0

What Is The Best Motorcycle Jacket? (2020 Reviews)

Although many folks want to look and feel good in their motorcycle jacket, aesthetics pale in comparison to the functionality of a motorcycle jacket. Likely, your motorcycle jacket is second in importance only to your helmet. These two items are essential if you’ll be regularly riding your motorcycle. That’s because they not only keep you safe but could save your life one day.

In this guide, we’re going to round up the best motorcycle jackets available today and give you the scoop on each. Before we get to our top picks, let’s dive into the most frequently asked questions to help get everyone up to par when flipping through this guide.

Aside from answering some common questions, we’ll give you the run-down on the essential aspects of motorcycle jackets. It’s a good idea to know what features you should look out for and consider when weighing options before purchasing.

The 8 Best Motorcycle Jackets

Here we’ve rounded up some of our favorite picks. You’ll find a variety of styles, materials, and price points to choose from. In each review, you’ll see the pros, cons, and key features.

Remember that the jacket simply needs to suit your needs, so if you see features listed in cons, and it doesn’t apply to your riding situation, it still may be an excellent jacket for you.

Alpinestars Viper V2 Air Motorcycle Jacket

The armor in this jacket is unmatched and will help keep you safe. The jacket comes complete with back and chest padding, shoulder, and elbow armor, and abrasion-resistant and waterproof Denier poly-fabric. The jacket offers a sleek look that most folks won’t mind wearing around at their destination, eliminating the need to pack extra clothing.

Milano Sport Gamma Motorcycle Jacket

If you’re looking for a jacket suited for casual wear or daily commute, go ahead and skip this one. This jacket offers many protective elements that are best suited towards a rider who will make use of its functionality. It’s designed with waterproofed materials, a mesh ventilation system, armored padding, and more standard features. The jacket also features removable thermal quilted liners.

Joe Rocket Superego Men’s Hybrid

This super useful dual-material jacket functions as a protective, abrasion-proof jacket for those city commutes and off-road riding alike. It features a variable flow ventilation system, allowing airflow through the mesh lining at zipping off panels to be used at the body’s hottest areas, including the torso, back, and underarms. This jacket is also compatible with C.E. certified spine protectors for those that want to upgrade later.

HWK Mesh Motorcycle Jacket

This sport style jacket is functional and safe for both street and off-road riders. It comes with a velcroed collar closure, adjustable waist, forearms, and wrists for increased fit options. The outer shell is made from 3D macro and micro-mesh panels with polyester 600D Cordura fabric used on the highest impact areas. This jacket is great for summer riding as it will keep you cool. Reflective detailing helps you maintain visibility in darker riding conditions.

Joe Rocket Resistor Mesh Jacket

This motorcycle jacket by Joe Rocket is a mesh riding jacket that comes with a full range of features at an affordable price point. The C.E. certified armor in the elbows and shoulders can be accessed and replaced externally via zippered compartments. The high strength fabric includes 600-denier polyester, which is abrasion-resistant and UV resistant. It has additional nylon fabric over the shoulders and elbows for increased durability.

Leather Teknik Armored Leather Motorcycle Jacket

The Leather Teknik armored riding jacket is an excellent option for those looking for full protection jackets that are useful in a range of weather and riding conditions. The outer leather cowhide material protects from abrasion, while the reflective detailing helps you maintain visibility. Since the jacket doesn’t have the tightest fit, you can add layers for warmth. The interior polyester liner is removable for those riding in warmer temperatures.

Viking Cycle Textile Warlock Biker Jacket

This lightweight, breathable jacket is an excellent option for those riding in consistently warm temperatures. Some of the additional pockets restrict airflow, so if you’re in a humid climate, this jacket may be slightly too warm for you. The jacket features an adjustable fit, visibility at 360 degrees, added armored protection that’s removable and upgradeable.

Milwaukee Leather Men’s Classic Motorcycle Jacket

This jacket is light enough and comfortable to wear in any weather conditions. The vintage look is appealing to many, and the leather will help you achieve protection from abrasion. The simple design includes exterior pockets for storage and laces upsides to achieve a more secure fit. The half-belt helps keep the jacket safe at the waist.

Motorcycle Jacket FAQ

Will my motorcycle jacket keep me warm in colder temperatures?
A leather riding jacket could potentially keep you warm if you’re riding around in colder temperatures. Many riders find that a leather jacket doesn’t offer much warmth in cold weather, yet can feel very warm in warmer temperatures.

If you’d like to stick with a leather jacket, your best bet is to find one that comes with a textile liner. A well-made leather jacket will fit well, keep you protected and keep you warm if it has the textile liner inside. Many liners are removable so that you can stay cooler in those warmer riding conditions.

What’s the best kind of jacket for a hotter climate?

For those riders who find themselves out in the heat of the day or riding through the long days of summer, a jacket that keeps you fresh is vital. Riding in gear that makes you too hot could put you at risk, especially if you’re prone to dehydration.

To keep safe and healthy, you could go for a mesh motorcycle jacket. These jackets are made with proper ventilation in mind, allowing air to move through the coat, while still keeping you safe. You needn’t worry about a lack of protection with a mesh jacket since they’re often equipped with strategically placed armor and a range of other safety features.

Are leather jackets better than textile made?

If you’re in the market for a great riding jacket, you’re bound to come across the debate of leather jackets versus textile made jackets. For the most part, leather jackets are preferred for one main reason, and that’s your safety. An adequately prepared leather riding jacket is made to protect you from road rash or abrasion in the event you hit the road.

Are motorcycle jackets waterproof?

The typical leather riding jacket isn’t going to be waterproof, but they are mostly water repellent. If you’re concerned about getting wet in the rain, a leather jacket is likely to keep most water out, but not all. In light to medium drizzle, you should be OK. For riding in more massive or consistently rainy climates, you may opt for a jacket with better waterproofing.

What’s the best way to keep my motorcycle jacket clean and free of smells?

Everyone is certainly aware that if you take care of your things, they will last longer, that goes without saying when it comes to your riding jacket. Since a motorcycle jacket is an investment in your safety, you likely want to know the best way to care for it to increase its lifespan.

Leather

If you have a leather riding jacket, you can use a soft, wet cloth to clean the exterior of the coat and allow it to dry. You may want to spray it with a waterproofing solution to help keep moisture out of the cowhide. You can treat the jacket now with leather balm, oil, or vaseline if you’re willing.

This will help keep the jacket from drying out and keep it soft and pliable. With regular cleaning, the coat should last you a long time to come.

Textile

If you have a textile made jacket, you’ll want to read all materials provided with the jacket since most manufacturers will provide cleaning and care instructions. Your instructions will vary based on the materials used in your coat.

Many textile made jackets will be safe for machine wash. If your jacket has become dirty or smelly, you can use more detergent or cleaning boosters. Hang your coat to air dry and further treat it with a waterproofing spray to help keep moisture and dirt out.

Motorcycle Jacket Buyer’s Guide

Before you get started with considering your favorite riding jacket options, here are a few key features you’ll want to take note of. This short guide will help give you some reminders, so you’re not left with the buyer’s regret later on down the road.

Price Point

Some folks don’t need to consider price heavily with their purchase since they feel comfortable making the initial investment into gear that will hopefully last and keep them safe. Others may want to pick a broad price range to accommodate their budget. Since motorcycle jackets can range anywhere from $50 to $1000, it’s always a good idea to have at least a price bracket in mind when you’re looking over the options.

Fabric Choice

The two main types of motorcycle jackets are those made of leather and those made of other textiles. Leather jackets can range in price and quality, and you’ll pay a higher dollar amount for top quality leather since it offers the most protection from abrasion.

If you consistently ride in warm to hot weather, you might find the weight and warmth of a leather jacket unrealistic. Textile jackets tend to be lighter in weight and more comfortable all around. Since they aren’t made of abrasion-proof leather, many are manufactured with other features like armor, venting materials, and leather accents to help make them more protective.

Style Preference

Four types of motorcycle jackets are the most common. Here’s a quick run down of features for each.

• Racing – These are tight-fitting jackets made typically made with high abrasion-resistant materials, added internal armor, and exterior sliders.
• Cruiser – These jackets are the ones people most often think of and are usually made from cowhide with a relaxed fit, often they don’t come with armor.
• Adventure/dual sport – This style of jacket typically comes with armor built-in or the option to purchase additional armor to use in them. The coats often made from breathable and waterproof textiles with key features like liners, ventilation, and higher collars for extra coverage.
• Street/sport – You’ll find this style of jacket to have a more relaxed fit than that of a racing jacket but typically include a removable liner, and all the protective features you might find in a racing jacket.

Reflective Detailing

Many jackets come with some reflective detailing throughout the coat to help increase your visibility at night. This is an important safety feature, especially for those who will regularly ride at night. Even a simple reflective logo might make a difference in your safety and visibility.

Lining

Motorcycle jackets can come with a range of liners, both removable and non-removable. They can come in the form of a vest or full sleeves inside the jacket to help keep warm. Some have a waterproofing design. Liners aren’t completely necessary but can be useful for folks, depending on their typical riding conditions.

Ventilation

Riding in warmer conditions can get uncomfortably, quickly. For relief from the heat, look for jackets that have some type of ventilation system. You may find some jackets with mesh detailing or zippers to help with ventilation and those with ve complete ventilation systems built-in.

Armor Availability

You can find armored jackets in a range of styles. Some armor is built into the coat, replaceable (such as replaceable screw-in sliders), and some can purchased to put into pre-made pockets. Some “armor” in jackets are areas like knees and elbows that have multiple layers of fabric for added protection.

Keep in mind that you’ll want to assure your armor is C.E. approved and find a jacket that protects all of your high impact areas.

Customizations & Adjustability

A well-fitting jacket will help keep you more protected. Look for jackets that have adjustable fits at the neck, waist, sleeves. Fit adjusters can also help keep water out of your jacket when riding in wet weather.

Safety

It’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetics of a jacket, many folks do. Motorcycle collisions and accidents can lead to severe injuries, and too often, fatalities. Although you may be an experienced and tactful rider, you share the road with others who may not be as diligent on the way as you.

For that reason, choosing a jacket that takes your safety needs into consideration above all else, should be the priority. Leather jackets offer the most abrasion protection. Leather also has more give to it, allowing for the fabric to stretch rather than tear. Many jackets integrate armor into the jacket seamlessly. Always be diligent on the road and be safe riding.

Final Verdict

When it comes down to a final review and various user testing, we found that our top favorites from this line up were Alpinestars Viper V2 Air Motorcycle Jacket as the higher-end model and the HWK Mesh Motorcycle Jacket as the budget model.

We know that some people are looking for the most aesthetically pleasing jacket, and while we don’t discount that, we left the look of the jacket somewhat towards the low end of priority here. We tested jackets for functionality, affordability with the most protective elements.

Both of these jackets are great for the beginner, intermediate, and experienced rider. We felt that both were functional for street and city riding, were great options for a daily commute, and were useful in a range of weather conditions. Both options allow for a jacket that provides an extended return on investment as they are well made, protective, and built to last.

We hope that you found this guide helpful and informative and wish you the best in finding a jacket that suits all your needs!