This jacket is awesome. It photographs and videos great. This is the kind of deal we all search for, but really can be tough to find. While it’s an example of what can be had for less, you really have to recognize the jacket and know your measurements with a high degree of certainty to be able to find something like this. Congrats on a great find. The imperfections are so minor compared to the overall look. 👏
I have a Vanson C2 also, and everything you said about yours, I agree with. Fair points all around. It's a GREAT practical riding jacket that does everything it was designed and intended to do. The things you don't like about it, it wasn't intended to do, or be, so aren't really negatives. Just if you know what you're looking for and this doesn't have it, you know you need to look elsewhere. But for what it is, and what it's meant to be, it's outstanding. Yours looks fantastic, and fits you very well. Mine fits me about the same, and I always get compliments because of it. Fit is king! The old comp weight leather is really amazing stuff, and holds up incredibly well, and ages well too.
Yes thats a good point. Most of the negatives are not relevant to its intention, but I would say they are still issues for some people. The poor construction quality especially.
Awesome jacket. Here in Italy this time of year tons of people are wearing leather…especially the classic Schott Perfecto biker style jacket, so who cares about the fashion designers. Probably part of the whole environmental and animal protection extremism these days. Also, the sleeves on motorcycle jackets are supposed to be a bit on the long side for when you reach out towards the bars. You have a great jacket there…enjoy!
Thanks! Yes you are correct about the jacket sleeve lengths for motorcycles. That's why this is only a minor complaint from me. If I rode a bike, this would be the proper sleeve length for me.
You look really good in this jacket. Vanson absolutely rocks. I’ve been riding year round for 20+ years in one of theirs (electric vest for subfreezing temps) and it took about 5 years to break in. I feel like they are way too heavy in competition leather for casual wear, call me a wimp. But the way a properly sized Vanson hugs you instead of hanging or draping, that is a unique fit. On a bike it’s almost weightless. I liked your review a lot. Many useful insights and very well presented. Subscribed right away. Cheers.
Thanks! Yes the competition leather really is not designed for casual wear. I got lucky with this one as it was already completely broken in. They really do know how to make a great form fitting pattern. Thanks for the kind words!
Man! I’ve got the perfecto but this looks and sounds amazing (creaking) I LOVE the brass hardware, it looks WAAY better than the chrome stuff, much more appealing. Great fit on you
Hey man. Greetings from Mexico. I am really enjoying your vids as a leather jacket enthusiast. Not that i own vintage Schotts or stuff but i do have a jacket with an interesting story. Was originally a Dockers XL size delivery kinda jacket with a super old school spread collar and extremely long but made out of a pretty nice, thick, pebbled cowhide, i picked it up at a thrift and then i got it cut, changed the collar to a mandarin, put zipps on the sleeves and made the front zip shorter as in vintage cafe racers. Must be of around 30 years old and dries out quite quickly, just rubbing some saddle soap or oil on it moistures it back but the sleeves do get pretty stiff after some time. It's chrome tanned pebbled cowhide around 3.5oz / 1.4mm. I would like to say if you could get a vintage or even a new Brooks Leather / Sportswear café racer it would be nice to see the review on that. They are nice jackets and around the cheapest that you can get for vintage leather USA made jackets. A review on a Schott, either a new or vintage, like the 530 Nick reviewed, would also be nice. Still they are pricier than the Brooks' but are just a staple of leather wear. Brooks' nowadays run between like 260 - 500 bucks new, vintage i guess around 250 or 300 like the Vanson. Greetings once again man, take care
@@almostvintagestyle Thanks on the reply mate. I have castor oil for conditioning boots, that usually keeps the leather better nourished for longer, around a year had to pass to condition once again with that while rubbing saddle soap keeps it conditioned for a couple months only. Greetings
That is a damn sharp jacket. Gotta splurge though and get yourself a Schott. I bought my first perfecto last year and it’s been a total game changer for me
Thanks, but I've tried some Schotts and haven't been impressed with the patterns or construction for the price. I'd rather go all out on Freewheelers, Thedi, RMC Rainbow Country, etc. If yours works for you though that's awesome!
@@almostvintagestyleWhat are your thoughts on the design from Hedi Slimane on Saint Laurent’s LM01 Motorcycle Jacket in Lambskin? The look is absolutely stunning but it’s over $5,000 and obviously it’s in a different material Lambskin vs Shinki
Dude, I'm so happy to have found your channel. Such a wealth of information. I've been seeing Vanson being compared to Kadoya on Fedora lounge. Do you have any experience with Kadoya? I'd love to get your take since Kadoya and Y2 are among the few that make a leather N1 jacket, which I'm looking for. Thank you so so much, Jake!
100% vintage is the way to go. 40s, 50s, 60s. Especially that style. Shorter in the 40s, 50s. More Marlon Brando. So comfortable to ride in. Don’t ride up. Much more motorcycle centric. Not sure why they started making them so much longer. Maybe for fashion than actual riding. That’s my assumption. Great videos. Keep em coming 👍 Jacket looks good though anyway
Hey Jake, have you heard of the Schott 106? It's basically a cropped version (21" back length) of the 118 made in very low numbers exclusively for the European market during the late 80's. Given your preference for shorter jackets it might be right up your isle.
Not sure what you mean about quality.. these vanson jackets are pure quality and will out live you..Every vanson I had was made very well and some of the thickest heaviest leather that I have ever owned! I bought a few on eBay just like the jacket you are wearing for under $100 each.. I would washed them in the washing machine, hang them to dry and condition the crap out of them and they were perfect.. each one of those jackets I sold for more tha $400-$500 each! Wish I could do that again
Durability is not exactly the same thing as quality. I can tell you that there are absolutely some construction mistakes on my Vanson. It's still durable. Also I still love it. It's a wonderful jacket overall.
I LOVE the Vanson jackets! Namely the Vanson Hardcore Highwayman. The leather is AMAZING! plus it is a model that comes without those awful epaulets and belts. I am not a fan of the "Schott Perfecto" simply because their lapels are way too small. I love big bold lapels on leather jackets and Vanson nail it with every model. They look better, fit better and wear better and from the comparisons I have made, Vanson jackets are made better too!
Great video. I’m looking to get a mc jacket. And I’ll be going with Vanson. I’m trying to decide between their E model Highwayman, or their Rock and Roll model and the one you have. I’m about the same size and build as you. Is that a 42 or 44 you’re wearing? It fits you well.
Oh it’s a 38! Thank you for the response. After listening to the video I thought it would have been most likely a size 42. We‘re close in size and I like the fit on you. So I’ll probably order a size down. Good information for helping me to not make a mistake. Thanks man and good video.
Can you please speak to how to find used vintage, when patina has gone too far, when to walk away. I'm talking pin holes, patches, cracks, wear ect. I found a really nice 70's beat up, cheap, with cracks around the top of back at the neck. It looks cool, but not sure if this is a reason to walk away. Looking for a first jacket, with character but don't know how to assess patina from wear from actual damage.
Hey man, great video I’m just starting my journey into quality long lasting leather jackets. I’m about to invest in a Vanson. The C2 Renegade I believe. But I’m so hesitant on what size. Can you please tell me what size that jacket you’re wearing here is? My chest and waist measurements are pretty close to yours Thanks
Good video. The front of your jacket looks good, but I see what you're saying about the center line in the back. Is the two piece upper back done to save money or is it done to get better matching pieces of leather? I noticed that much more expensive leather jackets use a one-piece upper back.
Fit is king. Not all expensive brand will suit you or automatically make you look good. There will be leather brands that will suit your body build. I just saw a really good-looking Harley Davidson's Jacket that's my size, but it's in a vintage style very short. I'm currently searching for ways that I could style it. I'm 5'5 and have a thin square body build. Search for leather jackets that suits your style, aesthetics, and fit.
I agree. A lot of expensive makers have terrible patterns. I have talked about this in other videos. A shorter vintage jacket should suit you well then. You just need higher waist jeans/trousers and tucked in shirts.
@@almostvintagestyle yeah that's the problem with those short vintage jacket, you need ro pair them with high waisted pants and tucked in, which is not really my cup of tea. Bomber jackets, some cafe racer, and flight jackets are among the most versatile jackets for me. Btw, men's leather jacket usually have longer sleeves, wider width and longer length. This is a happy accident, I bought a leather bomber online from a thrift store, the seller lied and said that it was unisex, but the Mango women's leather bomber jacket fits me perfectly well as if it was tailorfitted to my size. It's fine buying women's size leather jackets, just make sure to observe where the zippers and buttons are placed, it should be in the center or right side, also make sure that if there would be any curvature it's not too extreme.(I have a lean athlethic body so I'm fine with a little curvature)
I haven't yet because I love how the leather is looking. I'm willing to put up eith the squeak. That said, conditioning it might help with the issue. I just like how the leather looks as is.
@@almostvintagestyle might try a patch like in the armpit area to see if the conditioning will completely mess up your patina. I think with the black color you might not have to worry about it as much.
Good looking fit jacket, Do you mind telling me your measurements? Most of the japanese brands have no physical stores in the USA, I would like to buy a freewheeler Brakeman or Caboose but scared of the fit, I am not a tall guy 5’7” with short arms, my previous Aero jacket sleeve length was 24
No problem. I am 5'7" and 168lb with a 30.5" waist and around a 42" chest. I always have to downsize in the chest to get jackets to fit in the sleeves and length.
I am curious if you ride a motorcycle. If you do, what do you do about hair styling? The helmet always crushes even the best and most robust of my good hair days. You missed Aero Leathers!
Interested to hear your opinion on Y'2 jackets since they seem to be gaining some traction as a legitimate, Japanese jacket designer. They claim to have over 40 years experience in the industry, but there's not much information about them out there.
I'm not a big fan. Their construction is not at the level of Freewheelers, Rainbow Country, RMC, or Thedi and their patterns aren't amazing either. They're better than the newer Japanese brands, but there are so many better options. For the same price you can have a Thedi or Field Leathers or Rainbow Country which are all superior
@@almostvintagestyle Very good to know, and thanks so much for the brand recommendations! I actually have a deposit down with Field Leathers for their navy blue Shinki Michigan jacket, a project that will take time, but it'll be well worth the wait. The lines on that design look so good!
Yo my dude would u say that vanson runs a little big,small or true to size? Finding great deals on eBay.. I wear a 42 in most Schott jackets. For reference I wear a 42 in a cafe racer 141. Just wanted some advice.. thanks.
In order for someone to really appreciate a leather biker jacket, you have to get on a motorcycle and ride out chief! Than you will appreciate the craftsmanship of the leather biker jacket! I feel like you don't appreciate the jacket! The jacket looks good on you! However, I recommend you get on a motorcycle and ride to really understand the concept of that jacket you're wearing! Respectively! 💯
If I have a $1,500+ I would never invest it immediately on a really expensive leather jacket, I'd go to thrift stores to experiment and learn how to properly take care of them first. Then I'll invest in a thrifted $43-250 leather jacket.
@@almostvintagestyle I got lucky I was able to buy a thrifted Mango sheepskin leather bomber jacket for $45, Danier pig/peccary suede bobmer jacket $36, and a vintage Salvatore Ferragamo leather flight jacket $71. Then when I researched their retail price I was shocked, a Ferragamo leather jacket costs thousands of dollars! 😲😍😍😍 Among the 3 jacket the Ferragamo looks almost brand new because it was well kept by the previous owner. I'm not sure if it's lamb, calf or sheep leather but it's way smoother and softer than my Mango sheepskin, I guess that's where they say you get what you pay for, regarding the leather jacket since Ferragamo is more expensive than Mango.
