Thin, lightweight cafe racer jacket?

[Edward]

Carrie @ Thurston just informed me that their thinnest offerings for Aero is Vicenza (3 oz.) and goatskin (2.75 oz.)--so unfortunately no unusual leathers right now. As far as lambskin, I am open to the idea, but it seems like none of the quality makers we've discussed here even offer it. Do you have any suggestions on who does lamb?

Wested Leathers do lamb (Doctor Strange's Indy jacket is one of theirs). Wested are a more budget affair price-wise, and perhaps not as classy as the likes of Aero, though much cheaper and certainly very nice for the money. FWIW, I've also owned an Indy in their goat leather, which is a bit tougher than the lamb, but still very light (much lighter than Aero's).

I've recently been introduced to 'Cape' hide which is from a Sheep I believe and is very light. My introduction was via an A-1 (which is my lightest leather jacket). My Hartman is in Cape too Cape is a lot more substantial than I originally thought it would be
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Yes, it's made from sheep (now..... originally is was from a very specific goat)- I think it's slightly tougher than lamb, but as light. From what I'm aware, I think the sheepskin that Lewis currently offer is basically capeskin... as were most British-made lether jackets back in the day.

From dictionary.com: "a firm, washable leather used especially for gloves, originally made from the skin of goats from the Cape of Good Hope, but now from hairy lambskin or sheepskin." http://www.dictionary.com/browse/capeskin

 

[SklounstDraxxer]

Wested Leathers do lamb (Doctor Strange's Indy jacket is one of theirs). Wested are a more budget affair price-wise, and perhaps not as classy as the likes of Aero, though much cheaper and certainly very nice for the money. FWIW, I've also owned an Indy in their goat leather, which is a bit tougher than the lamb, but still very light (much lighter than Aero's).

Yeah, Doctor Strange did recommend Wested to me also. I see that they do make a cafe racer which looks reasonably similar to a Buco J-100: http://www.wested.com/firenze-retro-blouson-style-jacket-in-brown-nappa-lambskin-1691-p.asp. I see that it's in brown lambskin, but I'm assuming they could do the jacket in goatskin.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Wested does custom work for very reasonable rates, so I'm sure they'd make that one in goatskin. I'd request a cotton lining too, it's much more comfortable than synthetics in warm weather.

Just don't kid yourself that it's comparable to a far more expensive jacket. Wested's stuff is great for what it is - well-made for the price - but they don't try to compete with the premium makers.

And, if you haven't already realized: This will be your first cafe racer, but it's unlikely to be your last. Lots of us started with the less-expensive jackets, and after wearing and loving them, decided we needed "more". More authentic details. Better hides. Custom fit. One of THAT kind. One of the OTHER kind...

 

[SklounstDraxxer]

And, if you haven't already realized: This will be your first cafe racer, but it's unlikely to be your last. Lots of us started with the less-expensive jackets, and after wearing and loving them, decided we needed "more". More authentic details. Better hides. Custom fit. One of THAT kind. One of the OTHER kind...

My wallet groaneth!

 

[nick123]

Check the classifieds OP if you haven't to get an idea of a DD J-100 in Horween. One's for sale here.

 

[SklounstDraxxer]

Check the classifieds OP if you haven't to get an idea of a DD J-100 in Horween. One's for sale here.

Thanks for the tip! Looking now.

 

[Edward]

Anothwr option might be the Mascot Black Cafe; it's a pretty light hide, authentic to the original late fifties/ early sixties jackets.

 

[technovox]

I've owned a couple of goatskin jackets- a Langlitz, a Thedi, and the Levis/Aero Blue Black, among others. My experience with goatskin is that it doesn't really take on much character after years of wear...and I've found the pebbled texture to typically feel a bit "plasticky."
Whenever I head down to SoCal in the summer, I always choose my Diamond Dave J-100 in the Shinki. It's very light --lighter than my Aero Vicenza(s) and even lighter and thinner than my other Himel Shinki. I've worn it in Laguna Beach on a summer night, and it was perfect. And one of the best fitting jackets I own.

 

[Doctor Damage]

I recently bought a Beau Breed cafe racer (as worn by Bronson in the 70's The Mechanic). It is the thinnest leather I have ever owned on a jacket. Turns out it's not my thing. It's quilted and feels puffy and the shoulders are very wide and it looks wrong on me.

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[walds11]

I hope it’s ok to bump an old thread

I’m in the market for my first nice leather jacket. The Thurston Brothers Aero Seven in Vicenza Horsehide is a front runner. It’s basically a Cafe Racer with a regular collar. Here is an example of one that is mouth watering and off the charts.

https://www.thurston-bros.com/products/aero-seven-size-44-dark-seal-vicenza-horsehide

Is Vicenza Horsehide a medium weight leather? Do you know how it compares weight wise to this Schott Vintaged Cowhide Café Racer Leather Jacket?

https://www.schottnyc.com/products/vintaged-cowhide-cafe-racer-leather.htm?catID=5

I tried the jacket on at local retailer. I felt like would be the heaviest I’d want to go, but wouldn’t mind lighter, since this will be an all-around casual jacket for me. Schott categorizes it as a light weight leather, but it may actually be a medium weight.

Does Aero offer any light weight leathers with similar characteristics as Vicenza Horsehide?

 

[Doctor Strange]

I'd say the 654VN is medium weight for a casual streetwear jacket... but it's light weight compared to most motorcycle jackets. (I have the 654, the same jacket minus the vintage process, which I believe is the same cowhide.)

Alas, I've never handled an Aero jacket in person so I can't offer any expertise... but I suspect any/all of their hides are heavier than this particular cowhide. You'll get plenty of more useful feedback...

 

[walds11]

I'd say the 654VN is medium weight for a casual streetwear jacket... but it's light weight compared to most motorcycle jackets. (I have the 654, the same jacket minus the vintage process, which I believe is the same cowhide.)

Alas, I've never handled an Aero jacket in person so I can't offer any expertise... but I suspect any/all of their hides are heavier than this particular cowhide. You'll get plenty of more useful feedback...

Thank you Doctor Strange. I’ll await additional feedback from others.

 

[ksozay]

Consider asking Carrie for Thurston to send you a fit jacket for Board racer or cafe racer in Vic hide. Only one true way to sort this out, get your hands on one and decide for yourself. Always hard to judge from the opinions of others.

Vic hide is very wearable because of the weight. Lighter side of medium weight in my experience and I have ~6/7 Vic hide jackets.


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[walds11]

Consider asking Carrie for Thurston to send you a fit jacket for Board racer or cafe racer in Vic hide. Only one true way to sort this out, get your hands on one and decide for yourself. Always hard to judge from the opinions of others.

Vic hide is very wearable because of the weight. Lighter side of medium weight in my experience and I have ~6/7 Vic hide jackets.

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Good point on asking Carrie to send me a for jacket, but...

I have been emailing her and she just got back to me on this:

“The Vicenza is a medium weight. If this cowhide is the same stuff that Schott has been using for a while, then it should be similar in thickness and weight to the Vicenza. However, the Vicenza might be a little stiffer.”

That works for me if the thickness and weights are similar. I don’t mind stiffer. Goatskin is another option, but I’m not crazy about its characteristics. And it’s only incrementally lighter from what I learned on this thread.

They still have spots in the December production, but they only have until next Friday to get the order finalized.

 

[ProteinNerd]

The Vicenza should only be a bit stiffer to start and then loosen up as it breaks in.

 

[walds11]

The Vicenza should only be a bit stiffer to start and then loosen up as it breaks in.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Downunder G Man]

I have Vanson Comet in medium weight leather. Bought new 10 months ago.

It's my "lightest" and least bulky leather jacket. Has the least insulation so I wear it on warmer days.

Minimalist jacket true to the 60's originals but top quality made. "Short" in style but fits close and looks good.

Super good for keeping the wind out and as I ride that's good !

Apologies if the brand and model have been mentioned before in this (old) thread

https://vansonleathers.com/search?c...derway=desc&search_query=comet&submit_search=

 

[ksozay]

My Vanson comet is a bit heavier than my Vic hide board racer. Vic hide was stiff but loosened up quickly. Not every Vic hide is stiff, many are pretty pliable. Vanson on the other hand... love the Vanson but you earn that break-in.


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[walds11]

Thanks all for the feedback so far.

The Aero Vicenza HH a little more than I want to spend, but the jacket is exactly what I’m looking for and highly customizable. The ordering and fit process seems amazing after reading all the feedback here on the fedora lounge outwear forum. Carrie has been a pleasure to deal with so far.

They still have spots in the December production, but they only have until next Friday to get the order finalized, so I jumped in on an Aero Seven. I’ll be posting a new thread soon

 

[Seb Lucas]

I have Vanson Comet in medium weight leather. Bought new 10 months ago.

It's my "lightest" and least bulky leather jacket. Has the least insulation so I wear it on warmer days.

Minimalist jacket true to the 60's originals but top quality made. "Short" in style but fits close and looks good.

Super good for keeping the wind out and as I ride that's good !

Apologies if the brand and model have been mentioned before in this (old) thread

https://vansonleathers.com/search?c...derway=desc&search_query=comet&submit_search=

The medium weight Vanson is still a substantial 3oz, so it's too heavy for my needs. I prefer 2 to 2.2 oz in jackets but I'm in the minority.