Motorcycle Jackets

Picture your perfect motorcycle jacket. Does it have obnoxious logos printed or stitched everywhere on it just to promote a company? Mine doesn't, but not because I'm anti-corporation or anything, I just think that running into a fellow motorcyclist and striking up a conversation to learn more about their gear ...

I've always been a Honda fan, probably stemming back to the first motorcycle I ever owned. It wasn't the prettiest thing out on the streets, but I had a blast on it, and it ran well with very little maintenance. For as much as I love Hondas, though, you can't ...

Let's say, hypothetically, that I'm a big Walker, Texas Ranger fan strictly because of the jacket that Chuck Norris wears throughout many episodes. You know which one I'm talking about, right? The denim jacket in which Norris wears holds all the secrets of the roundhouse kick itself. So, logically I ...

The evolution of motorcycle apparel has been an interesting thing to witness, especially as I'm just a casual observer. In the past, the only items for safety that were usually made were made for men, because it was something like 1% of the riders out there were women, so not really ...

The thing about buffalos is that you know they're pretty tough to begin with. They have big strong backs, can weigh a ton, and have large horns capable of skewering a man like a shish-kabob. This is probably what helps buffalo leather be as durable and protective as it is, and ...

One of the things that I miss the most about being young is the ability to get up from falls without so much as a bruise and wanting to try the same stunt again that had me on the ground in the first place. This works when climbing trees or ...

Getting a new jacket is like making a new friend. You're bound to go on grand adventures that will add a wealth of experience to your life. Your jacket will enjoy getting to see the world, and you'll enjoy having the protection that your best jacket friend offers if you ...

"Oh Steven, I can't believe that you got that beautiful hand stitched jacket your grandmother made for you right before she died all muddy and filthy like that. Have you no shame? Did you even think about her frail, bony fingers pushing the needle through that tough fabric, almost ...

Xelement makes products that fit the needs of riders today, and this jacket is no different. It has all the typical bells and whistles of most motorcycle jackets on the market like removable CE-certified armor in the back, shoulders, and elbows. It also has a removable quilted polyester liner for ...

There can be a lot of prejudice in the motorcycle world. People who ride Hondas tend to buy gear with Honda's name on it, where the same could be said for Harley-Davidsons or Kawasaki. Though, riding jackets all have the same goal in mind, basically saving your skin. If a jacket comes ...

It seems like every time I get excited about having a day off of work to go out for a ride, whomever is in charge upstairs seems to like to drench on my parade. Sometimes I'll get up and it'll be sunny, so I decide to ride a little bit with ...

The Fieldsheer Congo Air Mesh Jacket is the perfect answer to the age-old question: "It's hot out... do I really need a riding jacket?" That answer is positively yes, yes you should. Mesh jackets actually cool you off better than wearing just a T-shirt anyways. The air flows in ...

It's hard to deny the fact that more and more women are riding bigger cruisers and sport bikes more than ever. No longer just sticking to the Honda Rebel or the smaller Suzukis, I'm seeing women handle Harleys just as well as their guy counterparts. This is a ...

You just can't talk down against a good motorcycle jacket. They're made to protect you from the worst of accidents first of all, but they've also go to be comfortable enough to want to wear for those hours while you're tearing up ...

If you're on a Harley, you've probably got a nice leather jacket and a stylish helmet already. Those seem to go with the whole package. The problem with the leather jacket, though, is that on those really hot days, it's almost like sticking yourself in an oven. If you still want ...

Leather has been used as a form of clothing for humans to protect themselves from the nasty things that Mother Nature likes to throw at us for centuries. Today, leather is still one of the favorite materials used for production of motorcycle gear because of its great durability and longevity, ...

There are some things that we, as society, have accepted in the past that can no longer be tolerated in modern times. Things like mesh T-shirts (which I'm sure was decent on the fit male model, and was never actually intended for the average man to wear), or mullets ...

Throughout history, there are stories of people who couldn't deal with creating or owning just the same quality of stuff that everyone else had. If not for these people, we wouldn't have the luxury cars, the luxury hotels, or possibly even the luxury candies that are sent ...

It might just be my imagination, but I think that people were built tougher back in the beginnings of the motorcycle revolution. There weren't fancy helmets or extra-tough boots to keep you safe from the insanely fast 13 mph crashes; heck, they were probably called a baby if ...

Speed & Strength does it again with the Kiss 'N Tell textile motorcycle jacket. This jacket features CE-approved removable shoulder and elbow protectors, a removable Dual Density back protector, and "Speed Zip" controlled ventilation -- which is a nice touch since there's nothing like struggling with a zipper ...

A solid, perforated leather jacket -- that's what the Scorpion Stinger Jacket is. There are many things that I like about this jacket and a couple that I question.

The jacket offers CE-certified armor in the arms and shoulders. However, it includes only a foam back pad. This is ...

Motorcycling and leather are forever linked. The relationship goes back to the origins of the sport. I guess that's why I like leather jackets with a classic look and feel. The REV'IT! CR Leather Jacket fits this bill. I can't help but think the "CR" stands ...

I know this jacket, because I OWN this jacket. In the summer, I see a lot of riders wearing T-shirts where I live. Some think you have to choose either protection or comfort in hot weather. Not true.

Armored mesh jackets are the answer. The Dainese ...

The Fly Racing Patrol Jacket is a model of dirt apparel versatility. Just listen to what it can do. In cool weather, leave everything zipped and attached. As things cool, you can remove the sleeves and open the vents. If you need to remove the jacket ...

When the discussion of ultra-premium racing gear comes up in sport-bike circles, Dainese will certainly be mentioned early and often. The Dainese Racing Leather Jacket is a new offering by the legendary Italian company. It will cost you, but if you want to ride in a jacket ...

The Icon TiMax 2 textile jacket is a rider favorite for good reason. Interestingly, the titanium is not just a sales ploy (although it is certainly that, too). There is actually exterior titanium armor plating and titanium reinforced textile panels in critical areas.

The TiMax 2 comes ...

What we have here is an incredible jacket with a Shakespearean fatal flaw.

The Speed and Strength Hell 'n Back Jacket has a list of features and functions I have never seen in any other jacket. It has a body constructed of water-resistant AR-600 textile. That body has what ...

Most riders avoid weather extremes like rain, hail, snow, sleet, and blazing heat. I know adventure riders who actually seek out these extremes -- preferably in the same day! Obviously, riders with this mindset seek out gear with the ability to adapt to this full palette ...

When I begin a review of adventure touring apparel, I first turn to a forum called Adventure Rider Motorcycle Forum (ADV). What I am looking for are early reactions by my fellow rabid adventure tourers. When I searched for notes on the Klim Adventure Rally Jacket (and matching ...

I am intrigued by the premium (and pricey) motorcycle apparel brands as much as anyone. However, in these tough times, finding a company that continually produces quality protective wear at an affordable price is nice. Olympia is just such a company. I have found Olympia gear ...

In some people's eyes, the problem with armored motorcycles jackets is… well, they look like armored motorcycle jackets. The Teknic Women's Diamond Jacket offers a good measure of protection while still looking good off the bike.

Let's start, as we should, with protection. The Teknic Diamond features Knox Lite ...

The Dainese Santa Monica Perforated Leather Jacket carries a name that conjures the beauty of the West Coast. This varied terrain ranges from cool coastal temperatures to the toasty desert inland. This jacket should perform well in this spectrum of temperatures.

First off, this jacket is perforated for ...

I recently watched a TV documentary on the workings of the Alpinestars factory in Italy. I was more than impressed with the attention to detail of everyone featured, from the engineers to the testers and fabricators. They all seemed passionate about producing a quality product. There is ...

Speed and Strength (SS) is a company with an eye for appearance but also solid attention to detail. The Speed And Strength Moment Of Truth SP Men's Mesh Motorcycle Jacket is no exception. It is a good-looking jacket that will keep you cool and protected in ...

The Alpinestars Royal Drystar Textile Motorcycle Jacket is a true foul-weather friend. This piece of riding apparel has features that will protect in extreme conditions. It is geared toward the commuter or the full-on touring rider.

The shell is nylon with PU-coating construction for strength and abrasion resistance. It ...

Transition… now that's a good name for this jacket. The Tour Master Transition Series 2 jacket is well equipped to make the transition from warm, to cold, to wet riding conditions.

This three-quarter length touring jacket has a 600 denier shell and a warming 100-gram Polyfill removable ...

I like Dainese gear. It's not cheap, and I mean that in both implications of the word. Dainese leather gear often has a price that puts it out of the reach of the budget-constrained rider. However, Dainese is becoming a much bigger player in the textile market, ...

The Icon Men's Accelerant leather jacket is simply a quality piece of riding apparel. Icon has a reputation for being a company that appeals to the young and trendy segment of the riding community. Some of their gear is, in my opinion, a little "over the top" ...

Mt. Kilimanjaro is an extreme mountain environment in Tanzania. The Firstgear Men's Kilimanjaro Waterproof Jacket is a jacket designed for extreme motorcycling conditions. If you spend much time around touring and adventure motorcyclists, certain jackets tend to come up in conversation. Premium and extremely pricey jackets like ...

Having lived in Arizona for over 4 decades, I know a little something about heat. Having been a motorcyclist for almost as long, I know a little something about hot weather gear. I don't know if Joe Rocket invented the armored mesh jacket, but they are at least ...

Leather is protective, heavy, and expensive. Cordura textile is versatile, waterproof, and relatively affordable. An increasing number of quality motorcycle jackets are mating these two materials with very positive results. By placing leather in the impact-prone zones of the jacket, like the forearms and shoulders, the ...

Personally, I'm not into the whole "fear and intimidation" aspect in a lot of today's motorcycling gear. I have never donned flames, bones, or skulls. However, I am a realist, and I know this is a marketable aspect of our sport.

Icon's Men's Skull Leather Motorcycle Jacket plays ...

Riding to work at this time of year has its appeals. You tough out the cold morning, the street still untouched by the warming massage of all those particles of light, and you receive your afternoon reward of a beautiful fall ride past fields and fauna. These are, at least, my circumstances.

Tour Master ...

Armored coats always make me feel like Ralphie's little brother in "A Christmas Story," wrapped head to toe for weather, holding my arms straight out at my sides, and only then realizing I have to go to the bathroom. But armored coats, once you get used to the feel ...

The streetbike community is overrun, drowning in a deluge of textile jackets. Don't get me wrong; there are companies, like Icon, that make some great leathers for the street rider. There is, however, a particular style to this kind of jacket, and manufacturers will charge you an arm and a leg ...

Sometimes you look at a product and you don't have to give two thoughts about its purpose. River Road's Basic leather motorcycle jacket is just that: a basic motorcycle jacket. You look at it and you know that it's cut and designed for riding because it looks like the jackets ...

August went out with a heat wave here, but now that September has arrived, it's been cool. This is not the best weather for me to be thinking about a mesh textile jacket, but last month, stuck in traffic with the heat beating down on me, I gave some serious consideration ...

I like green. I like jackets. This is a green jacket. Two things I like! And, you get it through the American Motorcyclists Association, so a portion of what you spend goes back into defending your rights as a motorcyclist. Not a bad deal and a ...

Anyone who knows me knows that I like versatility. I'm terrible at making the big decisions because I always want to make the "right" one. Any product that can assure me it will accommodate me during a sudden snowstorm in a desert has my vote. Maybe the AGV Sport Evolution/Rally ...

My brother-in-law just bought his third riding jacket. Third. He has a leather, a textile, and now another textile that has "Kawasaki" written on it. Each of these serve a purpose to deal with specific riding conditions, including that riding condition where people are looking at you and wondering what brand ...