Heavy Chromex FQHH

[Bigbenbs]

I see a lot of people on here swearing fealty to heavy Chromex FQHH for their jackets. I'd love to hear the arguments. Have never touched one myself but am quite pleased with my mid weight Vicenza.

 

[ton312]

CXL FQHH isn't particularly heavy at all. Get your hands on some steer and it won't take long for you to understand the appeal (or hatred).

 

[Carlos840]

Agreed, CXL FQHH might feel a bit heavier than Vicenza but not much, it is a lot more rigid because it has a lot more wax content, but it isn't that much heavier/thicker.
I have Shinki made jackets that weigh just as much as CXL jackets and not many would call Shinki heavy weight.
Like @ton312 said, once you go into heavy Steer, or Vanson Comp weight leather, or Lost World HH then things get seriously thick and heavy.

IMO the main thing CXL has over Vicenza is the way it ages. Not impressed with Vicenza when it comes to how it breaks in and ages.

 

[Guppy]

Agreed, CXL FQHH might feel a bit heavier than Vicenza but not much, it is a lot more rigid because it has a lot more wax content, but it isn't that much heavier/thicker.
I have Shinki made jackets that weigh just as much as CXL jackets and not many would call Shinki heavy weight.
Like @ton312 said, once you go into heavy Steer, or Vanson Comp weight leather, or LW HH then things get seriously thick and heavy.

IMO the main thing CXL has over Vicenza is the way it ages. Not impressed with Vicenza when it comes to how it breaks in and ages.

CXL is a trademark for a tannage process, not a weight. The CXL leather that Aero uses comes in a variety of weights. Also, they did use some even heavier weight CXL in the past, which they do not currently offer.

 

[ton312]

Indeed. Although I'd say Aero has /or had quite recently the heaviest CXL I've ever handled. Steer mind you. They had it in 2012 and they had it when they made my HB. I've never found FQHH CXL to be heavy at all. It's stiff, not heavy tho. It holds that stiffness longer than steer and I think that's what turns people on/off to it.

 

[ai00344]

Two words: Epic arm wrinkles (I was told there would be no math)

 

[Bigbenbs]

Two further questions:

1) what's specifically good about stiffness lasting longer?

2) would you (Ton, but everyone else feel free to answer) not prefer heavier CXL FQHH than less heavy? If so, why?

 

[Carlos840]

CXL is a trademark for a tannage process, not a weight. The CXL leather that Aero uses comes in a variety of weights. Also, they did use some even heavier weight CXL in the past, which they do not currently offer.

I know that, i was referencing to what you get when you order regular FQHH CXL from Aero... They don't offer different thicknesses of FQHH CXL. (at least not officially)

 

[Superfluous]

1) what's specifically good about stiffness lasting longer?

Too easy -- must resist.

 

[ton312]

Two further questions:

1) what's specifically good about stiffness lasting longer?

2) would you (Ton, but everyone else feel free to answer) not prefer heavier CXL FQHH than less heavy? If so, why?

There's nothing good about prolonged stiffness. (That's not what she said). But I do find, as Carlos alluded to, a certain type of break in that is attainable only with certain leather weights. Personally I'm not a CXL FQHH fan. I much prefer the steer equivalent. The grain, hand and weight are more appealing to me.

I would absolutely be interested in (and have owned) several lighter weight hides over the years. My next leather jacket will weigh a paltry 5lbs. Barely a jacket. But I suspect I'll wear it more than any other leather in the closet.

That said, when I put on my Cordo HB....

 

[marmalademan]

John Chapman has 2.5oz horween cxl, in russet. Or at least, he did .This is the only cxl I'd be interested in for jackets. The stuff aero uses in my opinion - and the opinion of many respected makers I might add, JC included - is too heavy for garments, in spite of whatever a handful of guys on here like to routinely say about it. Probably a good choice for falling off a motorbike in, granted

 

[Guppy]

I know that, i was referencing to what you get when you order regular FQHH CXL from Aero... They don't offer different thicknesses of FQHH CXL. (at least not officially)

Well, this thread is called HEAVY Chromex FQHH, so I think it's worth pointing out that the regular weigh FQHH isn't the heavy weight, and they used to use even heavier a few years ago.

 

[Bobby Peru]

John Chapman has 2.5oz horween cxl, in russet. Or at least, he did .This is the only cxl I'd be interested in for jackets. The stuff aero uses in my opinion - and the opinion of many respected makers I might add, JC included - is too heavy for garments, in spite of whatever a handful of guys on here like to routinely say about it. Probably a good choice for falling off a motorbike in, granted

I have one of Aero’s car coat style coats made out of this hide. I tried my best to wear it but it is just too heavy. Too heavy for me, but I’m sure there are others who would be content with it. The leather on this one feels even thicker than Lost Worlds HH.

 

[Guppy]

I have one of Aero’s car coat style coats made out of this hide. I tried my best to wear it but it is just too heavy. Too heavy for me, but I’m sure there are others who would be content with it. The leather on this one feels even thicker than Lost Worlds HH.

What size is it?

 

[Bobby Peru]

What size is it?

I think it’s a 38 or 40. Likely a 40. I have it in storage and will remember to look at it. I forgot I even had it but this thread reminded me of it.

Yes, the addiction.

 

[mygar]

Miss the FQHH CR I had (aka monitors jacket). It was thick and just started molding to me. Thick heavy leather that i hope to replace at some point.

I can tell you no way would i feel protected on a bike (extent that you can... add armor lol) with italian hh.... or any mid weight leather.

 

[jonesy86]

John Chapman has 2.5oz horween cxl, in russet. Or at least, he did .This is the only cxl I'd be interested in for jackets. The stuff aero uses in my opinion - and the opinion of many respected makers I might add, JC included - is too heavy for garments, in spite of whatever a handful of guys on here like to routinely say about it. Probably a good choice for falling off a motorbike in, granted

Boy oh boy the batch of 2.5 oz Horween CXL that JC used the last that he had in my Herc is just amazing. It is certainly not heavy at all, yet seems quite strong. It is quite waxy and a little stiff when you first put it on but softens up like melting butter after a few minutes. It is certainly "lighter" and less stiff than any shinki or Aero FQHH, or Vincenza jacket that I own.

 

[Peacoat]

John Chapman has 2.5oz horween cxl, in russet. Or at least, he did .This is the only cxl I'd be interested in for jackets. The stuff aero uses in my opinion - and the opinion of many respected makers I might add, JC included - is too heavy for garments, in spite of whatever a handful of guys on here like to routinely say about it. Probably a good choice for falling off a motorbike in, granted

My last two Aeros have been about 3 oz. FQHH. I just don't see that as heavy. I think my Goodwear A-2 is about the same weight, maybe just a bit lighter. Once fully broken in, they are as soft as buttah.

 

[marmalademan]

Boy oh boy the batch of 2.5 oz Horween CXL that JC used the last that he had in my Herc is just amazing. It is certainly not heavy at all, yet seems quite strong. It is quite waxy and a little stiff when you first put it on but softens up like melting butter after a few minutes. It is certainly "lighter" and less stiff than any shinki or Aero FQHH, or Vincenza jacket that I own.

This to me seems like the best of cxl. And I wouldn't mind something in this kind

My last two Aeros have been about 3 oz. FQHH. I just don't see that as heavy. I think my Goodwear A-2 is about the same weight, maybe just a bit lighter. Once fully broken in, they are as soft as buttah.

I think it's 3.5oz. I've had one that was as broken in as they get and if you wear that thing all day there is certainly no danger of forgetting it's there. The weight does not depart just because the leather softens up,

 

[Peacoat]

I don't feel the weight of any of my jackets, even the 4+ oz. Johnson Leather or the Vanson Competition weight. Our friend @Seb Lucas feels differently, but it just doesn't bother me. I can wear it all day and not notice it.

As to the weight of the Aeros, I was told the Aeros were at 3 oz. and that is what they feel like to me. The weights differ, depending on the batches received from Horween. The ThunderBay may be a little heavier, but it is hard to tell because of the thickness of the shearling. The Sheene is definitely a 3 oz. hide—very comfortable and very soft, now that it is broken in.