New colder weather jacket- Opinions

[MrCC]

Evening to all...

I have to say how much I have enjoyed reading through some of the old and not-so old threads on the subject...I thought I start my own, now that decision time approaches!

I have decided that I need a new Aero jacket for the colder months...I reckon if I stop dithering and actually put my order through, timing should work out just fine to help with the Post-Festive blues!

I am not really a double-breasted kind of guy and as much as a shearling shawl collar can look warm and inviting, I don't think a blizzard-style coat is quite my style...
Also I already own a Teamster plus I have a non-Aero button-up on order (more on that on another thread)

So, buttons ruled-out, here's my thinking:
A shearling lined, mouton collared Long Half Belt

I have seen it on an old thread and I was impressed. Zip front for functionality and just enough extra length without falling into coat territory, plus the practicality of the front pockets, it seems to me a very sensible choice.

I am 6'1 with large-ish build, 18/19" shoulders and normally comfortable in a 42/44 depending on brands, a longer jacket would hopefully compensate the extra thickness,

I have a bit of a fixation for mouton collar (2 out of 4 jacket I own have it) but then this will be a jacket that I would wear only either in winter or on the motorbike

I am still a little undecided on the leather, but I am currently veering towards a tumbled CXFQHH Cordovan with a black or rust collar and lining, although I know that can get overly stiff in colder weather (my HWM does) but would the lining and body temperature help?

A mid weight leather like a Vicenza could be a safe enough bet, but can help thinking "Compromise" when what I really want is an "Uncompromising" heavy duty jacket that I can wrestle with until tamed!

The only real concern is the obvious bulkiness, I would be very interested to hear from anyone that owns or has experienced a similar jacket, how much of an issue they have found with it...

I would be most grateful for any observation on the subject...

As one can imagine, once the trigger is pulled, the dreaded period of nail-biting "Have I done the right thing or messed up royally" will most certainly commence!!

 

[Harris HTM]

I owned a shearling lined lhb in fqhh (https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-aero-long-half-belt-shearling-lined.89578/).
My advice:
Don't get the fqhh. Unnecessary heavy in combination with the heavy lining and too stiff when cold. Go for goatskin instead.
Add an inch on sleeves and back, in my case the thick lining lifted up the jacket and sleeves and back were too short.
Ask aero if the shearling lining can reach the hem, in my case it covered only 2/3 of the back.

 

[MrCC]

I owned a shearling lined lhb in fqhh (https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-aero-long-half-belt-shearling-lined.89578/).
My advice:
Don't get the fqhh. Unnecessary heavy in combination with the heavy lining and too stiff when cold. Go for goatskin instead.
Add an inch on sleeves and back, in my case the thick lining lifted up the jacket and sleeves and back were too short.
Ask aero if the shearling lining can reach the hem, in my case it covered only 2/3 of the back.

I remember reading your thread, it was one of the few that inspired me to consider the LHB as your jacket looked amazing
I take it you no longer own it...was the fqhh the reason to move it on? I have no experience of goatskin but there seem to be an overall very positive consensus, I'll get some samples sent in,
Thanks for the input on sizing and length

 

[Harris HTM]

I remember reading your thread, it was one of the few that inspired me to consider the LHB as your jacket looked amazing
I take it you no longer own it...was the fqhh the reason to move it on? I have no experience of goatskin but there seem to be an overall very positive consensus, I'll get some samples sent in,
Thanks for the input on sizing and length

It was too short and too heavy and I gained weight so it was also too tight!

 

[LukeST]

@MrCC - did you pull the trigger on a winter jacket in the end?

I echo the recommendation on goat. And if is going to be a bit wet whilst the weather is cold that is also a good reason to look to goat.

Re: lining, i think corduroy in the sleeves is underrated as a cold weather lining. Much easier to out your arms in (in my view) than moleskin or wool, particularly if the wales are going up/down the sleeve rather than left/right, and much less bulky than shearling or a quilted sleeve lining. And obviously a much warmer feel than a cotton drill or sateen lining. And tough to boot too! Not going to be ripping that in a hurry.

I also often think.that if you have a shearling lined body, would you really need shearling in the sleeves as well (knitted cuffs can also keep the wind out). If it was so cold that i knew I would need all over shearling I would probably go for one of the sheepskin jackets (B6?) than shearling lined.

Appreciate that is far from the same look of course.

 

[MrCC]

LukeST, thanks for the input

I haven't pulled the trigger yet, still debating through sleepless nights..

I seem to be making an ironclad decision which lasts until something as little as a FL thread or a picture of a bloke wearing yet another hide makes me reconsider!! It's never ending

I am waiting for leather samples from Aero which hopefully will inspire a final decision, I am familiar with most them but not all. In all fairness goat has never quite appealed to me, I am not entirely sure why other than the few jackets I have seen in the flesh seemed rather dull?...

I do get the versatility and it would probably be a sensible choice, hence I have included it in the sample request.
maybe it's just my life-long characteristic aversion for sensible choices!!

re:sleeves, I agree and thought about cord as well, I am a fan of the fabric, and I think it could really work.

I will post updates in due course

Appreciate the time and advice

 

[raf]

B-6 gets my vote here. Thinner wool fleece alllows less bulk/weight, and "Bi-Swing" back aids in ease of arm/body movement. D-1 jacket is similar, but the body length on the D-1 is intentionally a bit shorter than that on equivalent chest-size B-6. No "Bi-Swing" back on the D-1, either.

 

[MrCC]

Thanks Raf

The B-6 was always in contention too

Matter of fact I have been looking at one which is currently available on the Aero stock page which would probably fit

Again a very sensible choice which would tick a lot of boxes, including using it as a motorcycle jacket in early spring/fall, just in case someone could argue that the weather doesn't get "cold enough" around here!
AND with the added bonus of immediate delivery! No brainer.

Except now I have all those different samples coming in!! Lol, we go back to sensibility and the excitement of the chase

Never a dull moment...

 

[Harris HTM]

I personally have found that sheepskin jackets while excellent against cold they are useless against rain or snow. The collar gets uncomfortably wet to the point you think a wet Lab has just landed on your shoulders.

 

[raf]

True that sheepskin may need some gentle "conditioning" which will aid in water-resistance. It will never be waterproof, especially when contending against wind-driven rain on a motorcycle.

Given your requirements, I will suggest the AN-J-3 goatskin leather jacket. It is much like the USN G-2 jacket but omits the mouton collar (a rain-magnet, IMHO). "Bi-Swing" back feature a big plus on motorcycles. All other things being equal, most folks claim that goatskin is a bit more water-resistant than most other leather types.

Carefully select a zip-front fleece jacket. You can have a "Heavyweight", Medium weight, and a thin fleece jacket to wear inside the AN-J-3 jacket as the temps require. Measure your body dimensions while wearing the heavyweight fleece jacket, with fully inflated chest and order the AN-J-3 jacket to suit the heavyweight fleece jacket. Always a stand-up "mandarin' collar on the fleece, and pit-zips on the heavy fleece jacket will aid in adjusting its warmth. Jacket can still be worn comfortably with the med and light fleece jackets, or with no fleece at all. This "adaptability" greatly increases the temp-range in which the jacket can be worn, thus its utility and cost-effectiveness. Inside chest pocket which carries/shields cell phone a big plus.

@MrCC

 

[MrCC]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge

At this point I should mention that these days I do not ride in the rain unless caught out by a VERY occasional shower (which is to be avoided at all cost, should Met Office suggest any more than 10% chance of precipitation, the door of the shed stays firmly locked) or touring the Isle or the continent , in which case a more technically apt attire would certainly be selected.

In my defence I would add that I am well within my Seniority years and as young-er lad I did enjoyed and pursued all-year-around riding in ALL weather conditions and temps!!Lol

Back to the jacket, I will go and make a cuppa and study your notes and suggestions with much interest!

Thank you ever so much

 

[Peacoat]

If you are still casting about, you might consider a ThunderBay. It has the shearling lining and collar. I rode in it for several years. It is a warm jacket, though I eventually went with a heated vest under a waterproof lightweight jacket.

 

[raf]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge

At this point I should mention that these days I do not ride in the rain unless caught out by a VERY occasional shower (which is to be avoided at all cost, should Met Office suggest any more than 10% chance of precipitation, the door of the shed stays firmly locked) or touring the Isle or the continent , in which case a more technically apt attire would certainly be selected.

In my defence I would add that I am well within my Seniority years and as young-er lad I did enjoyed and pursued all-year-around riding in ALL weather conditions and temps!!Lol

Back to the jacket, I will go and make a cuppa and study your notes and suggestions with much interest!

Thank you ever so much

By all means give it some thought, as your future purchase requires decent consideration.

Something else to consider (and possibly complicate things) is that hereabouts dwellings/businesses are significantly cooler indoors than during other seasons. Having an appropriately-sized sheepskin garment (or any outer garment) which will allow wearing of even a light zip-front fleece jacket will probably allow much greater wintertime indoors comfort when the sheepskin jacket is doffed.

The collar of the B-6/D-1 jackets is not so tall as the collar on the US B-3 and the UK Irvin jackets. For your purposes, that's a good thing. The taller collar of the B-3/Irvin will be so tall as to interfere with side/peripheral vision when Driving/Riding with the collar fully "Up". RAF fighter pilots seem to have discarded the Irvin or cut down the collar greatly due to this. RAF bomber aircrew, with different requirements, kept using the Irvin much longer.

Since you plan ahead and do not usually anticipate rain, then the B-6 might tick all your boxes.

Best of luck in your search!

 

[Peter Mackin]

I personally have found that sheepskin jackets while excellent against cold they are useless against rain or snow. The collar gets uncomfortably wet to the point you think a wet Lab has just landed on your shoulders.

100% agree

 

[MrCC]

Thanks very much all, for taking time to put forward considerations

I guess the other important factor for me and one of the reason of eyeing the LHB in the first place was the fact that every leather jacket I own (4 of) are short.

So in my mind, having a new and "different" , jacket but with extra length and "winterised" features would have served well in killing the proverbial 2 birds with one...jacket!!

All valid points

Will keep pondering while waiting for those samples

 

[Peter Mackin]

Riding in a B6 ,or any sheepskin imo is madness. No,zero,nonwhatsever protection from the elements or protection, it would shred in the slowest off..plus the light colour fleece would be filthy in no time.

 

[Edward]

Riding in a B6 ,or any sheepskin imo is madness. No,zero,nonwhatsever protection from the elements or protection, it would shred in the slowest off..plus the light colour fleece would be filthy in no time.

In post-war Britain, surplus Irvins and Irvinalikes were not an uncommon sight on motorcycles, though in those days helmets were even obligatory... I tend to agree they're not a practical option on a bike today. It'd be entirely possible to wear something like an armoured Bowtex shirt underneath to address the safety question, but an off would still destroy the jacket: not a risk I'd want to take at the price of a decent shearling nowadays.

 

[MrCC]

Riding in a B6 ,or any sheepskin imo is madness. No,zero,nonwhatsever protection from the elements or protection, it would shred in the slowest off..plus the light colour fleece would be filthy in no time.

Fair point although I have to say I have been known to ride in highly unsuitable gear at times lol, it's all about circumstances

I wear my highwayman to nip over to the local meet-up, and with my armoured shirt under it, even on a longer ride (not too long!)

But I digress, in the first place this new baby was thought more as a wearable jacket in those hostile icey/windy days than anything else, even just in heavy rain it would be unsuitable...

which considering my geographical location puts the entire operation squarely into question...but it's too late now

good sense is, as always, slightly overrated and totally out of the window!!

 

[Peter Mackin]

In post-war Britain, surplus Irvins and Irvinalikes were not an uncommon sight on motorcycles, though in those days helmets were even obligatory... I tend to agree they're not a practical option on a bike today. It'd be entirely possible to wear something like an armoured Bowtex shirt underneath to address the safety question, but an off would still destroy the jacket: not a risk I'd want to take at the price of a decent shearling nowadays.

Again,absolutely agree. Many years ago I occasionally wore a very cheap irvin on the bike . Bought the jacket from the army navy store for buttons. Fell off my gpo bantam at 10mph and wore the elbow through to my uniform underneath. Never again wore sheepskin on the bike unless it was as a liner.Ive been riding over 50 years.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Fair point although I have to say I have been known to ride in highly unsuitable gear at times lol, it's all about circumstances

I wear my highwayman to nip over to the local meet-up, and with my armoured shirt under it, even on a longer ride (not too long!)

But I digress, in the first place this new baby was thought more as a wearable jacket in those hostile icey/windy days than anything else, even just in heavy rain it would be unsuitable...

which considering my geographical location puts the entire operation squarely into question...but it's too late now

good sense is, as always, slightly overrated and totally out of the window!!

I owned a lhb with the Harris tweed lining..sold that on the forum to a guy in Ireland I believe..if i was going to buy another longer jacket I would go either vicenza or goatskin, with a sheepskin lining in the body.had a 20s workcoat in fantastic dark seal Vicenza, loved it but unfortunately weighloss meant it had to go,again sold here on forum.
Ps I also have thrown caution to the wind and ridden the bike (short distance)wearing a tee-shirt.very very rarely since Scotland isn't blessed with many heatwaves.