Vanson Leathers

Having purchased and worn three different Vanson jackets, I can say with confidence, «there are none better».
I had a Hurricane II Properf jacket that I wore for several years, riding thousands of road miles in it, and passed it down to my son. I rode in it for several summers, with the Vanson Streamliner jacket/​vest on cool mornings. It was so well ventilated that it was like I was riding in a t-​shirt, aside from the bulk that you really don’t feel when wearing it.
My son, in turn, has worn it for thousands of road miles. It shows no signs of age or wear, and needs only an occasional cleaning with a good leather cleaner/​conditioner.
I replaced that with a Stallion Properf jacket that I’ve worn for many thousands of road miles over the past four years.
A couple of years ago, I decided to replace my old buddy, a First Gear jacket that I’d had for about 15 years. It has the scuffs and battle scars from an an unfortunate encounter I had with a tri-​axle dump truck several years ago, and was due for a much deserved vacation.
In it’s place I bought a Vanson Drifter jacket that I had them make with some specific changes I wanted in it. I was told there’d be up to a 6 month wait for it. I was ok with that since I still had my ol’ friend First Gear to wear until the new jacket arrived.
Two & a half months later, I got a call from Vanson that my Drifter jacket was being shipped that day.
It’s a beautiful jacket that is stylish enough to wear out anywhere, and is the usual extremely high quality I’ve always gotten from Vanson Leathers.

This review is for their poor business practices.
I ordered a jacket online and received an email from Vikki saying that they did not have the size I ordered in stock but i can order a size up since the sizing ran small and I can return the jacket if it didn’t fit. I ordered the larger size and of course it didn’t fit so I returned it.
Vikki confirmed that she received the jacket back. Two weeks and two follow up emails later she finally responded saying that the refund is filed with the accountant. Two more weeks passed and I still did not receive an refund so I emailed her again for an update and still no response. Finally, after reading a review about another person having an issue with receiving their refund I filed a claim with my credit card company and got my money back. 3 months later and Vikki still never responded to any of my emails. What a way to do business.

I bought a custom Sport Rider circa 1998 with high expectations in Fall River. The woman who measured me on-​site was very thorough. Upon pickup (I live in MA) the jacket seemed great, but as I wore it the back of the neck started to bunch up right above the armor. This became a permanent feature, so I went back and asked them what could be done.
At first the person taking care of me said it would not bunch up that way in the correct riding posture. So, I put it on and assumed the position – same issue, but worse than when standing. A few people then were called over to take a look. Everyone agreed the jacket was not supposed to bunch up the way it was.
I was given two options. Option 1 — do nothing. Option 2 — Vanson would try to take some of the leather out which might fix the issue, might not, and/​or might create a gap in the area. Whatever happened, I would have to live with it. On the plus side, I don’t recall being asked to pay for this.
This surprisedme. So much for guaranteed fit. I decided that a little extra in this case was better than not enough and left. In the following years I rode between 0 and 5K miles annually – nothing major. A few years later one of the zippers popped, which is the fault of the zipper manufacturer and/​or my occasionally wearing a watch. The bunching around the neck only got worse over time. Those two issues aside, the jacket is in fantastic shape today.
It seems like most people have a good experience with Vanson. However, paying $ 800 for a custom jacket that does not fit correctly after being measured on-​site and then being given two sub-​optimal options to address Vanson’s shortcomings was extremely disappointing.
From what I can tell, Vanson custom fit jackets are not really guaranteed. At most one could get 50% back, and then only if you realized the issue within 30 days and could demonstrate it on-​site (judging from the «you’re doing it wrong» initial reception). With this in mind it seems possible that the off-​the-​rack items are a smarter purchase.
Walking into Vanson that day I thought they would take my jacket, tweak it, and after a month or two I’d have an amazing fitting jacket. Sadly, that was not to be – though not for lack of trying.

Twenty plus years ago I decided to invest in a great leather jacket and bought a Vanson Enfield. It was also more expensive than any single piece of clothing I had ever purchased. Vanson’s Customer Service people were every bit as wonderful as the jacket. Made of competition weight leather it was beautiful from the start. I have never regretted buying that jacket.
It’s been over 20 years. I am 56 now and I’ve lost a few pounds. A few months ago I decided to buy a new Enfield. Vanson’s Customer Service is at least as good as I remember. In making my decision I worked with Constantine, Vicky and others. To a person, they were helpful and well informed. They offered ideas on sizing, other model options and information on what was currently in stock. With their input I decided to go with a new Enfield in Firenze leather. It is thick, supple and luxurious, while a little lighter than their competition weight leather.
Vanson’s Customer Service did tell me that I would have to wait a 2 to 3 months for the jacket, as there none in stock. And wait I did, though not too long.
Was it worth it? YES! The jacket is gorgeous. While waiting for the jacket I tried on similar models other, often more expensive models from another US manufacturer. They were nice, BUT nowhere near the same quality or feel.
Conclusion — I cannot recommend Vanson highly enough. Their people, service and work are exceptional. They are are not inexpensive. You may have to wait to get your jacket. But, if you are looking for a great leather jacket, that will keep looking and feeling great for the next 20 plus years, they are more than worth it.
PS — I’ve passed my old Enfield (still very nice) to a friend.

Let me start off by saying Vanson Leather products are second to none, BUT only purchase from Vanson if you can buy something on hand. Never under any circumstance order anything.
On October 10, 2014 I ordered a couple of t-​shirts and a wallet. Seemed pretty simple as all of these items were listed as «in stock» on the Vanson website. First I noticed Vanson was charging $ 50 in shipping. I called and Vikki N. stated they would only charge $ 25 as the order was not large”. Still, $ 25 in shipping?
Then Vikki N. advised one of the t-​shirts was not in stock (web site said in stock). I advised Vikki N. I would wait until the entire order was in as the shipping rate was so high. Fast forward TWO MONTHS! No email, phone call nothing. I contact Vikki N. And she stated the t-​shirt was still not in stock. I told Vikki N. to just ship what they had. Vikki N. Assumed me the items would be shipped immediately.
Two weeks later, nothing! I email Vikki N. and she tells me she «thought it was taken care of».
At this point (nearly three months after initially placing order) I ask for a refund. Vikki. N. assures me I will be refunded.
Two weeks later, no refund. Vikki N. tells me to «hang tight» as the «lady» that does refunds has been out sick.
Two weeks later, still no refund.
I eventually am forced to file a complaint with my credit card company as Vanson Leathers will do nothing more than give excuses as to what they are going to do, which was always nothing.

I from the West and ride on all the tracks in NORCAL and SOCAL. My first riding jacket and pants was from Vanson and still have them. With 20 years of track riding and 3 spills, 2 low speed and 1 high speed I can vouch that it can take 3 spills before needing repair. When I got them back it looked as good as new! I was amazed at Vanson after sale service. With most other brands good luck in getting any kind of service and I’ve owned all of the better major brands of riding protection gear. Most protection is good for one, maybe 2 crashes. There is a difference in quality and weight but when it comes to your protection, Vanson gives you confidence that it will do the job time after time. Another thing they did for me, I had a pair of riding pants that I never used because my original ones were still in service. When I was ready to wear it I had gain some weight. The Vanson team was visiting in the SFO area and I wanted them to look into having it altered. Kim from Vanson said that it was never used and looks new so they took it back and got me one that fits. I was blown away and all the guys there were amazed by the service. One last thing, I got tired of wearing expensive Italian leather casual jackets where the leather is light weight and buttery soft but can’t take a slight bump on the edge of a wooden table without leaving a major scratch. I got myself the Vanson Mercury Jacket and it’s my favorite heavy leather, clean lines that looks great in most casual business setting and can take punishment while still looking great. I get a lot of compliments from people. The heavier leather protects you better in the cold as well. Thank you for building the best and providing the best in customer service and saving my butt a few times on the track.

I started out with Vanson’s gear because I wanted high quality gear that doesn’t turn me into a manufacturer billboard. Intially, I was riding a Triumph Speed Triple so I bought both perforated and non perforated gear with traveler pants. Then I added a Honda CBR 1000. The traveler pants were just too stiff and uncomfortable on a sportbike no matter how long I wore them so I bought technical pants (perforated and unperforated). The technical pants were perfect. Although the jackets are several years older than the technical pants and have been worn a lot, the age of the leather is indistinguishable from the newer pants and they look like matched sets. I have over $ 2000 tied up in this gear and it’s worth the money. Is it flawless? No. The stitching in the perforated technical pants came lose below the zipper (I have big thighs) and the Velcro came lose on one of the jackets. Vanson fixed them both at no cost, out of warranty, no questions asked. The zipper pull broke on one jacket but it was easily fixed with a zipper pull off eBay for $ 5.00.
I am a bit of a gear horse so I have gear from other manufacturers, including Dainese, Alpinsestars, Teknic, and Spidi. All of them can have stitching come loose and zippers break. My friend went down in an Alpinestars tracksuit and the friction from the road burned a hole through the back. I doubt any slide shorter than a half mile would do anything but scuff my Vanson’s. Plus, if you condition it, Vanson’s leather looks better for a longer period of time than anything else I’ve found.

Vanson Leathers have saved my skin (literally) more times than I care to admit or discuss.
That being said, Vanson is the ONLY leather M.C. jacket I wear on the road –period.
Well Worth the money
A KICK-​ASS AMERICAN Company!!!

I spent nearly a thousand dollars on a jacket and pant set from Vanson because I was told it was the best motorcycle leather money could buy. Fast forward 10 years and about 60k road miles and the jacket and pants have had all their zippers break, stitching come undone, velcro fall off because the glue went bad, foam pads break apart, holes wearing in the liner etc.
If you’re thinking it is from abuse, you’ll have to take my word for it that I always took care of the jacket and once a month conditioned the leather with the 20 dollar leather balm they sell. In fact, the leather is holding up great, but what good is that when I can’t close the jacket or pants because all the zippers and velcro have broken and there are holes in my crotch? The website says built to last. Ha! Anyone reading this who will be commuting daily or wearing it very often, do not waste your money on this brand as it won’t hold up.
If that wasn’t bad enough, their customer service was awful when I sent them an email about these issues. First it took them two weeks to get back to me and in response to my problems they just said send them back for repair. When I inquired if there would be a fee I was told 100 for the jacket zipper, 75 for pant leg zippers and 50 I think for the crotch zipper. I didn’t even inquire about the crotch stitching or velcro issues because there was no way I was going to pay for postage and repairs when I could buy a perfectly good Alpinestars jacket for the same price.
Instead I got a leather needle and thread, new velcro strips, eye-​hooks for the broken crotch zipper and fixed it all myself as best I could. Then I took off every Vanson logo on the jacket. Now, if any of my riding buddies ask about leathers to buy I tell them anything but Vanson.

As all in motorcycling know, there is no more premier name in leather. But their customer service is also premium. I won a pair of their X-​Ray gloves and one needed a tiny restitch in the thumb. They had me send them over and took care of it, no questions asked.
Made with pride in Fall River, MA. Thanks Brian & co.

Sometimes a business is judged by what they don’t need to do, but how they treat their customers in those unique situations. I am very pleased with Vanson. If repairs from a crash, a new jacket, or simply to visit, I am always happy to make the trip.
It was a week before our first of three roving Yankee Beemer breakfast meetings. The location we chose for the breakfast suffered a kitchen fire. The news reached us that our original location would not be able to accommodate our 100 expected members for a breakfast meeting. We did not know how we were going to work this out given the limited ramp up time. After the breakfast, we were going to Vanson to check-​out their new gear, now that looked like it would not happen.
I was speaking to Kim, co-​owner of Vanson Leathers in Fall River about our plight. She told me she had an idea and that she would need to get back to me. Soon thereafter, we received a call that Vanson would allow us to host our monthly meeting at there location. She knew of a great reasonable caterer and they would handle set up. It was a great event! Every member was beaming from ear to ear. Everyone had done a spectacular job of hosting this event.
Recently, Vanson offered to create custom safety vests that had been a thorn in my club Storekeeper’s side for months. They provided our members with swag, riding gear, on-​site repairs for their gear, and showed us their newest perforated gear. Go there and you will experience the same great service.
I cannot express to you how thankful I am about Vanson’s support and generosity. Not only do they produce great quality riding gear, but they happen to be wonderful people as well.
Thank you Mike and Kim! If you need new motorcycle gear, please go to Vanson Leathers!
Marc Waegemann, President of the Yankee Beemers
Wearing Vanson Leathers since 1987
Original jacket still looks great!