Aero Steerhide Motorcycle Jacket

[Edward]

Some photos of the Aero motorcycle jacket I purchased a few weeks ago. Bought from a gentleman on eBay, used, but worn only twice. Not a mark on it, and I acquired it for half the price. This is my first jacket in Aero's steerhide. I don't know if this is what they advertise as "heavy steerhide"? Lovely leather. A similar weight to it to my FQHH Bootlegger. Similar thickness also, though the leather is noticeably softer and more pliable. Very nice jacket indeed. This is the jacket that Aero market as a nod to the Schott replica they apparently made once upon a time for the Brando figure in Tussauds. It is very similar to a Schott 618, the most obvious stylistic difference being the lack of a yoke over the top of the shoulders. The back looks like one piece with an extra, reinforcing 'kidney plate' at the bottom.

Photos follow...

 

[Edward]

Poor self-takey of me wearing the jacket; I like how the buckle sits off to the side when the belt is fastened. I wonder if this is an attempt to get around the tank-scratching problem that this design of jacket can present?

The label

For what I paid, I almost feel like I stole it (!)... but then it does seem to me that Aeros in hides other than their FQHH don't seem to have the same cachet in the used market. [huh] All the better for those of us who like something different once in a while!

 

[too much coffee]

Very nice score, Edward. You're right, Aero's heavy steer doesn't get the publicity it deserves.
It may look like a Schott 618, but your jacket is miles ahead of the Schott.
Again, good job! Appears to be a good fit also.

Best regards, coffee

 

[Peacoat]

Very nice motorcycle jacket. Yes, Aero's steer is a fine hide. Very similar to Vanson. The break in will be substantially easier than with the FQHH. A good find; congratulations.

 

[JLStorm]

Aero steerhide and heavy steerhide are the same thing. You can request lighter or heavier weights, but they really only use one type of steerhide, which is their heavy steerhide, they just dont always call it heavy. Their steerhide is another beast entirely from their horse and I think it under appreciated, but unless you like really stiff leather, its just overkill. I have an extra heavy steerhide I had made and I love it to death, but its like wearing plate armor.

 

[Edward]

That's what I heard about the heavy steer. This feels somewhere between the midweight horse and the FQHH, but closer the FQHH in terms of thickness.

 

[JLStorm]

That's what I heard about the heavy steer. This feels somewhere between the midweight horse and the FQHH, but closer the FQHH in terms of thickness.

Its tough to compare the hides. Their midweight horse is veg tanned and feels much different than their FQHH. their midweight is 3.5 oz, I think their fqhh is around 4oz? Their heavy steer ranges from 5 - 5.5 oz regularly. I asked Will to find the heaviest and thickest steer he could and make me a jacket out of it. He guessed it was around 6.5oz, which didnt mean much to me at the time since I didnt have anything near that weight. I have felt leather that is thicker (boot leather), but nothing as stiff. Im guessing thats from the chrome tanning? Ive never seen a well worn Aero Steer, Ive been told as it breaks in it gets that nice patina that FQHH gets, but I doubt anythign patinas as nicely as that FQHH. Id love to see a photo proving me wrong though.

Either way their steer reminds me of the old stiff motorcycle jackets that I love. I wouldnt want to drive a car in it for long periods of time, but outside of that, its a pleasure to wear. I'll beat mine into submission eventually lol. I really enjoy the process of breaking them in over years and I think thats why I like the stiffer leather better. That and it reminds me of my dads old leather biker jackets.

 

[Edward]

Yes, my formative experiences were all with biker leathers, so I tend to favour something with a bit of fight in it myself.

 

[holdemchamp1225]

Great Aero MC jacket!! I actually have the same jacket in a 38 but I think its a HEAVY weight steerhide as it was STIFFER than anything hide I have had including several FQHH jackets. Probably between a 5.5-6.5 oz hide. It really is bulletproof. I bought it off Ebay as well and although it was a size larger than I usually would purchase, I could not pass up on the deal since I basically STOLE it for the price. The lining is an unbelievably nice quilted purple-ish lining and I believe that it once belonged to a fellow lounger (H. Johnson who passed it on to the Ebayer I bought it from). The fit is a little on the large side through the chest so I wear it while riding in winter months when I can layer underneath which makes the fit spot on. All in all a really exceptional jacket and UNDER-APPRECIATED due to it being steerhide and not their FQHH.

I'm sure you will enjoy trying to beat and break it in although it will take a LONG time, LOL!!

 

[Benny Holiday]

That's one helluva cool purchase Edward. Congratulations!

 

[Dav]

That hide looks beautiful Edward, again further increasing my anticipation of my own impending steerhide order.

 

[Edward]

Yeah, I'm giving serious thought to opting for this in a black halfbelt.... I am not going to be buying it this side of Christmas, but I have the design (a few mods in mind, mostly adding some features from the Route 66 model to the Thirties Halfbelt). I fancy something different than FQHH (much as I love that skin). At the minute, it's a toss up between the steer and goat....

 

[1087]

Spectacular jacket, Edward!
Steerhide it's a great leather, and I agree that it's not appreciated as much as HH, but it's better for us because we can pay less for great jackets like yours.
Congrats again!

 

[Vic]

I like how the buckle sits off to the side when the belt is fastened. I wonder if this is an attempt to get around the tank-scratching problem that this design of jacket can present?

I doubt it. The whole tank scratching thing is one a problem with Ton-Up Rockers leaning forward so far as they ride...which is why the English MC jackets tend to be the basic front zip or the Lewis Leathers style w/ the double side buckles.

Anyone riding in a more upright or reclined position would never deal w/ the tank scratching. Simply put, I don't think Rockers would go for the front buckle...and I doubt that putting it slightly off-center would change their minds.

But, personally, I like the front buckle best...and I like your jacket!

 

[Edward]

Good point Viv..... now I think about the bikes and typical riding positions back in the 40s and 50s.... And that would explain why the 'Brando' style with the full or halfbelt buckling at the front was more a hit in the US, where bikes were far more commonly laid back tourers that mandated a much more 'upright' sitting position.

 

[macguzzi]

I've had mine for 20 years great jacket

 

[Ugarte]

Very nice jacket Edward. I have a steerhide Highwayman and I'm very happy with it. I'm sure your jacket will wear well for the rest of your life. Congratulations on the deal.

Mark
.

 

[TheSnark]

Very nice, indeed, and a great bargain! I rather like the watch pocket... I've found the chest pockets on jackets like this to be almost useless, but a small snap-close pocket low enough to reach can be really handy. I suspect you're right about the motive for buckle placement, especially since the sewn-in half-belt design prevents the buckle from sliding into a more frontal position. It will undoubtedly look even better after a few months of wear and tear. The lapels on this jacket appear a bit narrower than the Schott; possibly they wanted more coverage with the lapels still snapped down, or maybe it just looks that way with the jacket unzipped.

 

[garzo]

Greetings Edward,

Old thread, I know, but I was looking into Aero motorcycle jackets and was wondering if you could say something about the sizing of this particular model and how it compares to other Aeros, such as the Highwayman. I know Aero sizing can vary greatly between their utility and military jackets and I know they also recommend sizing up from your normal size on cafe racer jackets, which are cut very slim.
I see your jacket is a 42. Is that what you wear on all Aeros?

 

[Edward]

Greetings Edward,

Old thread, I know, but I was looking into Aero motorcycle jackets and was wondering if you could say something about the sizing of this particular model and how it compares to other Aeros, such as the Highwayman. I know Aero sizing can vary greatly between their utility and military jackets and I know they also recommend sizing up from your normal size on cafe racer jackets, which are cut very slim.
I see your jacket is a 42. Is that what you wear on all Aeros?

Mostly, though I've had to give in and admit defeat on this one having not worn it much, as the waist is simply too tight on me (not sure if it's the standard cut, but it seems to be tighter there than my Thirties halfbelt, which is otherwise neater over the shoulders). This one is comparable to my Bootlegger, save tighter right at the waist(it actually fastens right on my hip bones, which is a big part of the problem. I've emailed Amanda about the fit of these jackets to ask, but it looks like in this model at least I'd have to go up a size. The Highwayman is a much roomier jacket, noticeably moreso than any of my other Aeros. The fit, neatest to loosest, would be:

Thirties Halfbelt > Bootlegger/AN6552 about the same > A2 > Highwayman. All size 42 chest.