New user here, looking for some guidance on a first time leather jacket purchase.

[Sirkrimzon]

I am a brand new enthusiast who is looking to upgrade from his pleather flight jacket purchased from primark. Based on some preliminary research, it seems the two major areas to look for a “budget” leather jacket (roughly $100-$350) is vintage on eBay (brands like Schott, Vanson or vintage military) or going with one of the repro makers such as Avi or Five star.

Is vintage or the new repro generally better regarded around here? for example is a vintage flight jacket made in US better quality compared to a vintage vanson repro? I know it’s hard to speak in terms of absolutes, but if you can offer me some general guidance that would be great.

 

[TheSeeker]

I like FMC leathers. I just bought The Enforcer. I have several leathers, this new FMC is a favorite. I prefer heavy leather to lamb skin for durability.

 

[LeatherHunter]

I am a brand new enthusiast who is looking to upgrade from his pleather flight jacket purchased from primark. Based on some preliminary research, it seems the two major areas to look for a “budget” leather jacket (roughly $100-$350) is vintage on eBay (brands like Schott, Vanson or vintage military) or going with one of the repro makers such as Avi or Five star.

Is vintage or the new repro generally better regarded around here? for example is a vintage flight jacket made in US better quality compared to a vintage vanson repro? I know it’s hard to speak in terms of absolutes, but if you can offer me some general guidance that would be great.

Spend some time on the Finds and Deals thread. We are always posting some good stuff.

 

[El Marro]

Is vintage or the new repro generally better regarded around here? for example is a vintage flight jacket made in US better quality compared to a vintage vanson repro? I know it’s hard to speak in terms of absolutes, but if you can offer me some general guidance that would be great.

Welcome to the lounge Sirkrimzon!
So there is no such thing as a “vintage vanson repro”. Reading your post makes me think that you have been reading a lot here, absorbing a lot, and getting it all kind of jumbled up in your head. I think this happens to everyone when they dive into the world of leather jackets and the fedora lounge.
If your budget is $100-$350 you are not going to have a lot of options with vintage or repros. I think @LeatherHunter had a good suggestion regarding the find and deals thread.

 

[Sirkrimzon]

I like FMC leathers. I just bought The Enforcer. I have several leathers, this new one is one of my best.

Thanks I just took a look at them. Don’t have much in the way of vintage styles which I gravitate towards.

 

[Doctor Death]

Depends on what you want. New or used. Moto or military style. I guess if you don't really know what you want, maybe used is better. That way, you waste less money finding out what you really like.

If you know what you want, like if you want a leather flight jacket, Cockpit USA sells the A2 for $550. If you want a moto jacket, Vanson has good prices. Prices for new Schott are pretty out of control.

There's Fox Creek Leather, Hillside USA, Legendary USA also. Some pretty good deals can be had when they do sales. You could get a new jacket for less than $400 from FCL and Hillside. There's also San Diego Leather. And Wested.

 

[TartuWolf]

Some thoughts:
1. Vintage as used/2nd hand are two different things. I'm not interested in Vintage and extremely interested in 2nd hand / used. Likely there is no such thing as a vintage Vanson, but it depends on how old something needs to be for you to consider it Vintage.
2. 300$ new vs 300$. Think of it this way - leather jackets age very well if you don't thrash them. You could even argue that a used leather jacket is better and nicer because it is already broken in. So if you're buying a 300$ new jacket then you're getting a 300$ jacket and loosing about half of that in value as soon as you start wearing it. So you end up with a 150-200$ jacket. If you buy a used 300$ then you're likely buying a 500-1000$ jacket. Assuming that it doesn't go into luxury stuff you're likely getting better materials, better construction, better pattern, etc.. So you're getting much more for your money.
3. Five star is a very sketchy path, but people have had success with their stock jackets, especially if they know which ones are reproductions and which ones are inventions (likely by the clientele..).
4. If your budget is so small then you will have to compensate with time if you want to improve your chances at scoring something decent/good. Scouting listings, being patient, doing research, etc..

 

[tamoko]

Some Schott, VANSON, Cooper A-2 still great jacket. Vintage before 70s will be tricky. 80s and above pretty similar in quality.

 

[Bennarion]

Vintage or reproductions, it doesn't matter. It's important how the jacket will fit you.

 

[Sirkrimzon]

Some Schott, VANSON, Cooper A-2 still great jacket. Vintage before 70s will be tricky. 80s and above pretty similar in quality.

Thank you. Are you referring to the copper A-2 vintage or from US wings?

 

[Monitor]

I know it’s hard to speak in terms of absolutes, but if you can offer me some general guidance that would be great.

Think of it this way - $300 will get you top of the line, high-quality used leather jacket by most high-end brands we discuss here. At the same time $300 won't even get you close to buying a new top of the line, high-quality leather jacket by those exact same brands.

At this point, you should focus your research into deciding what exactly is it that you want, what kind of jacket exactly. Then we can talk about brands because right now, most of the characteristics that set them apart will be lost to you.

Used generic Schott flight jacket will set you back $150 and it is a guaranteed lifetime piece. Custom 5 Star costs around $500, I believe and a brand new Goodwear is, what, $1500 now? All three jackets are of the same quality and should serve you just about the same so you have to know what makes you want to spend more than what an used Schott A-2 costs.

 

[Sirkrimzon]

Think of it this way - $300 will get you top of the line, high-quality used leather jacket by most high-end brands we discuss here. At the same time $300 won't even get you close to buying a new top of the line, high-quality leather jacket by those exact same brands.

At this point, you should focus your research into deciding what exactly is it that you want, what kind of jacket exactly. Then we can talk about brands because right now, most of the characteristics that set them apart will be lost to you.

Used generic Schott flight jacket will set you back $150 and it is a guaranteed lifetime piece. Custom 5 Star costs around $500, I believe and a brand new Goodwear is, what, $1500 now? All three jackets are of the same quality and should serve you just about the same so you have to know what makes you want to spend more than what a used Schott A-2 costs.

Thank you. I am primarily looking at a G-1 jacket. From my time researching I have not found any in decent condition for $150. Are there any other brands you recommend I look for vintage around $300 or less for a high quality G-1?

Also what is your opinion of the relative quality of a vintage army G-1 vs a similar vintage vanson or Schott G-1?

 

[rogueclimber]

I am primarily looking at a G-1 jacket.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-top-tier-g-1-leather-jacket-purchase.116070/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/need-help-choosing-g1-jacket-size.117633/

To narrow your research

 

[Monitor]

Thank you. I am primarily looking at a G-1 jacket. From my time researching I have not found any in decent condition for $150. Are there any other brands you recommend I look for vintage around $300 or less for a high quality G-1?

Huh, I see a LOT of them on eBay. . . Don't know what size are you but this Gibson & Barnes is just about it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176855684640

Also what is your opinion of the relative quality of a vintage army G-1 vs a similar vintage vanson or Schott G-1?

If by quality you mean durability, longevity, etc., then they're all roughly at the same level.

You will find better workmanship on some of the reproductions but some Army contracts produced beautiful jackets as well. The older the jacket, the more problems you might be going to have to deal with.

Echoing others, I'd say that G-1 by Cockpit USA should be just about perfect for you. Shouldn't be a problem finding one at $350.

 

[Tom71]

Thank you. I am primarily looking at a G-1 jacket. From my time researching I have not found any in decent condition for $150. Are there any other brands you recommend I look for vintage around $300 or less for a high quality G-1?

Also what is your opinion of the relative quality of a vintage army G-1 vs a similar vintage vanson or Schott G-1?

Do you mean " vintage-military" as in an original from the 1940´s?

These are very hard to come by and will cost you an arm and a leg. Also, a 80+ year old jacket will hardly be a daily wearer.

I think you will have to decide on the following questions:

1.
How important is histrorical accuracy for you? A lot of the makers you mentioned don´t really make accurate "repros", but functional jackets with key-features of the original M422a/G-1 mil-specs.
That is not a bad thing and will safe you a lot of money if you compromise on accuracy.

2.
If you go down the "inspired by" route, there is absolutely nothing to be said against going by price only. There will be a huge used-market too.

Yes, there are makers with "a good name" like Vanson or Schott that will produce a nice "civilian flight jacket" at a good quality, but I don´t think anybody here will be against 5 Star or any other budget maker.

3.
If you want an accurate repro, there are only a handful of makers to chose from. @rogueclimber provided the appropriate thread. Be prepared to pay north of USD 1.000 new; used will take a lot of patience as the market is not terribly large to begin with.

At the point where you are, I would probably buy something used and readily available at an attractive price. You can then decide how it makes you feel, if it ticks your boxes and - potentially - evolve to something more sophisticated with a bit of personal experience at a later point in time.

 

[Tom71]

Huh, I see a LOT of them on eBay. . . Don't know what size are you but this Gibson & Barnes is just about it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176855684640



If by quality you mean durability, longevity, etc., then they're all roughly at the same level.

You will find better workmanship on some of the reproductions but some Army contracts produced beautiful jackets as well. The older the jacket, the more problems you might be going to have to deal with.

Echoing others, I'd say that G-1 by Cockpit USA should be just about perfect for you. Shouldn't be a problem finding one at $350.

Ah, I just saw this.

As a hands-on appraoch this is the better answer than mine.

 

[Sirkrimzon]

Do you mean " vintage-military" as in an original from the 1940´s?

These are very hard to come by and will cost you an arm and a leg. Also, a 80+ year old jacket will hardly be a daily wearer.

I think you will have to decide on the following questions:

1.
How important is histrorical accuracy for you? A lot of the makers you mentioned don´t really make accurate "repros", but functional jackets with key-features of the original M422a/G-1 mil-specs.
That is not a bad thing and will safe you a lot of money if you compromise on accuracy.

2.
If you go down the "inspired by" route, there is absolutely nothing to be said against going by price only. There will be a huge used-market too.

Yes, there are makers with "a good name" like Vanson or Schott that will produce a nice "civilian flight jacket" at a good quality, but I don´t think anybody here will be against 5 Star or any other budget maker.

3.
If you want an accurate repro, there are only a handful of makers to chose from. @rogueclimber provided the appropriate thread. Be prepared to pay north of USD 1.000 new; used will take a lot of patience as the market is not terribly large to begin with.

At the point where you are, I would probably buy something used and readily available at an attractive price. You can then decide how it makes you feel, if it ticks your boxes and - potentially - evolve to something more sophisticated with a bit of personal experience at a later point in time.

Thank you very much. What about this jacket? Seems well made in US.

I think I am beginning to understand that if possible, I prefer vintage. It does not have to be 1940 but just anything preowned ideally military. But I am open to a repro as well especially if it’s higher quality than its comparable vintage brethren.

https://sandiegoleather.com/products/usa-made-mens-cowhide-leather-bomber-flight-jacket-g1-us-navy

 

[tamoko]

Thank you. Are you referring to the copper A-2 vintage or from US wings?

Original WW2 Cooper A-2 something mysterious. Sure modern Cooper A-2 very solid jacket great quality US made. From 90s and later still vintage some in mint condition.
Very nice even Cooper G-1. From price you can make wrong. Cockpit A-2 older similar to Cooper I think Cockpit and Cooper had even some A-2 contracts in 90s not as real flight jackets but some connection.