Thank you for this video ! Actually, I’m planning a leather jacket and some advice from you would be extremely helpful. Q.1) Between Aero and Hemel Bros, which would you choose for your leather jacket? Q.2) From Steerhide, Cowhide and Horsehide, which leather would you choose if you wanted a lighter and a bit softer jacket for everyday wear but, at the same time that strong and bulletproof leather jacket feel? Q.3) Furthermore, from Italian Vicenza, Shingi and Horween, which would be on the number 1? It’d be great if you could specify in your preference order. Q.4) Steerhide is undoubtedly heavy and rigid but, is it worth all that preliminary struggle? Is it like really worth the heave weight on the shoulders and that discomforting initial movement? Q.5) Since most of the top notch manufacturer don’t happen to be in my home country, I’d be placing my order completely remotely i.e online. The fitting of the jacket is the cornerstone, so, what are your views about it? Would I be able to get a well fitting jacket as good as it can be by ordering online? I’d request you to share your invaluable experience by giving elaborate answers as these’re the most critical questions for every first time premium leather jacket buyers! Thanks in advance!
man great questions, thank you for taking the time to put this together! 1) i prefer the look and slim fits Aero offers. Himel are amazing and many would argue are better but I'm not a huge fan of their models and fits personally! (not yet at least, i've never owned one) but I’ve heard some people complaining about the hardware on Aero jackets not being top quality. This is not my opinion at all as I find the hardware they use to be phenomenal, but apparently Himel uses the best of the best. Again I have no experience with Himel. Jake at Almost Vintage Style is much better versed in jackets than I am, and I would ask him his opinion on this !! 2) i heard a rumor that steerhide is thinner than cowhide but more firm. in my mind (i'm no expert) cowhide and steerhide are similar things. this hooch hauler has a stamp on the inside that says "genuine steerhide" and i feel that would be your best option for what you're describing. steerhide is much softer than horsehide and breaks in quicker, but steerhide still gives you that "bulletproof" feeling. however, i feel most "bulletproof" in my natural CXL front quarter horsehide ridley jacket!! 3) i have very limited experience with vicenza and shinki leathers, and vast experience with horween leathers (particularly in BOOTS). i've come to really know and trust horween leathers but my friend Jake at almost vintage style says that his Shinki deerskin jacket is the finest leather jacket he's ever owned. based on my accumulated knowledge i would probably opt for #1 shinki, #2 vicenza, and #3 horween, for JACKETS; but again this answer would get much more nuanced depending on the exact hides/styles/thickness/temper of the leather jacket being created. My ridley in dark seal Vicenza is a perfect leather for a jacket, but I do prefer the badalassi steerhide over it. For boots however I would probably flip my preferences to #1 horween #2 shinki #3 vicenza but again this would depend on the fine details. 4) I think steerhide is actually thinner than cowhide but with a slightly more rigid feel/temper. This particular jacket in russet badalassi was not difficult at all to break in. in fact it broke in far quicker than my natural cxl ridley which still isn’t broken in, and I’ve had it the longest. This hooch hauler is the most comfortable of my 3, followed by the dark seal Vicenza ridley and the natural cxl ridley being least comfortable. If any jacket was potentially more pain than it’s worth, it’s the natural cxl ridley, which is suffocating except in very cold weather, and is still difficult to move around in. That said, I freaking love it, and want to make it mine one day! For practicality sense though I think steerhide is your best bet for comfort and feel. 5) yes Thurston/aero makes the fitting process very easy as they send you a fit jacket before they begin finalizing the details on your order. I am happy they did this because I would have sized incorrectly if they just allowed me to choose a size. I would have opted for a 36 instead of a 38 and it would have been way too small. Even though the fit jacket process costs a little bit more and takes a little bit more time, I would say it’s a mandatory step in the process to getting your correct size!!!
@@DalesLeatherworks Thank You very much for taking put the time to answer ny questions this descriptive! Leather and its artefacts are quite complex but extremely fascinating! Your videos, especially about jackets, are awesome and would request you to do more videos about leathers, these brands like Himel, Aero as this would be of immense help. Lastly, who else can do better justice to these jobs! Cheers
To add to what was stated in regards to thickness and rigidity: although cowhide is thicker naturally, the maker is going to split the hide down to the desired thickness when required. I dabble with leathers here and there and regularly use .6mm cowhide for wallets, so you can split it plenty thin when needed. In regard to rigidity, I do agree that horsehide is generally stiffer than cowhide. However, the leather selected is going to play a bigger role than the animal. It is the tanning process and treatment at the factory which will dictate the temper more than anything. For example Buttero leather by Walpier is going to be denser and stiffer than any horsefront I have ever tried (no one is going to use shell or horse butt strips for a jacket). So stiff that it would be terrible for a jacket I imagine. My point is, I would just work with the maker on describing what you want in the jacket and how that affects the material selection.
Just bought a 30s Aero. Can’t wait to get it. Had a Eastman A2 in veggie tanned Italian horse hide. Loved that too but I like the simplicity of the 30s style with the half belt.Thanks for the in-depth review. Well done.
That new Badalassi smell is just incredible! I’m on my third Badalassi Aero. I find that it evolves into a more subtle and somewhat different aroma within a few months, while still smelling great. When new, it seems like everyone you encounter has something to say about how the jacket smells. I don’t want to burst your “I have enough jackets” bubble, but you need a black one, haha! I have 2 black and 2 brown Aeros currently... I feel like a still need a natural CXL though! My first Badalassi was russet, and it was beautiful, but sadly I had to move it on as it was just too tight from the get go. Nice collection you have there!
I can identify with justifying with oneself re: buying multiple high $$$ jackets to color match with outfits. I went to get measured for a custom leather jacket and was stressing about the expense. That didn't stop me from ordering two of them before I left the shop. I haven't even gotten them yet but I'm already planning on ordering an olive deerskin jacket once the others arrive (cocoa brown and cognac). Also, the I love the back of the Hooch Hauler that you got. That detail is great looking.
Hey Dale, love your videos and insights. Very curious; Is there any advantage to ordering an Aero jacket through a third party like Thurston Bros? Why not order direct from Aero? Love the hooch hauler, torn between it and the and the bootlegger...
@@DalesLeatherworksJust watched this video .... again! I'm so stoked for mine to arrive. I just love the style of this cross zip. Veg tan leather is the bomb!
hahahaha so true, my collection plans invariably never work the way I intend them to!! I am sure I'll be doing my 10th jacket review this time next year lol!!
Just out of curiosity has the squeak died down considerably? I am in the process of ordering a custom jacket from aero and I love everything about Badalassi but the squeak, it would drive me insane if it didn’t dissipate with time. Thanks for all your great videos, I have learned a lot about boots and now jackets
Just ordered my first aero sheene jacket. Wanted to go with the chromexcel horshide….until I came across the badalassi…it’s much more refined. I’m getting the sheene in black….but I’m already contemplating a russet next. I’ve already got a few brown jackets (RRL and SoulRevolver), nance the black aero for now. Great vid, thanks!
That style of back on the Hooch Holler is a Sunset! Thanks so much for your video, you chose the absolute perfect leathers to rotate, they were exactly the colors/kinds I was eyeing. You said the lead time for Thurston Bros is 6-10 months??? I thought through Aero directly it is like 3-4
Really enjoyed this, nice and long and indepth. Venturing on will likely be my last jacket purchase. Getting the Aero Royale (sucker for patch pocketed jackets!). Torn between the Baddalasi russet, vicenza russetand the battered steer. Finding I prefer steer/cow over horse, seems to show more grain and patina's- up quicker than horse. Thanks
Hi Dale, U have two jackets in horsehide and the Badalassi is cowhide, correct? Which leather to do prefer for jacket leather, horsehide or cowhide? Wait, U just answered that question, never mind. Oh, and that Badalassi mimosa bark vegoil tan aroma? Someone needs to bottle it as Eau de Cologne for men! LOL!
that's correct sir! 2 horsehide (natural cxl FQHH and dark seal Vicenza FQHH) and 1 badalassi cowhide. I think I like badalassi best! and I agree with you on bottling that aroma hahahaha
Is your jacket horsehide leather? I'm looking at the aero website and they've got a lot of selections with the colors, just wondering what would be the equivalent color to what you have but for horsehide leather. Thanks
the russet badalassi is genuine steerhide actually! i believe a similar color in horsehide would be anything russet, such as the russet jerky horsehide or the italian russet horsehide on the aero leather site
@@DalesLeatherworks I put Apple Brand Leather Conditioner on all of my new Badalassi jacket's seams. It fixed the squeaking immediately. Apple Brand Leather Care is great stuff. Just spread the conditioner on the seams with your fingers and rub it in. It did not change the leather's color at all. My jacket is tobacco. Do both sides of the seam if they are exposed. You can get it on Amazon.
Can you tell us about the sizing of that jacket for example the chest size how much room on the chest and waist you recommend for leather jacket 3 ,4 or 5 inch ?This jacket looks amazing on you ...Poul
great question! I wear a size 36 in suit jackets and I got this hooch hauler in a 38, there is no way I could have fit into a 36! I don't like to leave a lot of room on the interior because I prefer a slim fit, I'm not sure how many extra inches there are but there can't be very many!
it depends, both are the correct choice! the horsehide cxl will be more rigid and have a firmer tempter whereas the badalassi cowhide will be more silky and luxurious
I get this question sometimes and I am not sure as I’ve only ordered thru aero as they take care of a ton of the leg work including the initial fit jacket
@@DalesLeatherworks yeah, I had planned original to go through them,but then I watched you video, which btw, I appreciate. It's difficult to know which leather is right for you through just pictures on a website
The leather is top notch. The jacket company aero is terrible. They used to be ok but they have slipped and truly do not care about the customers. Very bad experience with them. Their founder lies and lies. Not to be trusted.
Thank you for this video ! Actually, I’m planning a leather jacket and some advice from you would be extremely helpful.
Q.1) Between Aero and Hemel Bros, which would you choose for your leather jacket?
Q.2) From Steerhide, Cowhide and Horsehide, which leather would you choose if you wanted a lighter and a bit softer jacket for everyday wear but, at the same time that strong and bulletproof leather jacket feel?
Q.3) Furthermore, from Italian Vicenza, Shingi and Horween, which would be on the number 1? It’d be great if you could specify in your preference order.
Q.4) Steerhide is undoubtedly heavy and rigid but, is it worth all that preliminary struggle? Is it like really worth the heave weight on the shoulders and that discomforting initial movement?
Q.5) Since most of the top notch manufacturer don’t happen to be in my home country, I’d be placing my order completely remotely i.e online. The fitting of the jacket is the cornerstone, so, what are your views about it? Would I be able to get a well fitting jacket as good as it can be by ordering online?
I’d request you to share your invaluable experience by giving elaborate answers as these’re the most critical questions for every first time premium leather jacket buyers! Thanks in advance!
man great questions, thank you for taking the time to put this together!
1) i prefer the look and slim fits Aero offers. Himel are amazing and many would argue are better but I'm not a huge fan of their models and fits personally! (not yet at least, i've never owned one) but I’ve heard some people complaining about the hardware on Aero jackets not being top quality. This is not my opinion at all as I find the hardware they use to be phenomenal, but apparently Himel uses the best of the best. Again I have no experience with Himel. Jake at Almost Vintage Style is much better versed in jackets than I am, and I would ask him his opinion on this !!
2) i heard a rumor that steerhide is thinner than cowhide but more firm. in my mind (i'm no expert) cowhide and steerhide are similar things. this hooch hauler has a stamp on the inside that says "genuine steerhide" and i feel that would be your best option for what you're describing. steerhide is much softer than horsehide and breaks in quicker, but steerhide still gives you that "bulletproof" feeling. however, i feel most "bulletproof" in my natural CXL front quarter horsehide ridley jacket!!
3) i have very limited experience with vicenza and shinki leathers, and vast experience with horween leathers (particularly in BOOTS). i've come to really know and trust horween leathers but my friend Jake at almost vintage style says that his Shinki deerskin jacket is the finest leather jacket he's ever owned. based on my accumulated knowledge i would probably opt for #1 shinki, #2 vicenza, and #3 horween, for JACKETS; but again this answer would get much more nuanced depending on the exact hides/styles/thickness/temper of the leather jacket being created. My ridley in dark seal Vicenza is a perfect leather for a jacket, but I do prefer the badalassi steerhide over it. For boots however I would probably flip my preferences to #1 horween #2 shinki #3 vicenza but again this would depend on the fine details.
4) I think steerhide is actually thinner than cowhide but with a slightly more rigid feel/temper. This particular jacket in russet badalassi was not difficult at all to break in. in fact it broke in far quicker than my natural cxl ridley which still isn’t broken in, and I’ve had it the longest. This hooch hauler is the most comfortable of my 3, followed by the dark seal Vicenza ridley and the natural cxl ridley being least comfortable. If any jacket was potentially more pain than it’s worth, it’s the natural cxl ridley, which is suffocating except in very cold weather, and is still difficult to move around in. That said, I freaking love it, and want to make it mine one day! For practicality sense though I think steerhide is your best bet for comfort and feel.
5) yes Thurston/aero makes the fitting process very easy as they send you a fit jacket before they begin finalizing the details on your order. I am happy they did this because I would have sized incorrectly if they just allowed me to choose a size. I would have opted for a 36 instead of a 38 and it would have been way too small. Even though the fit jacket process costs a little bit more and takes a little bit more time, I would say it’s a mandatory step in the process to getting your correct size!!!
@@DalesLeatherworks Thank You very much for taking put the time to answer ny questions this descriptive! Leather and its artefacts are quite complex but extremely fascinating! Your videos, especially about jackets, are awesome and would request you to do more videos about leathers, these brands like Himel, Aero as this would be of immense help. Lastly, who else can do better justice to these jobs! Cheers
To add to what was stated in regards to thickness and rigidity: although cowhide is thicker naturally, the maker is going to split the hide down to the desired thickness when required. I dabble with leathers here and there and regularly use .6mm cowhide for wallets, so you can split it plenty thin when needed. In regard to rigidity, I do agree that horsehide is generally stiffer than cowhide. However, the leather selected is going to play a bigger role than the animal. It is the tanning process and treatment at the factory which will dictate the temper more than anything. For example Buttero leather by Walpier is going to be denser and stiffer than any horsefront I have ever tried (no one is going to use shell or horse butt strips for a jacket). So stiff that it would be terrible for a jacket I imagine. My point is, I would just work with the maker on describing what you want in the jacket and how that affects the material selection.
Love this video Dale. Any chance of a jacket update? How are those jackets wearing in? Any thoughts on other jackets? Be well!
Just bought a 30s Aero. Can’t wait to get it. Had a Eastman A2 in veggie tanned Italian horse hide. Loved that too but I like the simplicity of the 30s style with the half belt.Thanks for the in-depth review. Well done.
That new Badalassi smell is just incredible! I’m on my third Badalassi Aero. I find that it evolves into a more subtle and somewhat different aroma within a few months, while still smelling great. When new, it seems like everyone you encounter has something to say about how the jacket smells. I don’t want to burst your “I have enough jackets” bubble, but you need a black one, haha! I have 2 black and 2 brown Aeros currently... I feel like a still need a natural CXL though! My first Badalassi was russet, and it was beautiful, but sadly I had to move it on as it was just too tight from the get go. Nice collection you have there!
I can identify with justifying with oneself re: buying multiple high $$$ jackets to color match with outfits. I went to get measured for a custom leather jacket and was stressing about the expense. That didn't stop me from ordering two of them before I left the shop. I haven't even gotten them yet but I'm already planning on ordering an olive deerskin jacket once the others arrive (cocoa brown and cognac). Also, the I love the back of the Hooch Hauler that you got. That detail is great looking.
Hey Dale, love your videos and insights.
Very curious; Is there any advantage to ordering an Aero jacket through a third party like Thurston Bros? Why not order direct from Aero?
Love the hooch hauler, torn between it and the and the bootlegger...
Honestly I just love Thurston and they provided excellent customer service! You can go directly thru Aero though
That is just an incredible jacket. Love that color and design. Looks great on you, Dale. How did you decide on fit?
They send a fit jacket to make sure it’s right before starting production!
@@DalesLeatherworksJust watched this video .... again! I'm so stoked for mine to arrive. I just love the style of this cross zip. Veg tan leather is the bomb!
they say plans don't usually work .. so I am looking forward to the 4th, 5th, Xth jacket review! :):)
hahahaha so true, my collection plans invariably never work the way I intend them to!! I am sure I'll be doing my 10th jacket review this time next year lol!!
I like the 2nd and the 3rd jacket. But my favorite is the 3rd jacket, looks so cool and pretty.
Great Video. What can you use to condition/clean this leather?
Thank You
Just out of curiosity has the squeak died down considerably? I am in the process of ordering a custom jacket from aero and I love everything about Badalassi but the squeak, it would drive me insane if it didn’t dissipate with time. Thanks for all your great videos, I have learned a lot about boots and now jackets
The squeak is alive and well hahaha
@@DalesLeatherworks that’s too bad, still a beautiful leather though. Thanks for the info. Keep making great content man.
I don't get it why people doesn't like the squeak sound
Thank you very much for the detail information and can you kindly advise the price range?
this was roughly $1400!
Just ordered my first aero sheene jacket. Wanted to go with the chromexcel horshide….until I came across the badalassi…it’s much more refined. I’m getting the sheene in black….but I’m already contemplating a russet next. I’ve already got a few brown jackets (RRL and SoulRevolver), nance the black aero for now. Great vid, thanks!
That style of back on the Hooch Holler is a Sunset! Thanks so much for your video, you chose the absolute perfect leathers to rotate, they were exactly the colors/kinds I was eyeing. You said the lead time for Thurston Bros is 6-10 months??? I thought through Aero directly it is like 3-4
8 to 10 weeks now. Just ordered my first aero Badalassi today.
Really enjoyed this, nice and long and indepth. Venturing on will likely be my last jacket purchase. Getting the Aero Royale (sucker for patch pocketed jackets!). Torn between the Baddalasi russet, vicenza russetand the battered steer. Finding I prefer steer/cow over horse, seems to show more grain and patina's- up quicker than horse. Thanks
Hi Dale, U have two jackets in horsehide and the Badalassi is cowhide, correct? Which leather to do prefer for jacket leather, horsehide or cowhide? Wait, U just answered that question, never mind. Oh, and that Badalassi mimosa bark vegoil tan aroma? Someone needs to bottle it as Eau de Cologne for men! LOL!
that's correct sir! 2 horsehide (natural cxl FQHH and dark seal Vicenza FQHH) and 1 badalassi cowhide. I think I like badalassi best! and I agree with you on bottling that aroma hahahaha
this russet jacket really take the place on you.
yes for looks and comfortable wear cow and calf is good choice, for daily ride horse hide.
Is your jacket horsehide leather? I'm looking at the aero website and they've got a lot of selections with the colors, just wondering what would be the equivalent color to what you have but for horsehide leather. Thanks
the russet badalassi is genuine steerhide actually! i believe a similar color in horsehide would be anything russet, such as the russet jerky horsehide or the italian russet horsehide on the aero leather site
How squeaky is the Badalassi compared to your other jackets?
it's the squeakiest one i own!!
@@DalesLeatherworks I put Apple Brand Leather Conditioner on all of my new Badalassi jacket's seams. It fixed the squeaking immediately. Apple Brand Leather Care is great stuff. Just spread the conditioner on the seams with your fingers and rub it in. It did not change the leather's color at all. My jacket is tobacco. Do both sides of the seam if they are exposed. You can get it on Amazon.
I just got an aero Badalassi jacket. Any suggestions for reducing squeakiness without substantially altering the leather?
Mine squeaks and I have just accepted it haha
Can you tell us about the sizing of that jacket for example the chest size how much room on the chest and waist you recommend for leather jacket 3 ,4 or 5 inch ?This jacket looks amazing on you ...Poul
great question! I wear a size 36 in suit jackets and I got this hooch hauler in a 38, there is no way I could have fit into a 36! I don't like to leave a lot of room on the interior because I prefer a slim fit, I'm not sure how many extra inches there are but there can't be very many!
This vid checked all the boxes. Loved it.
Hi may I know the colour of the stitch. Thanks!
White stitches!
No black leather jackets?
i suppose i probably need one
Just placed an order for a cafe racer, i am leaning toward black color leather, would you still recommend Badalassi leather vs horse hide in black?
it depends, both are the correct choice! the horsehide cxl will be more rigid and have a firmer tempter whereas the badalassi cowhide will be more silky and luxurious
But wait you're missing the classic black jacket. Gotta get a black shinki and find out if it's worth the hype
great recommendation, now i need to start saving again!! :-D
Very nice review man 👍👍👍👍
thanks so much my friend!!!
That's a beautiful leather jacket.
Is there a benefit to ordering from Thurston vs directly from Aero?
I get this question sometimes and I am not sure as I’ve only ordered thru aero as they take care of a ton of the leg work including the initial fit jacket
@@DalesLeatherworks yeah, I had planned original to go through them,but then I watched you video, which btw, I appreciate. It's difficult to know which leather is right for you through just pictures on a website
that shirt is awesome
man thank you!!!
Navy leather jackets are pretty sweet too!
thanks for the recommendation, I'll add it to my radar :)
its friggin beautiful!!
Glad you think so!
Thanks for the info.
I wish I could buy a Schoot or Aero leather jacket.
It’s Loch-carron, like Loch Ness.
I'm going to get me a ridley in black later!!
excellent choice :)
Hey guys. What’s going on?
3 jackets. 3 pairs of boots. Can you do this challenge? Fire sale on the boot collection.
man great idea!!! impossible for me to only choose 3 boots lol!!
かっこいい😎
私は、billkelsomfgのaeronautA-1 Badalassi Russet を11月3日に受け取りました🌟 最高です。
I could get 3 maybe 4 wested jackets for the price of this thing
Beatiful jackets. I gotta say though, a 15-20 pound weight gain would make this style of jacket unwearable for me.
i think you need a black, navy, and maybe even an army.
excellent suggestions, thank you!!
It’s pronounced like this.
Lock Karen.
Shoes on point. Good god the jackets are trash
Makes all the ladies slip right out of their chairs wet!
The leather is top notch. The jacket company aero is terrible. They used to be ok but they have slipped and truly do not care about the customers. Very bad experience with them. Their founder lies and lies. Not to be trusted.
Explain what happened?
After several years, this ugly website still remains