What does a fully broken in CXL jacket feel like?

[moktabe]

Pics of the jacket mentioned above.

 

[Carlos840]

To me CXL never gets that comfortable as a jacket leather.
I always find the high wax content makes it feel heavy and sticky in wear.
I have thicker/heavier leathers that wear better because they aren't saturated in waxes.

 

[Dbrn]

To me CXL never gets that comfortable as a jacket leather.
I always find the high wax content makes it feel heavy and sticky in wear.
I have thicker/heavier leathers that wear better because they aren't saturated in waxes.

Holy cow, one of the long-time posters returns! Should we talk about the Aero pattern/neck-hang all over again too?? Your extensive posts and pictures were major guides for me, so thank you!

I have to agree with Carlos based solely on my FQHH CXL Hooch Hauler. I love the look but it's never been and will never really be comfortable. Supposedly Aero's CXL steerhide does soften up more than the HH...

 

[RDS]

Is all the FQHH that Aero Leather uses Chromexcel ?

The reason for asking is that most photos of Aero CXL jackets, both steer and HH, appear to show them with quite a high sheen; however there are a few, which just happen to be brown FQHH, that have a great matt patina.

Dav’s Highwayman is a good example (as a search on here will pull up a few photos to show) but assuming it wasn’t tumbled CXL has this just been achieved through years of wear or was there previously a low or no sheen version of CXFQHH ?

 

[Carlos840]

Is all the FQHH that Aero Leather uses Chromexcel ?

The reason for asking is that most photos of Aero CXL jackets, both steer and HH, appear to show them with quite a high sheen; however there are a few, which just happen to be brown FQHH, that have a great matt patina.

Dav’s Highwayman is a good example (as a search on here will pull up a few photos to show) but assuming it wasn’t tumbled CXL has this just been achieved through years of wear or was there previously a low or no sheen version of CXFQHH ?

Dav did things wearing his jacket that few members would dare do...
Most people are afraid to walk in the rain or lean against a wall, Dav doesn't care.
Same CXL, different use.

 

[RDS]

So, it’s not necessarily a characteristic of CXL but more the way the jackets are being worn ?
Or what all those who say their CXL jackets, whether steer or HH, are stiff and uncomfortable need to be doing is just wearing them and wearing them hard, a lot and in all sorts of weather and conditions ?

 

[Harris HTM]

I own three aero fqhh cxl jackets, all bought new directly from Aero. All three are different to each other. My brown Mariner from 2014 is thicker, shinier and with smoother panels amd tons of patina (and with patina I mean patina, not surface wear). My brown 30s HB from 2015 is far more grainier and shows far more surface wear, feels also drier. My cordovan Barnstormer from 2020 is much thinner, tons of grain and feels more oily to the touch.

 

[Edward]

Well, all done and said leather is organic, so there's a high chance any two jackets however notionally the same in spec will age slightly differently if they come from different hides (of the same species and tanning method, even - it'll bed more pronounced where those vary, potentially). On average, though, my FQHH jackets wore to a slight sheen in high-wear areas over time, moreso than areas shielded from wear. It's a thicker leather with its own properties, certainly. I like it very much in certain styles, ymmv. For me, it tends to work best in mc styles and closer-fitting, pre-war styles. The like of standard Highwayman for me works better in a softer hide with more drape.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I purchased my Aero half-belt used and it was already very well broken in. It is CXL FQHH.

It fits great with excellent range of movement, but up until last week I would have agreed that it is a chore to wear. I can't say why, but it just felt very foreign to my body.

But last week I actually ended up wearing it all day for the first time ever. I hung out with family watching football, ate a few meals, played games, drove across town, etc - all while wearing the jacket.

After the first hour I literally forgot it was even on me.

Then, at the end of the day when I took it off, it felt like I was peeling off my outer layer of skin. I have never felt so unified with a jacket ever. It was incredibly comfortable.

Now I can hardly wait to wear the jacket - but I am waiting until I will wear it all day again.

Here's a photo of it. I am very pleased - but again, this was already totally broken in when I purchased it.

 

[MrProper]

I purchased my Aero half-belt used and it was already very well broken in. It is CXL FQHH.

It fits great with excellent range of movement, but up until last week I would have agreed that it is a chore to wear. I can't say why, but it just felt very foreign to my body.

But last week I actually ended up wearing it all day for the first time ever. I hung out with family watching football, ate a few meals, played games, drove across town, etc - all while wearing the jacket.

After the first hour I literally forgot it was even on me.

Then, at the end of the day when I took it off, it felt like I was peeling off my outer layer of skin. I have never felt so unified with a jacket ever. It was incredibly comfortable.

Now I can hardly wait to wear the jacket - but I am waiting until I will wear it all day again.

Here's a photo of it. I am very pleased - but again, this was already totally broken in when I purchased it.
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View attachment 746977

Congratulations. Same here. I can wear mine forever too. The only thing I didn't want to do in them was paint the ceiling or play sports

 

[JasonY]

I second the notion that both frequency and duration of use greatly improve the wearability/comfort of CXL. And the stiffer sections (collar, lapels...)of the pattern that don't normally get as much flex in use benefit from some occasional rolling/flexing/massaging by hand.

 

[Robson]

10 years old Aero Hercules cxl worn in a lot of bad weather, cxl is very though and good in the rain