Aero vs Rainbow Country

[Highwayman64]

Which brand is making higher quality original Hercules patterns? On one hand, Aero allows for a lot of customization. On the other Rainbow Country has that Japanese precision. Which company is making a better original Hercules repro? Are there any other options?

 

[Poltung]

I love Aero Leather. Lots of customization, great CS, great leathers, linings and hardware. I currently have a shearling lined Vicenza HH halfbelt deluxe on the way for very cold days.

On the other hand, Rainbow Country's Hercules in Shinki HH is very special. Here's mine in seal brown, 2 years breaking in.

If you have the budget or find a great deal, I'd say go RC for the Hercules.

 

[Zoro]

To each their own, but I just don't think it matters as of today due to how hard it is to come across a RC.

You can get an Aero patiently waiting for a second hand market deal or just directly with Aero with any customization you want and get it in a couple months. Or if there's one available RTW, get it in a few days.

RC would be very hard to find, very expensive (used will likely be the price of a new Aero) and if you need a bigger size (44 or bigger) you are going from looking for a unicorn to looking for a shiny unicorn instead.

When it comes to other options? Pretty much every maker has their Hercules version.

 

[Anonmoose]

To each their own, but I just don't think it matters as of today due to how hard it is to come across a RC.

You can get an Aero patiently waiting for a second hand market deal or just directly with Aero with any customization you want and get it in a couple months. Or if there's one available RTW, get it in a few days.

RC would be very hard to find, very expensive (used will likely be the price of a new Aero) and if you need a bigger size (44 or bigger) you are going from looking for a unicorn to looking for a shiny unicorn instead.

I guess I got lucky when I nabbed a RC Hercules from https://www.mushmans.com/ this July almost immediately after deciding I wanted one lol. I don't know when exactly the 2025-2026FW batch of jackets dropped but when I bought mine there were still a few sizes available in both black and seal brown.

Mushmans has preorders up for the 2026-2027FW jackets but OP might not want to wait that long.

 

[aorange]

To each their own, but I just don't think it matters as of today due to how hard it is to come across a RC.

You can get an Aero patiently waiting for a second hand market deal or just directly with Aero with any customization you want and get it in a couple months. Or if there's one available RTW, get it in a few days.

RC would be very hard to find, very expensive (used will likely be the price of a new Aero) and if you need a bigger size (44 or bigger) you are going from looking for a unicorn to looking for a shiny unicorn instead.

When it comes to other options? Pretty much every maker has their Hercules version.

For what it’s worth, a lightly used RC will run you about $1200-1500 (from what I gathered when looking for one before realizing they’re too narrow in the shoulder for me).

A custom aero here in the states is about $1800-1900 now for horsehide. For that price, del will get you a new Hercules.

In my mind, unless you want to leverage customization, the RC seems the better choice.

 

[Zoro]

Fair point. That also reminds me that @Mrfrown has them in his shop, so depending on how much stock is expected, they may not be as hard to find.

Edit: I was considering Aero prices in UK/EU.

 

[aorange]

Fair point. That also reminds me that @Mrfrown has them in his shop, so depending on how much stock is expected, they may not be as hard to find.

Edit: I was considering Aero prices in UK/EU.

Yea I think here across the Atlantic, JL is the equivalent level of value for us (at a much smaller scale).

For the original poster, I’d take some of the measurements you get from japanese sites for RC with a grain of salt. Going by them, I should fit those jackets, but having tried them in person and having asked kind loungers for measurements of their jackets, they all run narrower than what is promised.

 

[Harris HTM]

Are there any other options?

https://billkelsomfg.com/shop/product/heracles/

 

[Wajidali]

thats a really cool jacket

 

[photo2u]

In my view, Rainbow is way above in quality than most companies. Only a handful of makers are in their quality and craftsmanship category. Aero is not, and I group them in a lower-quality group.

 

[Allin216]

I own jackets from both Aero and Rainbow Country, although not this model. Good news is that I think both would be a great choice! If either company has an "edge" in terms of historical accuracy, it's most likely Aero as that is a big part of their business model down to their insistence on period correct sizing/fit whereas Rainbow Country view vintage Americana through a Japanese lens. And by that I mean their patterns and fit are tailored for the Japanese market. That would only factor into my own buying decision if it didn't fit though.

Aero's biggest advantage is going to be the level of customization that they allow you to make on sizing, leather choices, linings, pockets, zippers, etc. I think the detailing is more intricate (incrementally so) on Rainbow Country and they use smaller needles with more tightly spaced stitches. I'd call that difference a design choice though, and not necessarily lower "Quality" on Aero's part. Another nuance is Aero's QC; they will sell jackets that have a crooked stitch or other minor defect at a discount and noting it at the time of sale on their stock page (or working direct with a customer on a custom order, and you CAN still reject it for a remake) and that info almost never follows the jacket once it's out in the world for people to judge and/or it's resold. Assuming we are comparing new vs new sidesteps that issue so I'd not worry about new Aero quality. I'd expect Rainbow Country to be obsessive over its QC and not let some of that be sold. I give Rainbow Country the edge in craftsmanship and quality control.

And the Shinki HH used by Rainbow Country is special! Finished in house too which is pretty cool.

If their off-the-rack sizing would fit you well and you want one of their limited-yet-outstanding leather choices then Rainbow Country would be an excellent pick. I guess I'd call it my 1A choice. But if the relatively narrow shoulders and slim patterning present an issue, you want a particular leather, etc. then Aero would be the better route and a close 1B overall for me.

 

[Highwayman64]

In my view, Rainbow is way above in quality than most companies. Only a handful of makers are in their quality and craftsmanship category. Aero is not, and I group them in a lower-quality group.

What makes them a step above aero?

 

[Highwayman64]

For what it’s worth, a lightly used RC will run you about $1200-1500 (from what I gathered when looking for one before realizing they’re too narrow in the shoulder for me).

A custom aero here in the states is about $1800-1900 now for horsehide. For that price, del will get you a new Hercules.

In my mind, unless you want to leverage customization, the RC seems the better choice.

Del is actually who I was considering getting the rainbow country from. I specked out an aero for $1800 + tariffs to the US it’ll come out to about $2000 and his rainbow country is listed as $1950 I think so I figured they’re in the same ballpark.

 

[Highwayman64]

I love Aero Leather. Lots of customization, great CS, great leathers, linings and hardware. I currently have a shearling lined Vicenza HH halfbelt deluxe on the way for very cold days.

On the other hand, Rainbow Country's Hercules in Shinki HH is very special. Here's mine in seal brown, 2 years breaking in.

View attachment 814931 View attachment 814932 View attachment 814933 View attachment 814934

That’s a beautiful jacket man


If you have the budget or find a great deal, I'd say go RC for the Hercules.

 

[Aloysius]

specked out an aero for $1800 + tariffs to the US

Are you ordering from Aero Japan? Aero's most expensive jackets (direct from Aero) are around $1200 before tariffs.

 

[Highwayman64]

Are you ordering from Aero Japan? Aero's most expensive jackets (direct from Aero) are around $1200 before tariffs.

I was looking at their main website. It came out to like 1350 pounds which is like 1800 usd

 

[Allin216]

Are you ordering from Aero Japan? Aero's most expensive jackets (direct from Aero) are around $1200 before tariffs.

I don't think that's the case anymore. On Aero's main website, selecting rest of world pricing, the Original Hurcules starts at 1,000 GBP before any options at all and shipping is 50GBP for a single jacket to the US. Add 75-100 for leather choice other than CXL SH and you're already cresting $1500 US without choosing a liner, pocket options, or any sort of sizing and/or pattern adjustments.

For reference on the tariff piece of the puzzle, I imported a new Aero about a month and a half ago and owed $224 USD (separate charge from paying Aero 1025 GBP).

 

[Highwayman64]

I don't think that's the case anymore. On Aero's main website, selecting rest of world pricing, the Original Hurcules starts at 1,000 GBP before any options at all and shipping is 50GBP for a single jacket to the US. Add 75-100 for leather choice other than CXL SH and you're already cresting $1500 US without choosing a liner, pocket options, or any sort of sizing and/or pattern adjustments.

For reference on the tariff piece of the puzzle, I imported a new Aero about a month and a half ago and owed $224 USD (separate charge from paying Aero 1025 GBP).

That’s why I’ve been considering the rainbow country since it would be about $2000 for either jacket.