ANJ-4 overkill for UK weather?

[HBK2025]

Hi all,

Since joining I have flip flopped on what I want and don't want and narrowed it down to a leather jacket I can layer under if needed or an ANJ-4.

I am going to try the Ironheart ANJ-4 on Friday. It's a stunning looking jacket but my concern after reading many threads here is it will be overkill for the UK. I tend to run cold. Weather in UK is barely below freezing. Will be used for walking the dog, waiting on a cold train platform in the morning and when the weather requires a cold jacket.

In mild weather, I tend to wear a boa fleeced trucker jacket leading me to believe the bulk, legth and collar won't be too dissimilar.

It's a lot of money to get the wrong thing.

I also looked at N1 jackets but not a fan of the style.

Thanks and sorry for so many basic questions.

 

[Edward]

This is one of those highly subjective things that will depend on the combination of local climate and you. Lots of folks here will queue up to tell you shearlings are "too warm" above or below certain temperatures, or not suited to certain places. All I can say is a B3 and an Irvin are very welcome to me here in London in the Winter, and I would be fine in an ANJ3 (really keen to get my hands on one eventually).

You'll probably have a clearer idea when you get the chance to try one on.

The only limit I find with shearlings like that is the big collars can feel a bit.... wet labrador if it rains hard, and obviously they're not an option over a suitjacket or a blazer (I mean, you can wear one on top of a suit at a push, but it'll look ridiculous). Those are the only reasons I wouldn't have one as an only Winter coat, though. Basically I see them as a leather jacket for when it's too cold for a leather jacket.

In terms of instead layering under a leather, well, then it's all about the lining. Leather is a good windbreaker, but it does nothing for warmth. The next step down from a shearling warmth wise would be something like the heavy wool blanket or the quilt lining options Aero offer.

 

[HBK2025]

This is one of those highly subjective things that will depend on the combination of local climate and you. Lots of folks here will queue up to tell you shearlings are "too warm" above or below certain temperatures, or not suited to certain places. All I can say is a B3 and an Irvin are very welcome to me here in London in the Winter, and I would be fine in an ANJ3 (really keen to get my hands on one eventually).

You'll probably have a clearer idea when you get the chance to try one on.

The only limit I find with shearlings like that is the big collars can feel a bit.... wet labrador if it rains hard, and obviously they're not an option over a suitjacket or a blazer (I mean, you can wear one on top of a suit at a push, but it'll look ridiculous). Those are the only reasons I wouldn't have one as an only Winter coat, though. Basically I see them as a leather jacket for when it's too cold for a leather jacket.

In terms of instead layering under a leather, well, then it's all about the lining. Leather is a good windbreaker, but it does nothing for warmth. The next step down from a shearling warmth wise would be something like the heavy wool blanket or the quilt lining options Aero offer.

Thank you. Good to know you are in London and a B3 and Irvin are not overkill. I do have a barbour as a go anywhere do anything coat and layer with a jumper and a gilet.

I looked at B6/D1 for practicality but feel they don't have the same aesthetic appeal as the ANJ-4. That said the ones I saw on here in redskin look amazing.

Either way, will post some pics of the ironheart jacket on Friday for the forum.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Speaking from experience, the Anj4 is useless for walking the dog.im in Scotland, the coldest ,wettest place in the UK. I doesn't work.be great for waiting for a train on a freezing platform, but dog walking, no way,you will get too hot too quickly.,and wish you had worn something else.far better to buy one of the lighter weight sheepskin and layer,they are much warmer than you think. Heavier doesn't always mean better.i persevered too long with my anj4 and b3 ,,before getting rid of.I got to wear mine a handful of times a year,and I'm outdoors every day for hours at a time.
I've found my perfect sheepskin, posted here and vlj many times over the couple of months I've had it.worn it more than the anj4 & B3 in over 10 years.hence when I sold them they were in immac condition. I do love the look of the Anj4 ,,but I love this more

 

[Hide'n'seek]

Most folk in UK find full thickness ANJ-4 very warm especially as we aren't getting the winters like we used to.
Aero can make you one using 15mm fleece for body and sleeves but keeping the 22mm for collar so keeping it visually the same .

 

[moktabe]

On the other hand......

Just getting to the end of my first Winter with my ANJ-4 and I've found it to be perfect.

Live in the Midlands so temps rarely go severely low however, with being a crusty I now feel the cold more than I ever used to. If I start to get too warm in it then I just unzip it.

 

[HBK2025]

Speaking from experience, the Anj4 is useless for walking the dog.im in Scotland, the coldest ,wettest place in the UK. I doesn't work.be great for waiting for a train on a freezing platform, but dog walking, no way,you will get too hot too quickly.,and wish you had worn something else.far better to buy one of the lighter weight sheepskin and layer,they are much warmer than you think. Heavier doesn't always mean better.i persevered too long with my anj4 and b3 ,,before getting rid of.I got to wear mine a handful of times a year,and I'm outdoors every day for hours at a time.
I've found my perfect sheepskin, posted here and vlj many times over the couple of months I've had it.worn it more than the anj4 & B3 in over 10 years.hence when I sold them they were in immac condition. I do love the look of the Anj4 ,,but I love this more

Wow. Stunning. Really like the diamonds on the sleeves. May I ask the model and maker please? My grandparents used to live in Alloa and if that is not cold enough for it then I may struggle down in the south east. The ironheart one is 18mm shearling I believe. Not sure if that is a lot or a little.

 

[HBK2025]

Most folk in UK find full thickness ANJ-4 very warm especially as we aren't getting the winters like we used to.
Aero can make you one using 15mm fleece for body and sleeves but keeping the 22mm for collar so keeping it visually the same .

This sounds like it could be a plan and looks similar in price to Ironheart.

 

[HBK2025]

On the other hand......

Just getting to the end of my first Winter with my ANJ-4 and I've found it to be perfect.

Live in the Midlands so temps rarely go severely low however, with being a crusty I now feel the cold more than I ever used to. If I start to get too warm in it then I just unzip it.

I hear you. Recently had a big birthday and never been so cold. I used to be the guy in a t-shirt when it snowed and now I am the guy that wears 2 t-shirts, a jumper, any gilet, a jacket, scarf, hat in gloves when it is 5°

 

[Al 916]

Speaking from experience, the Anj4 is useless for walking the dog.im in Scotland, the coldest ,wettest place in the UK. I doesn't work.be great for waiting for a train on a freezing platform, but dog walking, no way,you will get too hot too quickly.,and wish you had worn something else.far better to buy one of the lighter weight sheepskin and layer,they are much warmer than you think. Heavier doesn't always mean better.i persevered too long with my anj4 and b3 ,,before getting rid of.I got to wear mine a handful of times a year,and I'm outdoors every day for hours at a time.
I've found my perfect sheepskin, posted here and vlj many times over the couple of months I've had it.worn it more than the anj4 & B3 in over 10 years.hence when I sold them they were in immac condition. I do love the look of the Anj4 ,,but I love this more

That is rather nice Peter! Forgive me what is it?

 

[Al 916]

I hear you. Recently had a big birthday and never been so cold. I used to be the guy in a t-shirt when it snowed and now I am the guy that wears 2 t-shirts, a jumper, any gilet, a jacket, scarf, hat in gloves when it is 5°

Two merino tee (one short, one long sleeved, one heavy wool jumper, neck scarf and a B3 (wool cap, thermal gloves and Raynaud's) in the Shires.

 

[HBK2025]

Two merino tee (one short, one long sleeved, one heavy wool jumper, next scarf and a B3 (wool cap, thermal gloves and Raynaud's) in the Shires.

And a B3?? OK you win

 

[Al 916]

And a B3?? OK you win

(and thermals....)

 

[Peter Mackin]

Most folk in UK find full thickness ANJ-4 very warm especially as we aren't getting the winters like we used to.
Aero can make you one using 15mm fleece for body and sleeves but keeping the 22mm for collar so keeping it visually the same .

Perfect solution.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Wow. Stunning. Really like the diamonds on the sleeves. May I ask the model and maker please? My grandparents used to live in Alloa and if that is not cold enough for it then I may struggle down in the south east. The ironheart one is 18mm shearling I believe. Not sure if that is a lot or a little.

Goodwear monarch M-444A......

 

[Justsomedude]

I have a B3 so here are my two cents. Before acquiring the jacket I read many posts about it being very toasty and too hot in this and that weather and the warmest jacket ever.

I've found it is not really that warm in comparison to a proper down jacket that I've used to wear during the harsh winters where I live.

However as the material does not breath at all and the jacket is heavy as hell, you'll get VERY toasty indeed if you need to lug around groceries, visit shops etc. I don't know how to express this properly in English, but in Finnish we have a word that describes the feeling when you are too hot, uncomfortable and then finally the sweat sets in.

Example: you are are carrying heavy bags, run to catch a bus and finally the bus is absolutely packed and very warm, all while wearing the thickest jacket you own or during the hottest day of the summer. Thats when "sweat of pain"(direct translation) sets in.

This is exactly the feeling you tend to get so easily while wearing a thick shearling jacket. So to be honest it is not the most practical jacket.

 

[Hide'n'seek]

This sounds like it could be a plan and looks similar in price to Ironheart.

Can assure you it will be better than the Iron Heart

 

[HBK2025]

I have a B3 so here are my two cents. Before acquiring the jacket I read many posts about it being very toasty and too hot in this and that weather and the warmest jacket ever.

I've found it is not really that warm in comparison to a proper down jacket that I've used to wear during the harsh winters where I live.

However as the material does not breath at all and the jacket is heavy as hell, you'll get VERY toasty indeed if you need to lug around groceries, visit shops etc. I don't know how to express this properly in English, but in Finnish we have a word that describes the feeling when you are too hot, uncomfortable and then finally the sweat sets in.

Example: you are are carrying heavy bags, run to catch a bus and finally the bus is absolutely packed and very warm, all while wearing the thickest jacket you own or during the hottest day of the summer. Thats when "sweat of pain"(direct translation) sets in.

This is exactly the feeling you tend to get so easily while wearing a thick shearling jacket. So to be honest it is not the most practical jacket.

Thank you. I am definitely getting the sense that unless I stand still, I may die of overheating

 

[HBK2025]

Can assure you it will be better than the Iron Heart

Fair point. I must admit I am a big ironheart fan and they make amazing over-engineered items but my understanding is they have partnered with Simmons Bilt on their jackets which are not as good as Aero, Eastman etc. Well, that is my limited understanding but every time I see SB mentioned it usually leads to how they stole Aero's patterns

 

[Hide'n'seek]

Fair point. I must admit I am a big ironheart fan and they make amazing over-engineered items but my understanding is they have partnered with Simmons Bilt on their jackets which are not as good as Aero, Eastman etc. Well, that is my limited understanding but every time I see SB mentioned it usually leads to how they stole Aero's patterns

I'm not gonna go there, old news now.