Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Aero back length measurements?

dark wood

One of the Regulars
Messages
141
Location
Minneapolis
I’ve got 3 Aero motorcycle jackets. They all came through Thurston Bros and were listed with back lengths of 26.25 CR in cxl, 27 Sheene in Vicenza, 26 Ridley in Vic. But when i put a tape on them they are all, curiously, just about 25.5” from the hem at the bottom of the collar to the very bottom of the jacket. They all just cover my belt...the Ridley might be a touch longer because, I would assume, it is a little baggier in torso and waist, and it is new. I have a J106 in cxl on order and the length I requested is 26.5”. I’m sure it will be fine, I like the fits of all of my jackets, and I’ve peppered Carrie with enough questions. So my question here is how does Aero measure the back length and why the inconsistencies in my jackets?
 

Jin431

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,912
Location
Bay Area CA
I had the same question about back length before because listed length is different from the one I measured. From how it's been explained to me, they lay the jacket flat And they stretch out the leather then measure. So basically you'll need 2 pair of hands for the most accurate measurement. That is how Aero and TB measure lengths according to Carrie.

Also they have allowances for measurements, just don't know what the margins are
 
Last edited:

El Marro

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,474
Location
California
I can easily see how two different people could measure back length on the same jacket and be 1/2” off from one another. Just placing the tip of the tape a little higher on the collar seam or not stretching the back exactly the same could account for this.
For a measurement to be a full 1 1/2” off is something else entirely. In case like that I would say that somebody was way off when they took their measurement.
 

Psant25

One Too Many
Messages
1,555
For my aero jackets i add 1/2 inch body length to what I want (how i measure) and comes out correct. Not sure why just does. Last couple specified add 1/2 inch to stock highway size 38 was 25.5. Came in right around 25. I dont think any of thurston jackets are stock length body or sleeve they add quite a bit. And for most not sure why. Stock aero highwayman 38 (really 42) stock sleeve 25.25 and body 25. They make the pattern for those 5 ft 11 i think it says right on their site. I usually add some sleeve on a cxl hh as i like the added rolls on the sleeve once broke in. The sleeve comes in just how i measure so i dont add even more there. Quirky i know. I work with aero direct. Adding another party taking measurements throws me off
 

dark wood

One of the Regulars
Messages
141
Location
Minneapolis
I had the same question about back length before because listed length is different from the one I measured. From how it's been explained to me, they lay the jacket flat And they stretch out the leather then measure. So basically you'll need 2 pair of hands for the most accurate measurement. That is how Aero and TB measure lengths according to Carrie.

Also they have allowances for measurements, just don't know what the margins are

Ok, I remeasured with that info in mind. The Vicenza really stretches and is much closer to stated length when pulled taut. Cxl not much stretch...
 

Jin431

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,912
Location
Bay Area CA
I was told the same thing about cxl (maybe because of how it's tanned idk) so it kind of didn't make sense to me as well but @Psant25 makes sense about how adding a little extra length to allot for margins
 

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,798
I asked myself the same question about Aero's ptp measurements. This boardracer was listed on their sales page as ptp 22.5
6D556A1E-5BF5-4562-8C0F-45478AEDFAC5.jpeg
Same on the tag
EE901BEA-FD4A-44A7-93CD-9E0EAF7B9AD6.jpeg


Actual measurements :
F2AC48CC-0CA4-4ACE-9411-9B707344BBBF.jpeg
7A06DB0B-A02C-4D0A-8F4C-22362C1D026D.jpeg


I honestly don't know how it's possible to be off by 1.25 inch.

I've sent them an email with the photos of the actual measurements attached. Their response : you can return it to us for a refund. Shipping costs will not be refunded.

Moreover, the front panels didn't line up.
500619CD-1117-4F0B-B270-13B5194FC208.jpeg


To me such an issue is not ok for a £600 pound jacket. I mentioned it in my mail to Aero and included the photo above. In their reply they didn't give any reaction on any of the issues. I was welcome to send the jacket back you them, pay for shipping myself.

This was my first and only experience with Aero. A bit disappointing to be honest. Not because of the issues but because of their reaction.
 

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,798
According to Aero's website the tolerance is 1/2 inch:

"(...)This leaves us no options other than to be unable to guarantee measurements of a finished jacket to be any more precise than to be within ½" of requirements."

However, this doesn't answer the question: how do they measure :)
 

jacketjunkie

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,213
Location
Germany
The folks at Aero probably don't care too much about our obsession with numbers and precise fit expectations and measure accordingly imprecisely. I mean, they sell jackets of the same style with the same size tag and up to 1.5" variation in pit to pit. Like what? I had measurements not adding up with pretty much every jacket I bought from them, no matter whether custom-made or sale page.

That being said, I do like my Aero jackets.
 

Fonzie

One Too Many
Messages
1,486
Location
Australia
I have had the same issue with a custom order from Aero via Thurston Bros.
When I received the jacket it felt a little short so I measured the back length myself (stretching it as much as I could) and it was 1 inch shorter than I requested, they replied I must be measuring incorrectly as they measured it before sending it.

I can understand how people can make mistakes measuring arm lengths or pit to pit as it can be confusing, but the back measurement is pretty easy and straight forward one to take.
1/2 inch difference is acceptable, one full inch is annoying.
I love the jacket and I kept it, but there’s never been one single day of use that I haven’t thought about the issue and wished it was one inch longer.
I also didn’t like to be told I was not able to do a pretty basic task with a measuring tape correctly, it was belittling.
The outcome, I will not order custom again with them.
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
I have had the same issue with a custom order from Aero via Thurston Bros.
When I received the jacket it felt a little short so I measured the back length myself (stretching it as much as I could) and it was 1 inch shorter than I requested, they replied I must be measuring incorrectly as they measured it before sending it.

I can understand how people can make mistakes measuring arm lengths or pit to pit as it can be confusing, but the back measurement is pretty easy and straight forward one to take.
1/2 inch difference is acceptable, one full inch is annoying.
I love the jacket and I kept it, but there’s never been one single day of use that I haven’t thought about the issue and wished it was one inch longer.
I also didn’t like to be told I was not able to do a pretty basic task with a measuring tape correctly, it was belittling.
The outcome, I will not order custom again with them.

I had the same issue with a new half-belt being an inch shorter than advertised. Thank God it has a drop front and I can pretend it is longer than it is. The only explanation I can think of is that jackets are hastily measured with not enough attention to detail.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,737
Location
London, UK
I would expect soem variation between adirect Aero order and oned from Thurston stock; from memory, Thurston add 1" backlength to all jackets they order fom Aero, as standard. Or at least that was the case a fewyears ago.
 

dark wood

One of the Regulars
Messages
141
Location
Minneapolis
To be clear, I am not complaining just trying to figure out how its done. I love these jackets and the fit variation might even add a little to the excitement of receiving them.
 

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,798
To be clear, I am not complaining just trying to figure out how its done. I love these jackets and the fit variation might even add a little to the excitement of receiving them.
I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to hijack your thread.

The sizing article on Aero's website only explains how to measure yourself, not how to measure a jacket.

I do have a photo of how the folks @ aero measure sleeve length :
3EB2815E-5C93-4D87-870C-E4A70D9EFADE.jpeg
 

BassandB3

One of the Regulars
Messages
188
I have had the same issue with a custom order from Aero via Thurston Bros.
When I received the jacket it felt a little short so I measured the back length myself (stretching it as much as I could) and it was 1 inch shorter than I requested, they replied I must be measuring incorrectly as they measured it before sending it.

I can understand how people can make mistakes measuring arm lengths or pit to pit as it can be confusing, but the back measurement is pretty easy and straight forward one to take.
1/2 inch difference is acceptable, one full inch is annoying.
I love the jacket and I kept it, but there’s never been one single day of use that I haven’t thought about the issue and wished it was one inch longer.
I also didn’t like to be told I was not able to do a pretty basic task with a measuring tape correctly, it was belittling.
The outcome, I will not order custom again with them.
I feel the exact same way about my Highwayman that I got from TB! I feel the back is shorter than I requested, and I thought it was my fault for not measuring right... reading this thread makes me realize I'm not alone haha. The only thing that made me feel bit better about it was reading the threads here about a lot of people actually prefer their jackets to be pretty short, and then losing some weight, which made the jacket proportions fit a bit better overall. But any t-shirt untucked or button down untucked looks really sloppy b/c it hangs out so low under the bottom of the jacket and it makes me switch to a longer jacket, which is a bit of a shame... Hoping this is not a problem for the BR I just ordered.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
107,031
Messages
3,026,767
Members
52,533
Latest member
RacerJ
Top