Vanson! Vanson! Vanson!

[JonS1967]

Just got this back from the good folks at Vanson. My watch was tearing up the liner near the cuff so they were kind enough to replace the last 4 inches or so of the inside of the sleeve with an indestructible material. I shouldn’t have any more problems.



In case you’re curious, the red liner you see is not a standard offering. It comes from a manufacturer they’ve use with some of their Collabs. It seemed like a good pairing with the Pinnacle horsehide because Pinnacle has an insane amount of drape, and my clothes were getting caught up on the original cotton liner. Although this red liner allows for my clothing to move effortlessly without binding, apparently it wasn’t a big fan of some of my watches.

 

[unhatted]

A quick write up and fit check request on a new (old) tea-core model E:

I’ve been curious about the leather on earlier post-associates but pre-serial # Vanson, and have also coveted the bigger collar of the riveted belt loop era Model E’s, so you can imagine how excited I was to snag a pre-serial teacore model E that could be the brass-hardweared little sibling of the much-admired Model E that @ton312 kicked of this thread with—right down to the teacore pull tabs.

In many ways it’s everything I wanted. The core is showing through nicely and the leather is robust but lighter than my later comp weight jackets. That and the lack of leather-lined *** pocket make it feel a good deal more wearable. The collar is magnificent and it also has a rust-coloured real mouton collar that leaves the later synthetic ones in the dust. Plus the all-brass talons!

Crushingly, and totally inexplicably, it’s a full couple of inches longer than my 2003 size 36–long enough that it almost covers my front pockets. Pretty devastating as I’m certainly not going to alter something with such a lot going on at the bottom. I’m going to give myself a bit of time to see if I can get used to it, but it’s a real bummer.

So, a couple of questions for anyone who has read this far and can weigh in…

1. How bad is the length? Am I overthinking it?
2. Were the earlier Model Es longer or is this likely a custom size? 25.5 back length on a 36 seems wiiild!

 

[Mandarin]

A quick write up and fit check request on a new (old) tea-core model E:

I’ve been curious about the leather on earlier post-associates but pre-serial # Vanson, and have also coveted the bigger collar of the riveted belt loop era Model E’s, so you can imagine how excited I was to snag a pre-serial teacore model E that could be the brass-hardweared little sibling of the much-admired Model E that @ton312 kicked of this thread with—right down to the teacore pull tabs.

In many ways it’s everything I wanted. The core is showing through nicely and the leather is robust but lighter than my later comp weight jackets. That and the lack of leather-lined *** pocket make it feel a good deal more wearable. The collar is magnificent and it also has a rust-coloured real mouton collar that leaves the later synthetic ones in the dust!

Crushingly, and totally inexplicably, it’s a full couple of inches longer than my 2003 size 36–long enough that it almost covers my front pockets. Pretty devastating as I’m certainly not going to alter something with such a lot going on at the bottom. I’m going to give myself a bit of time to see if I can get used to it, but it’s a real bummer.

View attachment 735410

So, a couple of questions for anyone who has read this far and can weigh in…

1. How bad is the length? Am I overthinking it?
2. Were the earlier Model Es longer or is this likely a custom size? 25.5 back length on a 36 seems wiiild!

1. It is too long, but it’s not a problem as long as you can get your hands in your pockets. Could be a problem if you ride a MC and the jacket sticks up, but the leather seems pliable enough not to.
2. I have an early E, and the issue is the opposite: too short. I believe they must have been custom made

 

[AeroFan_07]

A quick write up and fit check request on a new (old) tea-core model E:

I’ve been curious about the leather on earlier post-associates but pre-serial # Vanson, and have also coveted the bigger collar of the riveted belt loop era Model E’s, so you can imagine how excited I was to snag a pre-serial teacore model E that could be the brass-hardweared little sibling of the much-admired Model E that @ton312 kicked of this thread with—right down to the teacore pull tabs.

In many ways it’s everything I wanted. The core is showing through nicely and the leather is robust but lighter than my later comp weight jackets. That and the lack of leather-lined *** pocket make it feel a good deal more wearable. The collar is magnificent and it also has a rust-coloured real mouton collar that leaves the later synthetic ones in the dust. Plus the all-brass talons!

Crushingly, and totally inexplicably, it’s a full couple of inches longer than my 2003 size 36–long enough that it almost covers my front pockets. Pretty devastating as I’m certainly not going to alter something with such a lot going on at the bottom. I’m going to give myself a bit of time to see if I can get used to it, but it’s a real bummer.

View attachment 735410

So, a couple of questions for anyone who has read this far and can weigh in…

1. How bad is the length? Am I overthinking it?
2. Were the earlier Model Es longer or is this likely a custom size? 25.5 back length on a 36 seems wiiild!

It's a little long, but not over the top.

 

[JonS1967]

Del just put up a fantastic review of the Maverick on his YouTube channel. Thoroughly enjoyable!

 

[Bfd70]

A quick write up and fit check request on a new (old) tea-core model E:

I’ve been curious about the leather on earlier post-associates but pre-serial # Vanson, and have also coveted the bigger collar of the riveted belt loop era Model E’s, so you can imagine how excited I was to snag a pre-serial teacore model E that could be the brass-hardweared little sibling of the much-admired Model E that @ton312 kicked of this thread with—right down to the teacore pull tabs.

In many ways it’s everything I wanted. The core is showing through nicely and the leather is robust but lighter than my later comp weight jackets. That and the lack of leather-lined *** pocket make it feel a good deal more wearable. The collar is magnificent and it also has a rust-coloured real mouton collar that leaves the later synthetic ones in the dust. Plus the all-brass talons!

Crushingly, and totally inexplicably, it’s a full couple of inches longer than my 2003 size 36–long enough that it almost covers my front pockets. Pretty devastating as I’m certainly not going to alter something with such a lot going on at the bottom. I’m going to give myself a bit of time to see if I can get used to it, but it’s a real bummer.

View attachment 735410

So, a couple of questions for anyone who has read this far and can weigh in…

1. How bad is the length? Am I overthinking it?
2. Were the earlier Model Es longer or is this likely a custom size? 25.5 back length on a 36 seems wiiild!

Much too long. Would drive me crazy. Sorry.

 

[TartuWolf]

A quick write up and fit check request on a new (old) tea-core model E:

I’ve been curious about the leather on earlier post-associates but pre-serial # Vanson, and have also coveted the bigger collar of the riveted belt loop era Model E’s, so you can imagine how excited I was to snag a pre-serial teacore model E that could be the brass-hardweared little sibling of the much-admired Model E that @ton312 kicked of this thread with—right down to the teacore pull tabs.

In many ways it’s everything I wanted. The core is showing through nicely and the leather is robust but lighter than my later comp weight jackets. That and the lack of leather-lined *** pocket make it feel a good deal more wearable. The collar is magnificent and it also has a rust-coloured real mouton collar that leaves the later synthetic ones in the dust. Plus the all-brass talons!

Crushingly, and totally inexplicably, it’s a full couple of inches longer than my 2003 size 36–long enough that it almost covers my front pockets. Pretty devastating as I’m certainly not going to alter something with such a lot going on at the bottom. I’m going to give myself a bit of time to see if I can get used to it, but it’s a real bummer.

View attachment 735410

So, a couple of questions for anyone who has read this far and can weigh in…

1. How bad is the length? Am I overthinking it?
2. Were the earlier Model Es longer or is this likely a custom size? 25.5 back length on a 36 seems wiiild!

Too long in my opinion, I'd pass that on to someone taller. My 36 E is around 24.75" back and that is still a bit too long for me.

 

[unhatted]

Much too long. Would drive me crazy. Sorry.

I did say it was a tragic tale…

Too long in my opinion, I'd pass that on to someone taller. My 36 E is around 24.75" back and that is still a bit too long for me.

Yeah, I fear my personal feelings are currently chiming more with the naysayers (I note that even the encouraging comments agree it is too long!). Sadly the mouton attachment is different on the old models so keeping just the fur isn’t an option (and it’s probably cruel to break up the family). Am I the kind of person who keeps a jacket just to wear it with one collar?

Probably not but on the other hand…

 

[AeroFan_07]

So the Vanson Comet has come back to me, it now has proper nickel sleeve zippers installed. This ia 1998 production model and a size 50. Very, very little usage on this one, it most likely will be hitting the classified soon, but I may wait until I can actually try it one, with the left wrist still In a cast, that's just not happening for another 1.5 weeks.

I agree with those who think a simple cross zip such as this in a heavier (competition weight) leather has a place in the normal Vanson catalog.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Next up in a Vanson Comet - Size 46, that was a dealer jacket order to Confederate Motorcycles. What is a Confederate Motorcycle? Now called Combat motors - Well they look like this:

https://www.combatmotors.com/media/

And this jacket was built for them:


Compared to the bikes they hand-manufacture, the Comet is rather tame.

This also may be up for sale soon, it's a year 2000-produced jacket as per the serial number, according to Vanson, so some very nice competition weight leather here as well.

 

[VansonRider]

They brought it back?!

It’s in “zirconian leather” ‍

SWEDISH MOTORCYCLE JACKET

1975 Vanson Swedish motorcycle jacket Old-School Swedish police jacket variant Swedish m/c jacket black hardware slanted zip Side laces with black grommets Snap-back mandarin collar Slant front zipper 1 Interior lining zip-close secure wallet pocket Competition weight steerhide Red plaid...

www.vansonleathers.com

 

[unhatted]

They brought it back?!

http://[URL]https://www.vansonleathers.com/limited-and-new/1461-swedish-motorcycle-jacket-SMC.h

[/URL]

Badass, but your link is missing a ‘tml’ on the end!

 

[VansonRider]

Badass, but your link is missing a ‘tml’ on the end!

Edited!

 

[AeroFan_07]

View attachment 736363 They brought it back?!

It’s in “zirconian leather” ‍

http://[URL][URL]https://www.vanson...d-new/1461-swedish-motorcycle-jacket-SMC.html

[/URL][/URL]

So, do you like this jacket?

No offense meant to anyone who does, I just really cannot "get along" with the mail-pouch front pocket on this jacket. It's just a bit too much "in your face" to me. Maybe if it was not angled on top, or didn't have the 3-snap top closure? I don't know but something just doesn't "jive" with me.

However, if I was a bicycle messenger in a major city, this would be a great jacket for that purpose!

 

[Bluechel]

I had an earlier version (Vanson) and it felt like bat wings so if they adjust the sleeve design significantly I might revisit. Would love to just try this version on or see someone show us the newer (hopefully) fit

 

[JonS1967]

View attachment 736363 They brought it back?!

It’s in “zirconian leather” ‍

http://[URL]https://www.vansonleathers.com/limited-and-new/1461-swedish-motorcycle-jacket-SMC.html

[/URL]

The Z150 looked nice. It would be great if they brought it back.

 

[VansonRider]

So, do you like this jacket?

No offense meant to anyone who does, I just really cannot "get along" with the mail-pouch front pocket on this jacket. It's just a bit too much "in your face" to me. Maybe if it was not angled on top, or didn't have the 3-snap top closure? I don't know but something just doesn't "jive" with me.

However, if I was a bicycle messenger in a major city, this would be a great jacket for that purpose!

I have two Vanson Swedish dispatch coats and a Hein Gericke version.
I love them.
And I COMPLETELY understand they’re not at all for everyone.
The reason they have that huge overlapping double ****** and the bat wings is completely functional. They’re designed for lots of room to layer underneath for riding in Sweden. The low armpits and flappy arms let you throw it over a bulky Nordic sweater, and keep freedom of movement.

The Highwayman, with armpit gussets (footballs) and the high set lacing under the ribcage gives great freedom of movement by fitting snugly and moving with you.

This is the complete opposite design approach, it’s a leather sack with arms an a neck hole.

I’ve said before it’s like wearing a bagpipes.

But it works.


View attachment IMG_0186.jpeg

 

[BarryMcCockiner_PhD]

I have two Vanson Swedish dispatch coats and a Hein Gericke version.
I love them.
And I COMPLETELY understand they’re not at all for everyone.
The reason they have that huge overlapping double ****** and the bat wings is completely functional. They’re designed for lots of room to layer underneath for riding in Sweden. The low armpits and flappy arms let you throw it over a bulky Nordic sweater, and keep freedom of movement.

The Highwayman, with armpit gussets (footballs) and the high set lacing under the ribcage gives great freedom of movement by fitting snugly and moving with you.

This is the complete opposite design approach, it’s a leather sack with arms an a neck hole.

I’ve said before it’s like wearing a bagpipes.

But it works.


View attachment 736516 View attachment 736517

Well if they’re feeling brave, I’m down for one of these…

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9iKKr9ITnJ/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

[AeroFan_07]

I have two Vanson Swedish dispatch coats and a Hein Gericke version.
I love them.
And I COMPLETELY understand they’re not at all for everyone.
The reason they have that huge overlapping double ****** and the bat wings is completely functional. They’re designed for lots of room to layer underneath for riding in Sweden. The low armpits and flappy arms let you throw it over a bulky Nordic sweater, and keep freedom of movement.

The Highwayman, with armpit gussets (footballs) and the high set lacing under the ribcage gives great freedom of movement by fitting snugly and moving with you.

This is the complete opposite design approach, it’s a leather sack with arms an a neck hole.

I’ve said before it’s like wearing a bagpipes.

But it works.


View attachment 736516 View attachment 736517

Nice! Makes sense for sure. I actually like the design more in tan as well with the black zips and hardware.

Yes, riding in cold weather needs room for layers underneath, and to allow for flexibility of those layers in changing conditions.

 

[photo2u]

I have two Vanson Swedish dispatch coats and a Hein Gericke version.
I love them.
And I COMPLETELY understand they’re not at all for everyone.
The reason they have that huge overlapping double ****** and the bat wings is completely functional. They’re designed for lots of room to layer underneath for riding in Sweden. The low armpits and flappy arms let you throw it over a bulky Nordic sweater, and keep freedom of movement.

The Highwayman, with armpit gussets (footballs) and the high set lacing under the ribcage gives great freedom of movement by fitting snugly and moving with you.

This is the complete opposite design approach, it’s a leather sack with arms an a neck hole.

I’ve said before it’s like wearing a bagpipes.

But it works.


View attachment 736516 View attachment 736517

I have a Vanson with a light gray wool lining. Great for riding.