Aerostich Darien

[Bill Lumberg]

Got my Aerostich Darien in yesterday. Now I know what I've been missing. The jacket is heaven. I pulled it out of the box (a lot of stuff comes in the box, paperwork/card/doc wise), adjusted it, marveled at the fit and how light and comfortable it was. I expected something that weighed more and was stiffer. I put all the docs/tags in an envelope for posterity, and threw the jacket in the closet. This morning, I put it on and could not be more pleased with fit, comfort, etc. on my commute to work. Arrived at the office, raised my arm to present my prox card, and, for the first time, saw a giant (in size and number) wad of tags/cards attached to the left rear of the jacket, that had been flapping in the wind for the entire journey. I guess I missed those. Must've been quite a sight.

 

[Uncle Hud]

.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I clicked submit once, never having reason to doubt that the thread posted. I was surprised to see the duplicate. It would appear that this is the surviving thread. While I did a fair amount of research, Hud and FJRFarrier probably had larger roles in leading me to stitch. But I was still pleasantly surprised at the features, fit, and finish of the garment. I ordered a sleeve-mounted window for my spot. That item is still on backorder, but it turned out that the jacket came with a carabiner hanging from a loop high on the chest. This looks purpose made for hanging a spot from. Mine currently resides on my dash. Ignatio- thanks for locking one of the threads, for the link reinforcing my posting practices, and for teaching me to use the Report button if I ever experience spontaneous-postus again.

 

[Uncle Hud]

A 5-second video of you flying up GA 400, flapping tags under your arm ... makes me chuckle just thinking about it.

Yes sir; sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Aerostich was one of those times for me.

 

[Teehaml]

Great jacket. Don't forget your back/spine protector and that big fat Darien/Roadcrafter coat hanger.

 

[Gnirtsnod]

I bought a used Darien from a forum member and I, too, will attest that it is more than just a jacket and it's worth every penny. Good thing it came without tags attached or I might have pulled your trick.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Forty years or so back, I went to the State Fair and there was the guy selling those Little Giant ladders, the super-fancy ones that you can do almost anything with--use on stairways, hillsides, use as a platform, a motorcycle stand, a formal dining table. I didn't want to spend the money so I passed on it, but I've been looking at them every year since. Since then I've bought at least three crap ladders and sorry I did. Sometimes you should just spend the damn money.

Now my ladder climbing days are winding down, and I feel like I'm stuck with my latest crappy Home Depot Little Giant imitation for the rest of my sunset years.

All that to say, wish I'd bought something like that Darien, or maybe a Klim, a long time ago. Hope my motorcycle days stretch out longer than my house painting, tree climbing days probably will, but I don't think I'll be investing in a real top quality jacket like yours, since I'm sure it would outlast me by quite a long time. I'm just putting this out as an object lesson for you youngsters out there (you know, younger than me). Don't let this happen to YOU!

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I am a bad person. Sometimes a stupid person. When it gets hot, I often don't wear a jacket. Despite having pristine mesh gear. I feel like I'm burning up in any gear when it gets above 80 in high humidity. Today, on the maiden voyage of the Darien, I wore it home, in 86 degree temps and high humidity. I will not insult your intelligence or my honor by telling you that this will ever be a common practice in summer, but I never overheated. If there had been no traffic, I could comfortably have worn the jacket (vents open) all day, and been as cool as I would be in my full mesh jacket. As it was, I wore it for an hour, in plenty of traffic. I had a little dampness in the sleeves, but that was it.

 

[Uncle Hud]

SacramentoMike posted: Forty years or so back, I went to the State Fair and there was the guy selling those Little Giant ladders, the super-fancy ones that you can do almost anything with--use on stairways, hillsides, use as a platform, a motorcycle stand, a formal dining table. I didn't want to spend the money so I passed on it, but I've been looking at them every year since. Since then I've bought at least three crap ladders and sorry I did. Sometimes you should just spend the damn money.
Now my ladder climbing days are winding down, and I feel like I'm stuck with my latest crappy Home Depot Little Giant imitation for the rest of my sunset years.

All that to say, wish I'd bought something like that Darien, or maybe a Klim, a long time ago. Hope my motorcycle days stretch out longer than my house painting, tree climbing days probably will, but I don't think I'll be investing in a real top quality jacket like yours, since I'm sure it would outlast me by quite a long time. I'm just putting this out as an object lesson for you youngsters out there (you know, younger than me). Don't let this happen to YOU!

Damn, SacMike, that's a pretty depressing point of view. Hope you're feeling better about things in the morning.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Damn, SacMike, that's a pretty depressing point of view. Hope you're feeling better about things in the morning.

In the morning, I'll be another day older, Hud. And that's if I make it till then.

Damn youngster.

 

[WBill]

Treating one's self with expensive M/C gear is more justified as we age. Who cares if the jacket outlasts you? You earned it. Enjoy it in your golden years!

My problem with replacing my TourMaster with a Klim or an Aerostitch is that I like to leave my jacket hanging on my windshield when I stop for breaks. The Scot in me would hurt less if my cheap-o were snatched while I was having lunch. WBill

 

[Teehaml]

WBill said...

Treating one's self with expensive M/C gear is more justified as we age. Who cares if the jacket outlasts you? You earned it. Enjoy it in your golden years!
My problem with replacing my TourMaster with a Klim or an Aerostitch is that I like to leave my jacket hanging on my windshield when I stop for breaks. The Scot in me would hurt less if my cheap-o were snatched while I was having lunch. WBill

I hear that. Takes an extra minute for me to lay the Darien over the GPS and run a cable lock through the sleeve and triple tree.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

It'll be interesting to see how it does in the winter. As it is, it's cooler and more comfortable than the shell-over-mesh I usually wear on a rainy summer (upper 60F) morning like today.

 

[Uncle Hud]

With an insulating layer underneath -- fleece or long-sleeve T -- and the vents all zipped up, you'll be mighty comfy down to the mid 40s. Colder than that and you'll need the long-sleeve T and the fleece. (Grip heaters on 10.)

 

[Bill Lumberg]

You watery *******s led me to warmnsafe jacket and glove liners, and I drank. Only ice on the road stops me. There is no regional temp that will. And the stich just makes it better. With the miles I ride every year, my only regret is that I didn't buy aerostich sooner. I rode home today in on-and-off rain. I was never cool. But I was never hot. And when I got home, I realized that I'd left the huge back vent closed. Damn, I might have frozen to death. Protection and good looks have never been so comfortable. Maybe I ordered mine too small (because I don't have the bulkiness or puffiness complained about in some reviews- it fits perfectly), but my Darien looks damn good on this rider.

 

[Uncle Hud]

I'm sure it does look good on you, big boy!