Vanson CHP2

[jacketjunkie]

Wanted to quickly share my latest addition, a Vanson CHP2 I bought used in the Classifieds. Fairly good condition.

It is a size 42 with the following measurements:

P2P: 22,5"
Shoulders: 19"
Sleeve length is 26-26.5"
Backlength 26.5"

As you can see by the numbers, it is a fairly tight size 42 with a 22" p2p. I have a 40" chest and wear a 40 in most jackets unless I size up for comfort (no fan of tight jackets). This jacket fits well and rather tight despite being a 42. This one already is really tight in the armholes and the forearms. There is some room in the waist because the side laces are only at the very bottom where the belt is (which I like, wouldn't want these to be too prominent). I guess I could zip up a size 40 but the true to size in this style must a very tight fit which would certainly be like a second skin on the bike, but not very comfortable for a casual jacket as I intend to wear it.

Fit wise, I am surprised by how long it is both in front and in the back. I am happy with it, it covers my belt in the front and due to the backdrop it goes fairly down in the back so I can sit positioned foward without it rising up. I did expect it to be shorter judging from pics I had seen online. If you want the short 60s rockband fit, you might want to look for a different style though.

The leather is much grainier and shinier than the comp weight on my Stadium and looks very different, feels equally heavy though. The jacket weighs roughly 6.5lbs. I have read about Vanson Stadiums before that were advertised to be made from a specially waxed comp weight leather or it may be that the previous owner of this CHP wore it significantly more than he claimed, either way the leather is very different. Think I like the smoother leather on my Stadium better but I don't mean to complain. It's still a pretty leather (pretty much identical to what presumably is Conolly Steerhide on my Aero Barnstormer, just not what I expected.

It has two outside pockets, not really suitable as handwarmer pockets because the zips are uncomfortable on the skin, but good to store away flat things. If you put anything big in these, its silhouette will be clearly visible due to the tight fit of the jacket.

It has two inside pockets. One wallet pocket and one side-entry gun-pocket. Real gun pocket. Not a wallet pocket shaped like a gun. Whoopsie. Did that slip? Little critic here: the wallet pocket is positioned higher than on my Vanson Stadium and it is uncomfortably deep. If you put your wallet in there, it'll take a 5 man crew and plenty of supplies to rescue it.

Couple quick shots:

Very sincere apologies for the ever-same bookshelf in the background. I se so very sorry. No big artist.



Front:

http://s722.photobucket.com/user/jacketjunkie/media/Vanson%20CHP/IMG_0034_zpscwpsr8gd.jpg.html] [/URL]

Back:

http://s722.photobucket.com/user/jacketjunkie/media/Vanson%20CHP/IMG_0038_zps3ko5ejxf.jpg.html] [/URL]

Laces at belt-height to adjust jacket at the hem:

http://s722.photobucket.com/user/jacketjunkie/media/Vanson%20CHP/IMG_0036_zpsbibevuvp.jpg.html] [/URL]

Inside:

http://s722.photobucket.com/user/jacketjunkie/media/Vanson%20CHP/IMG_0035_zpsqosjyosf.jpg.html] [/URL]

Snap of the leather itself:

http://s722.photobucket.com/user/jacketjunkie/media/Vanson%20CHP/IMG_0037_zpssfj9wjzi.jpg.html] [/URL]

Bunch of very profesional fit pictures, props to the team of stylists and photographers who helped me present to you this trendy style; hashtag fashion hashtag three million followers at instagram

http://s722.photobucket.com/user/jacketjunkie/media/Vanson%20CHP/IMG_0018_zpsfimytfwt.jpg.html] [/URL]

http://s722.photobucket.com/user/jacketjunkie/media/Vanson%20CHP/IMG_0022_zps4ypc5wee.jpg.html] [/URL]

http://s722.photobucket.com/user/jacketjunkie/media/Vanson%20CHP/IMG_0023_zpspn39aabh.jpg.html] [/URL]

http://s722.photobucket.com/user/jacketjunkie/media/Vanson%20CHP/IMG_0024_zpsyspu9zch.jpg.html] [/URL]



Overall, I think it is a great jacket for what it is, a cross zipped biking jacket, casual jacket if you size up like I did and will certainly last forever. I am not sure yet whether it will get much wear next to my Vanson Stadium though. The latter is much more comfortable because roomier in body and sleeves, better designed inner pockets and handwarmer pockets.



Any questions regarding the jacket, let me know. I'll gladly help you out.

Tata,

jj

 

[TREEMAN]

Looks great...........Go Vanson !!!

 

[Monitor]

Thank you so much for this thread! I've always wanted to know more about the Vanson CHP so this is exactly what I've been waiting for. It looks like a phenomenal jacket. I'm surprised it's this long, though. Figured it would be much shorter, like the old CHP's. But that's fine. The leather looks a lot like what my HWM / Model E is made of. It is of the more recent make, right? Is the vertical pocket leather lined? Also, how are the shoulder gussets? Deep? Vanson rarely does gussets this way...

As an added bonus, you just solved the side laces problem I've been struggling with for a good month. Having a severe lack of intelligence, I just couldn't figure out how to lace the adjusters so that the middle of it wouldn't yawn and now I know.

 

[ton312]

Awesome jacket, perfect fit and excellent write up!! Looking good JJ!! Enjoy it!

 

[jacketjunkie]

Thank you, thank you.

Ivan, yeh, the length is odd, huh? As I said, I'm surprised myself but don't mind it. I am only 5'9" and this jacket was modeled for someone 2-3" taller than me I guess, so maybe that's why? The gun pocket is leather lined, the wallet pocket is not. Previous owner got it at the Silvermans Sale, I don't know when. They don't stock Vanson anymore though, do they? So it's probably not too new. Gussets I can only guess right now, have to measure tomorrow, but think they are about 1.5" deep. Deeper than on my Aero Teamster or JL M-200, that much I can tell right now.

 

[Monitor]

Thank you, thank you.

Ivan, yeh, the length is odd, huh? As I said, I'm surprised myself but don't mind it. I am only 5'9" and this jacket was modeled for someone 2-3" taller than me I guess, so maybe that's why? The gun pocket is leather lined, the wallet pocket is not. Previous owner got it at the Silvermans Sale, I don't know when. They don't stock Vanson anymore though, do they? So it's probably not too new. Gussets I can only guess right now, have to measure tomorrow, but think they are about 1.5" deep. Deeper than on my Aero Teamster or JL M-200, that much I can tell right now.

That's actually all the info I need re. gussets. Thanks! I was just curious how Vanson handles those. Rarely any contemporary maker does these rounded shoulder gussets right these days, it's like they're just making them for the show but I knew Vanson wouldn't leave anything to chance. Shoulder gussets on my ancient Cal CR are giving me the exact same reach as any full action back.

It's such an awesome jacket... Everything from Vanson is. Some day when I get rich, I'll get literally each and every jacket from Vanson website. Some day...

 

[El Marro]

Congratulations jacketjunkie! I have a Vanson CHP2 and it is one of my favorites. I agree with you about the front pockets, they are too small and oddly located to be any good for hand warmers. They sure do look cool though!

 

[JMax]

That's actually all the info I need re. gussets. Thanks! I was just curious how Vanson handles those. Rarely any contemporary maker does these rounded shoulder gussets right these days, it's like they're just making them for the show but I knew Vanson wouldn't leave anything to chance. Shoulder gussets on my ancient Cal CR are giving me the exact same reach as any full action back.

It's such an awesome jacket... Everything from Vanson is. Some day when I get rich, I'll get literally each and every jacket from Vanson website. Some day...

I agree Monitor. I own B, Force, Comet and Commando. Waiting for Chopper and eyeballing an Ike.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Great fit!