Aero Jacket Question (Also, are there quality jackets under 300 dollars?)

[The Good]

Having experience only with a G-1 replica jacket by Sporty's Pilot Shop bought nearly a year and a half ago, I'm thinking about Aero. What are some things I should know about them, or about ordering from them, before I do so? Is there a specific ordering procedure that I must be aware of before buying? I was thinking of one of the military line of jackets, maybe a shearling.

Just to add on, a model that I'm looking at is their redskin D-1 jacket. Does anyone here own one, or any of their other shearling jackets? What would be the comfortable temperature range for these? I may live in SoCal, but I am more prone than others to feel cold even in temperate weather.

 

[Jeff M]

I'd say the temperature range is "snow and sleet".
I'd be boiling in one of Aero's shearling jackets in So. Cal.
Even in No. Cal...I find their Alpaca lining to be a bit on the too warm side...even in the winter..and that's not as heavy as the shearling

Re; ordering an Aero, size questions, etc.....contact Amanda at Aero. They are great.

 

[The Good]

Thank you for that input, Jeff. There's no guarantee I'm going with Aero, I was looking at Gibson & Barnes and some other sites, but Aero here on the Fedora Lounge is considered one of the very best. They are however, prohibitively expensive. Converting the prices to U.S. currency, it's over seven-hundred dollars for a D-1. I guess I'll have to take the temperatures in consideration, I have never tried on a jacket any warmer than my G-1 is now.

Does anybody know where to get decent shearling (or leather in general) flight jackets at more affordable prices, in the 200-300 dollar range? I don't want a cheap quality product, but I'm willing to go mid-range if I can't go for Aero now.

 

[Jeff M]

Gibson & Barnes makes nice jackets. I own one of their Indiana Jones style jackets. It doesn't get much wear. I tend to reach for my Aero's or Vanson's.
Eastman is also makes very high quality jackets. Same price range as Aero though. And they don't really offer custom fit like Aero does. .

 

[Dr H]

Good Wear is the top maker for my money. Bespoke, longer wait times, unsurpassed for quality IMO. I've owned two, a Doniger A-2 and currently an A-1 and the fit, attention to detail, and quality of components makes it worth every penny/cent...

 

[HighandDry]

Shearling is REALLY warm. I sold my B-6, because it was just too warm to wear in Seattle.

I wore it in Canada at 10 degrees and was comfortable.

 

[Edward]

Good Wear is the top maker for my money. Bespoke, longer wait times, unsurpassed for quality IMO. I've owned two, a Doniger A-2 and currently an A-1 and the fit, attention to detail, and quality of components makes it worth every penny/cent...

They are the very most accurate, yes, though I think John's sticking to A2s? I can't comment on the Californian climate, never having been there (by the sound of thing, though, it would kill me!). Quality wise, the Aero will be great. For not much more, I'd choose a B6 over a D1; but that's to personal taste. Worth keeping an eye on ebay for used Aero and ELC options, they do crop up relatively regularly.

 

[Dr H]

If you check out JC's site you'll see an abundance of A-2s but also navy jackets and bike jackets too now...

 

[ButteMT61]

I wear a B3 here in SoCal.
I bought an Aero B3 for my son. BEAUTIFUL jacket.
No pics until Nov 24th when he gets it.
It's a great jacket. Top notch.
The one you want has a thinner sheerling and would be great when it's colder here. My 2¢

 

[Jeff M]

I have a couple of Good Wear jackets.."military" and "civilian"... and they are top notch.
I don't believe John is currently offering any sheerling lined models. At least I have never seen a sheerling lined Good Wear..and John hasn't mentioned them in my recent correspondence with him. Haven't asked him though.

And....it sounds like the original poster is interested in something more economical. John's jackets are by no means inexpensive....in the same price range as Aero's...if not a bit more.

 

[ButteMT61]

I've heard that These guys make a decent jacket at a lower price point.
I have no experience myself with them though.
The D1 is made by fewer companies and is even hard to find on ebay - I know, I've been looking for one for my father.

 

[ButteMT61]

Right now there's an Aero D1 redskin in size 42 no reserve from AeroUSA. No kidding.

 

[derleicaman]

I am the proud owner of John's one and only D-1 prototype jacket. It is a great jacket, very nice and warm. Wore it in the really cold weather last winter here in Chicago. There are pictures of it under the sold items on John's website. I also have an Aero B-6. Great jacket, beautifully made but a lot warmer than the D-1. The D-1 might work in SoCal, but the B-6 is probably overkill.

 

[The Good]

I am the proud owner of John's one and only D-1 prototype jacket. It is a great jacket, very nice and warm. Wore it in the really cold weather last winter here in Chicago. There are pictures of it under the sold items on John's website. I also have an Aero B-6. Great jacket, beautifully made but a lot warmer than the D-1. The D-1 might work in SoCal, but the B-6 is probably overkill.

Maybe I missed something, but who is John, what's his website?

 

[derleicaman]

John Chapman of Goodwear.

www.goodwearleather.com

 

[Jeff M]

John Chapman.
Good Wear Leather Coat Company.

Vne of the best..if not THE best....maker of "vintage reproduction" WWII era military jackets. ( Mainly A2's.)

Designs based on his "stitch by stitch" study of the actual jackets from that era.
Custom fit to your measurements.
Leathers chosen to match the original leathers used.

http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/index.html

Basically like reaching back in time.

 

[ButteMT61]

Why are we still discussing GW when the OP wants to spend $200-$300???
Oye.

 

[The Good]

Why are we still discussing GW when the OP wants to spend $200-$300???
Oye.

Yes, actually I changed the thread title to better reflect my economic preference here. Thank you for the suggestions everyone, those really do look like quality jackets, though many are well out of my price range. I may not even go with Aero for now, but the help was appreciated.

 

[Jeff M]

Since you ask
... we got derailed here;

Good Wear is the top maker for my money. Bespoke, longer wait times, unsurpassed for quality IMO. I've owned two, a Doniger A-2 and currently an A-1 and the fit, attention to detail, and quality of components makes it worth every penny/cent...

Since then been answering questions re; GW.

 

[The Good]

I will just say that I'm still leaning towards the D-1 style of shearling jacket, from what I've gathered, it's lighter (and less warm) than the B-3 and the B-6 jackets. However, it's still warmer than a G-1 is supposed to be, right? Mine isn't Aero, but I can still feel chilly wearing one, even with a t-shirt plus a long-sleeve on top. I think I can handle wearing something a bit warmer than that down here in southern California.

Right now there's an Aero D1 redskin in size 42 no reserve from AeroUSA. No kidding.

I would've jumped on that, but I'm not size 42 short. If only it were 40r.