What Are the Most Popular Leather Jacket Brands on TFL?

[Coriu]

Guilty as charged.
View attachment 349051

It's OK. Really. You're amongst friends.

 

[Carlos840]

Lewis Leather, priced same as Aero. Better moto jackets/ordering process than Aero.
Johnson Leather, priced less than Aero. Better moto jackets/ordering process than Aero.
Vanson Leather, at half of Aeros price. Better moto jackets than Aero.
Simmonsbilt, priced less than Aero, better leather assortment than Aero. And I still can’t find a better cafe racer based pattern than SBs.
.

It's quite ironic considering SB's cafe racer pattern is the same as Aero and it is IMO a pretty horrible fit...
It's a classic "hang from the neck" pattern.

 

[Pandemic]

It's quite ironic considering SB's cafe racer pattern is the same as Aero and it is IMO a pretty horrible fit...
It's a classic "hang from the neck" pattern.

SB are a great example of running a good first time buyer website. Lots of drop down menus and good photos to show off the range of patterns, materials and options. And first time buyers won't even notice the absence of sizing information, trusting their promises to make it fit. They also have a 'heritage' feel, with references to the real SB having a long history in California and their classic designs that have, erhurm, been in production in Scotland for decades.

 

[Jin431]

Looks like the following Loungers have 20 or more leather jackets in their closets. Anyone else out their belong to this elite club?

carlos840
elmarro
jmax
jonesy86
jonbuilder
kingb
mandarin
mysteryo
tmitchell59
toomanyhatsonlyonehead
tusche
yamahana

Paging @Canuck Panda

 

[Marc mndt]

Looks like the following Loungers have 20 or more leather jackets in their closets. Anyone else out their belong to this elite club?

carlos840
elmarro
jmax
jonesy86
jonbuilder
kingb
mandarin
mysteryo
tmitchell59
toomanyhatsonlyonehead
tusche
yamahana

I'm at 40+

 

[handymike]

SB are a great example of running a good first time buyer website. Lots of drop down menus and good photos to show off the range of patterns, materials and options. And first time buyers won't even notice the absence of sizing information, trusting their promises to make it fit. They also have a 'heritage' feel, with references to the real SB having a long history in California and their classic designs that have, erhurm, been in production in Scotland for decades.

The marketing is needed as the service isn’t always good, and many of the patterns are Aero’s

 

[red devil]

LW, Thedi and JL...is that in order of number of each you own? In other words, you own the most LW, followed by Thedi?

Yes, although it is not representative of buying intent. I would tie in Thedi and LW in terms if buying intent.

And I have more than 20 jackets, although don't have the exact number at hand

 

[Canuck Panda]

Guilty as charged.
View attachment 349051

I think its time for a second rack. As strong as this is, it's starting to bend in the middle. Or could be that the choppers are so awesome they deserve the extra attention!

 

[Coriu]

Yes, although it is not representative of buying intent. I would tie in Thedi and LW in terms if buying intent.

And I have more than 20 jackets, although don't have the exact number at hand

Sure. My intent of the exercise was to survey what we have in their closet at this time, not what we would LIKE to have. LOL

 

[red devil]

Sure. My intent of the exercise was to survey what we have in their closet at this time, not what we would LIKE to have have. LOL

In that case the companies that churn out the biggest numbers will win, and smaller companies have no chance, even though they might be more popular.

Take Goodwear, it would be present in much larger numbers if he could produce as many jackets as others.

In that case you should change the title, to "what are the most prevalent brands in Loungers wardrobe?" which would be more accurate.

 

[Canuck Panda]

@Carlos840 @nattevagten
You're right, it was the same as Aero. But mine were bought later than 2018, and it is different. I had wished they were the same though, because I have flat shoulder slope and Aero fits ok for me.
I had an Aero Cafe racer and sold it because it was my least favorite. Mostly because of the hulking back.
My SB Cafe racer pattern came in the form of SB V2 which is a just a button version of the Cafe racer with Roadster collar, size is exactly the same. There is a 5" drop from chest to bottom hem, so size 42 will come with P2P 23" Hem 20.5". It has more shoulder slope than flattest Aero. And high arm holes. If SB copied anybody, it would be Lewis. Which worked out for me.
For the guys that hits the gym and with big traps I would suggest LW, they have the highest shoulder slope, so it won't hang on your neck. Everyone else other than Aero has more or less the same shoulder set up.

The Quasimodo style back on the Aero cafe racer isn't my favorite. From their sale page, I saw that they are updating the cafe racer fit, so anyone with the updated version please post your fit.
The old Aero Cafe racer back fits the same as their current Indian ranger, but different from SB current pattern. SB current pattern I like a lot.
Just to add, if its the hunched back racing shirt style, no one does it better than Vanson. But that's because its an actual racing shirt top from the dirt tracks. It hunches forward but no Quasimodo look.

And looking back at my post I just mentioned Aero more times than other brands. Just saying.

 

[Coriu]

In that case the companies that churn out the biggest numbers will win, and smaller companies have no chance, even though they might be more popular.

Take Goodwear, it would be present in much larger numbers if he could produce as many jackets as others.

In that case you should change the title, to "what are the most prevalent brands in Loungers wardrobe?" which would be more accurate.

I see your point. Thedi is #4 at this time. I cannot imagine he churns out that many jackets. Ditto for Field Leathers, which is amongst the Top 10. Even if Goodwear (or other elites) could produce more jackets, I struggle to believe there are that many people who can afford to have a closet full of their jackets. If so, we have a lot of multimillionaires on this Forum and/or people living way above their means.

For this exercise, brands accrue points based upon their representation in closets. For Goodwear to creep up the rankings, some folks would need to buy a BUNCH of Goodwear's and/or get rid of a bunch of Aeros, Vansons and Schotts.

As mentioned in a previous post, my idea of "popularity" includes concepts such as affordability. In that sense, I cannot ever imagine the ultra-elites/ultra-expensive being #1 or #2, regardless of how many jackets they produce. Vanson and Schott are much more accessible to the average Joe. If Maserati could produce more cars, they would still never be close to the most popular car brand.

 

[Marc mndt]

I see your point. Thedi is #4 at this time. I cannot imagine he churns out that many jackets.

I think they do. Thedi has a large number of stockists in Germany. They also seem to sell a lot of jackets through their agent in China, Vintage By N&S

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I’m not surprised in the least that Aero is so well represented.
The Aero allure around here is catalyzed from day one for any newby who wonders into this lounge.
I recall early on yearning for an Aero. Certain members were slaying it with custom half belt cross zips in version after version, beyond perfect fit. It was candy in the eyes of a kid and the crowd went wild.
Who doesn’t pull up those pics and still mutter “that’s it, that’s the one”?
Just Google Aero half belt and lounge pics abound.
Absolutely nothing wrong with this, point being how influenced we can be by others perfection as we assemble our own collections. Many variables why Aero is up there, all well pointed out but after scoring the elusive i moved on to mainly different vintage styles and brands and never looked back. Why people have many of any is as varied as are the lives we all have.
YMMV
Also, lots of people have move than 20, lots.
B

 

[Marc mndt]

I’m not surprised in the least that Aero is so well represented.
The Aero allure around here is catalyzed from day one for any newby who wonders into this lounge.
I recall early on yearning for an Aero. Certain members were slaying it with custom half belt cross zips in version after version, beyond perfect fit. It was candy in the eyes of a kid and the crowd went wild.

I wonder whether it was the 'perfect fit' that formed the Aero allure. The construct of 'fit' is of course highly subjective (I personally think anyone's opinion on the 'fit' of their jacket should be taken with a grain of salt if they haven't handled at least a dozen jackets from different makers).

I think for a lot of first time leather jacket buyers Aero's allure stems from their wide range of 'safe designs' (in contrast to Thedi, Vanson or Lewis Leathers for instance who offer more outspoken styles/designs). After one has successfully bought one Aero, it might be tempting to buy a second and a third instead of exploring other makers.

 

[dwilson]

Aero makes a good product at a competitive price. It feels altlier made with the "Made By" nametag you get and you can customize the jacket to your taste. I can understand the appeal.

 

[Schambach]

I'm fairly new to this, and the initial appeal of Aero to me was in their materials. Already being fairly familiar with good quality footwear, the idea of a cxl jacket was very appealing. Schott has done a few, but they aren't easy to find, and generally as much if not more than the Aeros.

 

[Coriu]

I wonder whether it was the 'perfect fit' that formed the Aero allure. The construct of 'fit' is of course highly subjective (I personally think anyone's opinion on the 'fit' of their jacket should be taken with a grain of salt if they haven't handled at least a dozen jackets from different makers).

I think for a lot of first time leather jacket buyers Aero's allure stems from their wide range of 'safe designs' (in contrast to Thedi, Vanson or Lewis Leathers for instance who offer more outspoken styles/designs). After one has successfully bought one Aero, it might be tempting to buy a second and a third instead of exploring other makers.

Used Aero's are much easier to come by on ebay than certain other brands. That and Aero's sale items have allowed me to purchase jackets for very reasonable prices and learn what I like and don't like about them. I also enjoy the detailed history of each pattern on Aero's website.

On sale, one can buy a new Aero for $700US. A Thedi or LL will run will run well over $1000. At this point in my life, 4 figures for a garment is a huge psychological barrier, regardless of how much money I have in the bank. The vast majority of people in this world either cannot afford a $1000 jacket and/or live within their means. Thus, finances may be a reason why some people stay with Aero. Aero's pricing may be a stretch as it is for some.

 

[red devil]

I see your point. Thedi is #4 at this time. I cannot imagine he churns out that many jackets. Ditto for Field Leathers, which is amongst the Top 10. Even if Goodwear (or other elites) could produce more jackets, I struggle to believe there are that many people who can afford to have a closet full of their jackets. If so, we have a lot of multimillionaires on this Forum and/or people living way above their means.

For this exercise, brands accrue points based upon their representation in closets. For Goodwear to creep up the rankings, some folks would need to buy a BUNCH of Goodwear's and/or get rid of a bunch of Aeros, Vansons and Schotts.

As mentioned in a previous post, my idea of "popularity" includes concepts such as affordability. In that sense, I cannot ever imagine the ultra-elites/ultra-expensive being #1 or #2, regardless of how many jackets they produce. Vanson and Schott are much more accessible to the average Joe. If Maserati could produce more cars, they would still never be close to the most popular car brand.

Goodwear in particular has been having trouble fullfilling their orders, the wait time can be very long. If they were fulffilling their orders, I have no doubt we would see more GWs then Aeros.

Johnson leathers is cheaper than Aero and arguably better, yet we don't see such a big numbers of them.

Aero is the largest producer discussed here apart from Schott, so it not so surprising to see them dominating in the numbers.

 

[photo2u]

By far my favorite company is Californian followed by Reed and Monarch
Here is my list:

Californian-8
Monarch-6
Reed-5
Harley Davidson 50s 3
Windward 4
Lesco-5
Pegasus-1
Goodwear- 4
Cal-leather-4
RMC Japan 3
Vanson 3
Cooper-1
Buco-3
Kehoe- 4
Bates- 6
Brooks- 8
LW -6
Gibson & Barnes-5
Schott 4
Branded garments-4
California creations-3
Kerr-3
US Co. 2
Ducati-5
Dainese-8 plus 3 full one suit and 4 two-piece suits