For ages, for many bikers, a leather jacket has been a staple. It also comes in different shapes and sizes to fit an individual. These leather jackets can function as legitimate body armor for your arm and your body, aside from being a fashion statement.
It can go a long way to protect you from an unfortunate crash by having the right attire while cruising your favorite motorcycle. Therefore, that’s just another reason for adding to your wardrobe some of these leather jackets.
Benefits of using leather motorcycle jackets:
- Classic style;
- Durable and lightweight at the same time;
- Warm because genuine leather is a natural material;
- Safe. If a crash happens, the leather material may protect the biker’s skin from scratches and abrasions;
Look at 5 best leather motorcycle jackets in the following list and get one that is the perfect match for you. The buying guide and comparison table can be quite helpful as well.
Chouyatou Men’s Vintage Leather Jacket– the best for eco-friendly material!
The Chouyatou engine jacket is constructed of imitation leather of a good standard. On the lower sides, there are two usable pockets and one functional pocket below.
The exterior fake leather appears sufficiently sturdy and the jacket is filled with a fuzzy cloth that allows this jacket comfortable enough but also breathable for cold weather. The zippers look robust as well.
There is a normal look of the PU leather. The cloth looks very similar to animal hide and is stretchy. It is also worth mentioning that both the pockets inside and outside are incredibly spacious.
Pros
- Budget-friendly;
- Adjustable belt;
- Durable zippers;
- Vintage stand collar;
- Premium PU leather;
- Lightweight;
- Available in many men’s sizes;
Cons
- Not fully safe;
- The waist snaps are unnecessary;
- The zippers on the sleeves’ edges are flimsy;
It may fit narrow tiny if you want to wear baggy clothing. If you want to wear clothes that match, the sizing is right. Without being too wide, the body of the jacket is roomy, the sleeves match slim but not short, and the shoulders are deep enough to handle a muscular/fit frame.
Kenneth Cole REACTION Men’s Moto Jacket– the best for wind resistance!
The Kenneth Cole REACTION jacket for men is made of fake leather. A zipper is accessible on the collar stand, whilst the pockets have snap flaps. On the hips section, there are very spacious side-entry pockets.
This stops the breeze very well. While insufficient for a harsh winter, you may choose it for colder weather.
The fake leather material is not quite stretchy and depending on the fit, it can encumber arm movement, but this is anticipated from this kind of material. Speaking of this, to anyone who is not a leather connoisseur, it appears just like leather.
Pros
- Eco-friendly material;
- Great value;
- Wind-resistant;
- Odorless;
- Wallet-friendly;
- Spacious side pockets;
Cons
- Only hand/dry wash;
- Not quite durable;
- The sleeves are quite long;
- Useless collar zipper;
This jacket has a beautiful clean look and plenty of pockets. The brown color of the wood is very heavy, but not confused for black. This product has a textured/ worn look that is authentic as well as desirable. As worn, it feels cozy and very smooth to the fingertips.
Hot Leathers Classic Motorcycle Jacket – the best for the lining!
This iconic motorcycle jacket from Hot Leathers is handmade. The jacket is constructed of sturdy leather of good standard, which fulfills the pledge of becoming a heavyweight challenger. One of the best features is a fully zip-out lining.
It even has chest pockets inside for the stuff you want to hold close to your heart. It may even be a little rigid, but making the leather loosen up can be the same care. The suit may be baggy and arms long, so it might be a bit of a struggle to size it properly.
Pros
- Durable;
- Good value for genuine leather jackets;
- Classic style;
- Half belt;
- Well-ventilated;
- Spacious outside zipper pockets;
- Zip-out lining for different weather conditions;
Cons
- Heavy;
- Smelly;
- Baggy;
- Stiff at first;
The trendy black leather of this jacket suits well every rider’s body type, and the best part – it is moderately priced. For colder cases, it’s well-ventilated and has ample pockets for your things.
The Leather Factory Men’s SWORD Biker Jacket– the best for softness!
This cool jacket for motorcycles is made of real lambskin leather. That is why it provides maximum durability and stays very comfortable as well. This jacket has a stand collar that features the fashionable throat tab and also 4 zippered pockets that will provide you with enough space to keep your items.
The button closure on the collar of the stand also adds a chic look to this vintage men’s jacket.
Pros
- Soft to the touch;
- Genuine lambskin leather;
- Classic style;
- Comfortable;
- Lightweight;
- Roomy pockets;
Cons
- Thin lining;
- Run small;
To give you a satisfying fit, this jacket has a snap button at the hem. In addition, both comfort and warmth are made of 100% polyester lining. The black color appears to match well with many styles and looks even if you are a biker.
Milwaukee Leather Ladies Motorcycle Jacket – the best fit!
The Milwaukee LC 2701 is a classic leather jacket for beautiful women. It has half a belt and a snap-down crossover collar. It runs longer than normal sizes and comes in sizes that are regular and plus. A must-have for fashion and excellent for motorcycle riding. It is made from cowhide leather of the highest grade.
This makes it ideal for traveling without catching a cold during cold weather. It has many pockets in the jacket you will use to store various items. You’ll be able to have the ideal size for the best pick that will fit you correctly.
Pros
- Available in women’s regular and plus sizes;
- Half belt;
- Zip-out liner;
- Zipped long sleeves;
- Many pockets;
- Easy to clean;
It is based on 1.2 mm premium cowhide leather – warm and easy to clean. A crossover front closure in this sophisticated leather jacket closes up to the neck.
The Buyer’s Guide
Types of leather motorcycle jackets
- For cruiser drivers;
- Sport motorcycle jackets;
- Touring style;
- Cafe racer jackets;
Material
There are two different fabrics used for motorcycle jackets – textile and genuine leather.
The smaller, smoother, more convenient, and tougher leather is of a better standard. Lower-quality and cheaper-priced jackets utilize lower-quality leather as a general law. You want a leather jacket that can adapt to your shape and serve like a second skin that’s easy. Leather jackets have better seams and typically last longer.
No matter which one you select, bear in mind that it should be of good quality. Since the best relaxation and least discomfort can be assured by good quality products.
When you face a crash, the standard of products still falls into focus. Low-quality fabrics would not be able to provide you with any form of protection, so the body will experience some significant harm and trauma.
The optimal thickness of a high-quality jacket is between 1.2 and 1.4 millimeters, which will provide you with adequate security during a crash to mitigate injury.
One of the disadvantages of using leather is that, because it has no pores, it can’t read. Thus, if you are looking for leather coats, it may get a little uncomfortable throughout the season.
Textile jackets are built to breathe well on the other side and are thus a nice choice during the summers. Denim jackets that are of high quality are also available.
However, during the winter, these jackets may get colder since they are ineffective in offering the body’s warmth within. Therefore, the material of the jacket can also adjust depending on the season.
Quality of the seams
When buying a jacket, there are the seams and edges you have to pay attention to:
- Look for jacket seams that should always be on the inner side of the jacket. During accidents, this reduces the likelihood of abrasion;
- The jacket must have the least number of seams, more seams can completely diminish the value of the jacket;
- All seams should be doubled up to help avoid the jacket from opening during a car accident;
Before deciding, another significant factor you should look for is zippers. There are generally two kinds of zippers, either plastic or metal. This relies on individual preference, but the top priority should be maintaining your safety.
Visibility
Black for a motorcycle jacket is one of the most commonly chosen colors. The black jacket looks very elegant and has long been used by the bike, but the downside of using black jackets is that in the dark it has little visibility.
This can cause many problems at night because you may not be spotted in time by a rider of the oncoming traffic. This can place you in a dangerous situation.
You can go for another college classic motorcycle jacket such as orange or yellow, which is more visible than the black. To be honest, these colors are not as traditional as black. But when it comes to riding at night, they are much safer options.
To improve the visibility of a black jacket, the other option you have is to have reflective panels with all of the logos on them. Under the headlights, these panels will shine bright and class keeps you safe.
Safety
Your safety should be one of the top concerns when purchasing a motorcycle jacket. During the worst-case scenarios, a motorcycle jacket should be able to provide the maximum level of protection.
Your most vulnerable parts, like shoulders and elbows, should also be protected by a jacket. Many of the jackets for motorcycles come with body armor that protects.
The armor can now be made up of a few various materials. But while picking the best armor in a jacket, you need to be careful. Make sure that the armor consists of leather and not textiles, as leather is denser than textiles.
And leather stretches under pressure, which helps to disperse the pressure over a large surface area, reducing the effect. The best material for armor, ideally, is either kevlar or leather.
Fitting
Another essential factor that you need to consider. The one that suits you the best will be the best jacket for you. To have the best fitting jacket you have to keep in mind a couple of things.
In either case, the jacket should be snug, no matter whether you’re sitting or standing. It’s a perfect fit if the jacket does not move too much.
The jacket is not meant to make you feel uncomfortable or be stiff. In other terms, you need to be able to openly wave your arms about. And you need both of your arms fully free from some restraint when driving or riding a vehicle, otherwise with males contributing to some severe incidents and injuries.
Check the sleeve length when buying a sweater. It should not be too quick or too long. The jacket sleeve can overlap with the gloves properly.
To avoid injury during a crash, the zipper should be protected properly. As it serves to guarantee that the sleeves do not slide up, you can also check for zippers in the cuff area.
Venting
Since natural leather may get heavy, you want to search for an appropriately vented leather jacket. Either mesh inserts or zippered vents can be opened and closed. Look for the vents in the shoulder/armpit region and back to be positioned in the front. Via the jacket, this would generate a flood of warmth.
Other tips for bikers who wear leather motorcycle jackets:
- Consider the weather type and climate. If you need to dress in warm layers under the jacket, it should be spacious enough. During hot summer days it is better to wear a leather jacket with a good ventilation design;
- The gear should poke the leather material or jab the rider’s skin. The jacket should always be comfortable to fit;
- Your ride style also matters. Sometimes the loose jackets are more preferable than narrow ones;
Video Tutorial: How It’s Made – Motorcycle Jackets
Final thoughts
Leather motorcycle jackets are available with a wide range of features, styles and colors, just like any type of motorcycle-specific clothing that will be sure to fit perfectly with any aesthetic you are trying to groom. The best advice at this point is to pick the leather jacket that is equally safe, stylish and fit your body type.
Z Custom and VANSON best I’ve worn. Currently wear a Milwaukee jacket. Did you wear these brands before rating them?
Hello, Mike! Yes, me and my friends wore them.