An example of Vanson's new Comp Weight when (almost) Fully Broken In

[Khilij]

Hi all,

There's been much debate on whether Vanson's new batches of Comp Weight are up to snuff.

I just wanted to start a thread on my Chopper that I've been wearing on a regular basis since I purchased it in March of 2021 from Thurston Bros. I've probably put hundreds of hours of wear into the jacket in the past 7 months. I wanted to show you all how the new Comp Weight is holding up.

In my opinion, it's doing a wonderful job. I don't have a ton of experience with the old stuff, but in terms of durability, Vanson's new comp weight absolutely does the job. In terms of aesthetics, I find it quite pleasing, but that will come down to personal taste more than anything. Please look at the following pictures to get more of an idea of what I'm talking about and I hope you all find this to be a useful posting.

Thank you,
Khilij

 

[Canuck Panda]

Nice creases on the sleeves!

 

[J Leather Investigater]

Chopper time! Love mine

 

[Khilij]

Chopper time! Love mine View attachment 368578

Woah, that is one gorgeous Chopper.

 

[TREEMAN]

These look like the same pictures that are in the classified . What’s the point of this exercise ?

 

[JMax]

Chopper time! Love mine View attachment 368578

Put my Chopper in the mix.

 

[Khilij]

These look like the same pictures that are in the classified . What’s the point of this exercise ?

The main point is to share my last memories of my chopper and my ultimate summary of ownership before it passes on to its new owner. While I am certainly offering my jacket for sale, you'll notice I did not mention this fact anywhere in this post, which I would do if this were in fact intended as self-promotion. I just wanted to show the community what putting a lot of wear Into the new comp weight does to it.

 

[TREEMAN]

The main point is to share my last memories of my chopper and my ultimate summary of ownership before it passes on to its new owner. While I am certainly offering my jacket for sale, you'll notice I did not mention this fact anywhere in this post, which I would do if this were in fact intended as self-promotion. I just wanted to show the community what putting a lot of wear Into the new comp weight does to it.

If you really wanted to show the community what the Comp Weight leather is like on this jacket you should have spent a little time and take some different and better pics of the leather… like close-ups. IMO the leather looks mediocre at best …

 

[Marc mndt]

If you really wanted to show the community what the Comp Weight leather is like on this jacket you should have spent a little time and take some different and better pics of the leather…like close-ups. IMO the leather looks mediocre at best …

Who are you to question the OP's intensions. Maybe you should take a look at your own contributions to this community first. All you seem to do is criticize other people's jackets, boots or style without contributing anything meaningful yourself.

 

[TREEMAN]

Who are you to question the OP's intensions. Maybe you should take a look at your own contributions to this community first. All you seem to do is criticize other people's jackets, boots or style without contributing anything meaningful yourself.

You think there’s something wrong with asking questions ? “ All I do is criticize people’s jackets “ . Now that’s a totally
false statement. Also , I rarely comment on boots or styles …
Basically Mark I think you got out of bed on the wrong side this morning.[/QUOTE ]

 

[Marc mndt]

Also , I rarely comment on boots or styles …

 

[Edward]

Ok people, calm it down or this thread will have a short life.

 

[jglf]

There is nothing wrong with the new comp weight leather if you go in knowing what the intended use of the leather is for. It’s about 5oz, top grain with some type of coating (not sure if it’s pigment). It is very uniform in thickness and density and has very good water resistance which is perfect for MC riding. If you want a full aniline leather which shows age and wear with variations in color, grain, etc…, this leather is not for you.

I think Vanson has like 4-5 other leather options to meet your needs, or you can do what I did and go through Thurstons for their bainbridge and Vancouver leathers.

I love Vanson’s, but I realize that it’s a different type of jacket than Thedi or Japanese brands.

 

[dubpynchon]

Here's a picture of my chopper (snigger)

It's X150 or Z150 or whichever one it is, great jacket, I should wear it more often.

 

[El Marro]

There is nothing wrong with the new comp weight leather if you go in knowing what the intended use of the leather is for. It’s about 5oz, top grain with some type of coating (not sure if it’s pigment). It is very uniform in thickness and density and has very good water resistance which is perfect for MC riding. If you want a full aniline leather which shows age and wear with variations in color, grain, etc…, this leather is not for you.

I believe it is closer to 3.5 oz but you have summed it up pretty well. I have no doubt that with enough wear the current comp. weight leather will look great. Like @dubpynchon I need to make more time to give my Choppers the wear they deserve!

 

[jglf]

I believe it is closer to 3.5 oz but you have summed it up pretty well. I have no doubt that with enough wear the current comp. weight leather will look great. Like @dubpynchon I need to make more time to give my Choppers the wear they deserve!

You’re right about the thickness. I measured the wrist gusset at around 4-4.25oz and it’s thicker than the rest of the jacket.

 

[Edward]

Put my Chopper in the mix.

View attachment 368584

Is that a reddish brown or more of an oxblood in daylight? I do like the Chopper. There are quite a few Vanson jackets that appeal to me, but of all the styles they do that I like, this is perhaps the most original. The add-on collar is interesting - does it work well in practice on top of the mandarin collar style? This is a model I would be seriously looking at if I do manage to get a bike over the next few years.

 

[Peacoat]

I would like to handle the new comp weight to see how it compares to my old comp weight. When new it was stiff as board. After it was broken in, it is easy to wear and is a very nice hide.

Vanson used to take pride in its comp weight. I imagine that hasn't changed. Their problem, back then, was sourcing hides that met their quality standards. Vanson is a good company with a good product.

 

[Monitor]

It's a quality, heavy, tough hide. It's also plasticy, flat and lifeless which of course means NOTHING in terms of quality and specific purpose for which it was made. Which is riding. So it is exactly what it is supposed to be, doing what it's supposed to do and they ought to be taking pride in it.
I had a jacket made in it. It was a perfect motorcycle jacket & I'm sure the heavy glazing added an even superior weather resistance compared to the old, thick, naked hide they used to work with. So as far as I am concerned, I'm speaking about it merely from a point of aesthetics. Or more precisely, fashion. I as in myself as in me personally, don't like it as it isn't what I want out of my clothes - but - New Comp. weight is great!

Vanson may be steering their company toward actual bikers even more seriously with it, which is freaking great. We're having enough makers working in insta-fading leather. Having a deadly cool retro biker jacket that's actually intended to be worn on a motorcycle, is more than welcome.

 

[JMax]

Is that a reddish brown or more of an oxblood in daylight? I do like the Chopper. There are quite a few Vanson jackets that appeal to me, but of all the styles they do that I like, this is perhaps the most original. The add-on collar is interesting - does it work well in practice on top of the mandarin collar style? This is a model I would be seriously looking at if I do manage to get a bike over the next few years.

This was one of the batches of Octagon that coincided with Vanson’s release of their Oxblood hide. So it is much less orangy than older Octagon. It stayed this way until it was discontinued. I like it more. It’s overcast today, but I will go out when the sun emerges to try and accurately capture the color. It’s not as deep as oxblood but not quite reddish brown either.

The collar works ok for off the bike. But there are not enough snaps to keep it secured when riding. Though I do ride without a fairing or windshield, and my full face helmet does rub on the collar a bit. It may work better under different circumstances. But I never use it to ride. Almost lost it.