A Guide to Motorcycle Jackets

The Evolution of the Motorcycle Jacket

A motorcycle jacket is a must-have piece of equipment for anyone who is serious about riding. A good jacket will help limit your exposure to the elements, provide protection in the event of an accident, and will be a reflection of a rider’s personal style, so there is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the perfect motorcycle jacket for you.

The biggest and most important reason for wearing a jacket is to keep a rider safe. Safety should always be at the front of every rider’s mind, but in the early days of motorcycles, not much emphasis was put on safety like it is today. Early motorcycles evolved from bicycles, and the gear involved in riding both was similar and minimal at best. But as roads began to improve, dirt paths turned into asphalt highways, motorcycles began to cover greater distances, speeds began to increase, and better safety gear was needed.

Just like with automobiles, many of the advancements in motorcycle technology came about because of racing and competition. The best example of this is the helmet. Many early riders wore a cloth hat with aviation-style goggles, and at best, wore a leather cap, but as speeds began to increase on the racetrack, helmets started to become mandatory at racing events, and they have become better and better over the years offering increased rider protection and have saved countless lives. Today helmets are required in most places, and many riders wear them regardless of local laws and regulations.

Motorcycle jackets also find their roots in racing, and that is where many safety advances are still made today. Early motorcycle riders didn’t dress much differently than early automobile drivers, mostly wearing clothes that would protect a rider from bad weather. Long sleeve sweaters became a popular choice early on because they covered a rider’s upper body, and they often featured colors, writing, or symbols that represented a particular motorcycle club or group that a rider might belong to. Many of these early sweaters also feature the name and colors of a rider’s favorite manufacturer, such as Indian or Harley Davidson, and these became popular team jerseys for use in competition. These early sweaters and jerseys looked great and are highly collected today, but offered little in the way of real protection in the event of an accident.

As speeds began to increase on the race track and the road, riders realized they needed greater overall protection, and this was when leather motorcycle jackets started to become popular. Leather had long been a popular choice for riding gloves and boots due to their abrasion resistance and overall strength, so it made perfect sense to utilize this material to produce the first real riding jackets. These leather jackets skyrocketed in popularity in the 1920s and 30s, and while advances in technology have created many types and styles of motorcycle jackets that are used for different types of riding, these first leather-style jackets still remain a popular choice for riders today.

Why Wear a Motorcycle Jacket?

The biggest reason that many riders choose to wear a motorcycle jacket is for safety and protection in the event of an accident. The first leather riding jackets, along with gloves, boots, and pants, prevented many scrapes, cuts, scratches, and even broken bones. Leather was the best material available in the early days, but over the years, even better materials have been discovered and created that offer even better abrasion resistance and protection. Modern riding jackets, regardless of the materials they are made from, often feature padding and built-in armor that provides even more protection than a standard jacket can provide.

Comfort also plays a significant role in wearing a motorcycle jacket and what style jacket a rider chooses. The open-air freedom that only comes with riding a motorcycle means that many riders choose to take long trips and travel great distances on their bikes, and while safety should always be at the forefront, comfort also has to be considered. The materials a jacket is made of, how much built-in padding, shoulder armor, chest and back protectors, large mesh panels or stretch panels, and the shape and style of a jacket will all make a difference in how comfortable it is to wear.

Protection from wind, rain, sleet, snow, mud, dirt, and gravel while riding also plays a vital role in choosing the right motorcycle jacket. Besides protection in the event of an accident, protection from the elements and bad weather is the biggest reason to wear a motorcycle jacket, and what style of riding you plan on doing, and how far you plan on traveling will determine what types of conditions you may have to face, so it’s important to be prepared with right style jacket to meet your needs.

With safety and protection taken care of, the style also needs to be taken into account. There are different styles of jackets for different styles of riding, so it will be important to choose a jacket that suits the style of riding you are planning on, but personal style is also important. Just like early riders a hundred years ago wore sweaters and jerseys that represented the groups they belonged to and the brands of bikes they rode, modern motorcycle jackets also allow a rider to express their own sense of style and represent themselves as they see fit.

Type of Riding Style

There are many styles of riding that have developed over the years which will place riders in different types of terrain and weather conditions. What sort of riding you plan on using your motorcycle for will depend on what kind of accessories, protective gear, and riding jacket you will need.

Street and sport riding often feature stripped-down “naked” bikes with few or no fairings, or race-replica sport bikes that resemble road race bikes. These style bikes aren’t really meant for off-road or touring use and are best suited for urban landscapes, paved roads, or the occasional track day. Riders of these bikes usually prefer tight-fitting jackets featuring built-in armor for maximum protection.

Touring-style riding features big bikes that usually have all sorts of accessories and fairings to comfortably ride long distances. Leather Jackets are still extremely popular with the touring bike crowd, and anyone planning on this style of motorcycle riding will want a jacket that provides protection from possible bad weather but also allows for maximum comfort over a long period of time.

Off-road riding utilizes motorcycles that are ideally suited for non-paved roads and all types of natural terrain. A rider will need to be prepared for dirt, mud, and gravel while off-roading and will want a jacket that protects the rider from these elements while also saving weight and keeping a rider cool.

Racing is one of the oldest styles of riding and features bikes that are extremely lightweight, aerodynamic, and capable of extremely high speeds. A rider will need specialized equipment for racing and will want gear that is extremely lightweight and protective. Racing is the most dangerous style of riding, so a full jacket or one-piece suit with lots of built-in padding and armor is a must-have for the race track.

Adventure riding is one of the most popular uses for a motorcycle today. This style of riding usually features a dual sport or adventure bike that is suitable for highway and off-road conditions. An adventure rider will want gear that offers the best protection from almost any weather condition that is also comfortable to use over long distances and over multiple styles of terrain.

Materials of Motorcycle Jackets

Motorcycle jackets have been, and are still made out of many different styles of material depending on their intended use. Some need to be waterproof, some need to face cold weather, some need to be lightweight, and others need to offer additional protection.

Early jackets were made out of leather, which not only offered protection from the elements and road rash but were also durable and stylish pieces of motorcycle clothing. Leather riding jackets are still extremely popular today and are what most of the general public envisions as classic motorcycle jackets.

Textiles such as synthetic blends and cotton are popular materials to make jackets out of due to the fact that they are lightweight and easy to produce. Many textile jackets also feature protective CE-rated armor added into the design to offer upper body protection while maintaining a lightweight feel.

Mesh materials have become extremely popular with on- and off-road riders who demand a lightweight, flexible, and breathable material that covers their upper body. Mesh materials usually don’t offer the maximum abrasion resistance, but they are typically a lighter jacket choice ideal for warm weather cruises.

Many riders will find that the perfect biker jacket for them often features a variety of materials combined in a way that makes their chosen style of riding as safe and comfortable as possible. There are also additional characteristics of certain jackets such as internal pockets or a removable liner, a thermal layer or an outer shell for versatility, comfort, and convenience. There are many combinations available, so take the time to find what works best for you.

Alternatives to Motorcycle Jackets

There are a few alternatives to motorcycle jackets that you can also take into consideration depending on what style of riding you plan on doing. Riding vests have been a popular choice for decades but only offer core body protection. Vests will keep your temperature cool and help show off body art that would usually be covered by sleeves, but provide little weather protection.

Motorcycle suits are also a popular choice, especially when it comes to racing because they offer a lot of extra protection, but they can be uncomfortable over long distances and can be hard to change in and out of with ease, making them best suited for the race track.

Motorcycle Closeouts

Now that you have the knowledge to choose the best motorcycle jacket for you, where is the best place to find one? Look no further than Motorcycle Closeouts. They carry the best riding gear from all of the top brands at the best retail prices. They offer free shipping on orders over $99 and always seem to be running some kind of sale.

So head on over to Motorcycle Closeouts and order the best jacket and any other motorcycle gear you might need. Suit up, and hit the road to enjoy many miles to come, safely and in style!