Winter jacket advice

[Rick Dalton]

Just for info, the Jacket Tom Hardy is in here was by Cockpit USA, I only remember this because the badly run Belstaff social accounts were forever tagging it as theirs and posting this photo a couple of years ago and linking to a completely different looking jacket on their website...

Has the OP considered an N1 Deck Jacket? If they like the shearing type look its kind of there. Warm jackets and a couple of very good budget options out there.

Great jacket, that Cockpit USA RAF – but expensive… man, I’d love to find a good cheaper alternative. The N1 Deck is interesting for sure (I think Paul Newman wore it in a very cool way), though I’m afraid it won’t quite scratch the shearling itch I’ve started to get after looking at the links fellow members have posted here.

 

[Zoro]

If you want a shearling and buy a N1, you will have a N1 and still want the shearling. Your best bet is a second hand one showing up in your size.... Or just splurging on a new one.

 

[BarryMcCockiner_PhD]

Take it from me look into a B-6 or B-6 equivalent. I own a B3 and while its great, it is HEAVY and REALLY WARM. It's great on the coldest possible days but generally unnecessary for most of the winter.

 

[Rick Dalton]

Take it from me look into a B-6 or B-6 equivalent. I own a B3 and while its great, it is HEAVY and REALLY WARM. It's great on the coldest possible days but generally unnecessary for most of the winter.

Thanks for the advice. Can someone explain to me the differences between a B-3, B-6, D-1, Irvin, and an RAF shearling? I know it’s obvious for most of you, and I can see the slight differences in details, but I get the impression there’s more to it in terms of thickness, weight, and perhaps the cut.

 

[Zoro]

Thanks for the advice. Can someone explain to me the differences between a B-3, B-6, D-1, Irvin, and an RAF shearling? I know it’s obvious for most of you, and I can see the slight differences in details, but I get the impression there’s more to it in terms of thickness, weight, and perhaps the cut.

There's renowned experts around here, but from where I stand, basically the main difference is B3 uses denser/longer shearling, so it's warmer and bulkier. Then there's the differences you can notice just by looking which are the shape/size of the collar, having a belt, functional pockets, etc. If you like the B3 style itself and you go custom you could always ask for thinner shearling instead.

 

[BarryMcCockiner_PhD]

There's renowned experts around here, but from where I stand, basically the main difference is B3 uses denser/longer shearling, so it's warmer and bulkier. Then there's the differences you can notice just by looking which are the shape/size of the collar, having a belt, functional pockets, etc. If you like the B3 style itself and you go custom you could always ask for thinner shearling instead.

Yes exactly, there are some military standards around thickness but in general B3 is 25-30mm shearling thickness and B6 is closer to 10-15mm and has way better mobility as it was intended for pilots who needed mobility in tighter cockpits or those working on the ground, warmer than leather alone but much less ***bersome than the B3.

If cost is a concern and you’re not in an ultra cold climate a LLBean NOS flying tiger would be awesome for your needs. I just picked up a late 1970s version for $200 which was barely worn for the last 40+years.

 

[Zoro]

in general B3 is 25-30mm shearling thickness

I think you'll be hard pressed to find one like this nowadays, AFAIK only RMC does 25mm and it goes up to 6k€ basically. Most leave it at 22mm (like Aero) and you could always go custom on a B3 style but less thick, like a B6.

 

[Edward]

Just for info, the Jacket Tom Hardy is in here was by Cockpit USA, I only remember this because the badly run Belstaff social accounts were forever tagging it as theirs and posting this photo a couple of years ago and linking to a completely different looking jacket on their website...

Has the OP considered an N1 Deck Jacket? If they like the shearing type look its kind of there. Warm jackets and a couple of very good budget options out there.

Oh! Interesting, not a brand I'd have thought of at all for that style. Can't imagine they were thrilled to have Belstaff claiming it... Who do Belstaff think they are... Schott?

 

[Brandrea33]

You’ve already received a lot of great ideas above.

Here in Canada a winter jacket has to handle the extremes … freezing rain, snow, -30C etc etc.

IMHO there are better jacket materials for these elements. I wear the IRon Heart winter parka and on milder days the N1.

 

[AeroFan_07]

This isn't going to win many style awards, but as I posted in the Finds & deals threads, This ArticWear jacket was built for snowmobile usage (likely in the 80's)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3888201344...QZ942F&hash=item5a877c6a43:g:aeoAAeSwsIxomhRR

Truthfully, below ~ 20F I go to Wool or down filled jackets, or my old Carhartt. It's too cold then to care about anything stylish.

 

[Edward]

This isn't going to win many style awards, but as I posted in the Finds & deals threads, This ArticWear jacket was built for snowmobile usage (likely in the 80's)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3888201344...QZ942F&hash=item5a877c6a43:g:aeoAAeSwsIxomhRR

View attachment 724574
View attachment 724575


Truthfully, below ~ 20F I go to Wool or down filled jackets, or my old Carhartt. It's too cold then to care about anything stylish.

Very eighties vibe. I've handled a lot of old leather mc jackets over the years, and those chunky, blacked out zips were something I've never seen on anything pre-1980 in the UK. They were very common on 80s bike jackets here, and that continued well into the 90s. Still see them now, but nothing like as dominant as they were.

 

[Robson]

My Aero Hercules is my leather winterjacket, 3/4 coat and built like armour.

 

[Edward]

My Aero Hercules is my leather winterjacket, 3/4 coat and built like armour. View attachment 724662

Looks good! After years of not being a fan of this sort of midlength in leather, I watched Man in the High Castle in which a central character wears a black leather jacket of just this length, and it really grew on me. I think it'd be between something like this or the Long Halfbelt, and the Teamster...

 

[Leather Walker]

@Rick Dalton In my opinion, if you're interested in winter jackets, vintage Schott Down jackets are a fantastic option. They have a classic, timeless design and they're really warm. You can find 'em in multiple colors and sizes, with Talon as zipper.

I've actually got one on the way and can't wait for it to arrive!

 

[Rick Dalton]

Is this any good? Real shipskin made in Argentina

 

[Carlos840]

Is this any good? Real shipskin made in Argentina
View attachment 731378
View attachment 731379

It looks just like the hundreds of no name sheepskin jackets you see all over ebay and vinted.

It's not "good" in the sens that it's not a known and respected brand, but it's not "bad" in the sens that there isn't anything wrong with it.

Is it the best quality? Probably not. Is it going to keep you warm? More than likely.

To me this is 100% about the price.
Considering you can find a "real" Schott B3 for 200-300 usd, i would not buy a no name jacket like the one you have posted for more than 100$, and only if i really needed a jacket to stay warm and couldn't afford 300$ for a real Schott.

 

[Rick Dalton]

It looks just like the hundreds of no name sheepskin jackets you see all over ebay and vinted.

It's not "good" in the sens that it's not a known and respected brand, but it's not "bad" in the sens that there isn't anything wrong with it.

Is it the best quality? Probably not. Is it going to keep you warm? More than likely.

To me this is 100% about the price.
Considering you can find a "real" Schott B3 for 200-300 usd, i would not buy a no name jacket like the one you have posted for more than 100$, and only if i really needed a jacket to stay warm and couldn't afford 300$ for a real Schott.

Thank you!

 

[Rick Dalton]

It looks just like the hundreds of no name sheepskin jackets you see all over ebay and vinted.

It's not "good" in the sens that it's not a known and respected brand, but it's not "bad" in the sens that there isn't anything wrong with it.

Is it the best quality? Probably not. Is it going to keep you warm? More than likely.

To me this is 100% about the price.
Considering you can find a "real" Schott B3 for 200-300 usd, i would not buy a no name jacket like the one you have posted for more than 100$, and only if i really needed a jacket to stay warm and couldn't afford 300$ for a real Schott.

Is it really possible to find a brown Schott B-3 in bigger sizes (44–46) for 200–300 USD?

 

[Tom71]

Is this any good? Real shipskin made in Argentina
View attachment 731378
View attachment 731379

I actually had two “Gipsy” jackets in the 2000 years before I became partial to the thicker and heavier hides. They used to be not bad at all at all reasonable price point.

I’d still probably try and get a used shearling of say Aero or Eastman, but even if you found your size, it’d be much more spendy, I guess.

 

[raf]

B-6 jacket, like the similar D-1, has approx 12mm fleece, while B-3 has about twice that thickness. B-3 may be a bit "bulky" for most folks, although very warm. My B-3 repro was bulky and the arms restrictive when driving. YMMV.

B-6 jacket, if made like the original units, has bi-swing back, like Navy G-1 jackets, and this feature aids in arm movement.

See here for decent pix and text explanations of such jackets: https://www.avileather.com/product-category/leather-jackets/flight-jackets/

As always, take good measurements of yourself, always with a tape measure. If "in-between" sizes, suggest going "up" a size. This also applies to height.

IMHO, any simple "uninsulated" jacket, such as an A-2 or a G-1 can be comfortably worn well into cold temps, so long as sizing allows even a thin fleece "layering" garment to be worn inside the jacket. Big bonus points for a stand-up "Mandarin" collar which helps a lot keeping neck warm.