Aero Highwayman Alternatives / How to get deals on used Aeros?

[evcn05]

Hey all,

I recently have gotten bit by the leather jacket bug, and I keep frantically searching eBay and Grailed listings for used Aeros, specifically Highwayman and other similarly styled jackets. I actually ended up finding a used Montgomery for a steal, however it was a size 40, which didn't give me a tremendous amount of chest relief, and was so short that if I took a deep breath and arched my chest, it would rise to above navel level, so not great.

This has led me into an impasse, though because all of the remaining listings (especially on eBay) seem to be either A) Ridiculously overpriced (often <$300-400 less than new for jackets with cracking leather, torn liners, etc.) or B) Way to small.

So, dedicated leather-jacket enthusiasts, what brands brands would you recommend as alternatives, or how would you recommend finding deals for Aeros?

I have so far looked at many other brands (Langlitz, Schott, Bates, etc.), however many of them only have used stock of café-racer style jackets (which I don't love due to a lack of collar) or A-2 style jackets, which I don't love due to the silhouette and I can imagine being them being too warm for all but the coldest months of my Southern US climate.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[evcn05]

I should also note that I've even considered trying my shot with some of the Chinese and Pakistani brands I've seen around, but this would be my last-resort option since I generally try to buy from countries with high labor standards and proven brands.

 

[Boris.mtdv]

Hey all,

I recently have gotten bit by the leather jacket bug, and I keep frantically searching eBay and Grailed listings for used Aeros, specifically Highwayman and other similarly styled jackets. I actually ended up finding a used Montgomery for a steal, however it was a size 40, which didn't give me a tremendous amount of chest relief, and was so short that if I took a deep breath and arched my chest, it would rise to above navel level, so not great.

This has led me into an impasse, though because all of the remaining listings (especially on eBay) seem to be either A) Ridiculously overpriced (often <$300-400 less than new for jackets with cracking leather, torn liners, etc.) or B) Way to small.

So, dedicated leather-jacket enthusiasts, what brands brands would you recommend as alternatives, or how would you recommend finding deals for Aeros?

I have so far looked at many other brands (Langlitz, Schott, Bates, etc.), however many of them only have used stock of café-racer style jackets (which I don't love due to a lack of collar) or A-2 style jackets, which I don't love due to the silhouette and I can imagine being them being too warm for all but the coldest months of my Southern US climate.

Thanks for any advice!

You and me both brother. So far I’ve found Five star (based in Pakistan and well documented here), rugged west (jackets are also made in Pakistan I believe, but they look considerably better) and the option to buy on from Japan which has somewhat cheaper Aeros but they still run to about 400, and I’m not sure how much shipping from Japan would set me back. Would love to hear some tips on this thread. Or if we just need to stop whining and save up the 400 + feel free to tell us that too

 

[tweedydon]

Aeros, used, are usually around 400 to 600; check the classifieds!

 

[Dortreo]

What’s your approximate budget? You may also want to consider Trainee Aeros or used Aeros from the company website. Also, you’ll find that there’s a wide range of Aero sizing. A size 38 could fit like a 42 or vice versa. Aero tends to vary their sizing by the decade they’re trying to replicate: Roughly speaking, a 1930s jacket (Great Depression will be tighter than a 1950s jacket (post-war boom). Know your measurements.

eBay isn’t the greatest place to look for used Aeros, as the costs of being on eBay creates an immediate mark-up. Your best bet is to wait patiently for the Fedora Lounge classifieds but you‘ll need to rigorously check on the record of the seller. FYI… @tweedydon is one of the best.

 

[evcn05]

What’s your approximate budget? You may also want to consider Trainee Aeros or used Aeros from the company website. Also, you’ll find that there’s a wide range of Aero sizing. A size 38 could fit like a 42 or vice versa. Aero tends to vary their sizing by the decade they’re trying to replicate: Roughly speaking, a 1930s jacket (Great Depression will be tighter than a 1950s jacket (post-war boom). Know your measurements.

eBay isn’t the greatest place to look for used Aeros, as the costs of being on eBay creates an immediate mark-up. Your best bet is to wait patiently for the Fedora Lounge classifieds but you‘ll need to rigorously check on the record of the seller. FYI… @tweedydon is one of the best.

My budget isn't super strict but I'd like to stay under the $500 maybe $600 mark. I've definitely checked the Aero Apprentice and Used sections but they always seem to have so few in my size; and when they do have them, they get snatched up in a blink of an eye.

I think I got unlucky with my Montgomery, even though its a 50s style, because although it was a tag size 40, with a pit-to-pit size of a smidge over 22 inches, it was tight in the shoulders and with a length of 23 inches, too short for me.

 

[Fonzie]

What size are you after?

My budget isn't super strict but I'd like to stay under the $500 maybe $600 mark. I've definitely checked the Aero Apprentice and Used sections but they always seem to have so few in my size; and when they do have them, they get snatched up in a blink of an eye.

I think I got unlucky with my Montgomery, even though its a 50s style, because although it was a tag size 40, with a pit-to-pit size of a smidge over 22 inches, it was tight in the shoulders and with a length of 23 inches, too short for me.

 

[Dortreo]

My budget isn't super strict but I'd like to stay under the $500 maybe $600 mark. I've definitely checked the Aero Apprentice and Used sections but they always seem to have so few in my size; and when they do have them, they get snatched up in a blink of an eye.

I think I got unlucky with my Montgomery, even though its a 50s style, because although it was a tag size 40, with a pit-to-pit size of a smidge over 22 inches, it was tight in the shoulders and with a length of 23 inches, too short for me.

Aero will post on Instagram when they release new jackets, including apprentice. TBH, I think their prices have gone up about 10% recently. You used to not see apprentice jackets over 500 GBP and now they run 600 GBP.

If you’re willing to wait, you can actually find amazing jackets from Japan within that budget using a proxy like buyee or FromJapan. The forum folks seem to like the latter. Buyee.jp is fine until something goes wrong. Then you’re pretty much SOL. There’s a thread on good jacket deals on this forum that‘ll point out especially good Japan deals. However, the Japanese market favors smaller, thinner folks.

 

[evcn05]

What size are you after?

It's hard because sizing can vary so much, but my chest is a tad over 42 when measured and I usually like jackets a little looser so I'm looking at a Aero size 42 and maybe even 44 depending on what the garment measurements are. I know the consensus is to size down (some people even size down 4 inches!) on Aero but that really didn't work for me.

For reference I'm around 5'11, 200 lbs and wear a size 42 jacket and 36 pant usually.

 

[Fonzie]

Ok, can’t help then, I have a few for sale but in size 40.
Good luck.

 

[evcn05]

Aero will post on Instagram when they release new jackets, including apprentice. TBH, I think their prices have gone up about 10% recently. You used to not see apprentice jackets over 500 GBP and now they run 600 GBP.

If you’re willing to wait, you can actually find amazing jackets from Japan within that budget using a proxy like buyee or FromJapan. The forum folks seem to like the latter. Buyee.jp is fine until something goes wrong. Then you’re pretty much SOL. There’s a thread on good jacket deals on this forum that‘ll point out especially good Japan deals. However, the Japanese market favors smaller, thinner folks.

Haha, I've used Japan proxies in the search for a raw denim jacket before and had a horrible time with the sizing, so I know your pain. FYI if you're ever buying Momotaro from Japan proper, don't believe their sizing charts!

I'll take a look though, thanks for the rec!

 

[Dortreo]

Ok, can’t help then, I have a few for sale but in size 40.
Good luck.

What are you selling in size 40?

 

[El Marro]

A-2 style jackets, which I don't love due to the silhouette and I can imagine being them being too warm for all but the coldest months of my Southern US climate.

The Highwayman will be warmer than the A-2 in almost every case because they are often lined with wool of varying weights and often made with heavier hides. A Highwayman lined in cotton drill with no storm cuffs will probably be similar in warmth to an A-2.

 

[Fonzie]

What are you selling in size 40?

Aeros:
Premier HB in black HH Vincenza.
Sheene collared cafe racer in black CXLHH.
M-422a in oil pull brown HH.
A-2 in seal brown jerky HH.

Plus a few others, Eastman, Thedi, Kehoe, etc.

I’m heavily down sizing my collection, I just need to stop procrastinating and start posting in the classifieds!

 

[Boris.mtdv]

Ok, can’t help then, I have a few for sale but in size 40.
Good luck.

Size 40 might work for me. Can you DM me with details?