The Leather in Winter

[Trouser Bark]

I live in cold country and was raised in goose down, boots w/ wool inserts, and layers. When I decided that leather jackets were for me that meant I was either going to freeze my tail off for several months out of the year or I was going to have to find a work around.

I have... and if you live in cold country and haven't made this discovery it could redefine comfort.

It's the electric vest. I'm wearing one now by a company called Venustas. I don't recommend them as after a month's wait the vest arrived with clear indications of having been worn, a battery connector cable with a loose fit and it was supposed to be for my wife. I had ordered an XS for her and it arrived as a men's large. Complete sh*t show from the vendor but the vest itself is nice. Feels like it might be a thin layer of down w/ some heating elements inside.

If you haven't tried one and you want to extend your leather wearing season deeper into winter they're the hot setup. You can get them currently for 40 bucks at Costco or you can pay $150-200 from one of the online vendors. Regardless of which path you take you'll get essentially the same setup; a Chinese LiOn battery that will be smaller than you wish and a Chinese vest that on a cold day will seem like Jesus himself made it.

The typical battery provided is 5000mAh which is good for a solid couple hours if you set it on high and just bake. I would recommend a 20000mAh battery if you want to be able to set it on medium rare and walk around for 8 hours or so.

They definitely extend the season dramatically. If there were anything noticeable but not mentioned it's that today I wore a LW leather Pea of FQHH and if I thought it was noisy on a warm day it's a heck of a lot noisier on a cold one.

Is there a potential drawback? Yes, and it is that you can't depend on them as your primary safeguard against winter as if the time comes that you're outside and your battery dies, you're about to be introduced to some ******y pokery that will be highly disappointing and seriously uncomfortable. As a simple luxury though they're amazing.

 

[Trouser Bark]

If you choose to indulge yourself remember that the vest needs to fit tightly such that the heating elements are touching snug against your shirt.

 

[MrProper]

Thanks for the report.
Even though a waistcoat like this is certainly practical, I look forward to my shearling jackets and deck jackets in winter. I hardly miss my leather jackets.

 

[TLW '90]

Thanks for the report.
Even though a waistcoat like this is certainly practical, I look forward to my shearling jackets and deck jackets in winter. I hardly miss my leather jackets.

Yeah I switch to my wool when it's really cold, but my CMPD does have a thinsulate lining and I wear USGI base layers too.

 

[Peacoat]

A dying battery is a real concern. I found the simple solution was to buy an extra battery. Charge them both, use one and keep the spare in a pocket. Problem solved.

 

[Trouser Bark]

Thanks for the report.
Even though a waistcoat like this is certainly practical, I look forward to my shearling jackets and deck jackets in winter. I hardly miss my leather jackets.

Your contribution here has been huge and I appreciate your comment.

I had a shearling jacket and it was too small from the day I rec'd it. I've been thinking about one (a lot) and a Thedi shearling CR was posted earlier today that's absolutely stunning from my view. I can feel it tugging at my wallet now.

 

[MrProper]

Your contribution here has been huge and I appreciate your comment.

I had a shearling jacket and it was too small from the day I rec'd it. I've been thinking about one (a lot) and a Thedi shearling CR was posted earlier today that's absolutely stunning from my view. I can feel it tugging at my wallet now.

Yes, Thedi's CR is pretty cool. When I first saw it, my initial reaction was to have replicate one of these by 5*. But then I changed my mind because I didn't think the result would be any good. But my shearlings are definitely cosier than the CR lol.

 

[zebedee]

I’m lucky in that UK winters - when I go back - don’t need more than the Aero Work Coat with blanket lining or a Pike Bros Deck Jacket.

 

[Zoro]

My problem with most repro shearlings, that would affect also the CR shearling posted recently, is that they are not long enough. If it is really cold, I'm not going to wear my Thedi B3 because I know I will be cold below the waist. I have goose down parkas which simply perform better for that purpose.

This said, everyone's experience is different. I'm always amazed when I see dudes in shorts and hoodie in cold winter. Or my personal favorite that I would see around where I live in winter: Wearing the Canada Goose Expedition parka, shorts and flip flops, are you warm or cold!?

 

[Edward]

My problem with most repro shearlings, that would affect also the CR shearling posted recently, is that they are not long enough. If it is really cold, I'm not going to wear my Thedi B3 because I know I will be cold below the waist. I have goose down parkas which simply perform better for that purpose.

This said, everyone's experience is different. I'm always amazed when I see dudes in shorts and hoodie in cold winter. Or my personal favorite that I would see around where I live in winter: Wearing the Canada Goose Expedition parka, shorts and flip flops, are you warm or cold!?

Yes, it's all subjective. Folks round here will queue up to tell you that a B3 or an Irvin is "too warm for UK Winters", but I was always good in one. The B3 slightly more practical of the two, imo. Better coverage just on the lower back, and the leather panels on the arms better protect the less-hefty sheepskin. Though to be fair, for all my ELC 42 pattern Irvin felt frighteningly light when it arrived, it's not been too soft or damaged badly, beyond the to be expected wearing away of the fleece protruding at the cuffs, and the small amount of surface lost where one of my late cats brought up a furball on the arm and I didn't realise until it had already dried in. The other win for the B3 is the map pocket on the front provides a wonderfully convenient spot for a pair of gloves when you step inside a hop for a bit while out and about in the cold. If going for only one of the two, the B3 would be the winner for me.... with the ANJ4 being a very strong contender as well (proper pockets, leather on all the edges....).

With all the shearlings, length is an issue... after all, they were designed to be worn with matching trousers. A pair of thermal long-johns goes a long way to help with that. The other option would of course be a longer leather with shearling lining. Something like an Aero Barnstormer (either the standard option with a shearling liner added, or the shawl-collared shearling version). A shearling liner for heat and the leather as a windbreaker is a killer pp (personal constitution and heat tolerances allowing). I also rather fancy a Hudson in that mid-length that covers just enough (anything longer, and you're into an overcoat, really). They come as standard with a wool blanket liner, which would also do very nicely for Winter.

 

[twistdh]

I can use my leather jackets down to -10 celsius with no problem…with alpaca sweater and gloves.

I would like to have colder temperatures to buy some shearling jacket (or even parka)