Guide to shop for a Motorcycle Jacket

No matter how and what you ride, there is a motorcycle jacket that will fit your style and needs. With a wide range of motorcycle jackets available it can sometimes create a problem.

How do you choose the right motorcycle jacket that will best fit your style of riding? A leather cruiser jacket may be the best option for a cruiser rider, but it could be the worst for and Adventure touring rider.

In this guide, we will break down all of the different types jackets from each other. By the end, you should have a pretty good idea of which style and type of construction is best for you and your riding style.

Cruiser

The classic styles of motorcycle jackets that have become synonymous with motorcycling all fall under the category of cruiser jackets. Leather is far and away the most common material used to construct cruiser jackets. That being said, synthetic textiles and cotton are growing in popularity. Fashion and comfort are the two largest driving factors behind cruiser jackets. The fit is generally on the looser side to provide more room for comfort. Armor is usually little to none, though more and more offerings are starting to come with the jacket as the armor technology improves and becomes less intrusive.

The classic styles of motorcycle jackets that have become synonymous with motorcycling all fall under the category of cruiser jackets. Leather is far and away the most common material used to construct cruiser jackets. That being said, synthetic textiles and cotton are growing in popularity. Fashion and comfort are the two largest driving factors behind cruiser jackets. The fit is generally on the looser side to provide more room for comfort. Armor is available usually in the elbow, shoulders and a back pad.

Sport / Street

Sport jackets are often seen as a more casual or relaxed version of a racing jacket with a few more features. The cut is very similar to meet the needs of the sport bike riding position, but the fit is a bit more loose and relaxed. Unlike racing jackets, street jackets are commonly made from leather as well as textiles. For more seasonal versatility, venting and removable liners are often included in sport bike jackets. Pockets are still minimal, but there are usually more on a sport jacket compared to a race jacket. Armor is very common in most sport bike jackets.

Racing

Motorcycle racing jackets need to be constructed with high abrasion resistant materials due to the risk of high speed crashes. A thick cowhide is often the best and most common material used for the jacket due to its excellent abrasion resistance. Synthetic stretch panels are placed in key areas to aid in rider mobility. Internal armor and external TPU sliders are common to provide protection against high speed impacts and slides. Pockets are minimal to none. Motorcycle racing jackets have a very tight fit to be more aerodynamic. The sleeves are pre-curved to fit the tucked riding position, which helps to reduce rider fatigue. A zipper is often included on the bottom hem of the jacket to attach it to a pair of racing pants. This will prevent the jacket from sliding up during a slide.

Adventure / Dual Sport

Adventure touring/dual sporting continues to grow, so does the gear that is specifically tailored for it. Adventure jackets need to accommodate the variety of different riding situations that you may come across on your ride. They are almost always made with highly durable textiles that are waterproof/breathable. Armor is almost always included. You will find plenty of venting and often an insulated liner so that you are prepared for all temperatures. Adventure jackets generally have a range of pockets to be able to haul more gadgets and necessities for longer trips. The cut of the jacket comes below the waist for the best coverage for riding in an upright position or standing, both of which are common positions on the bikes.

Leather VS. Textile

This is one of the more heated topics that can be discussed about motorcycle jackets. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. It's important to match those advantages and disadvantages to your riding style and preferences to determine which material best suits you. In the end it will be a personal decision. There is no real cut and dry answer.

The major advantage of leather motorcycle jackets is their abrasion resistance. A jacket made with a top quality leather is your best option to provide protection from road rash. This is why the main chassis of all of the top motorcycle racing jackets are made with leather. Many people choose leather for the aesthetic aspect as well. Leather always looks amazing and has a long history of being the material of choice for motorcycle jackets.

Where leather jackets don't perform as well as textiles is when it is raining and when it is hot. Leather can be treated to be water resistant, but it will eventually give way to the moisture. Perforation can make wearing leather more tolerable in the heat, but it still cannot compare to some textile jackets, especially mesh ones. Leather can also be fairly heavy, which can accelerate rider fatigue.

Textile motorcycle jackets can be far more versatile than most leather jackets. Because textile fabrics are easier to work with, you will usually find far more features built into a textile motorcycle jacket. Textile jackets can be made waterproof fairly easily, which is a huge advantage for riders who know they will encounter adverse weather. Textiles breathe very well and often have great ventilation, making them a preferred choice for many in warmer weather. Compared to leather, textile jackets are often much lighter in weight and are far more flexible.

While the advancements in the textiles over the years have made them far more durable, they are still not on the same level as a good leather. Textiles, especially mesh, do not have the same abrasion resistance qualities that leather has. Jackets made with textile materials need to be strategically constructed in layers to get the most abrasion resistance. Textiles often tend to wear out much faster than high quality leather as well.

It's very important to get a motorcycle jacket that fits you as best as possible. A jacket that is too large will be more prone to riding up during a slide, leaving your skin exposed. If the jacket has armor, it is likely to move out of position if the jacket is too large. A motorcycle jacket that is too small can make you work harder every time you move, which could lead to rider fatigue very early. It could also cut off blood flow.

Many motorcycle jackets come with fitment adjusters on the waist, sides and sleeves. These are very useful for getting a very personalized fit for yourself. They also work very well at eliminating any extra material from flapping in the wind, which can cause buffeting and even accelerated wear to the jacket.