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Help me pick !

Which one would be your choice ?

  • Johnson leathers

    Votes: 6 100.0%
  • 70's Lesco

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Vanson Perforated

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    6

Alabama Blacksmith

Familiar Face
Messages
81
I'm looking at two , maybe 3 cafe` racers . It will be my first so I really want to get it right . They are a johnson leathers , a 70's Lesco and a perforated Vanson . All of them have the correct measurements for me and they all speak to me . What are the Forums options ?
 

TartuWolf

Call Me a Cab
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2,570
Location
Tartu, Estonia
Since you're considering a perforated model I'm guessing you will be using the jacket strictly for riding? Perforated makes most sense in warmer temperatures if I understand the design correctly. So I guess it makes it less universal for riding than the other two?
 

Alabama Blacksmith

Familiar Face
Messages
81
Since you're considering a perforated model I'm guessing you will be using the jacket strictly for riding? Perforated makes most sense in warmer temperatures if I understand the design correctly. So I guess it makes it less universal for riding than the other two?
The riding would be more top down convertible or jeep with top off . I live in North Alabama, Huntsville the Rocket City . Hot , humid and lots of sun with almost a constant threat of rain spring and summer . I'm trying to avoid the threat of skin cancer as best I can ( runs in the family) and I haveca love of jackets .
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,138
Location
London
The riding would be more top down convertible or jeep with top off . I live in North Alabama, Huntsville the Rocket City . Hot , humid and lots of sun with almost a constant threat of rain spring and summer . I'm trying to avoid the threat of skin cancer as best I can ( runs in the family) and I haveca love of jackets .

Wearing a leather jacket in a top down convertible to avoid rain and skin cancer is the craziest thing i have read on TFL and i have been here a long time!
 

TartuWolf

Call Me a Cab
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2,570
Location
Tartu, Estonia
Well if it's a "top down convertible or jeep with top off " then you're not making that much use of the perforation in terms of the wind cooling you but I guess it does still help venting the body heat out.
But man, a perforated jacket is so much different from a non-perforated one that I don't even see how it's comparable to the other two jackets.
Anyway - I'd say your giving too little info to give us any meaningful advice.
All the mentioned makers are very solid, although I can't say much about Lesco.
 
Last edited:

Alabama Blacksmith

Familiar Face
Messages
81
Well if it's a "top down convertible or jeep with top off " then you're not making that much use of the perforation in terms of the wind cooling you but I guess it does still help venting the body heat out.
But man, a perforated jacket is so much different from a non-perforated one that I don't even see how it's comparable to the other two jackets.
Anyway - I'd say your giving too little info to give us any meaningful advice.
All the mentioned makers are very solid, although I can't say much about Bates.
North Alabama downpours and heat are a wicked combo . Sometimes a jacket is required. The night can get down to upper 60's and daytime in lower 90's . I've also come to the age ( and lost a bunch of weight ) to the point of chills in the mid to upper 60's . I'm looking for a lighter leather jacket that will still be usable at times like these .
 

Alabama Blacksmith

Familiar Face
Messages
81
Johnson leathers
1000006976.jpg
 

Eagledog

A-List Customer
Messages
305
Location
Midwest
North Alabama downpours and heat are a wicked combo . Sometimes a jacket is required. The night can get down to upper 60's and daytime in lower 90's . I've also come to the age ( and lost a bunch of weight ) to the point of chills in the mid to upper 60's . I'm looking for a lighter leather jacket that will still be usable at times like these .
If you're riding in a Jeep with the top off in pouring rain you are not going to get very far. The steering clockspring will stop working.
A waterproof Rukka motorcycle jacket for downpours. Leather in a downpour will wet out and take forever to dry. Especially if it is muggy. You may end up with a moldy mess and a destroyed jacket.
 

Alabama Blacksmith

Familiar Face
Messages
81
If you're riding in a Jeep with the top off in pouring rain you are not going to get very far. The steering clockspring will stop working.
A waterproof Rukka motorcycle jacket for downpours. Leather in a downpour will wet out and take forever to dry. Especially if it is muggy. You may end up with a moldy mess and a destroyed jacket.
Have yet to have thst happen in multiple jeeps from a Korean war willy to a 2023 . The downpour would only be until the bikini top could be put up . Should be enough to sheild me from the rain and the smarm ....
 

Trouser Bark

Banned
Messages
640
Location
Your Cerebral Cortex
That Lesco isn't much of a CR. More of a monkey armed office casual jacket. Between the Vanson and the JL it's close and I'm a huge fan of Vanson's product but a perf is a one trick pony and you don't need that trick. Were it me I'd hit the JL and happily so.
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,138
Location
London
My vote is to leave a softshell or a hardshell in your car for emergency use. Thats what i do and i have 60 leather jackets! Leather is cool and all, but it's not always practical...
I can't imagine wearing a leather jacket in a car in "Hot , humid and sunny" conditions, it sounds like an absolute nightmare.

You would also end up having a leather jacket in a car with no top, meaning you can't even leave your jacket in the car without the risk of it being stolen.

To me this sounds like a bad theoretical plan that is only going to get worst in real life.

With a *** to my head i would pick the johnson though... The Lesco is too 70s, the perforated one would be ridiculous without a bike IMO.
 

Alabama Blacksmith

Familiar Face
Messages
81
My vote is to leave a softshell or a hardshell in your car for emergency use. Thats what i do and i have 60 leather jackets! Leather is cool and all, but it's not always practical...
I can't imagine wearing a leather jacket in a car in "Hot , humid and sunny" conditions, it sounds like an absolute nightmare.

You would also end up having a leather jacket in a car with no top, meaning you can't even leave your jacket in the car without the risk of it being stolen.

To me this sounds like a bad theoretical plan that is only going to get worst in real life.

With a *** to my head i would pick the johnson though... The Lesco is too 70s, the perforated one would be ridiculous without a bike IMO.
I've got a Rouge territory supply jacket for lightweight , just wanted a leather option . I've worked hard on changing my body composition from a bulky 260 to a svelt 205 due to some heart issues and hitting 55 . Ivecfound that even at 70-72 degrees i get a bit chilly now . Throw in a breeze and it's worse . Looking at a Kangaroo leather Kelsoe which seems the best around solution for durability and lightweight but that takes awhile to get .
 

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