Looking at ordering an Aero leather jacket...assistance if you will

[Canuck Panda]

The Highwayman in this size fits you much better than the last half belt jacket. I am biased towards the Highwayman. I think Aero does a great job on this particular jacket. And I would also add the extra inch on the body length.

 

[KingCotton]

Back unzipped. Though I don't think I have the straps loosened here.

 

[RDS]

As there’s just one photo and then with only the one arm hanging by the side it’s difficult to say for sure but if it was me I’d want to go with at least 1 inch, and possibly 2, off the sleeve length.
However the issue with requesting 2 inches from the sleeve length is that due to the tolerances Aero work to this could end up being 2 1/2 inches and the result being the sleeve is too short.

 

[Eagledog]

Sleeves are too long unless you are riding horses or motorcycles.

 

[KingCotton]

The Highwayman in this size fits you much better than the last half belt jacket. I am biased towards the Highwayman. I think Aero does a great job on this particular jacket. And I would also add the extra inch on the body length.

It fit well, but the half belt deluxe has always been the jacket that caught my eye.... decisions decisions

 

[Peter Mackin]

Fit jacket arrived today.

I had to let out the side adjustments all the way to be able to zip it up and even then it is tighter then I like across my stomach. I can wear it, but its tight and certainly no room for a sweater or anything over my polo T-shirt.

View attachment 663742 View attachment 663742 View attachment 663743 View attachment 663744 View attachment 663745 i think i would like it to be a little longer in length in front and back. At the moment it doesn't quite reach my belt and I would like it to reach my pockets.

Sleeve length seems perfect. Sleeves feel a hair tight on arms when I bend them but not sure if that is just the leather.

Could be a tad bit looser across my back and shoulders.

It zipped up with the buckles out as far as they'd go without being completely undone. So there isn't any more letting out from this point.

It was a bit more work then I like getting my 2nd arm in the hole as well.

The leather is beautiful, Brown CXLFQHH. .... though at first I thought it was cordovan even though the add said brown.

The weight and thickness doesn’t bother me, though I have been advised that Steer fxl might be more comfortable.

I like the tartan liner, though I also like the black watch, still looking on the locharon website.

Sent the pics in to Thurston.

Careful, you will burst that wee no5 zip.....

 

[Peter Mackin]

I have a halfbelt from around 2010,made with supersoft h/h,,i don't know if Aero still use it ,brilliant stuff.made by Janet.ditched all my others except this and a jerky A2,,the zips never lasted on the heavy stuff.

 

[marauf]

throwing in my 2 cents on top of all the great advice ... I got the Vincent in tumbled cordovan fqhh. I did receive the sample of the steerhide cordovan. I don't regret getting the tumbled at all. It is very soft and broken in nicely. The grain is showing, and it will get better the more I wear it. If I were to do it all over again, I'd get the steer. I'd also consider the black goat. I received the sample of it and love the grainy texture of it. I might get Vincent in black goat at some point. Slowly entering the more money than brains category.

 

[gmaki]

Just going to second the Vincenza Horsehide. I bought a custom Highwayman through Thurston in 2020 and the wife talked me into Vincenza based on the swatch at the last minute. Looking back I am so glad she made that suggestion. Frankly though this is the first year it is really broken in, but that is because I do not wear it all the time as a So Cal resident. I can only imagine how long it would take to break in CXL.

I ordered the Cameron of Erracht Ancient Tartan liner, (Cameron is a family name) and I love it. Doesn't add any warmth though, purely aesthetic.

I am in the process of ordering another Jacket with Carrie at the moment. Started out looking for a Vanson but I am in the process of completely changing my mind and possibly going with a Thedi. Why I want to spend years breaking in a another jacket I don't know. There is something wrong with me.

Anyway I love my Highwayman. I sold two vintage jackets I owned that were too large after learning so much in the custom sizing process.

 

[Dasher]

Fit jacket arrived today.

I had to let out the side adjustments all the way to be able to zip it up and even then it is tighter then I like across my stomach. I can wear it, but its tight and certainly no room for a sweater or anything over my polo T-shirt.

View attachment 663742 View attachment 663742 View attachment 663743 View attachment 663744 View attachment 663745 i think i would like it to be a little longer in length in front and back. At the moment it doesn't quite reach my belt and I would like it to reach my pockets.

Sleeve length seems perfect. Sleeves feel a hair tight on arms when I bend them but not sure if that is just the leather.

Could be a tad bit looser across my back and shoulders.

It zipped up with the buckles out as far as they'd go without being completely undone. So there isn't any more letting out from this point.

It was a bit more work then I like getting my 2nd arm in the hole as well.

The leather is beautiful, Brown CXLFQHH. .... though at first I thought it was cordovan even though the add said brown.

The weight and thickness doesn’t bother me, though I have been advised that Steer fxl might be more comfortable.

I like the tartan liner, though I also like the black watch, still looking on the locharon website.

Sent the pics in to Thurston.

Hi KingCotton
I was in a similar position to you regards choices. I fancied a Highwayman, Halfbelt or something similar and wasn't sure of sizing. The difference was that I was having this dilemma but I was in the Aero factory at the time. I ended up looking for that little extra length and from your images it looks like you could use the same. I'm a similar silhouette to yourself but only 5'11" in height. My solution - with virtually every option in front of me to try - and the Aero fitting lady - was to go for a Long Half Belt. It's not a 'long' jacket at all - but longer than a Half Belt! The Long Half Belt sizing runs pretty close to actual chest - if you measure 46 then buy a 46 (if you are 45 then a 44 may well fit). I'm a measured 42 and take a 42 in an Aero LHB. The cut of the LHB and the HB are different - the LHB is not just a HB with a bit tagged on. The LHB is a nice and relaxed fit. I have three LHBs - all bought new. I've been measured by Aero but luckily take a standard size. I have FQHH, Vicenza (in Cordovan) and a Battered Seal HH. The FQHH is heavy, hasn't yet started to soften (it's 3 yrs old and gets worn a lot) and is like armour. The Vicenza is light for an Aero, the cordovan a fantastic shade, the leather is very flexible but if you are looking for the feel of something thick and solid then it is definitely not that. My Vicenza can be worn as a smart jacket - it has that tailored look. The BSHH is a great mid point. It softened up quickly, has a solid feel without being immobilising, is now quite flexible and has developed a great patina (5yrs old). Linings: I have tartan, sateen and drill. Go for the tartan if you want individuality and look - it adds little over drill once being worn. Definitely go for sateen sleeve lining - it helps massively when putting them on and taking them off again.. Zips: I've had loads of Aeros over the years - both new and pre owned - I have yet to have a zip fail on me. If in doubt drop Aero a mail - they are ever so helpful. Happy hunting - they are great jackets and it's worth spend time to get it right.

 

[Eagledog]

Great advice Dasher.
I think zipper issues are often related to a "corset fit" jacket. Zippers are designed to work in the vertical direction. They are not cam locks for cinching from the side.

 

[ACP45McGee]

Hello to all, I started lurking here about 13 months ago and finally signed up today because there are questions I have regarding ordering a Jacket from Aero that need some direct answers I think and not just to be found by reading various posts relating tangentally to what I am considering as I have done for the past year.

I am looking at ordering a single(and yes it will be an only as I don't order multiple types of the same coat) high quality leather jacket from Aero through TB. I have a 15 year old Polo Pea Coat that was my first "nice coat" that I retired last year and replaced with a Todd Snyder Pea coat that I absolutely love. I also have a Schaeffer Legend fleece lined legend denim jacket that I wear regularly. I have a carharrt for working in and have a 15 year old polo wind breaker my wife gave me that I wear occassionally, however the peacoat and the schaeffer are my 2 primary jackets. Looking at adding the leather jacket as a third wear regularly casual jacket.

I have owned one leather jacket 26 years ago when I thought I got a deal on a pigskin jacket at Dillards that was on sale. I promptly hated it and sold it to someone else. It was extremely thin and the leather was very light weight and billowy almost like a ski jacket. I detested the thing...stupid impulse buy. It has more or less put me off leather jackets ever since, until when shopping for my new pea coat last year I stumbled upon your fine forum.

I do not want a slim or tight fitting jacket. The idea of heavy and thick leather certainly appeals to me, but I don't ride motorcyles or any kind so have no need for the protection aspect of a leather jacket. I want something comfortable and durable, either a brown or a tobacco in color.

I am 6'4" and weigh 255lbs at 44 years of age I have a belly but not huge. Wear a 46L sport coat and both the pea coat and the Schaeffer are XL in size. I live in North Texas along the Red River, so semi arid low humidity, winters typically stay north of 5 degrees farenheit but lots of wind.


The measurements below come from my Schaeffer Denim jacket as I think it is the closest to what I am looking for fit wise:
Shoulder 24 (certain I measured that wrong or differently then TB does).

P to p 25

Back 29

Sleeve 26 (shoulder to cuff)

Waist 23

I have placed an order with Thurston Bros for a try jacket Half Belt deluxe in Brown CXL FQHH, it is a size 42 that fits like a 46.
Jacket measurements:
Back length--26.5 inches
Sleeve length--26.5 inches
Pit-to-pit--25 inches
Shoulder--20 inches
Waist/bottom hem--23 inches

So I'll have an idea how they fit on me. Like I said I don't need a slim or tight fit, Relaxed or classic would be closer to what I am going for. I spoke with Carrie at TB and with my measurement she thinks the Deluxe HB is closer to what I am looking for then say a Highwayman.

I am very interested in seeing how this jacket fits for an idea on size, I suspect I may want the eventual jacket to be longer then it comes normally but we will see.

Questions/ideas/advice/help:

-First of all in ya'lls opinion is the DHB the right jacket to be looking at here design wise? I have played around on both TB and Aero website and this looks to me like what I am wanting but always open to suggestions.

- Leather type--I have been off and on researching posts on here about the leathers available and have gone back and forth depending I think on who's opinion I have read most recently about what leather to go with.---I don't want light weight or thin, though I am certain anything from Aero is thick and heavy enough to meet that criteria. I really like Badalassi, but the squeak is a concern as is the rubber suit reflective appearance in one of the videos I have seen on here. Also open to Chrom HH or SH depending on how the try on jacket fits, love the history of Horween and all that. Have read up on Premiere, but it seems like it is much more light weight and thinner but I may be wrong on that. If Chrom do people still suggest going with tumbled or let it age naturally?

-Alterations--other than length, I am considering the corduroy strip for longevity. Also thinking I may delete the snap pockets on the front and just go with the handwarmers. My peacoat has those same flap pockets and I never use them but who knows. May delete the chest pocket as well but not sure on that.

. Definitely going with a tartan lining...just have to figure out which one. The light blue colored one on the jacket from TB looks nice, but so does black watch and others.

Color will obviously depend on the leather, but leaning to tobacco or chestnut in badalassi and leaning brown, cordovan, or natural in CXL.

Zipper leaning towards heavy duty #10 YKK as several on here seem happy with it.

No zipper cuffs.

I'm sure there are things I am still not thinking about, but this post is long enough.

Will be deeply appreciative of any and all suggestions or help/advice that y'all can provide!

Many may not agree, but whatever style you choose, get a sample from Carrie of Aero's Goatskin, really a superb hide, flexible and the black is beautiful as well, it is waterproof mostly, and it will work with anything!