Best Motorcycle Jackets – Top Textile, Leather & Mesh

(Last Updated: April, 2024)

When it comes to motorcycle jackets, there’s no doubt that the iconic and timeless black leather motorcycle jacket comes straight to mind. However, did you know that there are so many more options on the market? You can find something different for every weather condition, personal style and layering, depending on your level of riding.

When shopping for a jacket for motorcycle riding, you need to consider things like how it protects your elbows and shoulder area, abrasion resistance, whether it has a removable liner for weatherproofing, among other factors.

It might be quite tough to pick out the perfect jacket that will fit your level of riding or the road conditions you’re exposed to when there are so many jackets on the market. Whether you’ve been riding bikes for decades, or you just bought your first one, we’re going to help you analyze the different top choices to help you find the perfect one.

Jacket

Summary

FLAVOR Men Brown Leather Motorcycle Jacket

FLAVOR Men Brown Leather Motorcycle Jacket

This jacket is made with 100% genuine leather, with a polyester lining and cotton filling, so that you have a rugged leather look, but some extra comfort by the soft hood lining.


Joe Rocket Atomic Men’s 5.0 Textile Motorcycle Jacket

Joe Rocket Atomic Men’s 5.0 Textile Motorcycle Jacket

This Joe Rocket motorcycle jacket is the perfect jacket for anyone who wants extra padding for long distance riding. The jacket is waterproof treated with Rock Tex and a Hitena outer shell, for maximum impact resistance in the event of a fall.

Viking Cycle Motorcycle Jacket for Men

Viking Cycle Motorcycle Jacket for Men

This Viking motorcycle jacket offers some of the most versatility for both cruising and touring, and offers the best value for its style. The cooling mesh shell surrounding the jacket covers the torso, back and arms, for the best breathability during humid rides.

Editor's Choice

Dainese Super Speed D1

Dainese Super Speed D1

This Dainese Super Speed jacket is made of some of the most durable material for sports biking and will provide some of the best protection available. The material is made of a mix of leather and ballistic fabric, so it will protect your skin from some of the harshest falls.

Alpine Stars GP Plus R v2 Airflow Leather Street Motorcycle Jacket

Alpine Stars GP Plus R v2 Airflow Leather Street Jacket

This jacket's highly durable premium leather and multi-panel construction gives it lairs of elasticity and comfort. The extensively perforated leather panels allow this jacket to breathe well and trap wind outside.

How to Choose a Motorcycle Jacket

Choosing the best motorcycle jacket

Style

Choosing a motorcycle jacket is all based on what you expect to get out of it. If you’re using your motorcycle for cruising around town and in city centers, you might consider getting yourself a leather jacket for both fashion and comfort.

If you’re racing, then you need one with a chest and spine protection, to guard yourself from any sharp objects on the track.

These jackets are usually made with textile protection and different fabrics for high ventilation. If you’re touring, you may want to get a mixture. You can get a nice leather jacket, that has removable spine protection, and padded shoulders, so you can suit it up for whatever the occasion.

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Leather or textile

This can depend on your riding style or it can simply come down to personal preference. Leather is still the most premium exterior you can wear to protect yourself from road rash and other falls. Leather doesn’t provide much ventilation though and offers much less adjustability.

Textiles are usually held in place with elastic fabrics and they breathe very well. They are the better fit for warmer weather and to provide better protection for hard impacts.

Some people will always swear by leather, and nothing can change their mind. These two options both offer very different pros and cons. Whether you want leather or textile is really up to you.

Armor vs. padding

Depending on what type of riding you’re doing, you’re going to want to choose between either extra padding or body armor. If you’re using your motorcycle for mostly cruising, then extra padding is a good choice.
It will provide you with extra resistance in the event of falling, and protecting you from some nasty road rash. If you’re hitting the highway for long periods of time, you’re going to want to get armor. This will hopefully help protect your spine or organs in the event of a near-fatal crash.

Cleaning and maintenance

To clean your jacket, you want to get a specialized cleaner. Make sure you spray the cleaner on a polishing pad, to reduce the contact with your jacket, to help preserve the leather. Gently stroke and wipe the solution dry with a moist towel.
If you have nasty dirt marks and scrapes on your leather, then try using a clean, soft-bristle brush and rub it against the skin. After you clean, try rubbing on a preservative solution with the same measures listed above, to keep your jacket in perfect condition for years to come.

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Our Picks For The Best Motorcycle Jackets

Pros

  • Perfect jacket for urban cruising
  • Soft cotton removable hoodie lining, to look stylish as street wear
  • Zip closure on pockets keeps your phone and wallet perfectly secure

​Cons

  • Would prefer to get a jacket much more padded for touring

More About The FLAVOR Men Brown Leather Motorcycle Jacket

The FLAVOR men’s brown leather jacket looks great and suits the look for both on and off your motorcycle. This jacket is made with 100% genuine leather, with a polyester lining and cotton filling, so that you have a rugged leather look, but some extra comfort by the soft hood lining.

Cotton hood can also be removed so that you can wear the jacket as a standalone collared jacket. There are two pockets that are perfectly suited to keep your hands warm during cold, windy days, and two zippered pockets as well, to keep your valuables like your phone and wallet perfectly in place. The jacket sits nicely at hip length, so this will give you some wind resistant rides, with nothing blowing up your backside.

The cuffs are nicely adjustable, and the hem at the end of them gives it a personalized look and provides warmth around your wrists. If brown is not to your liking, it also comes in a sleek black, so this jacket can be made to match any outfit. If you need a stylish jacket for urban cruising, this jacket would be a perfect fit.

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Textile Motorcycle Jacket Motorbike Jacket Breathable CE ARMORED WATERPROOF (Large, Red)

ILM Motorcycle Jackets, Carbon Fiber Armor Shoulder, Moto Jacket for Men and Women

ILM Motorcycle Jackets, Carbon Fiber Armor Shoulder, Moto Jacket for Men and Women

MILWAUKEE LEATHER Men's Classic Side Lace Police Style Motorcycle Jacket

Track Motorcycle Biker Armor Mens Leather Jacket Mens and Womens 

TRACK MOTORCYCLE BIKER ARMOR MEN LEATHER JACKET

Pros

  • C.E. armor in the spine, shoulders, and elbows, to provide protection against falls.
  • Waterproofed throughout, so it will hold up against unforgiving weather.
  • Zippered pockets provide security for your phone and wallet.

Cons

  • Fits like a glove, which is great for touring, but not for urban cruising.

More About Joe Rocket Atomic Men’s 5.0 Textile Motorcycle Jacket

This Joe Rocket motorcycle jacket is the perfect jacket for anyone who wants extra padding for long distance riding. The jacket is waterproof treated with Rock Tex and a Hitena outer shell, for maximum impact resistance in the event of a fall.
There is C.E. approved armor in both the shoulders, and elbows, so any hard hits to these joints will be reduced. The removable spine armor is great for extra back protection, and it comes in an external pocket to be removed, in case you choose to ride without it.

The Variable Flow ventilation system allows this jacket to properly breathe, and keep you from overheating during long trips. The fit is snug, with little give, and makes it perfect for sports bike riding, or grand touring. This jacket is a must have, if your motorcycle adventures take you on long distances, through rugged paths, or if you don’t like riding with any light jackets on.

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Textile Motorcycle Jacket Motorbike Jacket Breathable CE ARMORED WATERPROOF (Large, Red)

ILM Motorcycle Jackets, Carbon Fiber Armor Shoulder, Moto Jacket for Men and Women

ILM Motorcycle Jackets, Carbon Fiber Armor Shoulder, Moto Jacket for Men and Women

MILWAUKEE LEATHER Men's Classic Side Lace Police Style Motorcycle Jacket

Track Motorcycle Biker Armor Mens Leather Jacket Mens and Womens 

TRACK MOTORCYCLE BIKER ARMOR MEN LEATHER JACKET

Pros

  • Excellent value for a jacket that has a ton of features
  • Multi-point adjustment system makes this jacket highly customizable
  • C.E. approved armor in the shoulders, elbows, and spine

​Cons

  • Fits large in the chest, make sure you get proper sizing

More About The Viking Cycle Motorcycle Jacket for Men

This Viking motorcycle jacket offers some of the most versatility for both cruising and touring, and offers the best value for its style. The cooling mesh shell surrounding the jacket covers the torso, back and arms, for the best breathability during humid rides.

The multi-point SureFit adjustment system gives this jacket a lot of room to move around in. It will feel ultra-snug while riding, but have enough free range while you’re walking around. The jacket is fitted with zippers throughout its pockets, so your wallet and other valuables will be well secured.

It even has a 10-inch pocket to hold small tablets. It has a removable spine pad, to offer extra protection based on your degree of riding during that day. It comes equipped with a headphone wiring system as well, to keep your headphones untangled during a short ride, or walking around town.

If you need a jacket for both cruising or touring, and want to get the most out of your budget, this jacket offers the best value around. 

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ILM Motorcycle Jackets, Carbon Fiber Armor Shoulder, Moto Jacket for Men and Women

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MILWAUKEE LEATHER Men's Classic Side Lace Police Style Motorcycle Jacket

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TRACK MOTORCYCLE BIKER ARMOR MEN LEATHER JACKET

Pros

  • Ballistic fabric lining that provides the best protection
  • Ergonomic design that allows this jacket to fit snug and provide comfort
  • Aluminum inserts on the shoulders.

Cons

  • Meant mostly for sports biking, and not for chopper riding, or touring.

More About The Dainese Super Speed D1

This Dainese Super Speed jacket is made of some of the most durable material for sports biking and will provide some of the best protection available. The material is made of a mix of leather and ballistic fabric, so it will protect your skin from some of the harshest falls. It has performance shock composite protectors that are certified for riding, and have co-injected with aluminum inserts.

The jacket is very ergonomically friendly, with aerodynamic humps, elasticized inserts, and a jacket-to-pant fastening system, to keep everything tight to your body and keep out harsh weather. You can adjust the removable liner in the jacket, and with air vents on the front and back, you will be able to wear this jacket during any weather condition.
It also comes with an inner pocket, two outer pockets, and reflective inserts. This jacket looks great for any sports motorcyclist and will provide you with the best protection on top.

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MILWAUKEE LEATHER Men's Classic Side Lace Police Style Motorcycle Jacket

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Pros

  • Adjustable straps at the waist and hips, for maximum fit
  • Multi-panel perforated leather panels, for great ventilation 
  • Inexpensive for the quality of jacket

Cons

  • No zippered pockets, so valuables must be stores elsewhere

More About The Alpine Stars GP Plus R v2 Airflow Leather Street Motorcycle Jacket

Alpine Stars is one of the most well-known brands in the motorcycle riding industry, and this padded airflow jacket delivers in comfort and style. It’s highly durable premium leather and multi-panel construction give it lairs of elasticity and comfort. The extensively perforated leather panels allow this jacket to breathe well and trap wind outside.

It has C.E. approved removable shoulder and elbow protectors, so you can suit up if you’re going on the highway. There are advanced polyester stretch bands on the chest insets, and under the arm, so you can get a free range of motion throughout. This jacket offers great protection, comfort, and style.

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Which Motorcycle Jacket Will You Choose?

In a nutshell, you need to first figure out what your riding style is, and what kind of padding and ventilation would be best suited for you. Then, it’s easier to make the right choice when you start shopping for it. A good motorcycle jacket will last you a lifetime with proper maintenance, so be sure to also pick one that suits your style.

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