I Got Stuck in My Jacket

[LordOfLeather]

Well, it finally happened.

After owning several Aero jackets and finding myself perpetually frustrated with the flimsy, #5 Talons, the main zip on my Wayfarer failed, trapping me inside the jacket. I sat down in my car and noticed it had split at the bottom, unzipping the bottom two inches. This had happened twice previously, but I was always able to finagle the pin back into the bottom stop, then carefully unzip until I could separate the zipper.

Unfortunately, this time it would not cooperate. I spent at least ten minutes in my driveway, with my wife assisting me, trying to fix the zipper, but the best I could do was unzip it to about two inches from the bottom. At this point, I began attempting to at least get out of the jacket so I could switch with another and be on my way (we were already running late), but the tight fit and heavy horsehide were completely impossible to slip out of without completely unzipping.

I'm not sure any of my neighbors noticed the undoubtedly hilarious performance in the driveway, but I hope it was entertaining for any onlookers. (Imagine me keeled over with my tiny wife tugging frantically at the jacket, trying to get it over my head)

Eventually, out of desperation (I was feeling a bit claustrophobic and trapped at this point), I resorted to scissors. Don't worry, I didn't cut the leather -- just the zipper tape to remove the pin. Needless to say, I'll be contacting Carrie soon to have Thurston Bros. install a proper zipper. In fact, I think I'll send all my Aero jackets that still have the original zippers (I've already had them replace one), while I'm at it. Maybe I'll get a discount for sending so many at once.

I don't have any real questions for you guys -- just wanted to share this somewhat entertaining story with people who will understand. It really was like a scene from a slapstick comedy.

I know it's been discussed many times, and I'm not trying to rehash this debate, but I do wish Aero would the option of more substantial zippers. Have any of you been trapped in a jacket before and had to resort to scissors?

 

[torfjord]

Hahahaha, great story! No, I haven’t had to scissor my way out of an Aero but I’ve been close a few times. Thankfully it all worked out in the end and I no longer have any jackets with shitty zippers.

 

[LordOfLeather]

Hahahaha, great story! No, I haven’t had to scissor my way out of an Aero but I’ve been close a few times. Thankfully it all worked out in the end and I no longer have any jackets with shitty zippers.

Yeah, I'm fed up with the shitty zippers. Thurston Bros. replaced the talon on my Aero cafe racer with a very nice Italian-made zipper that is smooth as butter. I can't remember the brand, but it's perfect. Time to just do the whole lot.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Lol same thing happened to me wearing a buzz rickson B2,,hookless zip decided it wasn't going to play ball.Spent 30mins struggling in a locked bathroom before I was able to get the bloody jacket off,exiting hot and sweaty and had to beat a hasty retreat.jacket sold on very shortly afterwards.

 

[LordOfLeather]

Lol same thing happened to me wearing a buzz rickson B2,,hookless zip decided it wasn't going to play ball.Spent 30mins struggling in a locked bathroom before I was able to get the bloody jacket off,exiting hot and sweaty and had to beat a hasty retreat.jacket sold on very shortly afterwards.

At least it wasn't an unlocked, shared use bathroom. Imagine walking in on that sight. haha

 

[Bfd70]

Happened to me. RMC. Had to Houdini my way out

 

[AeroFan_07]

Yep that occurred for me too - but a Hookless in my case.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/hookless-zipper-help-please.84828/page-2

 

[Jon Crow]

Well, it finally happened.

After owning several Aero jackets and finding myself perpetually frustrated with the flimsy, #5 Talons, the main zip on my Wayfarer failed, trapping me inside the jacket. I sat down in my car and noticed it had split at the bottom, unzipping the bottom two inches. This had happened twice previously, but I was always able to finagle the pin back into the bottom stop, then carefully unzip until I could separate the zipper.

Unfortunately, this time it would not cooperate. I spent at least ten minutes in my driveway, with my wife assisting me, trying to fix the zipper, but the best I could do was unzip it to about two inches from the bottom. At this point, I began attempting to at least get out of the jacket so I could switch with another and be on my way (we were already running late), but the tight fit and heavy horsehide were completely impossible to slip out of without completely unzipping.

I'm not sure any of my neighbors noticed the undoubtedly hilarious performance in the driveway, but I hope it was entertaining for any onlookers. (Imagine me keeled over with my tiny wife tugging frantically at the jacket, trying to get it over my head)

Eventually, out of desperation (I was feeling a bit claustrophobic and trapped at this point), I resorted to scissors. Don't worry, I didn't cut the leather -- just the zipper tape to remove the pin. Needless to say, I'll be contacting Carrie soon to have Thurston Bros. install a proper zipper. In fact, I think I'll send all my Aero jackets that still have the original zippers (I've already had them replace one), while I'm at it. Maybe I'll get a discount for sending so many at once.

I don't have any real questions for you guys -- just wanted to share this somewhat entertaining story with people who will understand. It really was like a scene from a slapstick comedy.

I know it's been discussed many times, and I'm not trying to rehash this debate, but I do wish Aero would the option of more substantial zippers. Have any of you been trapped in a jacket before and had to resort to scissors?

Haha I once had my wife cut one of my motorcycle boots off because the same happened with a zipper wasn't coming off at all, hilarious afterwards

 

[navetsea]

Cheap #5 ykk never fails on me, even when itst pin and box and zipper end clip looks boring and bland, i always use paperclip style puller.

 

[LordOfLeather]

I knew I was in good company.

 

[Guppy]

My two complaints about Aero are their zippers are not heavy duty enough for their heavier leathees, and no revised Type III trucker with 80s handwarmer pockets for us nostalgic 80s kids.

But by far it's their refusal to do anything about the zippers that gets me. They just refuse to acknowledge that they are not sturdy enough to handle the heavy weight leathers. They might be fine for lighter stuff.

That, and they hide the zipper teeth so inside the leather piping that it's really difficult to get them started.

 

[LordOfLeather]

My two complaints about Aero are their zippers are not heavy duty enough for their heavier leathees, and no revised Type III trucker with 80s handwarmer pockets for us nostalgic 80s kids.

But by far it's their refusal to do anything about the zippers that gets me. They just refuse to acknowledge that they are not sturdy enough to handle the heavy weight leathers. They might be fine for lighter stuff.

That, and they hide the zipper teeth so inside the leather piping that it's really difficult to get them started.

Yes! Buried in the chamber.

 

[Jonanah]

Hahahaha, great story! No, I haven’t had to scissor my way out of an Aero but I’ve been close a few times. Thankfully it all worked out in the end and I no longer have any jackets with shitty zippers.

Where do you source your zips?

 

[El Marro]

Where do you source your zips?

Riri makes great zips as does YKK. Almost anything would be better than the #5 talon favored by Aero.

But by far it's their refusal to do anything about the zippers that gets me. They just refuse to acknowledge that they are not sturdy enough to handle the heavy weight leathers

100% agree and this is why I never ordered another new Aero after the zip on my Bootlegger blew out when it was only three months old. I remember telling Carrie at Thurston Brothers that I felt like an absolute idiot because the most expensive jacket I had ever bought fell apart almost immediately. Tough heritage gear that will last a lifetime my ass…

 

[TelemarkTumalo]

I'm laughing with OP because I too, have been there in a Rainbow Country Hercules. The zipper pull was failing over several wears and I chalked it up to user error. Then, at a restaurant and tried to unzip my jacket and the zipper jammed. I wore the jacket through dinner and then got home and tried to address. 45 minutes of fighting before I was able to extricate myself. I tried the needle nose tightening method oft quoted, with only temporary reprieve. Managed to source a new slider and back in business. Oh well.... beauty is never easy.

 

[Peacoat]

I got trapped in my Aero ThunderBay twice. The second time was the last. It was only a couple of months old. Sent it to Johnson Leathers. They recommended a #10, and that is what I had installed. No problems since. No more Aero jackets for me.

 

[Bennarion]

It's a funny story

 

[Xysterz]

Thank you for this. While I'm not your neighbor, I found this quite hilarious

I mean, I do feel bad for ya, but it is a little funny.

 

[torfjord]

Where do you source your zips?

No idea, never done it. I just stopped buying Aero’s.

 

[MrProper]

My two complaints about Aero are their zippers are not heavy duty enough for their heavier leathees

This applies to the Talon zipper, not the Universal. They work great with all my Aeros. Only the one with the Talon ticks when closing.