackets look spot on for your chest size and build - they look great. You lucky swine :D

I think it's pretty obvious that Avi have got all their originals in size 40 (which would make sense considering how prevalent they were) and attempted to grade the patterns for the jackets from that. Unfortunately, they've botched it completely - the larger size patterns haven't been graded correctly, hence why you're ending up with size 46 and 48 jackets that have much too long sleeves and a really tight torso. From the look of people's measurements, I shouldn't have to be ordering a size 50 A-2 with a 45 inch chest, that's just daft. :O

It's a real shame because the quality of the products looks to be excellent for the money. I really hope Morten can improve this going forward!
 

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,339
Location
UK
Haha lucky with these, yes. I would have loved a touch more length in the sleeves myself.
Why don't you email AVI with some specific larger size info, if enough guys communicate their concerns, the more likely they will make adjustments going forward. I mean, it took Eastman years to tweak their patterns and then, they've done it a few times since I have been wearing their stuff.
I'm sure you are correct in that the original is a 40 or 42 and they have graded it up. I recon your info would be useful for future jackets.
(regs sleeve length - I have always felt longer is better as you can trim a sleeve down and re-attach knit, but short sleeves are short and will only shorten with wear and creasing and theres no recourse... Err on the side of length!!!)
 

Toto1234

Familiar Face
Messages
58
from memory the size 48 has 27" sleeves, 20" shoulders and 27" back length.
I personally could use an extra inch in the sleeves though
 

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,339
Location
UK
Worth repeating from above ;) (I have always felt longer is better as you can trim a sleeve down and re-attach knit if necessary, but sleeves on the short side will only shorten with wear and creasing and theres no recourse... Err on the side of length!!!) I know this is a very personal opinion, but many guys I chat too about this seem to feel the same way... many guys seem to 'wish' for a touch more length, esp with sleeves ;)
 

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