Tested: The Best Leather Motorcycle Jackets To Wear On & Off the Bike

Motorcycles and riding culture has massively evolved over the last century-or-so, though one staple that remains unchanged is the use of leather riding jackets. Shielding their wearer from slides in the event of a crash (and from impacts when equipped with onboard armor), these hide construction second skins remain one of the best options for protection when out on two wheels. Between purpose-built pieces of riding gear and more casual biker-style garments, there’s an absolutely enormous number of options currently on the market. In a bid to simplify your shopping experience, we’ve thoroughly scoured the segment, compiling a list of the latest and greatest options before individually putting them to the test in this guide to and review of the best leather motorcycle jackets. 

Selection & Testing

Because there are so many leather riding jackets on the market, we kicked off our efforts for finding the very best by first breaking the larger space down into sub-sectors (such as best cafe jacket, best sport jacket, etc). From there, we made a list of criteria that would be used to judge each jacket, scrutinizing areas such as design, material selection (i.e. leather type and thickness), liner, armor and padding, versatility, and value and price. Focusing on these areas, we were then able to generate a shortlist of jackets that we suspected may represent the latest and greatest, selecting two-to-three jackets from each sub-space. 

With our shortlist in hand, we then proceeded to source samples of each and every leather riding jacket in order to put them to the test and experience them for ourselves. Getting hands-on with these jackets helped to review key areas that can’t be gleaned through reading product descriptions or spec sheets, such as each jacket’s overall airflow, range-of-motion, weight, fitment, and comfort. In order to get this firsthand intel, we used each jacket for a week to commute to and from the office. 

Because leather motorcycle jackets can serve as both riding gear while on-the-bike, and casual daily-wear and statement pieces when out-of-the-saddle, we also spent an extended period rocking each jacket off of the motorcycle. Actually testing out each jacket also helped to shine a light on other pivotal areas such as build quality and craftsmanship. 

Once our hands-on testing process was complete, we then used our firsthand findings to narrow our original shortlist down to a final selection of what we found to be the very best leather motorcycle jackets currently available. We also had several runner-ups that came extremely close to receiving a main spot on this list — several of which can be found in our honorable mentions section at the very bottom of this review.  

Measurements: I stand at a skinny 6’ 2” and tip the scales at around 175lbs. I wear a size 32” waist, and typically wear a size large shirt (or a 52 in Euro sizing). As such, we used a size large for each jacket we tested (with the exception of jackets that needed to be ordered one size up or one size below). To test the jackets, I rode a Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP. 

Pando Moto Twin Leather Jacket

Best Cafe Jacket: Since its inception in 2011, Pando Moto has built its name on churning out modern, retro-inspired gear that merges stylish designs with high levels of protection. The use of cutting-edge materials also largely characterize Pando’s kit. And the brand’s MO is on full display with the Twin Leather Jacket — a classic asymmetrical biker jacket that offers ample protection while looking great, whether on or off-the-bike. 

The Good

While the lion’s share of leather riding jackets are cut from cowhide, the Twin Leather Jacket employs the use of even more hardwearing 1.2mm buffalo leather — a construction that earns it a robust Level AA rating. Sporting an asymmetrical design, the jacket features quilted panels across the shoulder and lower back, adjustable belt-style side straps with alloy buckles at both hips, and two tracks for the main zipper. Additionally, it’s laundry list of features and highlights also includes a snap-down lapels and collar and ventilation-bolstering perforated armpits. 

The interior features a removable quilted polyester liner stuffed with a poly fill, as well as a fixed silky viscose main lining with an “Engineered by riders” print. Allowing the jacket to afford ample protection while remaining lightweight and low-profile is a suite of D30 Ghost armor at the elbow and shoulders. There’s also a pocket for stashing a Level 2-rated QUATROFLEX spine protector (though it’s sold as a $50 add-on and doesn’t come standard with the jacket like the D30 host armor). The use of bi-swing panels at the shoulders allow the jacket to maintain its old-school look without restricting mobility or range of motion. This is a big deal, as the jacket sports a tighter, slimmer fit, so the fact it’s able to not hinder movement is pretty noteworthy in my eyes. 

Pando’s Twin Leather Jacket also gets a single diagonal breast pocket on the left side, plus vertical hand pockets left and right. Because all three pockets are protected by zipper tracks, they’re super secure, plus they all feature oversized leather pulls that makes them easy to use when wearing gloves. Inside, there’s yet another zipper-secured pocket adorning the left side of the interior. 

Supplementary Strengths

In typical Pando fashion, the Twin Leather Jacket looks great from afar, but the closer you get the more small details jump out at you, such as its custom embossed leather storm flaps that are hidden beneath the zippered openings at the end of the sleeves, padded wrist openings, an embossed Pando Moto logo on the back of the collar, fully blacked-out matte-finished hardware and zipper tracks, and matching buffalo leather zipper pulls. I also really appreciate how the Twin Leather Jacket boasts a belt/pant attachment point, as this feature is seldom found on non-sport and track-focused riding jacket. 

Made in Pakistan, the Twin Leather Jacket boast a level of build quality that’s honestly nothing to write home about, though it’s still rugged and well-crafted enough to be able to withstand going shiny-side-down. After all, it does achieve a CE Level AA rating. And, while it’s by no means cheap, I’d actually argue this jacket offers the best value and bang-for-your-buck of any item on this list. 

It’s thoroughly stylish look also makes this jacket just as conducive to casual use off-the-bike as it does in-the-saddle applications. I even found that its armor could be left in without looking weird, as its D30 Ghost padding is super thin and low-profile. All in all, it’s just a really cool — and thoroughly premium — modern take on a classic asymmetrical biker jacket. What’s more, the jacket is protected by a two-year warranty, plus is backed by Pando’s “Crash Warranty,” which allows riders to simply send the company a detailed story of their wreck and a few photos and the Pando will replace them with a new unit free of charge (or an equivalent item if the jacket is no longer in production).

The Not So Good

Despite thoroughly scrutinizing it, I came up with very few gripes when testing Pando’s Twin Leather Jacket — and the gripes I do have are all admittedly very minor. First off, I wouldn’t mind seeing Pando include the QUATROFLEX spine protector as standard, even if it meant coming at a slightly higher price point. Second, I really wish it featured a few reflective areas, as drivers will have a hard time seeing you wearing this all-black jacket at night and in inclement weather. Third and finally, while its pockets are super secure, the jacket’s slim fit makes it difficult to store anything thicker than a wallet or smartphone without it being noticeably visible from the outside. 

Verdict: Lending itself just as well to causal use off-the-bike as it does riding, the Pando Moto Twin Leather Jacket is a modern-take on an asymmetrical leather biker jacket that’s cut from buffalo leather, fitted with a full suite of removable armor, and able to offer the perfect blend of style and protection. 

Roland Sands Design Haywood Jacket

Best Casual Jacket/Most Stylish Jacket: Ok, so let me start my review of Roland Sands Design’s Haywood Jacket by acknowledging that it’s a fairly unorthodox choice for a leather motorcycle jacket. But, when you consider the main reasons that most riders buy leather moto jackets — the style and off-the-bike use; and the immense slider protection— the Haywood is actually a pretty practical choice, plus its sleeves are cut from leather, so there is that, too. 

The Good

If the Haywood Jacket’s colorway or RSD logo look familiar, that’s for a reason. Part of the “RSD Player Collection,” the Haywood’s black and gold color scheme is modeled after the famous John Player Special livery that graced various race cars and race bikes in decades past. The RSD logo on the left breast is also modeled directly after the JPS logos seen on John Player Special-sponsored vehicles. This is unequivocally one of my very favorite parts of this jacket, as it manages to pay tribute to this iconic race livery in a tasteful yet still obvious way. 

Fitted with with striped black and gold, rib-knitted wrist, neck, and waist cuffs, the Haywood Jacket consists of a rugged wool body mated to a set of full-grain cowhide leather sleeves. A large embroidered JPS-inspired RSD logo adorns the left breast of the jacket, opposite a Roland Sands Racing Patch and Winged Wheel logo, also embroidered. Below “Long Beach, CA” is stitched in as well. Completing the package is an embroidered 74 patch on the right arm and an RSD logo on the left.  

Like a traditional varsity jacket, the front closure features a series of snap buttons. Putting a moto-specific spin on this regular setup, the snap buttons come supplemented via a full-length zipper to offer better wind-protection while in-the-saddle. Additionally, the two hand pockets look normal, but are actually zipper-secured as well. 

Inside, the jacket is trimmed in a quilted satin liner decorated via an embossed RSD print pattern. The interior of the thing also sports a chest pocket that’s impervious to the elements — making it a great place to stash your phone while riding. The jacket also conceals a suite of SAS-TEC Flex shoulder and elbow armor, plus features a pocket for housing a spine protector (which is sold separately). The entire thing also uses YKK zippers throughout, too. 

Supplementary Strengths

There are a lot of pieces of modern riding gear that are designed to be used on and off-the-bike, looking like ordinary pieces of clothing. And when it comes to pieces of so-called “stealth riding gear,” I’d actually argue the Haywood Jacket does the best job of this out of any item I’ve ever seen. It’s incredibly stylish and can easily pass for a regular varsity jacket — and a particularly cool one at that. It’s also no doubt simply one of the coolest and most unique riding jackets I’ve ever seen as well. Zippered interior pockets provide super easy access to the jacket’s armor. This makes for even better on-the-bike, off-the-bike use. 

I was also unsure of whether or not the Haywood would be restrictive on my mobility, so I was delighted to discover that its range of motion is on-par with the sport and track jackets I’ve owned and tested over the years. Though it is made in India, the build quality is top-notch, and I can only imagine how much pricier it would be if it was manufactured in the States. 

And, while it doesn’t really have any impact on the jacket’s user experience or performance, I nonetheless think it’s cool that it can be paired with a matching hat and shirt that RSD produces from the same collection — all of which pay homage to the JPL logo and livery. There’s also two special RSD Player edition Bell helmets (a Bullitt Carbon and a Race Star Flex DLX) that both pair wonderfully with the Haywood. 

The Not So Good

Because it’s so fashion forward, I expected the Haywood to make a few sacrifices here and there, though the reality is that this simply isn’t the case, and there’s really only one shortcoming on the entire jacket. With the main body not being made from leather, it’s a bit lacking in abrasion resistance — at least compared to leather-bodied jackets, though the wool still provides some slide protection. Having said that, it does a phenomenal job of serving its intended purpose, which is to look as stylish as possible without skimping on protection or range of motion. 

And, while I think its $475 MSRP is fully warranted, I’d still have liked to see RSD include a spine protector with the jacket. At the end of the day, the only way I could really see this jacket being improved is by incorporating a reflective material into the construction of the yellow-colored stripes on the wrist, neck, and waist cuffs, as the Haywood’s largely blacked-out colorway makes it difficult for drivers to see in bad weather or low-light settings. 

Verdict: Paying homage to the iconic John Player Special logo and race livery, the Roland Sands Design Haywood is a stylish varsity jacket that conceals a host of moto-specific features like a waterproof pocket and full suite of armor that make it one of the most stylish choices for use both in and out-of-the-saddle. 

AETHER Laslo Motorcycle Jacket

Best Overall Jacket: Described by its maker as a “crossover” item, the AETHER Laslo Motorcycle Jacket was engineered from the ground up to provide solid impact and slide protection while in the saddle, and to keep you looking your best when off-the-bike. A limited edition garment restricted to just 200 units in total, this technical take on a biker-style jacket sports a minimalistic design that makes it ridiculously versatile. Like every other AETHER product I’ve ever used, the Laslo is also characterized by its top-notch material selection and equally-high-end build quality. 

The Good

The Laslo is constructed around a cowhide leather shell that’s been paired with a breathable, cotton-lined body, and sleeves trimmed in silky polyester on the inside. Though AETHER doesn’t specify the type of thickness of the shell’s cowhide leather construction, I can attest to the fact that the hide is premium through and through, with an ultra-supple feel to it. The jacket’s simple, minimalistic design benefits from the use of premium hardware throughout, with custom glove-friendly triangular zippers with integrated pulls, and bespoke AETHER-branded cuff zips. It also features small belt-like tabs at the waist that can be buttoned into one of two settings.

In order to bring this limited edition jacket to market, AETHER partnered with armor-industry-leader D30, which supplied its Ghost armor for the elbows and shoulders and its Viper armor for the spine.This entire suite of D30 padding is super low-profile, plus the armor pockets have been designed in such a way that it makes it ridiculously easy to remove or install the armor. 

Though it’s undeniably a great-looking jacket with a sleek design and top-shelf materials, this jacket’s proverbial secret sauce is its liner. In-between its cowhide leather shell and breathable cotton liner is a full Kevlar membrane. This ultra-abrasion-resistant layer allows the jacket to afford enormous amounts of slide protection while remaining incredibly thin, lightweight, and low-profile. It honestly feels more like a designer “biker-style” jacket than it does a true riding jacket — despite objectively being a true riding jacket. This is ultimately what allows it to look so good in casual settings. 

AETHER’s describing it as a “crossover jacket” couldn’t be more apt, as it genuinely makes for just as good of a riding jacket as it does a style piece. It’s ability to afford high levels of protection while looking as good as it does is truly wildly impressive. Additionally, it’s minimalistic design also allows the Laslo to look right at home on almost any style of bike, whether that be a cruiser, cafe racer, or superbike. 

Supplementary Strengths

The use of rivets with alloy mesh inserts is another really cool touch that’s both thoroughly premium, and utilitarian and 100% effective. I also really like the rows of parallel black-on-black stitching decorating the shoulders — a motif also found on the interior of the collar and on the main zipper’s full-length storm flap — as it adds a bit of extra character and a slightly more modern feel to this otherwise decidedly spartan design. 

While I had no problem moving around on the bike while riding, I did notice the range of motion on the Laslo is slightly restricted around the elbows — though I only discovered this while stretching and not in any natural position on-the-bike. There’s also something admittedly cool about knowing that you possess one of only 200 units ever made. There’s even an interior patch denoting its production number. It also comes backed by a lifetime warranty, which is always welcome in my eyes. 

While I found myself being uncomfortably hot most of the time while wearing the leather jackets I tested while walking around off-the-bike, AETHER’s Laslo Jacket was able to legitimately keep me cool, as its mesh rivets and breathable liner actually afford sufficient airflow. On colder mornings, I even found myself layering a hoodie underneath the leather jacket — something that was super easy to do thanks to the adjustable tabs at the waist, which allow the garment to open up a bit. 

The Not So Good

Though I legitimately tried my best to uncover gripes and complaints surround AETHER’s Laslo Jacket, my efforts were to no avail. I’d actually argue this is as close to perfect as a leather riding jacket can get. It feels great and affords robust protection, while doing a better job of doubling as a casual off-the-bike jacket than any of the leather moto jackets I tested. At the end of the day, my one and only critique is with the zippers. While the polished finish looks undeniably high-end, I’d still prefer if AETHER had opted for blacked-out hardware — though this is purely subjective.   

Verdict: Limited to just 200 numbers units worldwide, the AETHER Laslo Jacket is something of the ultimate on-the-bike, off-the-bike jacket, as its suite of removable D30 armor, supple cowhide shell, and full Kevlar lining allow it to afford ample protection while maintaining a decidedly stylish look. 

Dainese Super Speed 4 Jacket

Best Sport Jacket: With knees being dragged through the majority of corners and speeds often exceeding 200mph on the straights, professional motorcycle racers  require the absolute pinnacle of protection while on the track. Consequently, today’s pro riders all wear highly-technical, over-engineered, single-piece race suits (often referred to simply as “leathers”). As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear that if you cut one of these suits in two from the middle, the upper half becomes one of the best and most protective motorcycle jackets currently available. And that’s pretty much what the Dainese Super Speed 4 is; a replica of the upper half of the ssuits worn by top MotoGP, WSBK, and IoM TT riders. 

The Good

The Super Speed 4 features a full-grain D-Skin 2.0 leather primary construction that’s been supplemented via inserts composed of the Italian brand’s second-generation Microelastic, 3D-Bubble fabric, and S1 bi-elastic fabric. These stretch inserts allow the jacket to afford ample protection while still affording a completely unrestricted range of motion — an area furthered by the use of super pre-curved sleeves. The back of the jacket also boasts an aero hump — just like on race suits. Its plush interior sports a breathable mesh liner and soft Microfiber collar lining.

Dainese’s Super Speed 4 shields riders from the blunt impact forces caused in high-side or low-side crashes with a highly-advanced armor setup. The garment uses thermoformed shoulders that are capped off with aluminum sliders that sit above underlying Pro-Armor padding. The elbows get the same treatment (minus being thermoformed), plus gain a set of composite puck sliders alongside its alloy ones. You also get a a spine protector and pockets for accommodating chest armor (the latter of which is sold separately). The Super Speed 4’s aluminum elbow andshoulder sliders are both removable and replaceable as well.

Though the its highly-calculated, super-technical design, alloy sliders, and various stretch inserts play major roles in making this jacket so special, its “secret sauce” is no doubt its proprietary primary construction. A second-generation material developed by the Italian brand’s D-Tec Department, D-Skin 2.0 consists of a special type of 1.1mm to 1.3mm-thick full-grain cowhide leather with ultra-long intact fibers. Benefitting from the use of special resin and silicon wax-based treatments, D-Skin 2.0 ultimately offers unparalleled levels of abrasion, traction, and tear resistance. 

Supplementary Strengths

In typical Dainese fashion, the Super Speed 4 also massively benefits from top-notch craftsmanship and quality control. Based on its quality, I assumed the thing was made in Italy, so I was surprised to learn it’s actually manufactured in Tunisia. There are also a lot of smaller details that I really enjoyed on the Super Speed 4. I like how the aero hump is slightly toned down from what you’d find on a full-on race suit, yet it’s still pronounced and significant enough to direct airflow from the back of the helmet and over the rider.  Another small but thoroughly premium touch is the jacket’s Dainese logo. Rather than being printed on, the logo is instead made up of small individually cut-out pieces of leather that have been overlaid onto the item’s main shell.

In order for a riding jacket (or gloves, helmet, or any piece of protective motorcycle gear) to properly do its job, it needs to precisely fit its wearer. As such, I really appreciate how the Super Speed 4 isn’t merely offered in Small, Medium, Large sizing, but is instead produced in European sizes, with 10 different options to pick from (from 44 up to 62). This allows you to achieve a much more snug and precise fit, thereby enabling the jacket to offer that much better protection. The Super Speed 4 also provides a bit more versatility than a traditional set of race leathers. It can be worn for commuting and daily riding, plus, thanks to the garment’s  jacket-to-pant fastening system, it can also be linked to a pair of track pants, essentially turning it into a full race suit. 

Considering the justifiable yet nonetheless exorbitant cost of this jacket, I also really appreciate that its alloy sliders can be removed and replaced, allowing you to simply swap out damaged elements as needed rather than having to replace the entire garment.And, while the jacket alone truly does offer incredible levels of protection, the overall fortification it offers can be furthered that much more by pairing it with Dainese’s wireless Smart Airbag Jacket which can be worn beneath the SS4. The Super Speed 4 is also eligible for being custom-configured through Dainese’s Custom Works program, which is another major selling point in my eyes, as this alloy you to select colors and patterns, or add names, race numbers, or logos. It’s genuinely pretty remarkable just how many tiny details there are that can be customized. 

The Not So Good

Dainese has been making some of the world’s best race and track gear for decades, and it’s designs and products only grow better and better as time goes on, with each new generation of gear becoming increasingly advanced and offering ever-more-impressive levels of performance and protection. And while the fourth-generation Super Speed jacket is an objectively stellar piece of kit, there are a few very minor downsides to it. 

For starters, while I actually think it’s pretty easy to justify considering all that you get (and the world-class protection that it offers), there’s no getting around the fact that the Super Speed 4’s $899 MSRP is pretty steep. World-class or not, that’s a lot to spend on a jacket. Second, for that price, I’d really liked for Dainese t to include chest armor padding as standard (rather than having it sold separately), even if it resulted in a few dollars being added to the price. 

Next, though it undeniably offers the pinnacle of protection, it nonetheless feels a bit overkill for day-to-day riding duties — which isn’t surprising considering it’s basically one step down from rocking a set of race leathers. Having said that, it’s a perfect choice for spirited canyon carving or track days. Lastly, while I honestly can’t complain about its craftsmanship or build quality, I’d still have liked to see Dainese produce this jacket in its native Italy — especially when it’s sold at this price. 

Verdict: Essentially a professional-grade race suit with the bottom-half cut off, the Dainese Super Speed 4 is a sport and track-focused leather jacket that offers the pinnacle of protection thanks to the use of a full suite of padding, a series of armor sliders, and a primary construction composed of a proprietary technical leather. 

Helite Leather Airbag Jacket

Most Protective Jacket: Founded by French entrepreneur and avid aviation enthusiast Gérard Thevenot, Helite was originally established in 2002 with the aim of producing personal airbag systems for pilots flying microlight aircraft, though it didn’t take long for Thevenot to realize his personal airbag systems could be applied to other applications such as motorcycling. In the years that have followed, Helite has become the market leader in motorcycle airbag space, and now produces a wide range of airbag vest systems, as well as backpacks and jackets with integrated airbag systems, including the Helite Leather Airbag jacket. 

The Good

The jacket is cut from 1.3mm full-grain cowhide leather and features an open soft collar and a removable polyester full thermal liner. In addition to FreeAir mesh vents at the armpits, the jacket also has wrist fasteners, a zippered left-side hand pocket, and a zipper-secured left breast pocket. Under the surface, this Helite jacket boasts a full suite of armor in the form of CE-rated Knox shoulder and elbow armor and a Level 2 SAS-TEC spine protector. It also features waist adjustment points that let you dial-in the jacket’s fitment that much further. 

The combination of armor and thick cowhide leather affords the jacket solid impact and slide protection, though Helite takes things one step further via the addition of an onboard airbag system. The jacket features a small slit on right side of the jacket, opposite the hand pocket, that a small tether protrudes out from that can be wrapped around a bike’s subframe or handlebars. If the rider becomes separated from the motorcycle, the tether is automatically pulled, deploying its airbag system. The airbag uses a replaceable 60cc C02 cartridge (or a 100cc canister for the jacket’ 3XL through 6XL sizes) that allows it to fully deploy in just 0.1 seconds — as a point of reference, that’s about how long it takes the human eye to blink. Below, you can see a video of us deploying the airbag (don’t mind me being startled). 

Made in France, the airbag provides an enormous amount of protection, covering the rider’s entire stomach, chest, shoulders, back, and kidneys. Due to its size, the C02 canister is semi-visible through the outside of the jacket. Because of where it’s placed, however, it’s never pressed between the rider and bike, making it hardly noticeable to the wearer. I also really like how the base of the airbag’s tether system is fitted with a buckle, which allowed me to simply undo said buckle when dismounting from the bike, rather than having to disconnect the tether from my handlebars each time. Deploying the airbag system also requires giving the tether a very hard pull. This way, if you forget to unbuckle the tether and begin dismounting from the bike, the airbag won’t accidentally deploy. 

Supplementary Strengths

Not only does the airbag system use replacement C02 canisters, allowing you to swap in a fresh cartridge after the airbag has been deployed, but the entire jacket comes backed by Helite’s Crash Care Warranty. Beginning on the original purchase date of the jacket and good for an entire year, this warranty covers the entire cost of repairing or outright replacing a jacket that’s damaged in a crash, you simply provide proof of purchase and a copy of a police or accident report, and Helite handles the rest. Also, though the company is French, it does have a U.S. headquarters in California. Swapping out the canister is also surprisingly easy. 

Due to the fact that Helite is first and foremost an airbag company, I wasn’t exactly sure how well-designed or well-manufactured its jackets would be, but it’s abundantly clear that a great deal of time and thought went into the creation of the Leather Airbag Jacket. The build quality is pretty impressive too. What’s more, having previously used wireless airbag systems, I figured being tethered to the bike would be somewhat annoying, but it really isn’t noticeable. And, because of how heavy and bulky it is, I wasn’t anticipating this airbag-equipped jacket to provide very good airflow, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover I was very wrong on this front, as the FreeAir mesh venting system is wildly-effective — at least with the thermal liner removed. 

Because this jacket uses a tether-based airbag deployment — unlike the more cutting-edge gyroscope and accelerometer-based systems like Dainese’s D-Air and Alpinestars Tech-Air models — it’s able to be sold at a much more affordable price than wireless airbag jackets. In fact, it’s priced very similarly to the cost of your average wireless airbag vest, though with Helite’s Leather Airbag Jacket, your money gets you get both a leather jacket and an airbag system, giving it substantially better bang-for-your-buck, while still offering the absolute pinnacle of protection. 

The jacket features a classic cafe-inspired look and a minimalistic overall design that affords it with a fairly timeless air. It’s range of motion is ever-so-slightly restricted, though it still provides the mobility needed for moving around on the bike. It’s also worth noting that this jacket runs nearly a size small, meaning you should probably order one size up when buying one. What really makes this jacket so special in my eyes is its ability to blend timeless looks with thoroughly modern protection — plus, even without the airbag system, the jacket offers more-than-its-fair-share of protection, making the C02 charge and airbag just the icing on the cake. 

The Not So Good

As soon as I put this jacket on, I instantly took notice of how heavy it was, as it’s literally twice the weight of some of the other jackets that I tested. And while this did bother me at first, it’s not so heavy that it becomes tiring to wear. More importantly, it’s not hard to justify dealing with the extra weight, as the additional poundage comes from the airbag system. Either way, the extra heft is noticeable. Because I noticed its weight right out of the gate, I expected to find additional issues with the jacket over the time I spent testing it, but when all was said and done, this was genuinely my one and only issue with the jacket. 

Verdict: The Helite Leather Airbag Jacket is a timeless-looking cafe-inspired item that not only features a thick cowhide shell and a full suite of elbow, shoulder, and spine armor, but it also comes backed by a robust onboard airbag system that affords riders with the absolute pinnacle of protection for riding on two wheels. 

Belstaff Trialmaster Jacket

Best Vintage-Style Jacket: Competitive off-road motorcycling has drastically changed since the 1960s, with the era’s scrambler motorcycles and open-face helmets being a far cry from the motocross and adventure bike landscape of today. In addition to an illustrious career on the silver screen, Steve McQueen was well-known for competing in the era’s International Six Day Trials (better known simply as the “ISDT”) where the “King Of Cool” famously wore a certain style of four-pocket jacket — a garment that’s now being offered as a modernized yet still authentic reissue in the form of the Belstaff Trialmaster Jacket.

The Good

Far more than a cheap modern replica, Belstaff’s Trialmaster Jacket is made today just as it was over half-a-century-ago — albeit with a few contemporary niceties — with the brand bringing this highly-authentic reissue to life using old-world constructions and craftsmanship. Starting with fine European leather, the jacket is created using a hand-waxing process that takes 18 hours. Fitted with Belstaff’s signature plaid checked woven cotton body liner and silk-lined sleeves, the jacket sports the iconic four-pocket layout that comes supplemented via an adjustable belt-style neck strap and removable waist belt. 

Pieced together using rugged, premium twin-needle topstitching, the thing also gets an oil-resistant corduroy mandarin neck collar and cuffs, zipper-secured internal pockets, underarm metal airvents, and traditional swivel-style sleeves that provide an unrestricted range of motion. Modernizing the jacket is a hidden suite of CE-compliant D3O elbow and shoulder armor, as well as a pocket for accommodating a spine protector. Both the shoulder and elbow armor also sit beneath reinforced leather overlays that provide even more abrasion resistance. 

The swivel sleeves work as intended — quiet frankly to an extent that surprised me based on how old the design is. The metal underarm vents also work pretty well, though I still found myself getting really hot when wearing it on warm days — though it’s obvious the thing wasn’t designed for commuting in sunny Southern California, so it’s hard to fault Belstaff for this. 

Supplementary Strengths

There are a number of small but thoughtful details that I also uncovered while testing this jacket that I really liked, such as the top of the four main pockets, which all extend up halfway into their respective storm flaps. This way, when a pocket is closed, it creates a roll-top-style closure that not only guarantees that contents won’t fall out of the pocket, but it also prevents water from finding its way in. And, while the jacket is plenty unique on its own, its idiosyncratic nature is furthered by the fact that each unit forms its own characterful patina over time with regular use — an area owed to the 18-hour hand-waxing process that each jacket receives before leaving the factory. 

The build quality of the Trialmaster Jacket is unquestionably another one of its main highlights. Made in Italy, the garment is meticulously crafted, benefitting from bother expert construction and super stringent quality control standards. And, though its materials and craftsmanship play major roles in this jacket’s thoroughly premium nature, the thing is made even more top-shelf through an additional series of small but meaningful details that help to further elevate it as a whole. Its waist belt slots in a buckle cover embroidered with Belstaff’s logo, its studs and buckle fastenings are all custom-engraved, the left sleeve is adorned in an alloy Bellstaff badge, and its zipper pulls are even custom items. In fact, all of the hardware used throughout is bespoke from what I can gather. Belstaff’s use of a circular main zipper pull makes it super easy to use with gloves.  

Also, while it doesn’t actually impact the user experience or performance of the jacket, I nonetheless really appriciete its connection to Steve McQueen — and the golden era of ISDE and ISDT competition. There’s even a well-known rumor that McQueen was sponsored by Barbour and was supposed to wear one of their jackets for a race, but halfway through ditched it in favor of his prefer Belstaff four-pocket jacket. 

The Not So Good

The vast majority of the issues that I had with Belstaff’s Trialmaster Jacket are all fairly obvious. While I love the unmissable retro look of the thing, its appearance isn’t particularly versatile, and doesn’t lend itself very well to use off-the-bike. In fact, aside from sitting atop a scrambler motorcycle, this jacket looks fairly out-of-place in most settings. Because it uses such a thick and heavy-duty leather construction and sports an extended length, it’s also quite a bit heavier than the other jackets I tested (save for the Helite Leather Airbag Jacket). 

Thanks to the jacket being waxed, it does a great job of warding off the elements and dirt and grime, though when it does finally come time to wash it, you have to take it to a professional leather care shop, as it can’t be machine-washed or even dry-cleaned — making the ownership experience a bit more involved (and a bit pricier).  Lastly, due to the cost of its top-shelf materials, bespoke hardware, and the fact each unit requires 18 hours of hand-worked labor, the jacket comes at a pretty steep price — albeit one that I actually think is fairly justifiable considering the aforementioned list of decidedly top-shelf features and details. With that said, I really wish a spine protector was included as standard. 

Verdict: Famously worn by Steve McQueen while competing in 1960s ISDT events, the Belstaff Trialmaster Jacket is a traditional four-pocket garment that’s been recreated for the modern era, retaining its iconic look and layout while gaining a suite of contemporary armor. 

JANE Motorcycles Bond Street Jacket

Best Boutique-Made Jacket: Whether its knives boots or motorcycle jackets, using large-scale manufacturing to deliver any product will almost always limit its overall craftsmanship and quality control. When making items in small-batch production runs, boutique brands have the ability to achieve a level of build quality and execution that simply wouldn’t be possible if done on a mass scale. And this notion is perfectly encapsulated by the garments and gear from JANE Motorcycles. Case in point; the Brooklyn-based custom bike builder and gear and clothing brand’s Bond Street Jacket. 

The Good

Taking its name from the east-to-west-running sett street in Lower Manhattan, JANE’s Bond Street Jacket features a timeless cafe-style design that’s cut from premium 1.1mm natural grain American cowhide leather. Super soft and supple, this primary construction comes fitted with a Japanese over-dyed camouflage twill liner with a silky feel to it. Both designed and made in New York City, the jacket also boasts ribbed collar armpit gussets that are composed of a wool-nylon blend, giving the garment the unrestricted range of motion needed for moving around on the bike as you ride. 

The jacket’s shell also features slips at the elbows, spine, and shoulders for housing a suite of cutting-edge D30 armor (which is sold separately). The garment’s main zipper is a YKK Excella item, plus Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha was also responsible for providing the zippers for the jacket’s hand and chest pockets. The actual silhouette and design of the jacket is no doubt another major highlight. It’s minimalistic yet incredibly handsome, and it has a decidedly elegant overall simplicity to it. This design was also brought to fruition using a super soft leather that really does have an unmistakably top-shel feel to it. 

Just like every other piece of JANE Moto gear that I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on, the Bond Street Jacket also hugely benefits from the outfit’s use of small-batch production and super exacting quality control standards. I’m not being even remotely hyperbolic when I say that not a single thread was loose or out of place, and every singe stitch and detail is just perfect. Overall, the build quality and craftsmanship are just stellar. 

Supplementary Strengths

Not unlike with work boots, leather motorcycle jackets can be pretty stiff when new, and often require a break-in period. And to be completely honest, I’m still not entirely sure how JANE managed to pull this off; but the Bond Street Jacket is somehow completely and totally devoid of the normal break-in period. Right off the rack it’s soft and comfortable, and doesn’t have any stiff areas that break-in with use. Again, not sure how this was achieved, but either way, it’s a really impressive feat. 

The use of the knitted sweater-like ribbed collar armpit gussets are another really cool touch, as it maintains the jacket’s timeless feel, giving it a more old-school aesthetic while still providing the mobility needed to make for a proper riding jacket. In fact, I’d argue the jacket’s small details actually really elevate it as a whole. In addition to the knitted collar armpit gussets, it also sports super premium polished hardware and zipper pulls.

And while I judged and revived it through the lens of it being a riding jacket, another one of its main selling points is just how conducive it is to off-the-bike use. Even when viewed from up-close, it can very easily pass as a designer biker-style jacket. The armor pocket setup makes it super easy to remove or install its D30 inserts, bolstering its off-the-bike use that much more. The fact it lends itself so well to casual use definitely helps to justify its $1,500 price tag — as does the fact that it makes for an exceptional modern-day family heirloom, as its craftsmanship, materials, and overall quality practically guarantee that it will have no problem surviving a lifetime of use before being passed down to future generations. `

The Not So Good

After extensively wearing and testing this jacket, the only complaint I had was with its exorbitant price — and the fact that said price doesn’t include a suite of D30 armor, which has to sadly be purchased separately (though if you’re considering dropping $1,500 on a jacket, you can probably swing the small added fee for getting the suite of armor). Feeling like I may have missed something, I then went back to the drawing board and spent another few days testing and really scrutinizing the jacket in order to uncover other flaws or shortcomings. Despite my best efforts, however, the attempt was ultimately to no avail, as JANE’s Bond Street Jacket really is just about as close to perfect as a cafe-style riding jacket gets. 

Verdict: A masterclass in minimalism, the JANE Motorcycles Bond Street Jacket is a finely-crafted, limited-edition item with an ultra-clean design that’s been brought to life using decidedly premium materials and meticulous small-batch construction — a recipe that adds up to one of the very finest leather riding jackets ever made. 

Leather Motorcycle Jacket Comparison Chart

What Type Of Leather Is Best For Motorcycle Jackets?

Leather motorcycle jackets come in a variety of different leather constructions, though the most commonly-utilized type is undoubtedly cowhide leather — and by a significant margin. Widely available and relatively affordable — at least compared to other more exotic leathers — cowhide leather boasts a thickness that’s beefy enough to provide ample slide protection and abrasion resistance, and do so while being soft and comfortable to wear. 

It’s also not uncommon to see a motorcycle-specific leather jacket’s cowhide construction supplemented via sections or overlays comprised of buffalo, goatskin, or kangaroo leather — all of which possess their own unique properties, strengths, and weaknesses. And, while grain and tanning are admittedly of importance, the primary area you want to focus on when reviewing a jacket’s leather construction is its thickness (with anything in the ballpark of 1mm or more being thick enough to afford solid protection). 

What To Consider When Shopping

If you’ve only ever shopped for a leather motorcycle jacket as a fashion accessory, it can be difficult to know what to look for when in the market for a leather moto jacket that’s actually made for riding. Knowing this from firsthand experience, we’ve pieced together this guide on what to look for and consider when shopping around for a leather motorcycle riding jacket. 

Style: When talking about leather motorcycle jackets, most of us tend to envision the classic asymmetrical biker jacket, like the one worn by Marlon Brando in 1953’s The Wild One (which is actually a Schott Perfecto jacket). The reality is, however, that leather motorcade jackets exist in a variety of different types, from cafe-style jackets, to leather bombers, to leather mechanics jackets, to race jackets, to old school leather trials jackets. Selecting a style of leather riding jacket is primarily based on the type of bike you plan on riding, your personal riding style, and of course your aesthetic taste and sense of style. 

Fitment & Cut: Whether its cafe jackets or classic asymmetrical biker jackets, most types of jackets tend to sport a similar cut and fit. This area will determine how the jacket fits, where it hugs the body and arms, and how it’s been pre-shaped — with sport and cafe jackets almost always boasting pre-curved sleeves that are intended for aggressive riding in a full tuck, while trial and cruise jackets tend to feature a more relaxed fit that lends itself to an upright riding position. 

Versatility: Leather motorcycle jackets admittedly aren’t cheap — at least not the good ones that we’d trust our skin with in a slide. However, with a leather moto jacket being something of a men’s style essential, it becomes a lot easier to justify investing in a high-end riding jacket when that garment can also be worn off of the bike, serving as a regular jacket. As such, we recommend selecting a leather riding jacket that’s stylish enough to be utilized as a style item instead of just a piece of riding gear. 

Materials: The materials used to construct a leather motorcycle jacket — namely the leather — will play a massive role in the garment’s overall quality, as well as the level of protection that it offers. When reviewing this area you’ll want to explore the type of leather being used, its thickness, and how it was tanned or treated. 

Build Quality: The materials used to make a jacket are of extreme importance, though so too is how exactly said materials were pieced together. An area that separates cheap fast-fashion leather jackets from the leather jackets made to afford a lifetime of use, the overall construction quality of a jacket is another major area to focus on. This is also an area that accounts for a significant amount of a jacket’s price, as the more premium constructions require far more time and far greater attention to detail. 

Protection: Leather motorcycle riding jackets have always afforded their wearer solid slide protection, though in more recent years, riding gear manufacturers have increasingly begun bestowing street-focused leather jackets with underlying race-style elbow, shoulder, and spine armor, in a bid to offer just as much fortification from impacts as the jackets already did abrasions. As such, we urge opting for a jacket with built-in armor — or at least armor pockets. Removable armor can also make a stylish moto jacket even more conducive to being worn out of the saddle. While discussing modern protection, we should also mention that there are even leather motorcycle jackets on the market that come with built-in airbag systems. 

Hardware: Another area that separates high-end leather moto jackets from their much cheaper counterparts is the type of hardware that’s utilized on the jacket. This includes areas such as zippers and buckles, and it will have a major impact on the overall user experience as well. 

Trim: Alongside a jacket’s hardware, you’ll also want to consider the term elements that the item has been decorated in. This includes any additional material overlays, stitch patterns, and logo patches, and while it may not sound like all that crucial of an area to consider, the reality is that this is another area that separates the most premium jackets on the market from the cheap budget imitators. 

Liner: The vast majority of our favorite leather riding jackets come equipped with some type of liner — or liners. Often removable and washable and sometimes even antimicrobial, these liners are able to bolster warmth and/or comfort — and can often add a few subtle style points, as well. 

Water Resistance: A leather motorcycle jacket is something of an investment, so it’s important to know that, should you get caught wearing it when it starts raining, that your investment won’t get flushed down the drain. For this reason, we urge anyone shopping for leather motorcycle jackets to look into the level of water resistance or waterproofing offered by any model you’re considering. 

Price: Making a quality leather jacket is far from cheap. Between the cost of the leather and materials, the trim. And hardware, and the actual assembly and manufacturing process, the cost of producing these pieces of riding gear adds up very quickly. As such, as weird as it sounds, you don’t want a leather motorcycle jacket that’s cheap, as any quality jacket will be priced at several hundred dollars or more (unless significantly marked down). It’s also worth pointing out that high-end leather moto jackets are legitimately made to last a lifetime, making it much easier to justify investing in one — as does the fact these jackets can literally save your skin in the event of a crash. 

Which Leather Moto Jackets Are Best For Use During The Summer?

While wearing a leather motorcycle jacket during the summer may sound like a recipe for heatstroke, the reality is that there are plenty of stellar leather riding jackets made specifically for warm weather use. Many leather riding jackets are produced in regular versions, and in what is called a perforated version — i.e. the same jacket only outfitted with a slew of tiny holes and openings to allow for markedly better airflow, cooling, and comfort in the summer months. We would also recommend checking out a textile jacket if you’re shopping for a warm weather-specific riding jacket. 

Honorable Mentions

If there is a hands down king when evaluating non-armored, casual leather biker-style jackets, the crown undoubtedly belongs to the Schott 613 ‘One Star’. otherwise known as the jacket that started it all. First produced in the late 40’s and made hugely popular by Marlon Brando from his starring role in The Wild One, the 613 was the first jacket ever produced specifically for motorcycle riders. Still made in the USA to this day, the Perfecto’s signature waist belt, asymmetrical front closure, and star crowned epaulets define the look so many attempt to emulate.

Achieving a top-of-the-line CE AAA rating, the Goldtop 72 Easy Rider Leather Jacket is another authentic old-school item that’s steeped in history. Sporting a Martini livery stripe, this classic cafe-style garment conceals a full suite of Knox Micro-lock elbow and shoulder armor, an optional spine protector, an industrial grade hand-polished center zipper with a custom AERO pull, a blue quilted liner, and suede trim — all constructed around a premium 1.4mm aniline cowhide leather shell.

Both CE and AAA-certified/rated, the Fuel Moto Bourbon Jacket is a vintage-inspired garment that’s made in small batches by a boutique brand using some of the finest materials available. Sporting an overall build quality and level of attention to detail that’s legitimately off the charts, the jacket boasts a naturally-tanned cowhide leather shell with side accordion baffles that afford an unrestricted range of movement, plus all YKK zippers with custom leather pulls, bespoke Fuel-branded hardware, custom heat-embossed Fuel Moto logo patches, a removable D30 Viper spine protector, and removable D30 Ghost armor at the elbows and shoulders.

Offered in black, oxblood (red), or brown color options, the Roland Sands Clash CE Leather Jacket is a high-end piece of vintage-inspired riding gear that sports a unique appearance with an asymmetrical main zipper, and quilt-stitched overlays on the shoulders and lower back. Now a second-generation cafe racer-style jacket that benefits from CE certification, the Clash CE jacket is made from a top grain 1.1mm cowhide leather that’s been washed, oiled, waxed, and finished by entirely hand, before being fitted with RSD armor at the shoulders and elbows — the latter of which is decorated in low-profile external metal studs, adding equal parts style and protection. 

Tested: The Best Motorcycle Jackets For Everyday Protection

Want to check out another curated selection of riding garments that we’ve put to the test? Then be sure to cruise over to our guide to the best motorcycle jackets for a list of items that aren’t limited to leather construction pieces.