Vanson Leathers: Enfield pattern

[Seb Lucas]

I'm taken by the classic look of this Enfield jacket - slash pockets, top zip cigarette pocket, articulated back.

I'm thinking of getting one in the lighter Firenze leather.

Any comments? How is Vanson as a product?

Is the light leather a lot lighter (I hope it is because I won't wear a jacket heavier than 4 pounds)?

There's a similar Schott jacket but it costs significantly more.

Any thoughts welcome.

 

[OneEyeMan]

Can't tell you much about the Enfield other than I love the styling.
I do, however, own a CSRX Motorcycle Jacket.
Finishing on it is first rate as is the fit.
Lovely thick, waxy leather.
I never saw their Firenze leather, but it looks intriguing.
Lenny

 

[Peacoat]

I'm surprised the Schott costs more than the Vanson. Are you comparing the same weight of leather?

Just went to the Schott website to see what they had. The only one I saw that had similar stying as the Enfield was the 689H, which is a horsehide jacket. I couldn't find the 689 in cowhide. That would explain the difference in costs. The Schott in horse is about $100 more than the Vanson in heavy cow. The wait time for the Vanson in heavy cow is 2 to 4 months, but I think the Firenze is in stock in some sizes.

Another option might be the Vanson light horse hide. It might not be the best choice for a motorcycle jacket, but for your purposes it might work well. Vanson is out of stock in the heavy horse, and they don't know when any more will come in, but the light weight horse is in stock.

Vanson's email address is vanson@vansonleathers.com If you don't get an answer to your questions by email, let me know, and I will give them a call.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

I have three Vansons. Unfortunately all are competition weight leather (and armor capable) so I don't have any direct experience with Firenze leather. Vanson's work is first rate so I would not hesitate to buy based on quality.

If you have concerns about fit, drop by your local Vanson dealer and have them measure you. It may be that you fit their "stock" size. Initially I thought I needed a custom size but after being measured they determined that I fit the stock size 40 jacket (with the jacket being maybe 1" short in the torso, which was not a big deal).

 

[Seb Lucas]

I'm surprised the Schott costs more than the Vanson. Are you comparing the same weight of leather?

Just went to the Schott website to see what they had. The only one I saw that had similar stying as the Enfield was the 689H, which is a horsehide jacket. I couldn't find the 689 in cowhide. That would explain the difference in costs. The Schott in horse is about $100 more than the Vanson in heavy cow. The wait time for the Vanson in heavy cow is 2 to 4 months, but I think the Firenze is in stock in some sizes.

Another option might be the Vanson light horse hide. It might not be the best choice for a motorcycle jacket, but for your purposes it might work well. Vanson is out of stock in the heavy horse, and they don't know when any more will come in, but the light weight horse is in stock.

Vanson's email address is vanson@vansonleathers.com If you don't get an answer to your questions by email, let me know, and I will give them a call.

Thanks Peacoat, very helpful. I've emailed them - we'll see. Didn't know about the light HH - that sounds very nice. I'm not aware of any Vanson dealers in my country.

Regards - Seb

 

[johnnyjohnny]

vanson

howdy...i got vanson fever a whilst back...and it was either the enfield, like you, or the mercury...the merc in the pix looked a bit more tapered, so i went for that...

as some might know around here, especially after my recent eastman purchase, ww2 luftwaffe jacket styling has been my passion...and these two certainly have it

however, my experiences with the vanson were less than satisfying, not necessarily a reflection on them, maybe my expectations of this style

first off, the craftsmanship was first rate plus...i did get the firenze leather which was lighter than regular steerhide, but still with some weight...that too was wonderful

what i found was the cut and fit were not quite what the pix represented (what pix ever are?)...but the reason i got the merc was that it looked a bit more tapered than the enfield, and it was so described on the vanson site as well, or at least implied, described in words referring to a shirt fit (on their old website)

enfield...great cut, but run a bit wide in the middle stock (not moi):

well, the jacket, stock sizes, turned out to be quite boxy...i tried 3 sizes, all bought on ebay, all in virtually new condition, 46, 48, 50, and none of them worked...whereas for comparison, the schott 135 (i had the 1-piece back '95 version 681), a lewis dominator, a dyer, an aero highwayman, and especially my new eastman luftwaffe, all had a nice taper...the eastman the most

on all of the vanson merc's the stomach area spread like a bell out in front of me...it basically did not on the size 46, but that was too well-fitting in the chest and shoulders, but loose on the waist...

from this experience i think the stock off the shelf vanson sizes give an inch or two less drop from chest measurement to waist measurement...of course you wish to know my measurements to compare to yourself, and i have about an 11" drop from a 45.5" chest to a 34" waist...if you have a more evenly matched chest to waist ratio, the vanson's off the shelf might work, but otherwise you may not like them

i think with the vansons you really need to have the jacket custom sized, which they charge more for i believe, and of course you have as much a wait for them as from aero, which takes a bit of time themselves as they have such a demand (rightly so)

now, for the price and the wait, i must wonder why you don't go with aero as you are already almost up there in cost, and certainly in wait

the quality on the vanson is immaculate, but the cut and fit are such that you really need to try them on, and likely order a custom sized jacket...but doing that, i'm sure it would be stellar...as for vanson, probably their non-casual offerings can more easily be purchased off the shelf...

do tell what you decide ;D

 

[Seb Lucas]

Wow, thanks JJ that adds a new perspective. My chest to waist is less spectacular than yours 42 to 34 in the waist.

You're right about Aero. I think I may wait until after Christmas to make the choice. If I could wave a wand it would probably be the Aero 1950's half-belt.

Thanks again (by the way, love your new jacket).

 

[johnnyjohnny]

thanks seb lucas regarding my luftwaffe, i love it...

i think you are making the correct decision, though it sounds like a vanson off the shelf enfield size 46 (they run small) might be to your liking...if you'll be in lobsterland (massachusettes) you might want to try a vanson on and see...but aero, how can you go wrong

 

[bigbjorn]

I have a Vanson armor-capable motorcycle jacket (CSR5). The quality is fine for what it is, but it's a 100% motorcycle-dedicated jacket, so I can't offer much help on the lighter-weight leather or Enfield styling. I will agree that they tend to have little if any waist suppression.

 

[Peacoat]

The lighter weight Vanson is 2 1/2 oz. cowhide.

 

[CodeRed]

I have a HH Vanson Enfield that I purchased 10 yrs ago. I think that it is the best jacket I have including Aero/Langlitz that I own. I am a 40R in suits and I have a 42, which fits like a glove...the HH is a real bitch to break in though even 10 yrs later it is still pretty stiff. GL.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I have a HH Vanson Enfield that I purchased 10 yrs ago. I think that it is the best jacket I have including Aero/Langlitz that I own. I am a 40R in suits and I have a 42, which fits like a glove...the HH is a real bitch to break in though even 10 yrs later it is still pretty stiff. GL.

I agree...and was devastated when my HH Enfield was stolen at an HD rally a couple years ago. I've owned many Aeros..and a couple Langlitz...and do think the Vanson Enfield is also a great jacket. Last night I was able to replace it though in hvy steer...which is also very nice as well....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150402218143&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
I'm a size 40 as well...and a 42 Vanson usually fits well. We'll see. should arrive in a week or so. I'm thrilled!
HD

 

[bobjones]

I agree...and was devastated when my HH Enfield was stolen at an HD rally a couple years ago. I've owned many Aeros..and a couple Langlitz...and do think the Vanson Enfield is also a great jacket. Last night I was able to replace it though in hvy steer...which is also very nice as well....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150402218143&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
I'm a size 40 as well...and a 42 Vanson usually fits well. We'll see. should arrive in a week or so. I'm thrilled!
HD

Sorry to hear that HD, hope you didn't buy back your same jacket... [huh]

 

[53Effie]

Seb Lucas

Just a quick comment. I agree with many of the others concerning Vanson quality. I bought a new Comet in competition weight cowhide several months ago. It is a stock 46. In suits I am usually 43 to 44R. The jacket fits really nicely. I would say it is about my favorite to wear of those that I own and the quality is very high. I am saving for another one in a different model.
mh

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Sorry to hear that HD, hope you didn't buy back your same jacket... [huh]

Ha..Wouldn't that just be great...:eusa_doh: ...
HD
(This time..I will not let it out of my sight...!)

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I have a HH Vanson Enfield that I purchased 10 yrs ago. I think that it is the best jacket I have including Aero/Langlitz that I own. I am a 40R in suits and I have a 42, which fits like a glove...the HH is a real bitch to break in though even 10 yrs later it is still pretty stiff. GL.

CodeRed
Just received my eBay Vanson Enfield today...and I do agree with you! This one is a grainy crinkley heavy steerhide in black. Beautiful new jacket! I'm a size 40,too..and the 42 fit is perfect. I'll get pics up in a day or two.
HD