Tartan lining service life?

AeroFan_07 · Jul 28, 2018

Hello friends,

Was looking over my Aero J106 today which I purchased a bit over 2 years ago from a member here. It was in brand-new condition when I bought it, and I have worn it quite a bit in the past 2 years. To my dismay, I found it already has several dime to nickle size holes in the bottom seam area of the lining. This is the Wool Tartan, made by Lochcarron of Scotland.

To be fair, I do not think the material itself is "weak" however it really is in a high wear point at the bottom of the jacket. Being a motorcycle style, this jacket has a thick inner kidney panel that keeps at least some of the lower seam from extensive wear.

Please see the photos below for details:

Since I did not buy the jacket new, I really have no recourse with Aero directly. I guess for the amount these jackets go for, I might expect a little longer period of wear before having to face a lining replacement.

That said, I believe all future jackets of this type I order will be with the heavy cotton drill lining. That is the sleeve lining in this jacket, and it really does not show any wear, even at the sleeve cuff ends.

I do believe Aero offers a 3" or 2" Corduroy lower seam lining option, and given what I have experienced, may be a good idea if a Tartan lining is specified.

Downunder G Man · Jul 28, 2018

My first 1990 Eastman Luftwaffe wore the lining out in 10 years. Original blue cotton type

That was with extensive almost daily wear and I had it relined here in Australia by a Greek leather worker

Your Aero may actually be quite old now I presume ?

You could "darn" those wear patches , might look quite retro cool sorta ?

Plumbline · Jul 28, 2018

Had this happen a fair bit in 2nd hand jackets and both my highwayman and my Californian needed relined after less than 5 years (light cotton drill) The weakest lining is the light cotton drill as per the A2 ... lasts 3-5 years daily use IMHO. Lightweight tartan e.g. the Grant tartan fitted to my highwayman lasts about the same. Strome weight tartan 5 years. Moleskin I’ve yet to see worn through which is why my jackets often have the moleskin runner at the bottom. Cord is also really tough.

“Belt Loop Syndrome” an occupational hazard of waits length leather jackets.

Carlos840 · Jul 28, 2018

My brother has an AL with the regular wool tartan and his jacket had the same holes within the first year of wear.
My Aero with a tartan has the strome thickness (thickest of the three) and it looks fine after a year, but i do wear the jacket less since i have more of them.
I have seen the same wear pattern on quite a few used Aeros.

When you have wool being rubbed between super thick leather and your waist, it has to give at some point.

Seb Lucas · Jul 28, 2018

Watches can cut though sleeve lining and tear up knits in less than a year too. One of the issues I have with leather jackets is that the lining goes way before the jacket does and to replace a lining - assuming you can even find someone who has the skill here - costs around $350 in Australia. IF you can find them. I have found myself giving my jackets to thrift shops rather than bothering with the reline - so for me a leather jacket is not often a "heirloom" piece.

I can imagine wool tartan wearing through fairly quickly given it is a loose weave and not really designed to withstand rubbing against things.

torfjord · Jul 28, 2018

Honestly I’m not sure if it needs a relining just yet. I have similar holes on cotton drill along the waist where the lining has rubbed against my belt. They appeared after about a year of daily wear. I’ve continued to wear the jacket a lot since then and the holes have not gotten bigger at all.

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Downunder G Man · Jul 28, 2018

Seb , yes there was a cost to reline my 1990 Eastman Luftwaffe. can't remember the exact amount , years ago y'see !

If not for the "emotional" sentimental attachment to the jacket I would not have bothered at the time.

It was well worn way beyond the OP jacket as in the thread photos of course.

Seb Lucas · Jul 28, 2018

Yes, the above tartan, although worn a bit, isn't anywhere near needing replacement yet.

AeroFan_07 · Jul 28, 2018

Thanks I agree, I plan to keep wearing and loving it, its not at the point of looking shabby or fully needing replaced at this time. Just interesting the amount of noted wear. Still love this FQHH jacket!

Last year, I tried on a jacket in a thrift shop (and still kick myself for not picking it up just as it was very unique) that had a light lambskin leather lining. Neat, but I cannot imagine that would be much more durable.

OneEyeMan · Jul 29, 2018

When you eventually do get it relined, ask to have a strip of corduroy sewn into the waist area like I did. It wears much longer than the wool tartan fabric.

Gamma68 · Jul 29, 2018

There was some lining wear on the Aero MC jacket I recently had, very similar to what's shown in the photos above. Holly from Aero posted this with regard to that wear:

The lining is double thickness, it’s only the thinner covering layer that’s worn, wool underneath is quite thick, so the wear holes are only really cosmetic and shouldn't cause you any problems...

So it sound like the lining wear in the OP's jacket typical and doesn't impact structural integrity. It would be nice if the lining were more durable, but placing a strip of corduroy over the belt line area would take care of it and still look nice.

Fanch · Jul 29, 2018

Replacing a tartan lining for an aero jacket would, of course, be easiest for someone who lives in close proximity to Galashiels as opposed to someone who lives across the Pond in the Colonies. This is the reason I chose cotton drill lining for virtually all of my Aero jackets, none of which show any appreciable wear. A corduroy hem at the bottom seems like a good idea, especially for a Highwaymen that has buckles in close proximity to one's belt that is notorious for wearing through.

willyto · Jul 29, 2018

Replacing the lining just because it has worn out on the edges of the leather seams is way overkill...

Bobby Peru · Jul 29, 2018

willyto said:
Replacing the lining just because it has worn out on the edges of the leather seams is way overkill...

Agreed. If it was my jacket I would wait until the damage becomes much more severe.

nick123 · Jul 30, 2018

Belts can really mess things up! My car seat:

rocketeer · Jul 30, 2018

I would put this down to body shape and how the jacket sits in your hip area. All my jackets have wear in this area it usually comes from having the jacket done up, probably walking around where belts and belt loops are pretty close to those areas. My Eastman Luftwaffe(original design but no back pleats, does not rub in this area and there is no damage.

Hell mate (Nick123), do you use a live rat as a belt

Chris7273 · Jul 30, 2018

I am not surprised to see this kind of wear.
That's why some people ask for a corduroy stripe at the bottom of the liner.

One good thing : a hole in the wool fabric is easy to repair for a seamstress and the repair will be at least as tough as the original fabric.

Seb Lucas · Jul 30, 2018

I agree and I find that if you don't wear the jacket at all you get far less wear on the lining fabric.

Tartan lining service life?

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