E-Mail from Aerostitch

[Uncle Hud]

Abercrombie FJR posted: I stopped into Aerostitch this morning after spending a few days in Duluth. I didn't notice any changes at the store. It was the wife's first time there and she was totally unimpressed.

I took Aunt Kelly to an Aerostich pop-up in Atlanta last summer and got a similar reaction: "Looks very functional, but I want something with a little style."

 

[MrZappo]

Just tell her that it's not stylish until you are wearing it.

 

[The Other Brian]

Abercrombie FJR posted: I stopped into Aerostitch this morning after spending a few days in Duluth. I didn't notice any changes at the store. It was the wife's first time there and she was totally unimpressed.

I took Aunt Kelly to an Aerostich pop-up in Atlanta last summer and got a similar reaction: "Looks very functional, but I want something with a little style."

Even though I have a Stich which I am very happy with, I will say that if Aerostich's business is down the above comments are probably a good indication of why. While Stich's are very functional they are not very stylish compared to their competition such as Klim.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Abercrombie FJR posted: I stopped into Aerostitch this morning after spending a few days in Duluth. I didn't notice any changes at the store. It was the wife's first time there and she was totally unimpressed.

I took Aunt Kelly to an Aerostich pop-up in Atlanta last summer and got a similar reaction: "Looks very functional, but I want something with a little style."

Even though I have a Stich which I am very happy with, I will say that if Aerostich's business is down the above comments are probably a good indication of why. While Stich's are very functional they are not very stylish compared to their competition such as Klim.

You have that right! About 5 years ago I bought a set of Darien pants with plans of buying the Darin jacket. Before I bought the jacket I watched a promotional video on the new 2012 Yamaha Tenere and the rider was wearing Klim gear. When I bought my Tenere I decided to get the Klim Latitude gear to go with it and never looked back at the Aerostitch Darien jacket again.

 

[eflyguy]

I got it, and have never bought a product from them....

 

[Fred W]

Someone told them you have deep pockets.

I have only recently bought from Rider Wearhouse or whatever Aerostich chooses to call themselves. I've bought several used versions of their gear in the past, trying desperately to make it work. A Roadcrafter 2-piece suit in the correct sizes, but it was too damn heavy weight. 3 different Darien jackets in various states of decay, but they always seem too blousey, or if bought snug enough are so tight that you can't get enough layers under for the cool weather riding. My one new purchase was that I bought a pair of AD1 pants on the recommendation of some other FJR friends who love them, but I'm thinking I should have gone with the Darien pants. The waist of the AD1's are cut pretty low, so when in the riding position the back displays the ubiquitous plumber's crack to any followers. WTF? Aren't these people supposed to be every day riders? Maybe my butt is too big? (that is actually likely true)

OTOH, I bought a Klim Latitude Misano ****-Tex jacket last year and paid a whole lot less than the price of an Darien jacket. It is everything hat the Darien should be. It fits well, has even better ventilation that the Darien, and has a mesh liner inside the jacket. Plus it has D3O armor in it (with an included back protector at no added charge) which puts the foamy **** that Aerostich makes to shame both in comfort and protection.

I think Andy was onto something when he started the company many moons ago. Unfortunately he was getting paid by the buyers and didn't make the appropriate effort to make improvements over the years and they are stuck with 1980's tech and designs.

This area is one that seems ripe for an entrepreneurial spirit with a few more brain cells.