RMC J100 vs. Aero J100 Black Jerky

[Chris94]

Dear Fedora Community,

I’ve been an avid reader of this forum for several years now, mostly as a “silent reader,” and I’ve learned an incredible amount about the world of leather jackets. I’m very grateful for this forum.

My “grail jacket” is definitely the classic J100.

After months of research, I’ve narrowed it down to two candidates:

The Buco J100 from The Real McCoy’s or the Board Racer J100 from Aero in Black Jerky.


So here are my questions for you:

Would you lean more toward the RMC with its highly praised Shinki leather and top-notch craftsmanship, or the custom-made Aero?

How does the Shinki horsehide differ from the Black Jerky?
Which leather do you think is “better”?


The J100 is meant to be my one and only leather jacket, one that I want to wear regularly whenever the weather allows


Thanks for your replies

 

[Carlos840]

To me the main question is: does the RMC work on your body?

If the answer is yes, then go for the RMC, it is IMO a nicer jacket, construction is nicer, better attention to detail, feels fancier, more comfortbale to wear. But i say that as someone who isn't a fan of Aero, they are probably my least worn jackets.

On the other hand, the RMC patterns can be hard to wear for some body types. If you are very V shaped RMC patterns can be wide in the bottom hem and tight in the shoulders. (saying that the board Racer is tight in the shoulders...)

All that to say, i prefer RMC to Aero and woul dfavour RMC if it works on you.
But it's better to have a well fitting Aero than a poorly fitting RMC.

 

[Aloysius]

I like the Jerky better as a leather but what it comes down to is which pattern (if either) actually fits you.

My “grail jacket” is definitely the classic J100.

I know you did research or whatever but think on this. A lot of people for some reason think their ideal jacket will be a cafe racer (and specifically a J-100 if they've spent time online) because they assume it's simple and versatile or something, then find out that it doesn't really work on them, the simplicity actually makes it bold in ways that can't be dressed up, etc.

 

[Carlos840]

I like the Jerky better as a leather but what it comes down to is which pattern (if either) actually fits you.



I know you did research or whatever but think on this. A lot of people for some reason think their ideal jacket will be a cafe racer (and specifically a J-100 if they've spent time online) because they assume it's simple and versatile or something, then find out that it doesn't really work on them, the simplicity actually makes it bold in ways that can't be dressed up, etc.

+1

I was all about the cafe racer in the begining, mostly because i felt i couldn't get away with wearing "real biker jackets"
At some point i just admited to myself that i was all about the cross zip and i rarely wear a Cafe Racer now.

Wearing a cafe racer makes me feel like i would if i had to wear a fully buttoned up shirt wihtout a tie or something like that...

 

[TartuWolf]

If you can find a used RMC in your size for a decent price then it makes sense to grab one. No way a new RMC is worth the money in my opinion. With the price increases Aero is also not a very good deal when bought new anymore and that's not even mentioning various other issues like sketchy sizing, small zippers, measurements secrecy, etc.. But I'd still much rather go for a custom Aero (or a stock one with possibility to return - even better!) than a new RMC. Used for a good price RMC is probably a better choice and likely easier to find than a used Aero J100. Can't comment on the Jerky leather, but the name is unfortunate enough to deter me haha.

 

[MrProper]

I like the Jerky better as a leather but what it comes down to is which pattern (if either) actually fits you.



I know you did research or whatever but think on this. A lot of people for some reason think their ideal jacket will be a cafe racer (and specifically a J-100 if they've spent time online) because they assume it's simple and versatile or something, then find out that it doesn't really work on them, the simplicity actually makes it bold in ways that can't be dressed up, etc.

I think everyone should have a café racer in their wardrobe. I like mine and don't actually wear it any less than the other jackets. I like the simplicity of it and you can wear it more elegantly if necessary
Whether you like it is another matter, of course.

 

[Chris94]

Wow, thanks already for your feedback and opinions!

With the RMC J100, size 42 would probably be the only option… unfortunately, the current model is cut rather long (67 cm from the collar), which might be a bit too long for my height (181 cm). The sleeves are also relatively long.

(Just to preempt the question: trying it on here in Germany hasn’t been possible for quite a while, as no shop currently has the RMC J100 in stock.)


…That’s why it’ll most likely end up being the custom Aero instead.

Has anyone here had any experience with Aero’s Black Jerky Horsehide??

 

[Mysteryo]

What about the ELMC racer? It looks great and may have a different cut?

 

[jchance]

RMC shinki if it fits you. JP-made jackets are not for any body types, they are mostly made for smaller Asian frames.

If you aren’t able to try them on in-person, be prepared to lose some money via buying then selling. Buying used makes a lot of sense if you don’t want to lose out too much.

 

[Zoro]

Funny to see this. I'm thinking about far down the road getting a J100 (or a cafe racer or a board racer) so I was actually looking at my options. Honestly, RMC looks great but I'm not even entertaining the thought precisely because of the price.

They had pictures of the Aero in Jerky leather and to me it looked dull and boring. Then I queried for pics in the WAYWT thread and found some lounger(s?) who had it in Jerky or Vicenza and looked far, far better than in Aero's pictures.

All in all, just based on my research so far, the ones I liked best were Aero in CXL, Thedi, ELMC, Field and Simmons Bilt. Also the Schott 641HH looked nice. Out of all of these, Thedi's was the one I liked the most, but I was not able to find pictures outside of his website.

I know, it's not what you asked, but I'm throwing you other options. Options which are based on pure looks and I haven't looked into comfort, mobility or pattern difference, but let's be real: I wouldn't buy a jacket I don't like the looks of it.

Also, why are you only mentioning Jerky against Shinki? It's not like the only leather Aero has. Is this the one you like best?

 

[Chris94]

Thanks for the good ideas

I would like a classic J100 in Teacore leather (that’s why Shinki and Black Jerky).

For this reason, Thedi and other brands are out of the question.

I considered Aero because I had generally read a lot of good things about them (also in this forum). Similarly, I’ve read many positive things about the Black Jerky leather.

That’s why I’m a bit surprised that Aero and the Jerky leather aren’t viewed very positively in this threat right now…

 

[photo2u]

Both jackets are overpriced. The CR jacket is a highly reproduced jacket from many brands. You can rock nice brooks for a fraction of the price of an RMC and use the money to take a two-week ride. But if you're just buying a jacket to hang out at a coffee shop, then more power to you in using your funds wisely.

 

[Zoro]

That’s why I’m a bit surprised that Aero and the Jerky leather aren’t viewed very positively in this threat right now…

I don't agree that jerky or Aero are viewed negatively. For the record, I haven't held any Aero or RMC jacket yet I'm sure both are great jackets, but it is undeniable that RMC and Shinki hold a bigger name than Aero and Jerky. That's shown in the price, one is 2-3 times the price of the other and shown in this thread.

 

[ProteinNerd]

There is an Aero midnight Blue size 42 J-100 Board Racer (slightly used) and an ELMC size 42 J-100 (immaculate condition) in the classifieds right now for about half the price you will pay for new....just sayin.

 

[Aloysius]

I don't agree that jerky or Aero are viewed negatively. For the record, I haven't held any Aero or RMC jacket yet I'm sure both are great jackets, but it is undeniable that RMC and Shinki hold a bigger name than Aero and Jerky. That's shown in the price, one is 2-3 times the price of the other and shown in this thread.

This argument doesn’t land. Both are about the same price in Japan.

I would take a Johnson Leathers or Vanson cafe racer over an RMC even if they were the same price. In some cases a company reproduces an unusual enough pattern that you go through them to get it, even if there are compromises.

A cafe racer is so simple that paying the RMC tax for an inferior pattern sounds mindless.

 

[Zoro]

This argument doesn’t land. Both are about the same price in Japan.

I would take a Johnson Leathers or Vanson cafe racer over an RMC even if they were the same price. In some cases a company reproduces an unusual enough pattern that you go through them to get it, even if there are compromises.

A cafe racer is so simple that paying the RMC tax for an inferior pattern sounds mindless.

Might be wrong, but I thought that Aero is at around 1000 GBP, RMC at ~2000€ which might be >2500 when imported?

Don't get me wrong though, I was talking simply about holding the bigger name/reputation, I can't speak of the quality of either. I agree with you that RMC is not even worth the thought at such prices and competition, but I wouldn't go for JL nor Vanson either due to being located in EU (same as OP).

 

[Aloysius]

Might be wrong, but I thought that Aero is at around 1000 GBP, RMC at ~2000€ which might be >2500 when imported?

I said the prices are about the same in Japan.

RMCDon't get me wrong though, I was talking simply about holding the bigger name/reputation, I can't speak of the quality of either.

I don't actually know that RMC has a bigger reputation in leather jacket circles. I think they get it more from the workwear audience which has some overlap.

 

[MrProper]

I would like a classic J100 in Teacore leather

If you are only interested in a brown core, you could also consider CXL or blackened brown Vicenza. Does it have to be horse?

 

[Tom71]

I believe, you got a lot of decent advice here.

My personal take would be to go for the RMC IF IT FITS YOU. It´s so sleek that it immediately looks off if the pattern is not for you. If it is, well, it just looks killer, IMO!
Given the price (some EUR 2.500), I´d definitely try it on before committing. You can try the RMC store in London or VMC in Zürich; you can also mailorder from the english RMC online store; they should offer hassle-free exchanges and take care of customs as well.

As for Aero: yeah, their Board Racer is a fine jacket, and I agree that Aero is much better than one might believe, judging by how their star has faded in the perception of TFL.
However, it´s even more tricky to get it fit right than the RMC, due to very narrow shoulders and tiny armholes. I´d certainly recommend NOT going for a thick leather here. Maybe Vicenza is an option, but I don´t think that teacores at all.
That said, the price is much more affordable than the other one.

 

[Tom71]

I believe, you got a lot of decent advice here.

My personal take would be to go for the RMC IF IT FITS YOU. It´s so sleek that it immediately looks off if the pattern is not for you. If it is, well, it just looks killer, IMO!
Given the price (some EUR 2.500), I´d definitely try it on before committing. You can try the RMC store in London or VMC in Zürich; you can also mailorder rom the english RMC online store; they should offer hassle-free exchanges and take care of custome as well.

As for Aero: yeah, their Board Racer is a fine jacket, and I agree that Aero is much better than one might believe, judging by how their star has faded in the perception of TFL.
However, it´s even more tricky to get it fit right than the RMC, due to very narrow shoulders and tiny armholes. I´d certainly recommend NOT going for a thick leather here. Maybe Vicenza is an option, but I don´t think that teacores at all.
That said, the price is much more affordable than the other one.

I just saw that it is a staggering EUR 3.150 on the RMC webpage now. That is - a lot...