Affordable used brands to look for?

rolando_ol · Mar 7, 2013

Hi all,
I am a college student and really into getting a jacket, but I don't want to spend $ on something new - that isn't good quality. I much prefer to find a good jacket on ebay (or in New york city, where i live) that is used, but of good quality. I have been reading lots of threads, and it seems horsehide is the best; can anyone recommend good brands to look for online that would work for me? I'm 5'7, 155 athletic, and like the A-1/other bomber styles, and yet its so hard to differentiate the bad quality leathers from the good. any pointers from you vets (that don't include buying a $1k jacket [i wish!]) would be of great help!
Thanks in advance!

Edward · Mar 7, 2013

If you're a small size, it will make life easier. Names I'd be looking at are Schott, Aero, Eastman... If you have the patience, just keep scouring eBay - eventually a deal will turn up. Keep reading around on here (we all learned at some time - and I still have a lot to learn from the folks on here myself).

As to which hide is best.... Horsehide is probably the most popular here, but different hides have their different strengths. Goat, for example is fabulous if you want a hide that is lighter in weight but still very durable and which will stay new-looking for longer. Steer is a great alternative to horse. Also note that horse tends to be the preserve of the higher end stuff, and more expensive. A steer Aero is just as good quality as horse, but being less hip among the vintage crowd, relatively speaking, steer often sells for less.

Worf · Mar 8, 2013

Of course it all helps if you're of an "off the rack" size. 38 to 48. But the higher you go the slimmer the pickings become. There's a LOT of great jackets for sale on this site and on the Bay. Find what you like. Coming here will save you from wasting a ton of money on crappy brands. You might also find some older "Cockpits" and "Avirexs" that are decent but they also made their share of junk, I know I've bought some of it.

Worf

FAFOO68 · Mar 8, 2013

Hello,
if you'are in the small sizes, you'll certainly find a good deal on Ebay or there on the Classifieds section.
For the makers, Aeroleather, Eastman Leather are very good values, there's also some nice jackets made by Schott NYC (mainly in MC designs), Cockpit too (in military designs) : there is a retail store in NYC.
So good luck for your search.
Cheers,
F68

rolando_ol · Mar 8, 2013

Thanks all for your help! What about the US Wings $195 jackets- those seem to be shoddy and not worth investing in, right?

gtdean48 · Mar 8, 2013

rolando_ol said:
Thanks all for your help! What about the US Wings $195 jackets- those seem to be shoddy and not worth investing in, right?

I got a US Wings Indy in Goat used off ebay that is a very nice jacket for the price.
If I was looking for a knock-around A2, that Goatskin A-2 2000 at $195 looks interesting to me...I'm not about authenticity at all....

Worf · Mar 8, 2013

rolando_ol said:
Thanks all for your help! What about the US Wings $195 jackets- those seem to be shoddy and not worth investing in, right?

I too have a U.S.Wings. I find them short in the body for me. But their $195's are good knock-arounds as Gtdean48 said.

Worf

handymike · Mar 8, 2013

If you've got $195-$250, eBay definitely has some great vintage jackets both horsehide and steerhide. Some sellers will take returns if you send them emails before you buy. You really have to know what dimensions you're looking for though, and cross your fingers that the seller measured correctly.

rolando_ol · Mar 8, 2013

Thats the range I was looking for, handymike - but I just dont know what to search. It seems like all the "famous" brands like Schott/etc are always 350 and above.

handymike · Mar 8, 2013

Search for "Horsehide Jacket" and a ton of great stuff should come up...

handymike · Mar 8, 2013

Some of the stuff is way overpriced, and sometimes after a few go-arounds with no bids, sellers will compromise on their asking price if you open a dialog....

ButteMT61 · Mar 8, 2013

Hard to get a desirable ebay find for under $300 most of the time. Those awesome vintage pieces get snatched up often.
USWings, Avirex, Schott, G&B, The Cockpit (was Avirex) make some good jackets, and used even cheaper.
I have had 3-4 USWings over the years. Wait for a sale and get a better model. The $195 are OK for $195, but you can get the better ones during their sales for your range.

Good luck!

PS - always check the Classifieds here too...

spike42 · Mar 8, 2013

Is it OK to mention brands to perhaps avoid? I'd bought and sold stuff on ebay for a long time,
but I sure had a lot to learn when I decided that I wanted a few leather jackets. And while I'd love an Aero,
my financial situation dictates that I must content myself with other brands. I had to learn a lot about how
stuff is sized, and exactly what measurements I need - but then I found that even a jacket that fits, if it's a poor
grade of leather, I am not interested. Particularly since now I gotta resell the thing, probably for less than I
paid and plus fees. I'm a lot more selective now.

Along those lines, I was real disappointed with an Oakton (cheap stiff leather), a Cooper (commercial Cooper), Sears
The Leather Shop (Argentiana leather). I also didn't have much luck with military Coopers - the old ones are really
short and the new one I got felt like it was made from paper. I was, however, pleased with a Reed Sportswear I got for
short money - it's Korea, but it's not bad really. Lastly, while not HH and certainly not authentic, LL Beans on ebay are
a target-rich environment. I found one that is literally a perfect fit and am content with that for now, while I save up to
have something custom made.

Anyways, just my opinion. It's better to pass on something questionable than to be stuck with it!

rolando_ol · Mar 8, 2013

ButteMT61 said:
I have had 3-4 USWings over the years. Wait for a sale and get a better model. The $195 are OK for $195, but you can get the better ones during their sales for your range.
...

Thanks again for everything guys. How do you feel about the US Wings g-2 which is on sale for $250?

Edward · Mar 8, 2013

Absolutely... WE've all got something or other lurking in the closet that we really must put on eBay, one day..... when we get around to it.....

Keep saving and keep an eye on the Aero sales page, especially when they have a glut of test jacket or apprentice made items. My apprentice made Highwayman is an outstanding jacket for about half the price of a new one.

ButteMT61 · Mar 8, 2013

rolando_ol said:
Thanks again for everything guys. How do you feel about the US Wings g-2 which is on sale for $250?

We had a "beater thread" here a while back. I said that my two USW jackets are my favorite beaters. Don't take that the wrong way, it's jsut that when you have jackets that took 6-12 months to get, and cost over $1000, a $250 jacket is a beater lolThey are still here in my closet. I think for the money, they're great. And if you like the look, then go for it.

frussell · Mar 8, 2013

My U.S. Wings "Indy" style was made in the U.S. by Schott, if I remember, so it was an excellent jacket. I wish I would have kept it now, as I'm without a leather jacket while waiting for Aero to send me a replacement, and also because US Wings seem to have done away with a lot of their "Long" sizes in the upper areas, like 2 and 3XL. Live and learn. It was NOT one of their import $195 jackets, but I got it barely used on eBay for a pretty good price. Frank.

Fanch · Mar 8, 2013

Don't overlook a Gibson & Barnes Expedition (Indy) jacket. I bought one on EBay for about $200. Keep in mind that G&B run almost one size large

Panacheman · Mar 8, 2013

keep an eye out for Bates their not as well known of a brand but completely top quality i got a light brown Cafe racer for a song last year in a vintage shop. also Taylor's leatherwear A cheaper brand that makes police issue jackets of nearly every style for many departments great heavy duty no nonsense jackets (admittedly not to the same quality as the bates or any aero etc) found one in the same vintage shop nearly half a year later in their cheap rack

Forrest · Mar 9, 2013

handymike said:
Search for "Horsehide Jacket" and a ton of great stuff should come up...

Agreed. Finding a used Aero or the like can be difficult (although possible) but will still cost you a lot. Finding a vintage (40s and 50s) leather jacket on the other hand is much easier, and generally much more affordable. For about $250 to $400, there are some awesome vintage jackets to be found on ebay. Have fun!

Affordable used brands to look for?

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