Ideal leather for spring/summer?

Salatape · Sep 24, 2018

Hey loungers.

I'm looking at buying my second leather jacket sometime in the near future but as a bit of a newbie to the world of leather I could use some advice. I bought an Aero Highwayman this year which I absolutely love but I don't think I'll be wearing it in the summer as it's CXFQHH. Right now I'm leaning towards goatskin but I would consider a lighter horsehide/cowhide or even lambskin. I live in New Zealand so the hottest it gets here is about 25-30°C but it's very humid. What do you think? Is there an ideal leather to throw on on a summer night or do you just stay away from leather all together in the heat?

Would love to hear your thoughts, thanks.

Skyhawk · Sep 24, 2018

Capeskin leather is Perfect for warmer weather. The hide is from a specific breed of sheep originally from The Cape of Good Hope, but now the breed is raised elsewhere as well. It has a unique grain and soft texture. It is so pliable that it nearly feels like cloth when worn. In my mind it is the ultimate warm weather leather.

Edward · Sep 24, 2018

There are temperature in which leather is just simply too much. Until it reaches that point (for me at around 20 celsius - a curse upon the Summer!), I find lighter leathers help. I avoid sheep leathers because I find them too fragile for me, but goat is a good compromise between weight and durability (I hear great things about kangaroo too, but never had the chance to try it).

A few years ago, I went looking for a Summer leather as a beater jacket that I could wear in the heat, travel with and not worry about. I settled on a Wested Raiders in goat - picked it up used on eBay. The design proved ideal for the heat - as well as the lighter hide, it's not too form-fitting, and the big flap outer pockets and two inside pockets, one of them zipped, proved ideal for all the bits you need to hand in an airport. The lack of knits or any form of fastening at the cuffs and waistband allowed air to flow easier. Were I to buy anew one, I'd have it done with cotton lining in the sleeves as well as the body: the standard satin stuck to me with sweat much faster if I did wear it when it was a bit warm (as I did in Agra, the zip pocket being the safest place for my wallet and phone). I've worn that jacket travelling in India and China, and it's a real beater. I like it so much I'm looking at an Aero Royale as a possible future purchase!

Doctor Strange · Sep 24, 2018

My (entirely) cotton-lined lambskin Wested Raiders has been my summer leather jacket for 15 years. Sure, it quickly seems too warm when it's hot and/or humid in full sun, but for evenings and cloudy/breezy days, it's great.

The thin lambskin is very supple with a great drape... though it's also somewhat fragile compared to other hides. (Yes, I once tore it and needed it repaired: Wested did it for free!) If you're considering a jacket for rougher conditions, goatskin is a better choice: nearly indestructible and only a little heavier.

zebedee · Sep 24, 2018

I'd go with goatskin- just ask for the lightest one they've got and it'll still be tough, but far lighter.

Edward · Sep 24, 2018

Their goatskin is also markedly lighter than what many of us are used to Aero using, so it really is close to lamb.

Has anyone tried the striated lamb they do? I hear tell it's tougher than th regular lamb?

Monitor · Sep 24, 2018

Salatape said:
What do you think? Is there an ideal leather to throw on on a summer night or do you just stay away from leather all together in the heat?

No. Not for me, at least. I think I'd quite literally die from overheating if I wore a leather jacket during the summer.

Seb Lucas · Sep 24, 2018

Depending on sun or humidity even 18 degrees is too hot for leather. I had an Aero FQHH half-belt for a while but it only got around 4 weeks wear a year beause the truth is the temperature here doesn't suit leather very well. If it does get cold - 5 to 8 degrees - leather is pretty useless anyway as it doesn't insulate.

tmitchell59 · Sep 24, 2018

I've got nice light weight Capeskin jackets I wear in warmer weather. The Goatskin jackets I have are not light weight summer wear.

Edward · Sep 25, 2018

Seb Lucas said:
Depending on sun or humidity even 18 degrees is too hot for leather. I had an Aero FQHH half-belt for a while but it only got around 4 weeks wear a year beause the truth is the temperature here doesn't suit leather very well. If it does get cold - 5 to 8 degrees - leather is pretty useless anyway as it doesn't insulate.

5 to 8 cold????

These things really are all relative.

Peacoat · Sep 25, 2018

I hate to throw water on your idea, but why wear leather during the summer? I think a T-shirt would be a better alternative.

marmalademan · Sep 25, 2018

I gave up and have resorted to this

Carlos840 · Sep 25, 2018

marmalademan said:
I gave up and have resorted to this

The perfect picnic jacket!

marmalademan · Sep 25, 2018

Carlos840 said:
The perfect picnic jacket!

It's a pity I didn't have you with me in Vienna the day I bought this as I can just picture Fardin's face and reaction to your comment, and it would have been perfect.

willyto · Sep 25, 2018

I knew it was Whitefeather. They do some awesome stuff. Eventually I'll get something from him.

Great buy

Carlos840 · Sep 25, 2018

marmalademan said:
It's a pity I didn't have you with me in Vienna the day I bought this as I can just picture Fardin's face and reaction to your comment, and it would have been perfect.

All i could picture when i clicked your picture was you in a park, sitting next to this:

navetsea · Sep 25, 2018

err... does hide type matter in temperature at all? I have a sheepskin I can't wear because it a slightly padded liner and make me sweat everytime unless in a freezing cinema, yet I wear thick cowhide anyday everyday in 20-30 C ambient temp.

marmalademan · Sep 25, 2018

Quite possibly it can double as a blanket, which I hadn't thought of till now, but give me some credit Carlos. If I'm picnicing in the park it's cause there's a good looking chick in tow who needs to be impressed, not because I want to show passers by the versatility of my summer wear!

Peacoat · Sep 25, 2018

I couldn't even think about wearing leather at 20 C (68 F) unless I was on my motorcycle. I would be sweating like crazy. And at 30 C (86 F), I would have heat exhaustion. You guys just have a different constitution from mine.

marmalademan · Sep 25, 2018

willyto said:
I knew it was Whitefeather. They do some awesome stuff. Eventually I'll get something from him.

Great buy

He has got a few new styles that I guess would be up your alley Willy. I'm not really a suede fan, but for those that are he has green suede

Maybe a nice suede jacket would suit the Op? A suede A1 or college jacket could be pretty cool

Ideal leather for spring/summer?

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