Vanson! Vanson! Vanson!

[JackBroChill]

From my collection of Vanson Comp stuff, I have concluded that they really mean "late late" 90's/early 2000's possibly. I've spent a silly amount of time buying/selling to find those grail type Comps, and they are quite stunningly different. To be fair though, that's definitely not the only years, there seems to be one off exceptions, like any "rule"....

Interesting! Any insight on when things really changed most recently? Looking at one from I believe around 2013 but the leather look pretty great....

 

[Bluechel]

Interesting! Any insight on when things really changed most recently? Looking at one from I believe around 2013 but the leather look pretty great....

Well, that leather source burned to the ground some time in the early 2000's according to Nick at Vanson...not sure of the year, perhaps there's a historian here that knows?

 

[Chevalier]

After about five years of searching, I finally found a Vanson Scout jacket at a local vintage shop. I have decided that I really like this pullover style, but admit it is an acquired taste. Thanks @Carlos840 for the suggestion. The leather is heavy weight. My size M fits my 42-44 typical sizing really comfortably. There is also a leather neckpiece that snaps under the laces to keep the wind out when you ride.

 

[Carlos840]

After about five years of searching, I finally found a Vanson Scout jacket at a local vintage shop. I have decided that I really like this pullover style, but admit it is an acquired taste. Thanks @Carlos840 for the suggestion. The leather is heavy weight. My size M fits my 42-44 typical sizing really comfortably. There is also a leather neckpiece that snaps under the laces to keep the wind out when you ride.
View attachment 743738

As you say, it's a strong look, but it's super comfortable.
It fits you well.

My GF says it makes me look like a *** Robin Hood. She calls me "Throbbin' Wood" when i wear it...
It's still one of my favourite jackets to ride in hot weather.

 

[Carlos840]

After about five years of searching, I finally found a Vanson Scout jacket at a local vintage shop. I have decided that I really like this pullover style, but admit it is an acquired taste. Thanks @Carlos840 for the suggestion. The leather is heavy weight. My size M fits my 42-44 typical sizing really comfortably. There is also a leather neckpiece that snaps under the laces to keep the wind out when you ride.
View attachment 743738

Also, i just checked my emails with Vanson, and the model is actually called the "Denver", the Scout has fringes:

"Yes it is called a DENVER, and no it wasn't only sold for the Japanese market. We sold them here as well. We also made a SCOUT, which is the same shirt but had fringe across the center front and back upper seams. Back when I started in 1992, we made quite a bit of these, however the style is now obsolete. Ironically, I checked stock and we have 2 SCOUTS in stock currently.

We also made them in suede, they were really nice in the suede. They were made out of lighter weight black chap (cowhide) I imagine back then, when they sorted the leather and gauged it, the lighter weight skins were put aside for something like this."

Straight from Vanson.

 

[Chevalier]

This may explain why searches for more info about the Vanson Scout were not turning up much. Good to know the correct name. Your post on the Denver has a lot of good info on this model.

 

[Carlos840]

Well, that leather source burned to the ground some time in the early 2000's according to Nick at Vanson...not sure of the year, perhaps there's a historian here that knows?

I was told it had burnt in 2019:

"Just in case you're wondering and since you asked me in the past the X150 is a complicated story..

Basically up until 2019 Alliance leather had a major fire and closed its doors. That was a local finishing shop up in Peabody / Salem MA. Mike really new what he was doing and he had been finishing waxy leather for us for over 10 years. He was about to retire so he decided not to renovate and reopen.

We got to work and we developed a new partnership with Tasman Tannery up in Maine. We spent 3 months re-creating the recipe and everything looked wonderful so we placed our first big batch order right before covid hit us for good here. When they came back from the shutdowns in ME they could not continue. They had major issues and filed for bankruptcy but did their best to deliver all orders placed prior to spring. "

Firefighter and worker hurt in 2-alarm fire at Peabody leather factory - The Boston Globe

Peabody firefighters are battling a two-alarm blaze that broke out at a warehouse Monday morning, officials said.

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[unhatted]

Talking of X150 I recently took delivery of an early-mid 2000s chopper in very shiny, un-broken in X150. My initial impulse is that it isn’t for me—too long, too bulky—but I wonder if at least part of that is that it needs a bit more break in. I’m also aware, that unlike the weirdly-long model E I recently posted here, that this is meant to be a longer jacket—though in reality I think that may just mean it looks better on tall people! Any thoughts on the fit?

 

[Bluechel]

Wow! These models are really a lot! The back pic reminds me of a Warlord (in a good way, just very serious stuff!) Whoever designed the Chopper really went all in, and you can certainly see it when it's on. In my opinion, only mine, I think the fit is great. It just happens to be my fit preference all around.

But man...this is a high profile jacket.

 

[Mandarin]

It is long in the back, but it's great on the bike. I use mine exclusively for that purpose, and it's one of my top 3 favorites. It is truly exceptional.

 

[unhatted]

These models are really a lot!

100%! Though oddly I have no issue rocking all the diamond embroidery, high gloss and buckles—the length, stiffened kidney panel and bulky shoulders I’m less sure about! It’s kind of an amazing thing in its own right for sure though…

 

[Tom71]

Talking of X150 I recently took delivery of an early-mid 2000s chopper in very shiny, un-broken in X150. My initial impulse is that it isn’t for me—too long, too bulky—but I wonder if at least part of that is that it needs a bit more break in. I’m also aware, that unlike the weirdly-long model E I recently posted here, that this is meant to be a longer jacket—though in reality I think that may just mean it looks better on tall people! Any thoughts on the fit?

View attachment 746463 View attachment 746464

It does look long. The back is so by design, but so am surprised that the front reaches well into your jeans pockets.

Here’s how mine falls. Length wise it wears about the same as my Model E.

I never really minded the heft. I feel the weight is distributed nicely across the shoulders.

 

[JMax]

Mine isn’t long either. Typical Vanson MC length.

Great jacket— x-150 is one my favorite hides.

 

[unhatted]

That settles it, it is a tall person’s jacket! For whatever reason, the smaller sizes reduce in length less than on other models (this has been noted elsewhere, should have listened!). Agreed re. the X150!

 

[Carlos840]

It's long, but not ridiculously long on you, i would wear it.
ANd having one in X-150 is special enough, you won't see many like that one around.
I would keep it and wear it.

Here is my mid 2000 one in Comp weight with cotton lining:

It's a great jacket on a bike.

 

[unhatted]

ANd having one in X-150 is special enough, you won't see many like that one around.
I would keep it and wear it.

Would be the second time this month I’ve been talked into keeping a jacket on this thread (which I have privately renamed Vanson Enablers)! Though tbh you’re not really making the case that this isn’t best on taller people!

But I thought X150 was standard for choppers in this era? In fact I had concluded this was X150 based on that (plus the fact it looks nothing like any of my standard CW jackets)…

 

[Carlos840]

Would be the second time this month I’ve been talked into keeping a jacket on this thread (which I have privately renamed Vanson Enablers)! Though tbh you’re not really making the case that this isn’t best on taller people!

But I thought X150 was standard for choppers in this era? In fact I had concluded this was X150 based on that (plus the fact it looks nothing like any of my standard CW jackets)…

I mean, coming here to get rid of jackets is like going to a bar to stop drinking...

You might actually be right, now that i think about it, the regular Commando was X-150 and the comp weight version was a "special version" made for Thurston bros with a thin cotton lining rather than the red stock one.

It's just that in real life i feel like the Thrurston Bros model ended up being more common than the stock model because i rarely ever see the X-150 version around.

Knowing the x-150 of the time i would still call this a special jacket, that x-150 is never coming back.

Whereas the comp weight from that time was just OK, it's thick and soft, but the grain is corrected.
It's not the worst era for Comp weight, but definitely not the best either.

 

[TartuWolf]

@unhatted
From a collectors standpoint it might be worth keeping - a nice specimen of an wesome jacket to have in your disposal.
But are you a collector? Do you want to have more jackets or less?
I personally try to have as little as possible in terms of keepers and therefore I'm rather strict as far as my standards/requirements for fit determining whether to keep a jacket or not.
If you want to "purify" your stable and keep only a few really nice ones then I would NOT keep this chopper.
You might fill up the jacket in terms of width if you work out or add layers, but you'll never get the length of it to work for you in my opinion.

 

[Bluechel]

”Keep!”
-vanson enablers

X-150……………!

 

[JMax]

It depends on your personal fit calculations (one reason fit pics do little to nothing for me). I’d keep, at least for now. Within my acceptable range, still looks good. IMO, too manicured and “perfect” presents as too manicured and perfect. I notice that before I notice the jacket or whatever else. And in the end it all starts to look the same to me. Other folks want that and feel I’m “sloppy”. All good.

Maybe find another size and compare? Handling jackets yourself is key (preaching to choir I’m sure).

And x-150. This is a great jacket. I’ve been looking for a reasonably priced jacket in this hide for 5+ years lol.