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Entry-Level

Priced under $300.

Best Cruiser Jacket

Mid-Range

Priced $300 - $500.

Best Cruiser Jacket

High-End

Priced $500+.

REV'IT! Eclipse 2 jacket

Key Specs

• Fit: Slim/Tapered European cut

• Construction: Abrasion-resistant 600-denier polyester construction. Mesh lining

• Ventilation: Polyester mesh panels at the front, back and inner arms

• Comfort: Adjustment tabs at the cuffs, upper arms and waist. Wind catcher behind front zipper

• Pockets: Inner pocket, Two slit pockets on front

• Other Features: Jeans loop, V-flap at cuff

Protection & Safety

• SEESMART CE Level 1 elbow and shoulder armor included

• Pocket for SEESOFT CE Level 2 back protector (sold separately)

• CE approved to EN17092 as a Class A garment

Key Specs

• Construction: Elasticated denim

• Comfort: Waist adjustment

• Pockets: One inner pocket and four outer pockets

Protection & Safety

• Soft Pro-Shape Level 1 protectors on shoulders and elbows

• Pocket for optional G1 or G2 back protector

• EN 17092 A certified motorbike garment

Street & Steel Lane Splitter 2

Key Specs

• Combined 120z denim vest and heavy cotton hoodie

• Zippered front with full YKK zippers

• Two chest and two lower pockets

• Back panel for adding patches

Protection & Safety

• CE level 2 elbow and shoulder armor

• Pocket for optional AXIAL back protector (sold separately)

• Black reflective accents on shoulders

Key Specs

• Generous American cut

• Single snap mandarin collar

• Padded shoulder detail

• Two vented chest pockets

• Two lower zip pockets

• Zipper vent on each sleeve

• Padded elbow and kidney area

• Zippered cuff

• Two inner pockets

• Grommets under each arm

• Snap side tab adjustment

• Full sleeve zip out liner

• Pockets for optional armor (sold separately)

Protection & Safety

• Leather chassis lends itself to the best abrasion resistance you can get and increased durability for everyday use

• Padded shoulders, elbows, and kidneys

• CE rated armor is not included—so you’ll need to upgrade if you want exceptional impact protection

• Mandarin style collar is comfortable for all-day wear and keeps you focused on the road ahead

• Removable full sleeve liner included to keep you warm in cooler weather and allow some versatility when the temps increase


REV'IT! Trucker Jacket

Key Specs

• 15.5oz Cordura stretch denim with integrated Coolmax and Thermolite elements

• Connection zipper for the Safeway 2 belt

• Reflective tab on back below neck

• Prepared for SEESOFT TYPE RV back protector (sold separately)

Protection & Safety

• CE level 1 shoulder and elbow armor

• CE certified to EN 17092-3:2020

Merlin Shenstone Air D3O Jacket

Key Specs

• Halley Stevensons 8oz Cotec fabric

• Large ventilation panels at torso and inner arm

• Reissa Active® waterproof / breathable removable liner

• Quilted shoulders

• Hook and loop sleeve adjusters at biceps

• YKK / Max zippers

• Merlin branded snaps at pockets and wrist closures

• YKK jacket to pants connection zipper

Protection & Safety

• D30 LP1 shoulder and elbow armor included

• Included D30 Viper Stealth back protector

Icon Stormhawk Waterproof Jacket

Key Specs

• ICON® Relaxed Fit

• Hycor Membrane Waterproof/Breathable Chassis

• Jacket Tested and Certified According to FprEN 17092-4:2018 Class A

• D30® LP1 Removable Shoulder, Elbow, and Back Impact Protectors – EN 1621-2:2014 / EN 1621-1:2012, Level 1, T-, T+

• Full Length Removable Liner, YKK® Matte Finish Waterproof Zippers, Front and Back Zipper Vents, Jacket/Pant Interlock System

Protection & Safety

The Stormhawk jacket is weatherproof with the essential breathable waterproof membrane riders demand, keeping the jacket lightweight and reducing fatigue.

• Internal abrasion resistance from unique 600 Denier polyester

• Comes standard with the newest in armor advancements, D3O CE-Certified LP1 impact protectors, in the shoulders and elbows—more breathable and flexible than previous generations of impact protectors, improving the jacket’s overall comfort without sacrificing protection

• A D3O CE Level 1 Viper back protector is also included, rounding out the full impact suite

For warmth in chilly conditions during Spring and Fall, a full-length insulated liner is also included. For warmer conditions, large exterior front & back vents, sealed with YKK® Aquagard™ zippers, provide significant airflow.

The Stormhawk jacket can be worn alone or can be zipped directly to the Icon Stormhawk pants, assisting further with abrasion resistance and creating a slick touring suit.

Scorpion EXO 1909 Jacket

Key Specs

• Soft distressed leather

• Sas-Tec Level 2 armor at elbows and shoulders

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

• Perforated panels underarms and sides of torso

• 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

Scorpion’s nod to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the legends that were born there on two wheels, the 1909 Jacket seamlessly combines nostalgia with modern technology.

• Chassis made from soft distressed leather, which lends itself to the abrasion resistance you deserve on the street

• Fantastic impact protection in the form of CE Level 2 SAS-Tec armor comes standard in the elbows and shoulders

• A back protector pocket is included, but the armor itself will need to be purchased separately

• Adjustability in the waist—as well as ribbed side panels—allows for a custom fit and will keep you comfortable and focused on the road ahead

• Full removable insulated liner also included that will keep you warm in the colder temps

• Perforated panels under the arms and zippered vents help keep you cool in the warmer temps

• Jacket-to-pants connection zipper will keep the jacket in place during a slide, adding to the already high-level of abrasion resistance

Key Specs

• UK-sourced 10oz waxed cotton construction

• Bonded waterproof membrane with sealed seams

• Abrasion resistant Cordura panels at shoulders and elbows

• Zip-in quilted thermal liner

• Corduroy-lined collar with buckle closure

• Corduroy-lined adjustable cuffs and inner waist

• Two patch pockets at chest

• Two zippered handwarmer pockets

• Vented underarms

• Quilted reinforcements on shoulders and elbows

• Buckle waist adjustment with cover to protect paint

• Rubberized bottom snap

• Removable D30 T5 EVO X armor at the shoulders and elbows

• Logo patch on left sleeve

• CE rated class A riding garment

Protection & Safety

Cleverly crafted from 10 ounce waxed cotton for a retro look, the Brooklands 2.0 Jacket unites the vintage racer style with modern technology. The shell is a classic silhouette, but secretly hides a seam-sealed, waterproof internal membrane underneath, which guarantees dryness in even the harshest conditions.

• High-tenacity Cordura panels for fantastic abrasion protection in major impact zones

• Diamond-stitched exterior panels are located above the internal D3O T5 EVO X armor in both the shoulders and elbows

• A pocket is included for a back protector, but that will need to be purchased separately

For cooler temperatures, the Belstaff Brooklands 2.0 jacket includes a detachable heavy (150 gram) thermal liner. Cozy corduroy detailing at the inner cuffs, collar and waist help to keep your core temperature up as comfortably as possible, and these fine finishes don’t hurt the look or high-end feel, either.

Also included are adjustable neck and cuff openings, as well as vented underarms—all with durable and upscale brass hardware. Race-inspired tailoring has the Brooklands 2.0 Jacket fall higher on the hip, keeping the jacket in place when seated on a long ride or on a spin to the local coffee shop.

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

What is a “Cruiser style” motorcycle jacket?

The term actually originates from early 20th century lumberjacking, when men would do a “Timber cruise” down a line of trees on a motorcycle to determine the average marketable value of the raw materials. They needed rugged jackets that were windproof and waterproof, that had waist pockets that closed to hold their notepads and pens, and were often made of leather for those reasons. When cruisers as a style of motorcycle emerged in force after World War II, the jackets were adopted by the cruiser crowd for their “Rebellious” look, and the rest is history.

What materials make the best cruiser jacket?

It used to be that leather was the be all, end all of cruiser jackets. In modern times, you can now get a cruiser jacket that is made from synthetic materials like polyester, or a combination of organic and synthetic materials like Cordura, but more often than not, leather is the preferred material for those that ride cruisers. You want to look for leather that is at least 1.0 mm thick or thicker, and for the synthetic or combination materials a rating of at least 450D, for the best abrasion resistance.

Is the biker-style jacket I bought from the leather store a good cruiser jacket?

Absolutely, unequivocally NO. A “biker-style” jacket is made to look like a proper cruiser jacket, but does not have the correct materials, nor the protection features, that a proper cruiser jacket has. They may look stylish and there’s nothing wrong with that, but do not use a non-motorcycle certicfied leather jacket on a motorcycle!!

How safe are riding shirts and riding hoodies?

These styles of riding gear are relatively new on the market, yet many offer the same level of protection that a jacket would provide. They feature the same type of armor, and many are at least 450D in abrasion resistance or have kevlar backing underneath a natural material on the exterior. The most important bit is that they are CE EN17092 certified, with many receiving an A or AA grade (good and very good), meaning that they have passed the minimum durability and abrasion tests to be qualified as personal protective equipment for motorcycles

What should I look for in a good cruiser jacket?

Nowadays, a good cruiser jacket should at the very least have elbow and shoulder armor, have a pocket for a back protector, and be weather- and water-proof. For leather jackets, some form of ventilation, either through micro-perforation or zippered vents, is also necessary as leather does not breathe as well as textiles do. For riding shirts and hoodies, you want to look for at least 400D abrasion resistance, and they should be armored with either non-Newtonian impact foam or TPU armor like D3O.

Are the expensive cruiser jackets actually worth it?

That depends on your definition of “Worth it.” The more expensive jackets often have additional features such as CE Level 2 armor and/or use premium grade materials, such as racing-grade leather at 1.2 mm to offer extra abrasion resistance. If you want the absolute best of the best materials and protection, then yes, they are worth it, otherwise any of the jackets in the entry level or mid-range recommendations will still give you excellent protection.

How safe are cruiser jackets?

Seeing as at least 60% of the jackets in this market are made of, or have parts that are leather, cruiser jackets are astoundingly safe. Leather is used for motorcycle gear for the simple fact that it has some of the best abrasion resistance available, as well as is durable and naturally water- and weatherproof. With proper care and maintenance, they can quite literally last decades.

Can cruiser jackets be used for any other type of riding?

Absolutely. Most riding gear is “cross-compatible” with riding styles not in their niche, for example a sportbike jacket being used on a cruiser and vice versa. The most common crossover is with the neo-retro crowd, as many cruiser jackets have a 1950s/1960s classic look as part of their design.