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best leather motorcycle jackets

Sportbike Jackets


Cruiser Jackets


Touring Jackets


Key Specs

•DFS armor delivers optimal resistance against impacts and abrasion, and offers exceptional friction control.

•HRSF stretch inserts for optimal abrasion resistance while ensuring enhanced freedom of movement.

•Dedicated ‘Ignition’ graphic for a striking racing-inspired aesthetic.

•Sport fit – highly pre-curved body and arms for enhanced performance.

•Premium bovine leather for superior abrasion resistance.

•Chest compartments can accommodate the Nucleon chest inserts (available as an accessory upgrade).

•Back compartment can accommodate the Nucleon back inserts (available as an accessory upgrade).

•Snap connection system allows integration of the CE-certified Nucleon Race Back protector.

Protection & Safety

•Protective and comfortable Nucleon Flex Pro armor is highly flexible and breathable and has a thin profile for optimum rider comfort.

•According to European statutory law, the CE mark is a conformity requirement for the marketing of this product.

•Fully CE-certified riding garment to CE – Category II prEN17092 standards – AAA class.

Key Specs

•1.1mm-1.3mm race-grade cowhide construction

•Double and triple safety stitching with an aggressive sport fit

•Localized perforation at shoulders chest, torso, and back for maximum airflow

•Aramid reinforcement at forearms and elbows

•Neoprene and Amara suede inner collar for comfort

•Pro racing-derived printed logos and graphics keep weight to a minimum and keeps leather flexible

•CE level 2 certified armor at elbow and shoulders

•Pocket to add CE back protector (sold separately)

•Moisture-wicking anti-microbial mesh liner with 3D air mesh panels

•Vented ergonomic shoulder protector with leather insert

•Reinforced 4-way stretch inserts at arms and chest

•2-piece ergonomic TPU elbow protector with replaceable low friction polyurethane slider

•Tapered neoprene wrist cuff with auto-locking YKK zipper

•Elasticated leather stretch panels at the shoulders, upper arms, and elbows to reduce fatigue

•Short and full connection zipper to attach to leather riding pant to form 2-piece suit

•Dual adjusters at hips

•Reflective details

•YKK zippers used throughout

Protection & Safety

•Race grade cowhide is designed to survive slides at speeds over 160 MPH

•Removable PU pucks on the elbows give you both track day slide protection, and everyday comfort when removed

•CE Level II armor for elbows and shoulders

•Aramid (Kevlar) reinforced lining for forearms and elbows, the most likely slide and tumble zones for the upper body on a track

REV'IT! Matador jacket

Key Specs

•Outer Shell: Monaco Performance Cowhide, PWRshell stretch, neoprene, polyester stretch, 3D air mesh

•Insulation: Detachable thermal liner

•Composition: 76% Leather, 18% Polyamide, 4% Polyester, 2% Elastane

•Fit: Tour fit, regular

•Adjustability: Adjustment strap

•Ventilation: Ventilation panels, partly perforated outer shell

•Features: Water catcher behind front zipper, comfort cuffs, cuff zipper, soft edge collar, stretch, v-flap at cuff

•Pockets: napoleon pocket, inner pocket, slit pockets

Protection & Safety

•Seeflex CE level 2 protection at shoulder and elbow

•TPU protection at shoulder

•Pocket for optional Seesoft CE level 2 Type RV back protector (sold separately)

Type RV / Size 04 fits SM-MD

Type RV / Size 05 fits LG-2XL

Type RV / Size 06 fits 3XL

•Pocket for optional Seesoft CE Level 1 divided chest protector (sold separately)

•Safety seams

•Laminated reflection

Key Specs

• D-skin cowhide leather

• S1 bielastic fabric

• 3D-Bubble fabric inserts

• Air vents on sides

• Breathable Nanofeel liner with Silver ion treatment

• Aerodynamic spoiler

• Bi-axial elasticated inserts

• Jacket-to-pants fastening system

• Lengthened back

• Microelastic 2.0

• Neck comfort construction

• New high performance bottom construction

• Waist adjustment

• Pocket for optional Double Chest protector (sold separately)

• Pocket for optional G2 back protector (sold separately)

• 1 inner pocket

• 2 outer pockets on front

• Integrated reflective inserts

• Replaceable Slider System 2.0 elbow slider

Protection & Safety

• Composite protectors certified to EN 1621.1 Level 1 standard on elbows

• Pro-Armor protectors certified to EN 1621.1 Level 1 standard on shoulders

• Replaceable aluminum plate on shoulder

• Seamless aluminum plates on elbows

• Thermoformed base shoulders

Scorpion 1909

Key Specs

• op-grain leather construction

• Removable EverHeat internal liner

• Pant zipper/belt loop attachment tab

• Two zippered rear vents

• Leather overlays at elbows

• 4 external pockets

• Rib stretch panels as side hems

• Rear waist adjustment tabs

• Zipper closures at wrists

• Antique Brass YKK zippers throughout

• Padded comfort collar

• Two internal mesh pockets

• Removable EverHeat jacket liner with Kwikwick panels

• 8” jacket to pant zipper and rear belt loop attachment tab

Protection & Safety

• Sas-Tec Level 2 armor at elbows and shoulders

• Pocket at back for optional Sas-Tec back protector (sold separately)


Merlin Gable WP Jacket

Key Specs

• 1.3-1.4mm Tape Seamed Single Layer Waterproof Two-Tone Cowhide Leather

• Fixed Mesh Inner Lining To Aid Breathability

• Detachable 125g Thermal Full Body Lining

• YKK® Zippers Used Throughout

Protection & Safety

• D3O® LP1 Shoulder And Elbow Protectors Pre-Fitted (CE Compliance To EN1621)

• D3O® Viper Large (CE Compliance To EN1621)

• CE EN17092 AAA

Key Specs

• GT Racer premium full grain cowhide leather (1-1.2mm thickness)

• Detailed rocker style with shorty snap collar and offset zipper

• Aggressive riding fit with rotated, pre-curved sleeves

• Dropped back length and relaxed collar opening

• Quilted shoulder and lower back accents

• Reinforced riveted elbows

• Perforated leather interior trims

• Zip sleeve pocket, side waist adjust, front pockets and interior chest pocket

• Satin poly lining with custom RSD repeat “numbers” heat embossed branding

• Soft lined electronics security pocket

• Stretch mesh cargo stuff pockets

Protection & Safety

• Includes CE EN 1621:2021-1 certified SAS-TEC flex elbow and shoulder armor

• Armor ready back protector pocket (back protector sold separately)

• CE approved to CE EN 17092:2020 as a Class AA garment

First Manufacturing Vendetta Jacket

Key Specs

• Generous American cut

• Lightweight distressed sheepskin

• Mandarin collar

• Removable zip-out hoodie

• Chest pockets

• Two chest vents

• Fully vented

• Two snap slash pockets

• Zipper on each sleeve

• Permanent mesh liner

• Action back

• Full sleeve, zip-out, insulated thermal liner

• Concealed carry pockets with tapered holster for a more stable fit

Protection & Safety

• Pockets for optional CE 1 armor (sold separately)

• Lifetime warranty on hardware and zipper

Helite Leather Airbag JAcket

Key Specs

• Runs small, order one size larger than the size chart suggests

• Airbag fully inflates in less than 0.1 seconds

• 1.3mm cow leather

• FreeAir mesh vents in armpits

• Wrist fasteners

• Comfortable open soft collar

• Removable 100% polyester thermal liner

• Integrated CO2 cartridge with tether (60cc for MD-2XL, 100cc for 3XL-4XL)

Protection & Safety

• Jacket-style body-worn protective air bag system

• Removable Sas-Tec Level 2 back protector

• Knox CE certified shoulder and elbow protectors

First Manufacturing Street Cruiser

Key Specs

1.0 mm cowhide leather

Chest and back vents

YKK zippers

Protection & Safety

• Generous American cut

• Soft naked cowhide leather

• Concealed gun pockets

• Removable hood

• Single snap mandarin collar

• Vented zipper chest pockets and two lower snap pockets

• Grommets for vented underarm comfort

• Two inner pockets

• Perforated action back

• Full sleeve zip out liner

• Pockets for optional armor (sold separately)

What makes leather a good material for a motorcycle jacket?

Leather is an excellent material for motorcycle applications because it naturally has very high abrasion resistance. Leather is also mostly waterproof, or at the least water resistant, without needing any special treatments or membranes. Lastly, if cared for correctly, a leather jacket can last a decade or longer, making it a very worthwhile investment

What is the difference between genuine leather and synthetic leather for motorcycle uses?

Genuine leather is made from high quality animal hides and is more durable, while synthetic leather such as superfabric and microfiber is man-made. Real leather tends to offer better abrasion resistance and provide a premium feel to the gear. Synthetic leather is mostly used in applications other than jackets, but some European brands such as Dainese, REV'IT!, and Alpinestars do have sport jackets made out of synthetic leather materials.

What characteristics should I look for in a high quality leather motorcycle jacket?

If the jacket advertises genuine leather, it will always also tell you what type of hide is used and the minimum thickness, as that is a regulation gear manufacturers must abide by. If it says genuine leather but doesn’t list the hide, it’s not real leather. You will want to look for a minimum thickness of 0.8mm, preferably, 1.0mm or greater, as well as CE rated armor and a CE EN17092 tag inside the jacket rating it at least grade A. Lastly, all the seams in the jacket at a minimum should be double stitched. If you can find all those features in the jacket you’re looking at, it’s a high quality jacket.

Are specific types of leather used?

In motorcycle gear, the leather used is what is known as “Full Grain Leather,” and is most commonly cowhide, goat hide (mostly used for gloves), or kangaroo leather. What this means is that each part of the piece of gear is made the top layer of the animal hide, just beneath the hair/fur, where the grain pattern is very tight and the fibers are very dense. This leather can also be treated with dyes, waxes, and the like without risking damaging the structure of the hide.

Do leather motorcycle jackets come with built in armor?

Most jackets will come with at least elbow and shoulder armor, but some jackets only come with the pockets for the armor, without including the armor as some riders prefer to choose what armor brand they use. If the jacket does come with armor, its description on the tag, website, or the like will rate it as having CE Level I or Level II armor included. Almost all jackets come with a pocket in the liner for a back protector, which is highly recommended to use.

I’ve heard you need to break in leather, do I have to break in a leather jacket?

It varies from jacket to jacket. Some jackets come broken in already, either through a process called tumbling (spinning it slowly in a big drum with small steel balls) or distressing (putting the jacket on a form that pushes out against the jacket with light force). Other jackets need for you to break them in, and the best way to do that is to simply wear it around the house for a day or two, then start taking it for rides. In general, because riders want to get their new jacket and start riding right away, 90% of leather jackets come already broken in.