Is a jacket with thicker leather warmer than one with thinner?

[Vespizzare]

Supposing, for the sake of argument, that one was using a warm lining like alpaca. Would a jacket with 4oz leather be warmer than the same jacket with the same lining using 2oz?

 

[BobJ]

Oil stuffed leathers are not as insulating as drier leathers, as oil is wet [like water] and conducts cold. The trapped air between the leather fibers is what insulates.

So, therefore, a four ounce chromexcel leather might not keep you as warm as a lighter weight, drier leather. Which, by the way, also breathes better.

That being said, if you're comparing similarly tanned leathers, the thicker, heavier leather will keep you warmer.

Bob

 

[Seb Lucas]

Leather jackets are windbreakers and not especially warm no matter how thick the leather. It's the lining or your layering underneath that keeps you warm. That said, if you live in a warmer climate, you may find that thicker leather is often uncomfortable to wear as it makes you sweat very quickly.

 

[Jeff M]

Leather jackets are windbreakers and not especially warm no matter how thick the leather. It's the lining or your layering underneath that keeps you warm. That said, if you live in a warmer climate, you may find that thicker leather is often uncomfortable to wear as it makes you sweat very quickly.

Yep.

 

[Plumbline]

and another yep .....

 

[Capesofwrath]

Oil stuffed leathers are not as insulating as drier leathers, as oil is wet [like water] and conducts cold. The trapped air between the leather fibers is what insulates.

So, therefore, a four ounce chromexcel leather might not keep you as warm as a lighter weight, drier leather. Which, by the way, also breathes better.

That being said, if you're comparing similarly tanned leathers, the thicker, heavier leather will keep you warmer.

Bob

I agree with this. I've always found Horween FQHH to be a poor insulator in cold weather.

As to the thicker leather being uncomfortable when it's warmer. Well yes it is. So therefore it must be warmer than thinner leather. Thick cowhide jackets I've had have certainly been warmer than thin A2 types even when both had thin drill linings.

 

[FredS]

Must be tough then being a cow or a horse for that matter

 

[Capesofwrath]

Must be tough then being a cow or a horse for that matter

I reckon most cows and horses are comfortable in their own skins.

 

[ButteMT61]

I reckon most cows and horses are comfortable in their own skins.

Depends on what state they live in lol

 

[Windward]

and another yep .....

yep, unfortunately...:flame:
But no matter for me - even if I am the only one and the poeple stare at me...!

 

[Windward]

Depends on what state they live in lol

I have seen here in Southamerica no sweaty cows/horses....
Oh, perhaps only when they be prepared for the asado (BBQ)

But I must admit that today I can only wear a shirt...!
We have today 40 degrees C / 104 F - and man, it's hot like hell!

 

[garzo]

I own a couple of FQHH Aero jackets, among others, and have to say that the warmest jacket I own, for cold winter temperatures, is my Schott 184SM, naked cowhide (with real custom mouton collar). It really does insulate better. The FQHH is great at keeping the cold in. I love them, but they're not good in sub-zero weather.

 

[ButteMT61]

I own a couple of FQHH Aero jackets, among others, and have to say that the warmest jacket I own, for cold winter temperatures, is my Schott 184SM, naked cowhide (with real custom mouton collar). It really does insulate better. The FQHH is great at keeping the cold in. I love them, but they're not good in sub-zero weather.

I had one of those - but it also has a liner, correct?
That is what made the difference for me. And the collar.

 

[Highwaymanman]

What I find is that leather is not very warm at all.... it is, as has been noted, a poor insulator. However, it can be wonderfully warming when used in combination with something that is since it's almost perfectly windproof.

 

[reeks1]

So if leather is such a crappy insulator, etc., how is it that Aero bills many of its models as "designed for harsh climates, winter wear", etc. Is that based on liners and collars? The descriptive of their half belt says exactly that ( or close to it).

 

[Sloan1874]

And the oils stuffed into the hide at the tanning stage make them remarkably water resistant.

 

[reeks1]

I find that aspect of these jackets to be quite awesome. Never did I think a leather jacket would be something to wear in the rain.
Learn something every day.....

 

[HighandDry]

So if leather is such a crappy insulator, etc., how is it that Aero bills many of its models as "designed for harsh climates, winter wear", etc. Is that based on liners and collars? The descriptive of their half belt says exactly that ( or close to it).

If you ski, you know that nowadays most people ski with a windproof shell and layers undeneath. It's the windproof shell that allows you to be comfortable in very cold temps without looking like the Michellin man while skiing.

Leather is a terrible insulator, but windproof.

 

[Highwaymanman]

Leather is a terrible insulator, but windproof.

So, if you combine it with something that is not windproof but is a good insulator the weather beating properties are squared rather than simply added together, so to speak. An Aero with cotton drill lining combined with a chunky sweater will see off pretty dire weather indeed. It's mostly all about keeping your head, feet and hands warm after that.

 

[reeks1]

If you ski, you know that nowadays most people ski with a windproof shell and layers undeneath. It's the windproof shell that allows you to be comfortable in very cold temps without looking like the Michellin man while skiing.

Leather is a terrible insulator, but windproof.

Makes sense. I'm with you.

I have a few Barbour jackets that I would say work the same way.