Aero Board Racer fit advice please.

[Kuro]

Hi Kuro,
I would recommend asking for samples, then you'll see that the difference in thickness is not visible to the naked eye - I just checked some samples I had received from Aero in the past.
My Happy Days is made out of Vicenza; my girlfriend's MC jacket is made out of the soft black steerhide. The steerhide is really soft and does not need any break-in period. The Vicenza, though in no case a CXL FQHH, is quite stiffer than the steer.

Awesome, thank you. I did have some samples of both the black Vincenza and Soft Black Steerhide, and between my two samples the steerhide was noticeably thicker. However, doing a quick mearsurement of the thickness of the two, the steerhide was a quarter of a millimeter thicker. I forget the exact measurements now, but I believe it was 1.25mm for the Vincenza and 1.5mm (roughly speaking) for the steerhide.

Seeing that evidence and what Carrie is telling me that the jacket will be more snug with the steerhide, it gives me something to consider.

Of course if the the steerhide just works with me, then I probably have nothing to worry about.

 

[Bfd70]

My very limited $.02 is that new leather jackets are a lot like new jeans. Some initial tightness will give way to a good fit once broken in a bit. That said, an area like the upper arm is probably not under pressure much and may not stretch. Also, in general, people wear there clothes too big and then conclude that a proper fit is too tight.

 

[Kuro]

Nice jacket, good fit
My size is usually 40. My Board Racer is size 40 with 1 cm longer arms and back.
Even though I am quite slender, the jacket is more a shirt than a jacket. The sleeves are slim and armholes very high. It's the design of the jacket : in the beginning I was a bit upset but now I am happy with it.
The jacket is now moulded around my body and I can do every move without feeling (too) restricted. In the beginning, for example, it was hard to reach the safety belt with my right arm while seated in my car (left hand drive).

If vicenza leather : don't soak it in water to soften it, it will probably shrink and also darken... (been there done that ...) Just wear it often.

When you say hard, do you mean you were afraid the stitching was being strained, felt like the jacket was trying to cut off circulation, or just that the jacket didn't move that way?

I feel, when I bend an elbow and stress the yoke, tightness that is similar to attempting to cut off circulation. I don't assume that the jacket cannot move that way and is fighting me, just that due to something with the fit and me, is not necessarily compatible. And that is my concern. I don't know what is normal or what to expect, other than a snug fit. The jacket is comfortable otherwise. Reaching to use a jacket pocket is not comfortable, feels wrong. I can expect some snugness, this feels a little more than that, like a wrong fit.

And I appreciate all the try a CR fit. I suppose I like to know why something is not right before trying something different. With that being said, the 42 BR is either the right fit for me, and I need to get over the tightness in the arms when using a jacket pocket, it is not the right fit for me and I should try a 44, or the BR style is not a good fit for me and I should try a CR.

I am asking about a 44 BR fitting as I write this, to compare, since the size is not really that much larger than the 42.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Here are some pics of what I was talking about, Cafe Racer (which will have wider shoulders and slightly lower armholes) specced as a Board Racer. Can you tell the difference? The Cafe Racer isn’t a bulky MC jacket at all.

 

[Kuro]

Here are some pics of what I was talking about, Cafe Racer (which will have wider shoulders and slightly lower armholes) specced as a Board Racer. Can you tell the difference? The Cafe Racer isn’t a bulky MC jacket at all.

Ok... That is convincing. Thank you very much for digging that up for me. Seriously.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Only changed I’d make is to remove the interior kidney panel as well, that will show through eventually.

 

[Kuro]

Only changed I’d make is to remove the interior kidney panel as well, that will show through eventually.

Funny you would say that... I need the interior kidney panel, due to carrying an object on my belt that will wear on the liner. I have read here on the forums of others that have had wear to their liners etc...

Also, I noticed on the fit jacket that the liner was sagging below the hem of the leather, I would also like to avoid this with an internal kidney panel... I admit that it is not an optimal request, but I see two problems corrected by one solution. The trade off is a crease in the leather, in the back of the jacket. I feel like I can accept that.

 

[Kuro]

Hello all,

A friendly introduction, and then a question concerning your knowledge and experience in purchasing a custom made leather jacket!

I am retired from 20 years active duty service in the US Navy. I am now a watchmaker. I enjoy mountain biking. I just recently sold my motorcycle, but it was a Ducati Monster 796. I prefer items of quality over mass produced throw away items.

So with that out of the way, it has been a pleasure reading some of your threads discussing your leather jacket purchases and the thoughts that went into purchasing them. Thank you.

Looking for a fit opinion on this 42 BR, as many of you have experience with that. This is my first Aero jacket, and my first fitting, so I lack experience to know what is normal and what is not. I do not intend to use this jacket for motorcycle use, it is for casual wear.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=180UaaRyq1wz2deRyaRN5NGHZWptXpQe9

A couple of notes.

1. The torso is fine, feels good. I can layer a t-shirt and a dress shirt and a pack-able down filled vest for warmth, or a t-shirt and a tight fitting merino wool sweater underneath without concern. A bulky sweater does not fit properly in the sleeves (tight), but is fine in the torso. Obviously the most comfortable with just a t-shirt and dress shirt as I tend to dress for work. I am 6'1", 190lbs, and go down to 180ish during the summer. My chest measures at 40.5". This jacket I am wearing measures at P2P: 22.75", shoulder: 18.25", waist: 20.25"

2. Sleeves are fine when the arms are down, but things get tight when moving the arms. It is a fight to get into a chest pocket, or scratching my head, hugging. Tightness is felt in the elbows and under the arms. I don't know what to make of this. I feel like I am fighting the jacket, does not feel natural or normal. Freedom of movement is restricted. You can see the shoulder rise up in the photos as I move.

3. The yoke stretches with me, so it does not feel like the limiting factor in arm movement. It gets tight, but not uncomfortable, I assume that is normal.

4. Chest gets tighter than the back, pulls a bit when rolling my shoulders back, but not like the jacket is going to pop a stitch... Just tighter than the back. I assume the zipper is a limiting factor in this compared to the yoke.

5. This jacket is Vicenza HH, however I am ordering my jacket in Soft Black Steerhide, that is slightly thicker leather, which in turn will make the jacket tighter as I understand. Horse and goat are not options for me for personal reasons.

Looking for your advice, thank you all.

I may have made a mistake with my fitting photos link. So I am reposting it. I hope this is better information for everyone? Looking at the link above, it only shows me wearing the back of the jacket, whereas this link should be many different photos of the fit. I apologize for difficulty.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DNFnR_0uej-lDlCVXJLJwkIPUMv0iM51

 

[handymike]

Ahhhh...seeing these other pictures, I get it now. Ask for a size up BR and a cafe racer in Carrie's recommendation. The way Aero cuts the BR doesn't allow for a lot of arm movement unless you go up in Pit to pit and shoulder.

 

[mygar]

Well its just my "newbie" opnion, but the design of BR and CR... and the way they are supposed to fit.. you are not supposed to have the movement that a regular person is used to having in a loose fitting jacket.

Gussets will help... but these are supposed to be very form fitting jackets right?

The pics posted above seem normal to me for a BR and CR... am i wrong?

With wear and break in.. it will become more comfortable. But i dont think the hugging movement... or some of the others is expected unless you have a very loose fitting BR or CR.

 

[Kuro]

Well its just my "newbie" opnion, but the design of BR and CR... and the way they are supposed to fit.. you are not supposed to have the movement that a regular person is used to having in a loose fitting jacket.

Gussets will help... but these are supposed to be very form fitting jackets right?

The pics posted above seem normal to me for a BR and CR... am i wrong?

With wear and break in.. it will become more comfortable. But i dont think the hugging movement... or some of the others is expected unless you have a very loose fitting BR or CR.

Thank you.

 

[Chris7273]

When you say hard, do you mean you were afraid the stitching was being strained, felt like the jacket was trying to cut off circulation, or just that the jacket didn't move that way?

hard : as if the jacket was too small and was restricting my moves. No problem with circulation, just a very snug fit feeling and I was not used too. Now I am used to the feeling and the jacket is now well broken. Your fit pics are looking good but If you feel uncomfortable with the design, I would opt for another design if I were you.

 

[willyto]

I think people are not used to high armholes and they inmediately think of bad fit when it's the contrary. Unless the jacket hurts when being snug in the shoulder and armpit area there's nothing to worry about. Just know that you won't be able to layer.

Leather stretches, breaks in and what feels and looks like a too tight fit eventually relaxes. I know because my first Aero Leather jacket was like that. Not saying you have to suffer in order to get a great fit but have in mind that leather will break in and mold to your body and movements. Best example is A1 Buco.

 

[Fonzie]

High armholes are great, it creates a better fit in my opinion.


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[Fanch]

At 6’2” and 185 and 41.5” I am probably not too far off in size from the op. I wear a size 42 Aero 1930’s half belt and Cafe Racer (Sheene). When a friend of mine sent me his size 42 Premier Highwayman that likely fits similarly to the Board Racer, the jacket was too tight and restrictive in the chest and shoulders to the extent I would have needed to size up to a 44, which might be your situation.

I have two Sheenes (Cafe Racer with regular collar) size 42 with 2” added to the circumstance of the waist for a perfect fit. I prefer the sleeve zippers in back rather than in the front as on the BR.

I think your most helpful information will no doubt be from Carrie who is incredibly knowledgeable. Welcome to the Lounge and thanks for your long service in the USN. This is coming from an ex Naval flight surgeon. I am also on a couple of watch forums. Good hunting with your quest!

 

[Bfd70]

Thought the handle looked familiar. TRF?

 

[ProteinNerd]

High armholes are great, it creates a better fit in my opinion.


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Except if you plan to layer under the jacket, lower arm holes are more accomodating for a layer or two.

 

[Fonzie]

Except if you plan to layer under the jacket, lower arm holes are more accomodating for a layer or two.

True. So you need both, a board racer and a cafe racer. Sorted.


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[ProteinNerd]

True. So you need both, a board racer and a cafe racer. Sorted.


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I like where you are going with this...

 

[nick123]

I have actually experienced the unfortunate event of once owning an A-2 that literally hurt the armpits. Lovely jacket too. If there is any kind of pain or struggle when wearing (not merely a bit of constriction) and you find yourself obsessing over the sensation of the armpit gnawing, it is best to size up on the next jacket.