Aero Highwayman En Route From Scotland

[Goodguy]

I was notified today by Aero that the Highwayman I ordered is being shipped out today, and I'm looking forward to receiving my first jacket from Aero. I worked with them directly on measurements and they were really great. I usually work more closely with my tailor and shirtmaker, so I'm crossing my fingers the jacket fits well. My thanks to this forum for briniging Aero and the Highwayman to my attention.

 

[bobjones]

You are a fortunate man indeed. How long ago did you place the order, and did you make any modifications?

 

[Goodguy]

You are a fortunate man indeed. How long ago did you place the order, and did you make any modifications?

Thank you. IIRC, I placed the order in the November/December timeframe. Didn't make any changes other than the long size. Went with their standard Tartan plaid lining. They recommend against the bi-swingback, so I took their adviceon that aspect.

 

[bobjones]

Oh wow, that is a long time, maybe I should stop nagging Will for an accelerated timeframe, especially since I have made a few changes to my jacket. I had wanted to get it by mid-march because after that it is probably too late to wear until nearly october here in NY.

Let me know if you have to pay import duties, etc., I am hopeful that they aren't needed. Also, take some pictures when you get the jacket and shows us how it looks.

 

[Fanch]

Post pictures of the Highwayman when it arrives, including pictures with you wearing the jacket. I received my Highwayman recently and couldn't be happier!

 

[Goodguy]

Oh wow, that is a long time, maybe I should stop nagging Mark for an accelerated timeframe, especially since I have made a few changes to my jacket. I had wanted to get it by mid-march because after that it is probably too late to wear until nearly october here in NY.

Let me know if you have to pay import duties, etc., I am hopeful that they aren't needed. Also, take some pictures when you get the jacket and shows us how it looks.

Yeah, took a while but it gave me achance to pay off bills from the holidays. But, it can take a similar amount of time to get a suit or even shirt made, so it's not an unusual delay for me. They are not charging a VAT or shipping charges. Customs charges are hit or miss.

 

[bobjones]

I would guess, and admittedly am out of my element here, but if a manufacturer "beared-down" they could make the jacket in a few days. I gather it comes down to their backlog of orders, how many staffers are out on vacation/maternity leave, etc. also. I ordered a Stockman, a style that might more more difficult to create perhaps than some of the others.

 

[Goodguy]

Received the Highwayman today, hope to post pics. It rocks. They really nailed the fit, which concerned me because of long arms and a long torso. FQHH is on the stiff side but not unbearably so. I'm glad they advised me to get it, downplaying, justifiably, IMO, the claims of stiffness of the hide I had read about. Shipping just took a few days and I escaped customs charges. I'm a happy camper.

 

[Estevan]

Received the Highwayman today, hope to post pics. It rocks. They really nailed the fit, which concerned me because of long arms and a long torso. FQHH is on the stiff side but not unbearably so. I'm glad they advised me to get it, downplaying, justifiably, IMO, the claims of stiffness of the hide I had read about. Shipping just took a few days and I escaped customs charges. I'm a happy camper.

Yeahhhhh!!!!!!! Pics when you can!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[bobjones]

You lucky son of a...

Was the jacket in the 4 oz. heavy horse, or the 3 oz.?

The most important task you can do right now is not tell your friends or family, or even stand in front of the mirror - its to take some pictures and post them for us to drool over...

I am scheduled to get mine in a few weeks, and am also here in NYC, so it is good to hear you didn't have to pay extra to the Feds...

 

[Goodguy]

You lucky son of a...

Was the jacket in the 4 oz. heavy horse, or the 3 oz.?

The most important task you can do right now is not tell your friends or family, or even stand in front of the mirror - its to take some pictures and post them for us to drool over...

I am scheduled to get mine in a few weeks, and am also here in NYC, so it is good to hear you didn't have to pay extra to the Feds...

Thanks, man. I don't know the weight of the leather, but they suggested I get the heavy version, so I imagine it's 4 oz if that's the heaviest. Only issue I have is the zipper could be more substantial, at least for the heavier leather. I have the sense that the weight of the leather could pull the zipper apart, but that remains to be seen. They don't offer other zipper options, unfortunately.

 

[bobjones]

Thanks, man. I don't know the weight of the leather, but they suggested I get the heavy version, so I imagine it's 4 oz if that's the heaviest. Only issue I have is the zipper could be more substantial, at least for the heavier leather. I have the sense that the weight of the leather could pull the zipper apart, but that remains to be seen. They don't offer other zipper options, unfortunately.

IIRC Aero does offer a "mid-weight" HH, which I believe is about 2.5 to 3.0 oz. weight. Interesting about the zipper, not even something that I would have thought of, I will ask Will about it next week, thanks for the heads up.

What about the jacket weight, does it feel heavy on you, do you think you could walk around all day in the streets of Edinburgh or Venice while wearing it, or would it start to bother your shoulders, neck, etc.?

 

[Fanch]

It is my understanding that Aero stopped using the Talon zipper on their utility jackets because of longevity issues, particularly with the heavy FQHH jackets, and have had no issues with their "Aero" brand zipper, which is a YKK. I have a Talon zipper on my Aero Bronco A-2 and the "Aero" YKK zipper on my Highwayman. The Aero zipper appears to be much better constructed than the Talon when the two are compared side-by-side. Mark Moye has confirmed to me verbally that no problems have occurred with the Aero/YKK zipper to date, even with the FQHH jackets. In any case, I doubt that you will have a problem.

Don't forget to send pictures, including pictures with the jacket on you, so that we can see how it looks/fits!

 

[Goodguy]

IIRC Aero does offer a "mid-weight" HH, which I believe is about 2.5 to 3.0 oz. weight. Interesting about the zipper, not even something that I would have thought of, I will ask Will about it next week, thanks for the heads up.

What about the jacket weight, does it feel heavy on you, do you think you could walk around all day in the streets of Edinburgh or Venice while wearing it, or would it start to bother your shoulders, neck, etc.?

I haven't yet worn it for an extended period of time, however, at first blush, it feels comfortable and not so heavy that I really feel weighed down by it. I'm using another horsehide jacket, a motorcycle jacket, from Fox Creek as a comparison and that jacket weighs me down the moment I put it on. If I had to do it over, I wouldn't make any changes in the weight of the Aero horse hide. Of course, my back and your back may differ, so you'll need to make that determination on your own. Will at Aero, by the way, is great to work with. He's very patient and knowledgeable. Amanda is nice on a basic level, but Will's expertise and assurances that the jacket would fit based on our conversation helped seal the deal for me.

 

[Fanch]

Both my Aero A-2 and Highwayman are made with midweight goatskin. I believe that the goat and midweight HH that Aero uses are similar in thickness; at least the samples of each that Mark Moye sent me are. The FWHH sample was very thick and stiff when compared to the others, although I understand that the FQHH softens with use.

I am considering a Happy Days for my next Aero, either in midweight seal brown jerky HH or midweight black smooth HH. Mark just posted pictures of a Happy Days of a midweight seal brown jerky HH:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=19179250&uid=142228

A sample of a midweight black smooth HH (Cafe Racer) jacket is:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=3831747&uid=142228

Decisions, decisions!

 

[bobjones]

Fanch - how would you characterize goatskin? Would you say it is not a tough, strong, long-lasting hide?

I know its lighter and less durable than FQHH, but by how much?

 

[James Miller]

Both my Aero A-2 and Highwayman are made with midweight goatskin. I believe that the goat and midweight HH that Aero uses are similar in thickness; at least the samples of each that Mark Moye sent me are. The FWHH sample was very thick and stiff when compared to the others, although I understand that the FQHH softens with use.

I am considering a Happy Days for my next Aero, either in midweight seal brown jerky HH or midweight black smooth HH. Mark just posted pictures of a Happy Days of a midweight seal brown jerky HH:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=19179250&uid=142228

A sample of a midweight black smooth HH (Cafe Racer) jacket is:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=3831747&uid=142228

Decisions, decisions!

I just got a Aero happy day for Christmas check out the post( New Areo Just Arrived). Mine is FQHH and I love it but let me tell you it's stiff But I dont mind because It's a good jacket for when I take the old Harley out for a ride. Now that I know what the Jerky horsehide looks like thanks to you that's on my next wish list.

If I can add a note: I wish the arm pits where up a little higher, It makes the jacket ride up a little when I raise my arms so you might want to check in to it when giving Mark you size.

 

[Fanch]

Bobjones, to the best of my knowledge, goatskin is a very tough, long lasting skin, maybe the best. Although it is not quite as heavy as a comparable midweight HH, the goat is said to be stronger. I am told that WW II goat A-2's have held up much better than the HH A-2's. However, the linings, zippers, and knits all seem to wear out years before the skins do. Perhaps the FQHH is preferable as a cycle jacket because of its thickness. However, I stopped riding motorcycles years ago since I am a surgeon and have seen too many injuries first hand in ER's. However, if I were to seek a cycle jacket, one consideration might be the Aero 'Private Purchase' A-2 with FQHH as pictured and order with the Aero zipper and cotton drill lining for longevity. Also, the Aero 'Private Purchase' A-2 has the high arm holes for lifting one's arms inside the cockpit without the jacket riding up, although extra long sleeves would be a must. Or maybe I would look for a kevlar body suit!

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=7110201&uid=142228

 

[Goodguy]

In comparison to the Lost World horsehide jacket I sampled, the Aero Highwayman in horsehide is far more pliable, far less stiff, and noticeably lighter. The LW jacket was actually painful to wear in some respects, but do not tell them that because they do not appreciate user feedback. The FQHH Highwayman provides a much more enjoyable wearing experience, in my opinion.

 

[Goodguy]

Quick update that I wore my new FQHH Highwayman today and it is, at least for me, as comfortable as a sweater. No fatigue whatsoever, didn't even feel as though I had it on, even though it fits like a glove. In the light of day, the horsehide does show imperfections, such as light scratches, so if things like that bother you, horsehide might not be for you.