Aerostich Roadcrafter 3: Initial Impression
The image result from Aerostich’s color configurator. It doesn’t get more dorky as far as colors go.
This is part one of what is intended to be multiple installments of my experience with an Aerostich Roadcrafter.
I’ve wanted an Aerostich for a long time but, as you may know, they aren’t cheap. I have an issue with expensive gear that doesn’t provide significant value. Two conditions resulted in me sending some money to Duluth: a Black Friday sale and motivation not to gain weight. I’m a sucker for a sale. Previous to this purchase, my go-to jacket was an old 4-season FieldSheer that I had purchased in 2011. It is a 3XL and much too big for me after having lost 100 pounds. Being able to actually use the suit I spent $1500.20 on (sale price with tax) is motivation to keep that weight off.
At least this suit undercuts some brands’ flagship jackets by a few hundred. Thanks, VISA.
AERO DESIGN & MFG. CO. A.K.A. AEROSTICH
Aero Design & Mfg. Co. is a small business located in Duluth, MN that has been around since I was one year old, 1983. They make boring-looking one and two-piece suits as well as a suite of accessories. The suits don’t look much different from how they did in the 80s and there are certainly flashier, more fashionable and arguably more modern options out there. Some people love them. Some people hate them.
Current suit offerings include the Falstaff (waxed cotton, two-piece only), Cousin Jeremy (waxed cotton with textile abrasion patches, one and two-piece), Darien (two piece only, ‘adventure’ style textile), Classic Roadcrafter (one and two piece textile) and the Roadcrafter 3 which is what we’re talking about here. It only comes in a one-piece but you can get it in two different Cordura® GORE-TEX® fabrics: regular (500D with 1000D abrasion patches) and light (200D with 500D abrasion patches).
From Aerostich:
The R-3 (Roadcrafter 3) is the third-generation one piece Aerostich suit. It is 100% waterproof and unlined for maximum airflow, yet slips quickly and easily over your street clothes. Its full-length waterproof zipper entry system is fast, and it doesn’t flutter or flap in the wind. Without a lining it wears cooler, and with seam-sealed rainproof zippers you’ll also stay completely dry, even during the wettest conditions.
SIZING/ORDERING
The Roadcrafter 3 onesie comes in 41 men’s (and 30 women’s) sizes instead of S/M/L/XL, etc. Since I don’t live within driving distance anymore and flying to Minnesota just to try one on seems extreme, I had to guess. Well, not guess so much as rely on Aerostich to tell me the right one to buy.
I completed their sizing tool and included my button-down/dress shirt sizing. I received an email less than 24 hours later from Paula with her recommendation. For reference, I was 6’2” and 225lbs at the time. She recommended a 46L. If I had gone by the fit chart with my height and weight, I would have ordered a 50R.
I was only testing the waters when I sent the sizing information. Knowing my size was dangerous, though. Three days later, I was on the phone with them talking about an order. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted an R-3 or R-3 Light. I was concerned with the high temps with heavier fabric but also the abrasion-resistance of the lighter fabric. I was talked into the big boy R-3 and to put ice in the external pockets when it gets too hot outside.
DELIVERY/FIT
Aerostich had two suits in my size in stock. They were, unfortunately, the wrong colors for me. I wanted to avoid dark materials particularly for the heat of the Summer. Full dork-mode was engaged with hi-viz yellow/grey abrasion patches. My order was placed with an estimated ship date of a month later.
The suit shipped a week early. Due to how awesome FedEx is, it was initially projected to delivery on a Tuesday but it was ‘out for delivery’ until Thursday. It isn’t the worst experience I’ve had with a shipper. Ordinarily, it wouldn’t even be worth mentioning. It was a problem this time because someone needed to be home for delivery and I was in San Francisco. I didn’t want a $1500 suit sitting on my front porch for days.
A few days later, I returned home and was able to try on my new acquisition. I don’t know why I was worried. It was a perfect fit. Side note: if you haven’t seen the 2000 film ‘Perfect Fit’ which is described on IMDB as “An aimless young man turns to murder in order to satisfy the desires of his new girlfriend, a narcissistic blue jean fetishist,” you can skip it.
Getting in and out of the suit is a breeze. Aerostich recommends practicing in front of a mirror to get it down to 10-12 seconds. It really isn’t that difficult especially if you read the recommendations for putting it on. I’d say it barely takes more time to put the suit on than to put on a regular armored jacket.
A custom option on their website. Custom options are cheap enough but make the suit non-returnable
The suit fit so well, I am beginning to regret not getting the modifications I was considering such as Nomex® pant leg heat shields. Since modified suits are not eligible for return, I didn’t go that route. I’ll just have to be careful not to burn a hole in the left leg with my exhaust (like I did with my own skin…another story for another time).
OTHER IMPRESSIONS
Pockets
External pockets are fine. There are plenty of them. I have not historically used external pockets much on other gear. There are no internal pockets included in the base price but the hook and loop fastener locations are pre-attached. When I ordered the suit, I chose not to also order the internal pockets. I thought about it for a while and ended up ordering the pocket set ($67) before ever wearing the suit on a bike. I understand it is part of the customizing but internal pockets should be included for gear this expensive.
Armor
Aerostich doesn’t use CE-rated armor. I don’t live in the EU and don’t particularly care about that. Their explanation is fine. I ordered the suit with their TF6 armor for warmer weather but it shipped with TF3. This isn’t the biggest deal in the world as it is winter right now but I’ll have to buy the warmer weather armor before summer. That will be additional $90.
Hook & Loop
Armor and optional pockets are attached to the inside of the suit by hook and loop fasteners. There is some level of thoughtfulness in that the loop part is attached to the suit and the accessories/armor have the hook part. Why does this matter? I also own a FirstGear Expedition suit which uses the same system to attach armor. On this suit, the hook part is attached to the interior surface and faces the rider. The hooks catch/pull clothing if any of the hooks are not covered.
Handmade
There is something to be said for handmade products. Handmade doesn’t necessarily mean better but it does bring something to the table. I appreciate the signatures of everyone who worked on it on the inside of the suit.
NOW WHAT?
I’m a terrible motorcyclist. In the 3 weeks since it arrived, the bikes haven’t left the garage. I sat on them wearing my snazzy new suit and made vroom-vroom sounds but I haven’t had a chance to venture out into the world. Excuses are easy to come by: preparation and execution of year-end holiday activities, slick wintery roads, work. I need to get out and experience the world in hi-viz snazzery.
How long before the crisp yellow gets dirty and stays that way? Will I hate it in the cold? Will it be unusable in the heat? Or will I gain my weight back and have it just sit in my closet for years until I try to sell it for $500? The future is a mystery.
Stay tuned…I guess
If you want to watch something after reading something, here’s Aerostich’s video on how their suits are made:
Disclaimer: I purchased the Roadcrafter directly from Aerostich. I have no association with Aerostich or Aero Design & Mfg. Co. and am not sponsored in any way by anyone.
