B3 Jackets Question: Aero vs. Eastman thickness, warmth

Shin · Sep 24, 2018

Hi
I am about to pull the trigger on a B3 Jacket, either from Aero or Eastman or possibly Simmons Bilt.
I talked to Rob at Eastman and Holly at Aero. Apparently the thickness of the B3 from Eastman is 17 mm, and the B3 from Aero is 22 mm. So does this mean the Aero should be significanly warmer than the Eastman? For someone who lives in -5 to -10 deg. Celsius in winter, which one would be more practical, warmth wise?

Aside from that, the Eastman B3 is also shorter, coming at 61 cm in back length compared to the 66.5 cm back length of the Aero.

So my question is, is there anyone who owns both Aero and Eastman who can give me some in depth comparisons between the two B3s ? The Eastman is about 500 pounds more expensive than the Aero. Is this difference in price worth it?

I really like the Eastman, but the fit seems baffling to me. I am 188 cm or 6ft2 tall, and I have a really hard time imagining myself fitting into the Eastman B3 with its measly 61 cm back length. Is this length normal for the B3s?

I did some digging and I found one fellow member who purchased a B3 from Aero. He and I share the same height so it's very helpful. His Aero was 66 cm and from the pictures it fit him quite well, so that's what I am aiming for.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/b3-jacket-correct-length.83412/

Of course, I can also order the extra long version of the Eastman, but that would render the garment unreturnable, which is quite disappointing.

Anyways, what do you guys think? Anybody who is about 6ft2 or taller who owns an Eastman can tell me his experience?

best regards and thanks a lot!

Gav · Sep 24, 2018

I had an Eastman b-3 in size 44. I’m 6’2” and the length was fine for me. It was a bit tight so I moved it on. I certainly wouldn’t want it much longer. Never tried the aero but never liked the pictures of them that I have seen as much as the Eastman.
In the U.K. I cannot imagine ever being too cold for an Eastman b-3.

Jejupe · Sep 24, 2018

I just bought today an Eastman 50 cal B3 off Ebay. It should arrive next week and then I will give some feedback about that one.

One option to consider is having an Aero B6 which is thinner shearling (about 15 mm I believe) than B3, or ask them to make a B3 out of that thinner stuff. Although the latter option would again be unreturnable, I am afraid. I had them make me a ANJ-4 out of B6 Shearling which turned out quite nice.

Edward · Sep 24, 2018

Can't go wrong with either Aero or ELC for quality, though Aero tend to be my preference (much cheaper these days too - IMO the ELC is not worth more than the Aero, but Eastman have hoicked their prices up in recent years).

In terms of temperature, that's entirely a personal thing; I live in London and have worn a B3 and an Irvin both from November to early March for years and found it entirely suitable.

Dav · Sep 25, 2018

61 cm length does sound a bit short for someone 6'2", I'm guessing that's about a 38 as my 44 .50cal and 46 redskin Eastman B-3s measure 66 and 69 respectively.

Shin · Sep 25, 2018

Dav said:
61 cm length does sound a bit short for someone 6'2", I'm guessing that's about a 38 as my 44 .50cal and 46 redskin Eastman B-3s measure 66 and 69 respectively.

Yes that is for a size 38. My torso is quite small, only about 96 cm. Thin guy indeed. But yeah I'd need to order a b3 with +2.5 or 4cm to back lengh if I'm to take the Eastman route. The crux is that it would make it unreturnable. Which sucks as I have never gotten a b3 before in my life.

Shin · Sep 25, 2018

Gav said:
I had an Eastman b-3 in size 44. I’m 6’2” and the length was fine for me. It was a bit tight so I moved it on. I certainly wouldn’t want it much longer. Never tried the aero but never liked the pictures of them that I have seen as much as the Eastman.
In the U.K. I cannot imagine ever being too cold for an Eastman b-3.

The aero is indeed thicke than the Eastman. Thus making its shape kinda bulgy... the Eastman appears more slim fit in my opinion. It all boils down to preference. I have a pretty low cold tolerance and always freeze in sub 0 C temperature. I'd hate to shell out 1200 pounds for an Eastman and then find myself still freezing come winter haha

Shin · Sep 25, 2018

Jejupe said:
I just bought today an Eastman 50 cal B3 off Ebay. It should arrive next week and then I will give some feedback about that one.

One option to consider is having an Aero B6 which is thinner shearling (about 15 mm I believe) than B3, or ask them to make a B3 out of that thinner stuff. Although the latter option would again be unreturnable, I am afraid. I had them make me a ANJ-4 out of B6 Shearling which turned out quite nice.

I didnt know you could have a shorter shearling with aero. That is very useful. I myself freeze quite easily. How does your anj in by shearling feel ? Where do you live and does it get cold in winter?

Jejupe · Sep 25, 2018

Shin said:
I didnt know you could have a shorter shearling with aero. That is very useful. I myself freeze quite easily. How does your anj in by shearling feel ? Where do you live and does it get cold in winter?

I live in Finland and it does indeed get rather gold in winter (I live in south of Finland, so we get sometimes -15 to -25 C but usually not lower). I run rather hot so I will not use Shearling until its -5 C or below. I cannot yet give feedback on how my ANJ-4 feels in cold as I got it this summer and it hasn't seen any real "action" yet. I decided to have thinner shearling because if it was thicker, I couldn't use it until it hits -10 C or thereabouts. If you get cold easily I would recommend you to have Aero's B3 with their regular shearling. It will be bulky, but it will also be warm.

Shin · Sep 25, 2018

Jejupe said:
I live in Finland and it does indeed get rather gold in winter (I live in south of Finland, so we get sometimes -15 to -25 C but usually not lower). I run rather hot so I will not use Shearling until its -5 C or below. I cannot yet give feedback on how my ANJ-4 feels in cold as I got it this summer and it hasn't seen any real "action" yet. I decided to have thinner shearling because if it was thicker, I couldn't use it until it hits -10 C or thereabouts. If you get cold easily I would recommend you to have Aero's B3 with their regular shearling. It will be bulky, but it will also be warm.

Thanks for the recommendation. How long did you have to wait for your aero jacket? Is it around 8 weeks?

Jejupe · Sep 25, 2018

Shin said:
Thanks for the recommendation. How long did you have to wait for your aero jacket? Is it around 8 weeks?

I think I waited around 8 to 10 weeks. Their lead time varies between appr. 6 - 12 weeks depending on their workload. I think it's always best to ask them what is the current lead time if the waiting time is an important factor.

Jejupe · Sep 25, 2018

Another plus for Aero is that they will change back and sleeve lengths according to your build and the jacket is still returnable if you're not happy with it. This is something that you don't get from most if any other companies. Langlitz comes to my mind as another one, but they don't do Shearling as far as I know.

Shin · Sep 25, 2018

Jejupe said:
Another plus for Aero is that they will change back and sleeve lengths according to your build and the jacket is still returnable if you're not happy with it. This is something that you don't get from most if any other companies. Langlitz comes to my mind as another one, but they don't do Shearling as far as I know.

Did you buy the Eastman B3 50 cal from some German folks, by chance?

Jejupe · Sep 25, 2018

Shin said:
Did you buy the Eastman B3 50 cal from some German folks, by chance?

yes.

Shin · Sep 27, 2018

Jejupe said:
yes.

Is it ferromil_de? I also like their selection but unfortunately no size 38 for me. They say it should come around October. Do you know how come their jackets priced quite low compared to Eastman's original? 1000 euros for a 50 cal is quite a bargain. And it's not used either. 100% new.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/123042028407?ul_noapp=true

Jejupe · Sep 27, 2018

Shin said:
Is it ferromil_de? I also like their selection but unfortunately no size 38 for me. They say it should come around October. Do you know how come their jackets priced quite low compared to Eastman's original? 1000 euros for a 50 cal is quite a bargain. And it's not used either. 100% new.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/123042028407?ul_noapp=true

No, mine was from lomax-antik.

Peacoat · Sep 27, 2018

I would like to have a B-3, but from what everyone says, it would be too warm for most of our winter days and nights. Common daytime temps are upper 30s to lower 40s. Night time temps are commonly upper teens to mid twenties. We occasionally get down to zero and below, but it doesn't stay there long.

So, what do you think, would I get any wear out of it?

Shin · Sep 27, 2018

Peacoat said:
I would like to have a B-3, but from what everyone says, it would be too warm for most of our winter days and nights. Common daytime temps are upper 30s to lower 40s. Night time temps are commonly upper teens to mid twenties. We occasionally get down to zero and below, but it doesn't stay there long.

So, what do you think, would I get any wear out of it?

Hi. I think you might want to take the B6 jacket or look for manufacturers who produce thinner shearlings in their B3s. Eastman for example, is thinner than Aero, so you might want to check 'em out. But yes it does seem your temperature range is not quite cold enough to get a lot of use out of the B3s.

Dav · Sep 27, 2018

Peacoat said:
I would like to have a B-3, but from what everyone says, it would be too warm for most of our winter days and nights. Common daytime temps are upper 30s to lower 40s. Night time temps are commonly upper teens to mid twenties. We occasionally get down to zero and below, but it doesn't stay there long.

So, what do you think, would I get any wear out of it?

I say go for it, there's only one way to find out. I have five assorted ones which I wear at every opportunity, yes they're very hot to do anything in but if sitting or standing around I find them perfect.
The sun does become your enemy whilst you're wearing them though.

red devil · Sep 27, 2018

@Shin

Eastman generally has pop up stores in East London, next one is mid November if I am not mistaken.

B3 Jackets Question: Aero vs. Eastman thickness, warmth

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