Get that timeless look (and stay safe) with a leather motorbike jacket

Leather motorcycle jackets are the go-to option for many riders for a variety of reasons. They come in a whole range of styles, from sports jackets to retro jackets as well as touring jacket designs. Leather motorcycle jackets can also be casual and not scream ‘motorcyclist’ at the top of their voice, which can be useful if you’re on the bike but also, want to spend some time off it when you arrive at your destination or, indeed, en route.

Most importantly though, leather motorcycle jackets offer exceptional protection. Leather is one of the most abrasion-resistant materials available (hence why racing suits are made of leather) and is most likely to protect you in the event of an off that sees you sliding down the road.

They can also help create an image of you and your bike, from old-school racer to biker bad-boy. In fact, many non-motorcycling leather jackets have taken their cues from garments developed and used on the road – look at Marlon Brando’s jacket in The Wild One, for example.

Sporty leather jackets

Sports styled leather jackets tend be longer in the back and shorter in the front to prevent rucking when in the tucked position. There are usually a lot of options within this bracket of leather jackets. See our full list of sporty leather jackets.

Retro leather jackets

Retro kit tends to feature details like quilting and poppers, focusing on the old school look that is required to look the part on a retro bike. Take a look here at our selection of retro leather jackets.

Waterproof leather jackets

Waterproof leather jackets aren’t very common, with modern textile materials tending to be more effective at this job. Below are a few waterproof options that we found.

Leather jackets for women

We are seeing more and more ladies kit options available for female riders, with more flattering fits and designs. The cut of a ladies jacket will of course need to be different to that of a men’s jacket, allowing for a curvier torso.

What to look for in a leather motorcycle jacket

In practical terms, modern leather will look cool, should protect you from at least a slide and a tumble and can even help keep you warm and dry. It will feature armour like any motorcycling jacket – at the shoulders and elbows and if it doesn’t come with one, should have a pocket for an optional back protector and possibly chest protection too. These will have a of level 1 or the higher-specification and more impact-absorbent Level-2 so check.

The jacket itself should also be CE rated, with a B, A, AA or AAA rating, AAA being the most abrasion-resistant and with the most secure construction. You could also look for a removable thermal liner to help keep you warm on a chilly ride and a degree of water-resistance may also be present though not as effective as a proper waterproof textile, for example. If it looks like rain, then grab yourself a set of throw-over waterproofs, as we looked at recently.

We’ve pulled together a selection of the different types of leather jacket available, covering sporty, retro, waterproof and those designed for women.

About the author: After qualifying as a mechanical engineer, Jim Blackstock began working on magazines in the early 1990s. He remains passionate about product testing to ensure readers know what products offer good value and why. He relishes torrential rain to see if riding kit keeps water out and an hour or two to tinker on a project bike in his workshop.

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