Almost New ALC Irvin for €500 – Good Choice Compared to Avi?

[Rick Dalton]

Hi everyone,

I’m considering getting an almost new Aviation Leathercraft (ALC) Irvin for €500, but this is an important purchase for me and I don’t want to make a mistake. I’m trying to compare it to Aviation Leather (Avi) Irvins.

On one hand, I’m a little worried that Avi might not have the same quality hardware — even if it’s more historically accurate. For example, my M-422A from Avi is amazing, but the hardware quality is a bit weak.

On the other hand, I’m concerned that the ALC Irvin shape might be off compared to a more authentic piece — the length could be too long, and the proportions might differ from the original (the proportions of Avi Leathers seem to be excellent).

I would really appreciate insight from experienced collectors and experts — an honest assessment of which option is better. Would you say €500 for an almost new ALC Irvin is a good deal, or should I try to get an Avi Irvin instead?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Peter Mackin]

Is this jacket to keep you warm or just for show?

Hi everyone,

I’m considering getting an almost new Aviation Leathercraft (ALC) Irvin for €500, but this is an important purchase for me and I don’t want to make a mistake. I’m trying to compare it to Aviation Leather (Avi) Irvins.

On one hand, I’m a little worried that Avi might not have the same quality hardware — even if it’s more historically accurate. For example, my M-422A from Avi is amazing, but the hardware quality is a bit weak.

On the other hand, I’m concerned that the ALC Irvin shape might be off compared to a more authentic piece — the length could be too long, and the proportions might differ from the original (the proportions of Avi Leathers seem to be excellent).

I would really appreciate insight from experienced collectors and experts — an honest assessment of which option is better. Would you say €500 for an almost new ALC Irvin is a good deal, or should I try to get an Avi Irvin instead?

Thanks so much for your help!

Is historically accurate important to you ?or do you want to stay warm.
If its the latter the Alc will fit the bill. Never handled an Avi,,but I've owned eastman anj4 ,b3,sold both Tried on a friend's eastman irvin,but if it's minus zero with snow and ice,,im grabbing the Alc..if im posing in the pub,I would take the eastmans.ps
500€ is a bargain.

 

[cbez]

The irvin reviews I see seem to say it's a super fluffy teddy bear jacket. Have you had a chance to try one on?

Also in a practical sense unless you live somewhere desperately cold this isn't really a usable jacket and you'll look like a goober.

 

[Peter Mackin]

The irvin reviews I see seem to say it's a super fluffy teddy bear jacket. Have you had a chance to try one on?

Also in a practical sense unless you live somewhere desperately cold this isn't really a usable jacket and you'll look like a goober.

But a warm goober
Ps I get more wear out of the Alc than I ever got out of the other two eastman sheepskin. They went after a couple of winters,this has lasted 29years and would never consider moving it on.i also have a Goodwear monarch M-444A, that will be worn when temps ain't too bad,the weather doesn't need to be desperate to wear the heavier sheepskin,you can wear a light shirt and be super comfortable. Brilliant for driving with the roof down also,

 

[Rick Dalton]

Is this jacket to keep you warm or just for show?

Is historically accurate important to you ?or do you want to stay warm.
If its the latter the Alc will fit the bill. Never handled an Avi,,but I've owned eastman anj4 ,b3,sold both Tried on a friend's eastman irvin,but if it's minus zero with snow and ice,,im grabbing the Alc..if im posing in the pub,I would take the eastmans.ps
500€ is a bargain.

Thank you so much, Peter — that’s truly helpful.
It turns out that the ALC being sold has sleeves that are only 63 cm long (measured, I think, from the neck rather than from the shoulder — see the picture below). So it would be too short for me — I’m 191 cm tall.
I guess I’ll have to think about the AVI instead.
Just curious — since you’ve had the Eastman Irvin in your hands, is the overall cut and fur density much different from the ALC, or are the differences mostly in the details like the zippers, etc.?

 

[Rick Dalton]

But a warm goober
Ps I get more wear out of the Alc than I ever got out of the other two eastman sheepskin. They went after a couple of winters,this has lasted 29years and would never consider moving it on.i also have a Goodwear monarch M-444A, that will be worn when temps ain't too bad,the weather doesn't need to be desperate to wear the heavier sheepskin,you can wear a light shirt and be super comfortable. Brilliant for driving with the roof down also,

I don’t think Tom Hardy looked like a goober in his cockpit-worn Irvin!
Also, wearing it over just one layer in winter is exactly what I was planning to do. I live in continental Europe, so winters here can get pretty harsh — I was hoping to wear the Irvin in 0°C and below, just over a T-shirt.
Peter, did you ever wear yours in the rain? Would rain completely ruin the shearling?

 

[Peter Mackin]

I don’t think Tom Hardy looked like a goober in his cockpit-worn Irvin!
Also, wearing it over just one layer in winter is exactly what I was planning to do. I live in continental Europe, so winters here can get pretty harsh — I was hoping to wear the Irvin in 0°C and below, just over a T-shirt.
Peter, did you ever wear yours in the rain? Would rain completely ruin the shearling?

I Never wear it in the rain if possible,,but been caught out a couple of times, living in the hills of Scotland it's impossible to miss it.didnt do any damage just a ****** to get dry..
I regularly wear this with just a tee shirt,,brilliant it is.
Im out on the hills for hours in the harshest of winter,,working dogs and guide dogs.np one yet has called me a goober lol.
Its also great for working in the garage or shed.
One jacket I will never move on.some "experts"regularlyclaum their jacket is the best sheepskin they've ever seen,only to see them sell it couple weeks later,then they have the real best sheepskin ever seen& so it continues
Im lucky as I have the best sheepskin I've seen in my Goodwear monarch,,not for sale i may add .Yet .

 

[Rick Dalton]

I Never wear it in the rain if possible,,but been caught out a couple of times, living in the hills of Scotland it's impossible to miss it.didnt do any damage just a ****** to get dry..
I regularly wear this with just a tee shirt,,brilliant it is.
Im out on the hills for hours in the harshest of winter,,working dogs and guide dogs.np one yet has called me a goober lol.
Its also great for working in the garage or shed.
One jacket I will never move on.some "experts"regularlyclaum their jacket is the best sheepskin they've ever seen,only to see them sell it couple weeks later,then they have the real best sheepskin ever seen& so it continues
Im lucky as I have the best sheepskin I've seen in my Goodwear monarch,,not for sale i may add .Yet . View attachment 740271

amaizing jacket! And what's your opion on this exa,ple of eastman? Still good conditon? worth buying?

 

[Peter Mackin]

amaizing jacket! And what's your opion on this exa,ple of eastman? Still good conditon? worth buying?
View attachment 740282

They are great jackets, my issue with eastman is that some of them are in horrible, my opinion, broken grain. Im like a stuck record on this.i just don't like it..I also really dislike when and if it starts to flake.Sorry but I don't want my jacket to look like a wartime original. Early eastman pre broken grain i love.

 

[Rick Dalton]

They are great jackets, my issue with eastman is that some of them are in horrible, my opinion, broken grain. Im like a stuck record on this.i just don't like it..I also really dislike when and if it starts to flake.Sorry but I don't want my jacket to look like a wartime original. Early eastman pre broken grain i love.

wow thanks. Would you say that this example is pre broken grain?

 

[Peter Mackin]

wow thanks. Would you say that this example is pre broken grain?

Not as bad as some I've seen. My Anj4 was pretty good but still ****ed me off.Dont let anyone put you off a jacket you like.if it works for you and the price is right go for it.ive made tons of mistakes buying jackets, don't listen to me lol

 

[Peter Mackin]

Thank you so much, Peter — that’s truly helpful.
It turns out that the ALC being sold has sleeves that are only 63 cm long (measured, I think, from the neck rather than from the shoulder — see the picture below). So it would be too short for me — I’m 191 cm tall.
I guess I’ll have to think about the AVI instead.
Just curious — since you’ve had the Eastman Irvin in your hands, is the overall cut and fur density much different from the ALC, or are the differences mostly in the details like the zippers, etc.?
View attachment 740245

No they are completely different jackets. Early eastman I love.i also own a terrific air comfort. I just think the broken grain and the price new doesn't make them worth it for me.plus I hate seeing wear at sleeve ends,****** that.my alc cost £425 new 29years ago,with pockets lol..I've had my moneys worth many times over and it's still looking new and my go to jacket when snow n ice arrive.

 

[MrProper]

A few shearlings have been posted here that would fit well in this thread (unless they are already there).

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/show-your-shearling.115809/

 

[Peter Mackin]

A few shearlings have been posted here that would fit well in this thread (unless they are already there).

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/show-your-shearling.115809/

I've loved seeing your sheepskin jackets over the years ,some stunners.esp the Aero jackets.terrific sheepskin.

 

[Rick Dalton]

Not as bad as some I've seen. My Anj4 was pretty good but still ****ed me off.Dont let anyone put you off a jacket you like.if it works for you and the price is right go for it.ive made tons of mistakes buying jackets, don't listen to me lol View attachment 740285

Yes — to be honest, I prefer the look of the AVI Leathers Irvin to this used Eastman, but that’s just from the pictures.
There must be a big difference in person, right? Or perhaps the AVI is really that good.

 

[Peter Mackin]

I've never actually seen an Avi in the flesh,but if the price is right and you like it go for it..I actually find it enjoy wearing less expensive jackets, due to not worrying about damage or wear to fleece,dirt etc and being able to relax ,madness

 

[Rick Dalton]

I've never actually seen an Avi in the flesh,but if the price is right and you like it go for it..I actually find it enjoy wearing less expensive jackets, due to not worrying about damage or wear to fleece,dirt etc and being able to relax ,madness

The problem is that I can buy a used Eastman (the one I posted) for cheaper than a new AVI… and now I’m really confused about what to do. I really have an issue with the wrinkling of the leather — I think it’s due to broken grain, as you explained.

 

[Rick Dalton]

Guys, do you think this Eastman is worth buying, or does it look too worn — maybe even damaged from rain?
Here are some more detailed pictures taken in daylight.

I’d really appreciate some honest advice from you more experienced members. I’ve never owned a proper shearling before — only a no-name one made in Malta that ended up tearing apart.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Don't think rain is ever going to damage a sheepskin, how much is this one going for ? Have you checked the cuffs for fleece loss.it looks great . .cheers Peter.

 

[Rick Dalton]

Don't think rain is ever going to damage a sheepskin, how much is this one going for ? Have you checked the cuffs for fleece loss.it looks great . .cheers Peter.

400 euros. It might be to short just a little bit. I had jacket that short but for the summer. Its size 42 and I am 191 cm tall