Help me decide between Aero and Eastman Leather sheepskin

[John Lever]

thanks but Ive lost track - dod you mean 46" would be a good size?
Ive looked the EL sizing chart and for 12 and a half stone and 6' with 43.5 chest it recommends 44" regular. All advice appreciated


Steve ....that looks great..Im' sold- thanks!! - what does 95/96 mean-the year you bought it? (sorry if thats really dumb)

One thing Im concerned about is te underarm space- my previous jacket had an extra (leather) gussett inserted by Cirrus to accommodate.

I guess I'll just have to try one on for size- does anyone know whether EL can add a gusset in the same way (once I have accepted the jacket)

I think a 44 would be too small go for a 46

 

[Simon King]

Don't go selling that jacket now Joe

LOL

 

[Simon King]

I think a 44 would be too small go for a 46

thats what I was wondering John...can't find anything in the reviews section though it looks empty...
what make are you wearing in your avatar?

 

[John Lever]

Eastman.
Irvin Jackets look best when they are too big.

 

[Roughwear]

Very true John. They are also better when they cover ones trouser belt too! They need to large enough to layer under or wear an SD jacket underneath!




And a different jacket with jeans!

 

[Smithy]

Does anyone know if Eastman still have those little plastic bits on there zippers?

Not so much as a sniff of plastic anywhere near the whole of my ELC Irvin zippers included (mine's 10 years old).

And apologies Simon I didn't take any snaps today for you. We only really have a kind of twilight from around 10 til 2, after that and before well, it's bloody dark!

 

[Simon King]

Not so much as a sniff of plastic anywhere near the whole of my ELC Irvin zippers included (mine's 10 years old).

And apologies Simon I didn't take any snaps today for you. We only really have a kind of twilight from around 10 til 2, after that and before well, it's bloody dark!

and we thought we had it bad here dark at 3.30!

 

[Smithy]

and we thought we had it bad here dark at 3.30!

Oh it'll get darker here, we'll lose all proper light whatsoever in a week or so, the joys of living inside the Arctic Circle.

But the Northern Lights are doing their thing which is always nice

 

[Steve27752]

Hi

A hard choice and one I am pondering about currently
John Lever posted a review on Aeros offering in the review section if my memory serves me right...like Andrew he is a font of knowledge on Irvins, so see what he has to say
Weirdly I love more panels on Irvins
Does anyone know if Eastman still have those little plastic bits on there zippers?

My 1995/96 has a plastic stopper, the newer ones do not.

 

[blackrat2]

Thanks for answering that one gents

 

[blackrat2]

Taking this post further, does anyone have pics of Eastman and Aero late war jackets they could post up after some wear
Am pondering repro or an original

 

[Steve27752]

Taking this post further, does anyone have pics of Eastman and Aero late war jackets they could post up after some wear
Am pondering repro or an original

If you can get a good original in your size, I would go for it.

 

[Simon King]

Here's something I have only just found out from Aero: the USA B-3 style jackets are 22mm thick wool and the RAF flying jackets are 15mm thick.
I would never have known if I hadn't asked
Important info if you're looking for the warmest possible

 

[B-Man2]

Unless you live up by Smithy near the Artic Circle, either one of those is going to be very warm

 

[Simon King]

Unless you live up by Smithy near the Artic Circle, either one of those is going to be very warm

possibly but I like the thick ones
The cirrus I had before was about 25mm thick, I could hardly bend my arms but in time it flattened and I miss that level of warmth. I tell you it may not be the arctic but standing photographic on the Norfolk coast with a cold cutting wind takes every ounce of heat out of you - I need all te help I can get

 

[Smithy]

BTW Simon, I posted a photo of my ELC Irvin in the "What jacket(s) are you wearing at the moment?", post #631:

http://vintageleatherjackets.org/threads/what-jacket-s-are-you-wearing-at-the-moment.262/page-32

 

[Simon King]

BTW Simon, I posted a photo of my ELC Irvin in the "What jacket(s) are you wearing at the moment?", post #631:

http://vintageleatherjackets.org/threads/what-jacket-s-are-you-wearing-at-the-moment.262/page-32

looks very nice, makes me miss my Cirrus , it was SO cosy!!
I'm not so much a stickler as some of you guys for authenticity, I just like what I like design wise, but I am very particular about quality .

I do however prefer the RAF BOB design either from Eastman or Aero.
AS far as I can ascertain the Eastman uses a slightly thicker wool 3/4" -v- Aero 15mm. Not a big difference admittedly but I'm still after the feel my old Cirrus gave me with its super thick wool. People used to comment unprompted on how thick it was - I know no one does it that thick anymore but as close as I can get...

 

[B-Man2]

The best "quality" jackets are Good Wear, Aero, and Eastman, in my opinion. There was a fellow here on the forum Jon who made a great authentic repro Irvin but I'm not sure if he's still making them.

 

[Simon King]

The best "quality" jackets are Good Wear, Aero, and Eastman, in my opinion. There was a fellow here on the forum Jon who made a great authentic repro Irvin but I'm not sure if he's still making them.

thanaks
I already have a highwayman from Aero that is well over a decade old and so I know and like that company and so lean toward them for the FJ but I really am after the thickest wool and fancy the prewar model so thats a sticking point

 

[M3Cavalry]

Can anyone speak to Aero's Irvin quality vs. Eastman's?