Aero linings, drill vs. the various weights of tartans

[Jack Burton]

Can any of you comment on tartan linings (10oz reiver, 16oz strome) as compared to the cotton drill? I was going to go with drill based on it's durability but have been told it's softer than it used to be. As far as warmth, I'm thinking the tartans may fall in between the drill and the alpaca.

 

[Peacoat]

Jack, none of the linings are very warm, including the Alpaca. On my next Aero, I will get the drill lining, which will last forever, even if it, allegedly, isn't as tough as it used to be, which I doubt. If I want warmer, I will add a vest or a sweater. Make sure you ask them to build it large enough to accommodate a vest or thin sweater.

 

[Philalethes]

Jack, none of the linings are very warm, including the Alpaca.

Aero sent me samples of three different weights of alpaca: the standard (black) isn't extremely warm, but the other two (wine and brown) are both pretty thick and warm.

GriffDeLaGriff talks about the heavy brown alpaca here.

 

[Dudleydoright]

I had the A-2 mustard cotton lining in my goat Half-Belt Long. Meant I could wear the jacket through more of the year than the alpaca or drill linings. But it depends where you live, your climate and how often you wear your jacket. I thought it better to have the lightest lining and layer up in colder weather. That way it's wearable for more of the year.

I also did away with storm cuffs as they interfere with your sweater / shirt cuffs and if the weather is that unpleasant that you are delaing with high winds etc, I tend to wear a jacket made specifically for bad weather rather than what is essentially a dress jacket.

To each their own. There's room for all opinions - despite what some might have you believe ! ;-)

 

[Edward]

The wool tartans certainly aren't extremely warm. I have one of those (couldn't honestly day which, though) in my Bootlegger, and it's not significantly warmer than my gab-lined half belt, at least not to any degree that I think is caused by the lining rather than the design of the jacket. What I would be careful of is getting a jacket which isn't ideal for the Winter lined in something that is too heavy for wearing in milder weather. For instance, the 30s Halfbelt really is not cut as a pattern that would look 'right' sized up and with a sweater underneath, imo. It's just not a Winter jacket. Putting too heavy a lining in that one would reduce its wear to a coupel of weeks a year, IMO. The basic jacket design will dictate a lot about what is suitable, IMO, as will your intended use.