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which jacket for canadian winter?

mtrlr

One of the Regulars
Messages
259
I'd just want to ask all the Canadian buddies or anyone living in cold temperature area, which leather jacket, with what kind of lining, you wear that can handle canadian winter?

I'm looking at Aero Thunderbay and Aero Hudson, both seem to be quite bulky. Would a horse hide jacket with alpaca wool lining enough, if I wear a middle layer of wool sweater?

The thing is, there is no stockist in Montreal, so no chance of trying to see how it fits, spending so much money without trying seems risky :)

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question. Have been lurking around for some times, but a first post here.

I currently have a Schott Storm (nubuck), which is only good for fall and spring.
 

torfjord

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,502
Location
Sweden
I live in Stockholm, Sweden which on average is a little bit warmer than Montreal in the winters. I don’t have any experience with the alpaca, but when it gets really cold here, colder than -5 Celsius, the only thing that keeps me warm is layering with a heavy wool sweater and/or a shearling lined jacket.

I don’t think the alpaca will be sufficient for your average winter temps in Montreal tbh. Have you looked at the shawl collared barnstormer? It comes with shearling lining as standard. I’m considering getting one for myself this winter.


Skickat från min iPad med Tapatalk
 

Harris HTM

One Too Many
Messages
1,782
Location
the Netherlands
I live in the Netherlands, west coast, with much milder winters than Canada in general, although snow and subfreezing temperatures happen often.
I own an Alpaca lined Mariner, a Shearling Lined LHB and a B-3.
The Alpaca Mariner is not warm enough, even with a wool sweater, for temperatures below 2-3c.
The Shearling LHB is really warm, though keep in mind that the sleeves are not shearling lined (corduroy).
The B-3 is by far the warmest - and bulkiest - of all; you actually don't need layering. Keep in mind though that it is not that suitable for snow.
As @torfjord said: a shawl collar Barnstormer sounds nice.
Otherwise go for a NB-3 parka, huge advantage of having a warm hood.
 

mtrlr

One of the Regulars
Messages
259
I have a down parka, just want a leather jacket that can handle down to -20C or so, warm enough for walking 30 minutes to one hour outside (to work), preferably not too bulky (seems like asking too much, lol)
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
I have my eye on both the THunderbay and the Hudson. For regular extreme cold, I'd suggest the latter for the extra length - the Thunderbay can be a bum-freezer, while the longer jacket will help keep the heat in south of your kidneys. The Barnstormer is also worth considering, either regular with shearling lining, or the shawl-collared one which is shearling lined as standard. Choose according to visual and practical preferences re the collar....

The other alternative would be to go the full Irvin suit or B3 with the appropriate trousers, though you're limited in options there. Most original Irvin trews certainly seem to have been cut up to repair jackets, but Aviation Leathercraft do, I believe, still do a version (not an accurate repro, but certainly practical!): https://www.flying-jacket.com/trousers/
 
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16,402
Or...
http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=1473

Or any of the B3's and Irvin's, regardless of the maker.

I have spent one winter in Winnipeg, which as you know can get pretty cold, to the point that almost nothing you wear is of any use. So, I was freezing for a while until I discovered that wearing a leather jacket under a skiing jacket or a warm parka works miracles against the cold. It was a Vanson cafe racer and a cheapo skiing parka, in my case. Can't take all the credit for it though, as I've seen a few motorcyclists wear a similar combo over there...

In any case, a parka is only moderately warm by itself while a leather jacket is completely useless in the cold but when combined like that... I honestly never felt cold after figuring that one out, not even during the lowest temperatures and even with just a T-shirt under a leather jacket.

But yeah, what the other members said, you won't get away with just a leather jacket. My Vanson jacket had that thermal-insulation liner but it was utterly useless in anything under -3C, so I can guarantee you that the Alpaca lining won't be warm enough for Montreal winters. Alpaca is only marginally warmer than a cotton tartan and it's good for about 0 degrees and that's only if you're moving. Anything under that, you might as well be wearing just a T-shirt.

Anything in shearling is your best bet as it actually is warm enough to get you through almost any winter but it'd bulky and yeah, sadly, not so good in the rain. These jackets can get soaked, too.

Aero Thunderbay is probably the warmest jacket on the market you can buy. Schott used to have the equivalent which was just as nice and warm, but they don't produce it anymore.
 

mtrlr

One of the Regulars
Messages
259
You want to stay away from anything with CXL when it's proper cold. All the oils stiffen up and it's no fun at all. Personally, I stick with the Parka every time below minus 20.
Really? How bad is that? I haven't thought about this one, thnx
 

Mark Ricketts

One of the Regulars
Messages
113
Location
ontario
To be honest, my usual go to jacket is over 4.25 oz steer CXL and it's as stiff as steel in the cold. I do not wear it when it is bitter for fear that it would crack at the elbows rather than bend.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
I have spent one winter in Winnipeg, which as you know can get pretty cold, to the point that almost nothing you wear is of any use. So, I was freezing for a while until I discovered that wearing a leather jacket under a skiing jacket or a warm parka works miracles against the cold. It was a Vanson cafe racer and a cheapo skiing parka, in my case. Can't take all the credit for it though, as I've seen a few motorcyclists wear a similar combo over there...

In any case, a parka is only moderately warm by itself while a leather jacket is completely useless in the cold but when combined like that... I honestly never felt cold after figuring that one out, not even during the lowest temperatures and even with just a T-shirt under a leather jacket.

Reminds me of Kurt Russell in John Carpenter's 1982 run at The Thing - doesn't he wear a G1 under a parka in a number of scenes?
 
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16,402
Reminds me of Kurt Russell in John Carpenter's 1982 run at The Thing - doesn't he wear a G1 under a parka in a number of scenes?

Now that you've mentioned it... I think he does! But it actually works!

I've been laughing when RMC released that leather down vest looking thing, filled with goose feathers, to be worn over a J-22/24. I was convinced back then that it wouldn't do a thing but it's amazing how well it works.

26Xdkkv.jpg
 

Edward

Bartender
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24,736
Location
London, UK
Now that you've mentioned it... I think he does! But it actually works!

I've been laughing when RMC released that leather down vest looking thing, filled with goose feathers, to be worn over a J-22/24. I was convinced back then that it wouldn't do a thing but it's amazing how well it works.

26Xdkkv.jpg

I'm sure I've seen a Japanese jacket that was actually a whole Perfecto type, in leather, but quilted and down-fllled. I can't say I'm entirely sold on the look, but I could see it being massively practical for Winter riding. Roland Sands do a couple of nice vests designed for layering when riding, though I don't think they're close to the extra warmth that one would add.
 

Interbak

One of the Regulars
Messages
244
Location
Stratford, ON, Canada
I'll have to agree with Ricketts, when the temperatures drop below freezing the leather gets put away. M65 field jacket until about -15C, after than a nice down parka. Serves me well for 2 hour dog walks. Spring will return and the leather will come back out.

B
 

CRAZYBUBBA

Familiar Face
Messages
84
Location
Canada/Centro America
I’m in montreal too. I used to use a penfield down jacket with leather yoke, but the lack of hood meant my neck would suffer in extreme conditions. I’d say function over form in this case


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mtrlr

One of the Regulars
Messages
259
Thanks to everyone for the input. Will take all these into consideration. I've the pictures of Harris' LHB with shearling, looks really great.
 

LaymanX

One of the Regulars
Messages
176
Location
Toronto
Please stay safe people! Function > form for sure. I don't want to hear about frost bite on this forum (or worse).

In the scenario where I do wear my Eastman shearling, I keep a heavy duty Canada Goose parka in the trunk of my car in case something ever happens.
 

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