Looking for a "goldilocks" leather trucker jacket

[Taliskye]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster... and a big fan of the forum in general.

Here's my dilemma and request for advice:

I've been in the market for a full grain, black leather type III trucker jacket for some time now. I absolutely love the Schott 121 in black naked cowhide with black buttons (who wouldn't?). It ticks all the boxes, but I'm hesitant to pay $1100 for this jacket. Not because I don't see the value, but rather, because I intend to buy a Aero jacket in this price range in the Highwayman or Half Belt Deluxe style.

I love Vanson Leathers, and live within 100 miles of the factory, and have owned their jackets for over 20 years. Thier trucker (the Maverick) would be a good option, but it lacks the arm warmer pockets. I know that this is the original pattern, but I hate not having them and feel like a dummy constantly reaching for pockets that don't exist.

Buffalo Jackson makes a black leather "Driggs" jacket, which would also be a good choice, has pockets, but I can't stand the split back center panel. To me, it screams "we needed to cut costs" and detracts from the overall clean back of a solid leather trucker design.

So, I'm wondering what other leather trucker jackets should be on my radar that meet the following criteria:

-Full grain cowhide (or similar quality and thickness)
-Side hand warmer pockets
-Full/solid back panel
-Ideally closer to the $400-600 price point


I'm tempted to go with some of the overseas options I see, such as Five Star Leather and have also been impressed with "Tailor Brando" on Ebay, who is a really knowledgeable guy but just doesn't have what I'm looking for. I'm also a bit concerned about getting the fit right with overseas producers, having read some horror stories in this forum.

Are there any other other options that meet the criteria above that I'm missing? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you care to make.

 

[Mickiemac]

I have a Schott 121 - bought it well before the current price ($764.00 vice $1085.00) - it's a nice jacket.

I also have a couple of Aero Type III's - one Navy, one Natrural - both in Vicenza. Price was about the same (for each) that I paid for the Schott. No hand warmers on the Aero jackets though.

Other than the hand warmer pockets on the Schott, there's nothing really that special about it (the leather takes a good while to show any character/grain). The Aero's are far superior in materials and workmanship although the Schott is certainly well constructed and the hides used are w/o flaws.

The Five Star Leather has a nice Type-III and some on this forum (MrProper is one) have one and (in MrPropers case) looks great.

You might find a Schott 121 on eBay (used) but not sure about what price they go for or size your looking for.

I do get how the hand warmer pockets can come in handy - when wearing an Aero - I often forget they aren't there - same with the Vanson Maverick's I have.

Fox Creek used to have a Type III version (of which I have one!) and they are really built tough - and they have hand warmer pockets! They sometimes are offered on eBay.

 

[Taliskye]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster... and a big fan of the forum in general.

Here's my dilemma and request for advice:

I've been in the market for a full grain, black leather type III trucker jacket for some time now. I absolutely love the Schott 121 in black naked cowhide with black buttons (who wouldn't?). It ticks all the boxes, but I'm hesitant to pay $1100 for this jacket. Not because I don't see the value, but rather, because I intend to buy a Aero jacket in this price range in the Highwayman or Half Belt Deluxe style.

I love Vanson Leathers, and live within 100 miles of the factory, and have owned their jackets for over 20 years. Thier trucker (the Maverick) would be a good option, but it lacks the arm warmer pockets. I know that this is the original pattern, but I hate not having them and feel like a dummy constantly reaching for pockets that don't exist.

Buffalo Jackson makes a black leather "Driggs" jacket, which would also be a good choice, has pockets, but I can't stand the split back center panel. To me, it screams "we needed to cut costs" and detracts from the overall clean back of a solid leather trucker design.

So, I'm wondering what other leather trucker jackets should be on my radar that meet the following criteria:

-Full grain cowhide (or similar quality and thickness)
-Side hand warmer pockets
-Full/solid back panel
-Ideally closer to the $400-600 price point


I'm tempted to go with some of the overseas options I see, such as Five Star Leather and have also been impressed with "Tailor Brando" on Ebay, who is a really knowledgeable guy but just doesn't have what I'm looking for. I'm also a bit concerned about getting the fit right with overseas producers, having read some horror stories in this forum.

Are there any other other options that meet the criteria above that I'm missing? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you care to make.

Thank you, sir. Fox Creek would fit the bill perfectly. Sadly, they don't seem to make a trucker anymore (Why?)

Anyone have any experience buying from "ATORIE?" I haven't seen any posts about their stuff, which appear to be quite nice by the given description:

https://shopatorie.com/products/hor...46_Vh21R5LwVI5D9sJk7WuiZ_ProjzNxoC-bwQAvD_BwE

 

[Taliskye]

I actually emailed Aero (such nice people) and asked if they could add custom hand warmer pockets to their type 3.

Sadly, the answer was a very polite, yet definitive “no.” Makes me curious whether this is something a good tailor could do post purchase.

We were just in Edinburgh in July, and would have gladly made the drive down to be fitted. I’m mad at myself for knowing the brand but somehow not realizing they were based in Scotland — the wife’s and my “happy place.”

May give Five Star a shot at the trucker, but it’s crazy to think there aren’t more retailers in the states offering such an inherently American style jacket.

 

[MrProper]

May give Five Star a shot at the trucker

Don't do it. The leather is useless and the neck hole is often much too big.
Why not Johnson Leathers, Vanson, or Schott? Or Rugged West in UK?
I've never missed having pockets on a Type 3. What do I have pants pockets for?

 

[gjchristy]

I ordered a custom Luftwaffe in seal horsehide off of Fivestar and was impressed with the whole experience. It hits your price point and it can be tailored. Cant go wrong while you wait for your eventual bargain.

 

[Pandemic]

https://johnsonleather.com/products/type-iii

But I would think twice about your desire for handwarmers. They are terrible for putting things in, spoil the lines of the jacket, date it as ‘80s style’ and might stretch and look weird over time if you actually use them to stick your hands in. Wear gloves or put your hands in your jeans pockets.

 

[robrinay]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster... and a big fan of the forum in general.

Here's my dilemma and request for advice:

I've been in the market for a full grain, black leather type III trucker jacket for some time now. I absolutely love the Schott 121 in black naked cowhide with black buttons (who wouldn't?). It ticks all the boxes, but I'm hesitant to pay $1100 for this jacket. Not because I don't see the value, but rather, because I intend to buy a Aero jacket in this price range in the Highwayman or Half Belt Deluxe style.

I love Vanson Leathers, and live within 100 miles of the factory, and have owned their jackets for over 20 years. Thier trucker (the Maverick) would be a good option, but it lacks the arm warmer pockets. I know that this is the original pattern, but I hate not having them and feel like a dummy constantly reaching for pockets that don't exist.

Buffalo Jackson makes a black leather "Driggs" jacket, which would also be a good choice, has pockets, but I can't stand the split back center panel. To me, it screams "we needed to cut costs" and detracts from the overall clean back of a solid leather trucker design.

So, I'm wondering what other leather trucker jackets should be on my radar that meet the following criteria:

-Full grain cowhide (or similar quality and thickness)
-Side hand warmer pockets
-Full/solid back panel
-Ideally closer to the $400-600 price point


I'm tempted to go with some of the overseas options I see, such as Five Star Leather and have also been impressed with "Tailor Brando" on Ebay, who is a really knowledgeable guy but just doesn't have what I'm looking for. I'm also a bit concerned about getting the fit right with overseas producers, having read some horror stories in this forum.

Are there any other other options that meet the criteria above that I'm missing? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you care to make.

I bought an 'updated' Levi black leather trucker, with added length and made in a lighter weight leather and disliked the fit and the style when I tried it on so sold it almost immediately and replaced it with a vintage 1990's black label version which looks and feels 'proper"! It's shorter and made from a much heavier leather than the 'updated version and has hand warmer pockets.

 

[ton312]

Don’t waste your time and $ on 5 star. Put in some extra dough and go with Johnson leathers or Vanson. Spec the length as you’d like and keep the hand warmers if they are important. I think JL has the type 3 pretty much locked down. It’s a slim fit, especially in the sleeves, but I think if absolutely looks the part with modern touches.

Personally, I’d have ditched the hand warmers if I spec’d this jacket. They are essentially useless, especially in a lined jacket as they can’t double as interior pockets. That said, I don’t find they ruin the lines in this example.

 

[ProfG]

Thank you, sir. Fox Creek would fit the bill perfectly. Sadly, they don't seem to make a trucker anymore (Why?)

Anyone have any experience buying from "ATORIE?" I haven't seen any posts about their stuff, which appear to be quite nice by the given description:

https://shopatorie.com/products/hor...46_Vh21R5LwVI5D9sJk7WuiZ_ProjzNxoC-bwQAvD_BwE

Very curious about ATORIE as well. Seems like lots of Reddit folks have had a poor experience with returns, not being refunded, poor CS, etc, which all makes me very nervous.

 

[Edward]

https://johnsonleather.com/products/type-iii

But I would think twice about your desire for handwarmers. They are terrible for putting things in, spoil the lines of the jacket, date it as ‘80s style’ and might stretch and look weird over time if you actually use them to stick your hands in. Wear gloves or put your hands in your jeans pockets.

I tend to the same view - whether in leather or denim (though it's been a very, very long time since I last wore a type III of any sort). I think it's partly that I associate them with the Eighties (never good in and of itself) and jackets that were elongated well below the beltline. And in truth a huge proportion of it is that I rarely care for designs that date much after 1960, or where handwarmers were a later addition on an earlier style. I have them on jacket where they 'should' be there, halfbelts and the likes, but purely for the look, never actual utility. I've been weirdly jonesing for the last few years for a two-chest pocket cafe racer type (the GoldTop 68 model in particular), and a big part of the attraction of that design is its very utilitarian vibe. Some days I love all the bells and whistles of a D pocket with zippers everywhere, some days a jacket with just those two broadly ornamental chest pockets is just the thing. (I had a cafe racer type years ago which had no chest pockets and two hand warmers, never could make it work until I realised it just didn't work for me with collared shirts. Nowadays that it would be one of several jackets rather than two, and that I do have a few non-collared t-shirts again after a break of a decade or so, it has its appeal. No handwarmers this time on that one for sure, though.)

 

[nirvana42]

Don’t waste your time and $ on 5 star. Put in some extra dough and go with Johnson leathers or Vanson. Spec the length as you’d like and keep the hand warmers if they are important. I think JL has the type 3 pretty much locked down. It’s a slim fit, especially in the sleeves, but I think if absolutely looks the part with modern touches.
View attachment 757900
Personally, I’d have ditched the hand warmers if I spec’d this jacket. They are essentially useless, especially in a lined jacket as they can’t double as interior pockets. That said, I don’t find they ruin the lines in this example.

I'll second JL for a trucker jacket. From my understanding they have 2 types of fits. The one shown in the the image and another that's a boxier and shorter fit, called the M-LEI. I have 2 of the latter (I believe off the rack and no customization) and they are my favorite leather/suede truckers. If patient they can be had somewhere between $300-$500 second hand.

More info on the 2 JL fits can be found here

Johnson Leather Jacket

I spent lots of time this weekend doing photos and videos and a lot of measuring, in the hope to understand why some patterns are raved by some and not others and why I tend to like some better than others. This thirst to know drives this hobby for me and I've just realized now, that while...

www.thefedoralounge.com

 

[Leigh H]

This guy in Japan is making some really nice Levi’s trucker repros.

https://www.instagram.com/ipcress_tokyo?igsh=MXJ0d3FubXNldDQzeg==

 

[morrison2951]

I'm partial to Aero aka "goldilocks".

 

[Mickiemac]

Here's my "goldilocks' trucker jacket - Aero Type III in Navy Vicenza. Ordered/Obtained it nearly 4 years ago. Perfection in every way although now the price beyond reach. This is a keeper.