Thoughts on new jacket: Langlitz vs Himel vs Aero

[Rosecitymike]

Hi all,

First thread here after lots of lurking. Hoping for thoughts on my next jacket, which will (almost definitely) be black. Already have 3 brown (a lambskin tobacco suede type III, a deep brown Shinki Frobisher on the way, and a chore-coat type, winter-weight in mid brown steer). the three calling my name are:

1. Langlitz Columbia in goat. I'm not a rider so this would be modified to a strait zip, dress collar, and a little longer body length to be less motorcycle-y. Stopped in the shop the other day and tried one on and was very impressed.
2. Aero Bootlegger in goat or horsehide: haven't has the chance to try this on, but am up in Seattle frequently so could easily schedule Thurston Bros to help with fit.
3. Himel Heron in goat. Just a damn fine looking jacket

Yes, they are all different styles.
Yes, I should get all three.
Yes, I can't go wrong with any of them.
But.
Pretend you are a middle-aged guy of above average height and muscular build, looking for a versatile black jacket to fill a hole in his wardrobe. Plusses, minuses, personal experiences, and overlooked options are all welcome.

 

[Superfluous]

While the Bootlegger is great looking, the Heron is, IMHO, something particularly special:

 

[jonesy86]

I really love my Heron.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I unsurprisingly vote for the Heron. It's just such a beautiful and unique design.

My second choice would be the bootlegger. I really like that jacket.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Yes you should get all three but I think the smartest choice is to visit Thurston Bros and try on as many styles as possible.

Shawl collars look nice in and of themselves but I don’t think they suit everyone so unless you can try one on, I’d be reluctant to drop that sort of money onto something that simply doesn’t look good on you even if it is a masterpiece.

 

[Edward]

Can't go wrong with a Bootlegger, imo.

 

[jacketjunkie]

I agree with PN; the shawl collar looks great in pictures but they don't suit everyone even when they are nicely shaped (which most of them are not as for my taste, no maker excluded).

A Langlitz will be the best fitting and most functional jacket of these three, however I bought a Columbia and it's currently for sale again because it feels too motorcyclish when I wear it after all. Wouldn't recommend it. Go for a Cascade instead. No side laces, no stiff kidney panel. No side panels.

As for Aero Bootlegger, cool style but if I wanted a Bootlegger, I would go for the STF Bootlegger which is more fitted, has trimmed sleeves and button cuffs.

 

[Monitor]

What I'd be looking into for a versatile (black) leather jacket.

Lost Worlds Test

Lost Worlds Roadhouse

Schott 689

Vanson Mercury

Aero Royale

 

[Rosecitymike]

Thanks for the replies so far:

Should have said, as jacketjunkie suggested, the STF Bootlegger would be the model I would prefer

 

[Boyo]

I advise going into to Thurston Bros and trying as many jackets as they will let you.. they will have Aero, Vanson and Thedi who make a shawl collar as nice as the Heron, as well as other vintage jackets... They will help you dial in the fit /measurements and once you know these everything gets easier and you can start to troll the classifieds and ebay and within a year you'll have 12 leather jackets..

 

[Guppy]

I advise going into to Thurston Bros and trying as many jackets as they will let you.. they will have Aero, Vanson and Thedi who make a shawl collar as nice as the Heron, as well as other vintage jackets... They will help you dial in the fit /measurements and once you know these everything gets easier and you can start to troll the classifieds and ebay and within a year you'll have 12 leather jackets..

I though Thurston was online only anymore after they lost their building 2 years ago. Did they re-open a physical store again?

 

[Boyo]

@Guppy is 100% correct.. I'm sorry I didn't realize they didn't re-open.. ( I'm an east coast guy)

from the Thurston Bros web site under contacts...

 

[ton312]

Hi all,

First thread here after lots of lurking. Hoping for thoughts on my next jacket, which will (almost definitely) be black. Already have 3 brown (a lambskin tobacco suede type III, a deep brown Shinki Frobisher on the way, and a chore-coat type, winter-weight in mid brown steer). the three calling my name are:

1. Langlitz Columbia in goat. I'm not a rider so this would be modified to a strait zip, dress collar, and a little longer body length to be less motorcycle-y. Stopped in the shop the other day and tried one on and was very impressed.
2. Aero Bootlegger in goat or horsehide: haven't has the chance to try this on, but am up in Seattle frequently so could easily schedule Thurston Bros to help with fit.
3. Himel Heron in goat. Just a damn fine looking jacket

Yes, they are all different styles.
Yes, I should get all three.
Yes, I can't go wrong with any of them.
But.
Pretend you are a middle-aged guy of above average height and muscular build, looking for a versatile black jacket to fill a hole in his wardrobe. Plusses, minuses, personal experiences, and overlooked options are all welcome.

If you have an athletic build you will not like the fit of the Himel offering. I tried one on at a retailer here in Chicago. The sleeves and shoulders are quite trim. It the body of the jacket is very boxy. I would pursue Thedi's shawl collar jacket For that particular style. From what I've seen they fit the best. The standard pattern Bootlegger works well with Athletic frames. Here are my two (former) bootleggers, size 40". I'm 5'11 around 215lbs.
Cordovan

Brown:

Both CXL steer. Would look great in black too. Langlitz is a wonderful option as well. I've only ever owned one and it was vintage but a marvelous jacket.

 

[Lebowski]

Both Bootlegger and Heron A-1 are unique masterpiece patterns and both deserve to be bought.
P.S. It's quite hard to choose only one of them 'cause they're absolutely different patterns. Both deserve to be loved. And yes - I may repeat that once again. And again. And again)
P.P.S. Langlitz is an iconic MC brand, so - there's nothing to discuss 'cause it's from "must have" category.

 

[Guppy]

If you have to pick just one, and you're not a motorcycle rider, I would have to recommend the Bootlegger. It's the most versatile of them.

Edit: not to mention the least expensive as well.

 

[Rosecitymike]

Maybe I should have said, which should I get FIRST.

 

[handymike]

I would definitely recommend trying them on first!
The Heron is a real beauty, but not for every body type. Even Himel states that it has a "sausage" fit.
I think you overlooked Thedi...

 

[ton312]

The Heron is a real beauty, but not for every body type. Even Himel states that it has a "sausage" fit.

That's interesting b/c the one I tried on at Mildblend fit like a bag. Super loose in the body, super trim in the sleeve and shoulder.

 

[handymike]

I think by "sausage" he means very little taper.

 

[Guppy]

That's interesting b/c the one I tried on at Mildblend fit like a bag. Super loose in the body, super trim in the sleeve and shoulder.

I thought Himel made to measure... Or at least is certainly capable.