Aero: Pinnacle vs. Tumbled CXL vs. Vicenza. Thoughts over time?

[AlchemicalTheorist]

Well here I am at the precipice of pulling the trigger on a MTO Aero. I’m very much leaning towards the 30s Halfbelt or Premier Highwayman. Something with a slimmer fit but not aggressively so. I’ve done my research as best as possible, got my swatches and narrowed it down to some black leathers.

My view is I don’t want full blown CXL but something softer. I’m narrowed down to pinnacle, tumbled CXL horsehide, and Vicenza as they all appear to be the softer of the horsehides. But one thing I’ve found is it is very hard to find lived in experiences with those leathers or indeed comparisons.

So I thought I’d ask you all. How have you found them, particularly over the long term? Do they mould even though they’re softer than steerhide? Do they age well or too fast? How do they look on slimmer styles? Any and all views welcome.

P.s. The reason I’m going new is I’ve had issues with second hand purchases and struggle to find things in my size (42 chest with similar waist).

 

[MrProper]

Is there a reason why it has to be horse hide?
Because for black, I would definitely prefer CXSH to CXFQHH. Badalassi is also a beautiful leather, as long as you can cope with the creaking.
If it absolutely has to be horse hide, I would go for Vicenza (unfortunately I don't know Pinnacle). Very comfortable to wear.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Pinnacle is still rather un-known to most of us here as it is still quite new.
Regarding the rest of this, I really want to encourage you to do some searching, as this has been covered many times prior on this forum:

I started this thread in 2019: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...hh-vs-cxl-steerhide-1st-world-problems.97988/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-cxl-fqhh-vs-vicenza-vs-jerky-hh.115724/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/horse-vs-steer-vs-goat-premium-half-belt.111594/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...an-aero-premier-halfbelt.108697/#post-2943563

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/advice-request-first-thurston-bros-custom-aero.108285/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/cx-fqhh-or-cx-steerhide.104205/#post-2811685

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/black-cxl-vs-black-vicenza-showing-their-age.99816/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-sheene-fit-advice-and-creative-guidance.94120/page-5

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...mer-self-about-ordering-a-custom-aero.102605/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...er-cxl-fqhh-or-vicenza-hh.97753/#post-2565205

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/cxl-horsehide-vs-vicenza.95373/

That ought to get you started with some good reading.

This is an important one regarding their fit, and it was started by one of the owners directly.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/explaining-the-aero-fit.103010/

 

[jeepTj98]

I have two aero jackets that I am most certain are Vicenza horsehide. ARockafella and a bootlegger. Sometimes I have doubt believing the rockafella is Vicenza because it appears to be thicker and not as shiny as the bootlegger. It is very comfortable and has aged almost like a vintage jacket. It is truly beautiful. It originally was owned by pandemic here on the forum. I’m pretty sure he has pictures posted and has stated it as Vicenza. I have the original tags for the bootlegger so I know for sure it is Vicenza. It has molded to my body perfectly and is the most comfortable jacket I have almost a cotton like feel. If I were to purchase another jacket, it would be Vicenza and I would want it to be just like the bootlegger.

 

[AerGuitar]

Blackened Brown Vicenza is still one of my all time favorite hides.

 

[jeepTj98]

Blackened Brown Vicenza is still one of my all time favorite hides.

Mine are blackend brown Vicenza. . I’ve been wanting to posts a few pictures.

 

[Leathergato]

I have jackets in both Vicenza and tumbled CXL FQHH. In my opinion the depth of color and patina is the most beautiful in the brown CXL but it is a very heavy leather. The Vicenza is mid weight leather so easier to grab and go and lighter on the body.

I have a premier highwayman in Vicenza. If I could do one thing differently it would be to add shoulder gussets because the shoulders are very restrictive even though I had them widened.

 

[jeepTj98]

I have jackets in both Vicenza and tumbled CXL FQHH. In my opinion the depth of color and patina is the most beautiful in the brown CXL but it is a very heavy leather. The Vicenza is mid weight leather so easier to grab and go and lighter on the body.

I have a premier highwayman in Vicenza. If I could do one thing differently it would be to add shoulder gussets because the shoulders are very restrictive even though I had them widened.

Mine are both Vicenza horsehide but the rockafella is seriously heavy and thick but yet very comfortable. The bootlegger is thinner as you said. I love them both!

 

[jeepTj98]

Mine are both Vicenza horsehide but the rockafella is seriously heavy and thick but yet very comfortable. The bootlegger is thinner as you said. I love them both!

Mine are both Vicenza horsehide but the rockafella is seriously heavy and thick but yet very comfortable. The bootlegger is thinner as you said. I love them both!

I know what you mean about the cxl.. my buddy has one in his closet and it is a beast!

 

[AlchemicalTheorist]

Is there a reason why it has to be horse hide?
Because for black, I would definitely prefer CXSH to CXFQHH. Badalassi is also a beautiful leather, as long as you can cope with the creaking.
If it absolutely has to be horse hide, I would go for Vicenza (unfortunately I don't know Pinnacle). Very comfortable to wear.

I think I just like the idea of wearing a horse. Plus I am led to believe the denser hide may be slightly more water repellent (I live in wet Western Europe and would rather have something I know can withstand everything September to April can throw at it. For that reason I’m starting to move away from Vicenza as I think chrome tanning will be a better fit to me. Finally I like the idea of it being lighter than cow.

Why do you personally prefer the steer over horsehide in black?

I’m not tempted by Badalassi as I would rather a softer /easier first wear. Hence tumbled cxl or pinnacle.

 

[AlchemicalTheorist]

Pinnacle is still rather un-known to most of us here as it is still quite new.
Regarding the rest of this, I really want to encourage you to do some searching, as this has been covered many times prior on this forum:

I started this thread in 2019: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...hh-vs-cxl-steerhide-1st-world-problems.97988/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-cxl-fqhh-vs-vicenza-vs-jerky-hh.115724/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/horse-vs-steer-vs-goat-premium-half-belt.111594/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...an-aero-premier-halfbelt.108697/#post-2943563

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/advice-request-first-thurston-bros-custom-aero.108285/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/cx-fqhh-or-cx-steerhide.104205/#post-2811685

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/black-cxl-vs-black-vicenza-showing-their-age.99816/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-sheene-fit-advice-and-creative-guidance.94120/page-5

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...mer-self-about-ordering-a-custom-aero.102605/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...er-cxl-fqhh-or-vicenza-hh.97753/#post-2565205

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/cxl-horsehide-vs-vicenza.95373/

That ought to get you started with some good reading.

This is an important one regarding their fit, and it was started by one of the owners directly.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/explaining-the-aero-fit.103010/

Thanks, super reading. It seems my keyword searching of the forum was sorely lacking!

My takeaway is that nobody can agree! Some think CXL too heavy, others say it’s only marginally heavier Vicenza. Some love the stiffness of Cxl for break in adventures others don’t and prefer the softness of Vic. Others rail against the fashion leather look of Vic and its perceived lack of aging.

All in all I’m leaning towards Tumbled CXL as a best of both worlds, particularly on a more tailored style. Plus my jacket I’m getting rid of is a size 46 and weighs 5.3 lbs/ 2.4kg. So similar enough weight to CXL it seems.

 

[MrProper]

I think I just like the idea of wearing a horse. Plus I am led to believe the denser hide may be slightly more water repellent (I live in wet Western Europe and would rather have something I know can withstand everything September to April can throw at it. For that reason I’m starting to move away from Vicenza as I think chrome tanning will be a better fit to me. Finally I like the idea of it being lighter than cow.

Why do you personally prefer the steer over horsehide in black?

I’m not tempted by Badalassi as I would rather a softer /easier first wear. Hence tumbled cxl or pinnacle.

Ok, as a rain jacket I think CXL is certainly the most practical ;-)
However, this also applies to CXSH. I don't think there's any difference to a horse.

I prefer CXSH because it is more comfortable to wear (unfortunately I don't know tumbled CXFQHH, but I would take it if I wanted horse).
In terms of weight, I would say that the jackets I had/have were more or less the same.

If I remember correctly, some CXSH jackets used to be sold as CXFQHH jackets and nobody noticed. It's also not easy to give the correct answer to the question of whether older leather jackets are cow or horse.

My CXFQHH was very stiff and it took a long time for at least the stressed areas to break in. Some panels were still stiff even years later. My Steer was different. After wearing it a few times, it adapted well to me and is simply comfortable.
For me as a non-expert, it seems to be more of a “status” or “prestige” thing if it has to be horse. No offense, I say that as someone who has/had several horse leather jackets and shoes myself LOL.

 

[AeroFan_07]

This has been my experience as well having owned ~ 15+ Aero jackets over the past 13 years:

My CXFQHH was very stiff and it took a long time for at least the stressed areas to break in. Some panels were still stiff even years later. My Steer was different. After wearing it a few times, it adapted well to me and is simply comfortable.
For me as a non-expert, it seems to be more of a “status” or “prestige” thing if it has to be horse. No offense, I say that as someone who has/had several horse leather jackets and shoes myself LOL.

 

[Aloysius]

I think I just like the idea of wearing a horse. Plus I am led to believe the denser hide may be slightly more water repellent (I live in wet Western Europe and would rather have something I know can withstand everything September to April can throw at it. For that reason I’m starting to move away from Vicenza as I think chrome tanning will be a better fit to me. Finally I like the idea of it being lighter than cow.

Why do you personally prefer the steer over horsehide in black?

I’m not tempted by Badalassi as I would rather a softer /easier first wear. Hence tumbled cxl or pinnacle.

None of the Aero hides are going to give you trouble with water except Vicenza. The most water repellant would probably be goat.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Adding my 2 cents - I’ve had both aero CXLHH and CXSH. I prefer HH for its weight and water repellent for UK wear. I’ve worn this CXLHH jacket for about 50-60 times last year, from new, and wet towel wiped it for like 7-8 times. Last winter before storing it away (it’s my summer jacket!!) I put a thin layer of grease on it when damp, and it’s now buttery soft - and heavy at 2.9KG!

Sleeves are completely broken in - buttery soft. Body is almost broken in. Only the D pocket is still rigid! I keep it that way as a comparison.

 

[Pandemic]

I have two aero jackets that I am most certain are Vicenza horsehide. ARockafella and a bootlegger. Sometimes I have doubt believing the rockafella is Vicenza because it appears to be thicker and not as shiny as the bootlegger. It is very comfortable and has aged almost like a vintage jacket. It is truly beautiful. It originally was owned by pandemic here on the forum. I’m pretty sure he has pictures posted and has stated it as Vicenza. I have the original tags for the bootlegger so I know for sure it is Vicenza. It has molded to my body perfectly and is the most comfortable jacket I have almost a cotton like feel. If I were to purchase another jacket, it would be Vicenza and I would want it to be just like the bootlegger.

I can dig out the order sheet if you like, but it’s definitely blackened brown Vic. A new batch had just arrived and Julie offered to pick out the thickest hide with the nicest grain for me. And she sure did!

 

[AlchemicalTheorist]

Adding my 2 cents - I’ve had both aero CXLHH and CXSH.

That’s a stunner of a jacket (and I’m not a huge motorbike style lover normally). And very, very helpful info on the weight as I’d expect some of the weight on your jacket to be down to the design additions inherent in the cross body style (such as the D pocket, belt, action back and rivets) which means I could expect a 30s half belt or premier to be a touch lighter.

Thanks for such a great reply.

 

[jeepTj98]

I can dig out the order sheet if you like, but it’s definitely blackened brown Vic. A new batch had just arrived and Julie offered to pick out the thickest hide with the nicest grain for me. And she sure did!

Not necessary to dig it out.. it is certainly thick and beautiful! It’s one of those jackets I will always keep.. thanks for chiming in!

 

[jeepTj98]

None of the Aero hides are going to give you trouble with water except Vicenza. The most water repellant would probably be goat.

I’ve never had any issues getting my Vicenza jackets wet… it actually gave them more character.

 

[3.14nche]

I’ve never had any issues getting my Vicenza jackets wet… it actually gave them more character.

me neither
but it is less water resistant than cxl and will soak through much quicker under heavy rain