The Best Motorcycle Jackets for Men to Buy in 2023
Whether you are an avid biker or not, one thing we can all agree on is that motorcycle jackets are really cool. Not just cooler than cool, but ice cold. The literal definition of cutting edge, motorcycle jackets are a great addition to your wardrobe as they are seasonal pieces that can be worn year round, with the ability to be paired with many different items in your closet. With us heading towards the spring season soon (and different parts of the country already experiencing warmer temperatures), we figured now would be a good time to drop our list of the best motorcycle jackets for men to consider buying right now.
We’ll include a couple of selections for those that are avid riders as those jackets are far more technical than the ones you wear casually, but for the most part, this round-up is going to be a casual style one which leads us to our next point…
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Things to Consider When Picking a Motorcycle Jacket
What are some of the things to consider when picking a motorcycle jacket? The first thing to consider is your reason for buying the jacket in the first place. Are you an actual biker that’s looking for a jacket to take on the road? Or are you a non-biker that’s looking to achieve a biker look? If the former, you’ll want to consider what types of trips you are looking to purchase your jacket for. Are you looking for a daily commuter jacket, or something for a long distance trip? Those will require different types of jackets. You’ll also want to factor in the standard weather conditions your jacket will face.
Do you plan on traveling in weather conditions such as rain and heavy wind? If so, you will need a jacket that is suitable for those conditions. Those are just a few of the questions bikers should ask themselves before searching for a jacket in addition to their feature preferences. On the other hand if you are only looking for a casual jacket to wear, then this is going to be mostly dependent on your personal preferences such as material type, the cut and style of the jacket, and how long you hope for it to last. Additionally, both bikers and non-bikers should also take into consideration their budget, and what is reasonable to spend.
Material
While most motorcycle jackets are made with leather (especially ones meant specifically for bikers), jackets can also be made with textile fabric and waxed cotton. Motorcycle jackets designed for bikers are also known to have specialized fabrics such as cordura or Kevlar.
Safety
When you are a biker, safety has to always be something carefully considered when choosing your jacket as well. In fact, we feel it is the most important factor as jackets can protect you from flying sharp objects, and can save your arms and chest area from experiencing injuries while riding. You will ideally want something that covers your entire upper body. We won’t ignore the fact that some choose to forgo this requirement altogether, but it still has to be said as leaving skin exposed can be dangerous.
You’ll also want to be mindful of your sleeve length as you don’t want the sleeves getting caught on certain parts of your bike. If you purchase a jacket and find that the sleeves are too long, then you can always get it altered. You’ll also ideally want a leather jacket for extra protection, along with a jacket that is water-repellant and windproof.
Fit
And lastly, you’ll want to take into account the fit. This is mostly a personal preference thing as you are the one that knows how you like your jacket. Some biker jackets are slim-fit while others are more loose (though not too loose as once again that can be a hazard). The “perfect” motorcycle jacket is one that is mostly snug without being too tight. Now that we have gone over everything you need to know before purchasing a motorcycle jacket, let’s get into our suggestions.
1. American Legend First Manufacturing Raider Jacket
American Legend
- Colors - Black
- Material - Diamond Naked Cowhide Leather
- Sizes - S, M, L, XL, 2XL
American Legend is known for providing some of the most quality motorcycle jackets on the market. You’ll definitely get the bang for your buck with their First Manufacturing Raider Jacket, which is made with thick Diamond Naked Cowhide Leather to make the jacket durable and suitable for riding if that is your reason for buying. Additional features include: four chest pockets, two slash pockets, eight hidden utility pockets, a scooter style design with a banded collar, zippered sleeves, and plenty more.
BUY NOW AT AMERICAN LEGEND, $269.99
2. Harley Davidson Men’s Ozello Mesh Riding Jacket
Harley Davidson
- Colors - Black
- Material - Polyester Mesh
- Sizes - S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Who better to get a biker jacket from other than Harley Davidson? A lighter jacket for warmer weather, the Ozello Mesh Riding Jacket can be worn both casually and for riding, and comes highly recommended. The jacket features abrasion-resistant mesh construction that promotes high-flow air intake while power-stretch zones flex with rapid in-saddle movements. That means that the jacket is sweat-resistant even on the hottest of days. There’s also sewn-in flexible lightweight Dainese Pro-Shape body armor at elbows and shoulders amongst other features, and the jacket is a slim-fit.
BUY NOW AT HARLEY DAVIDSON, $177
3. Thursday Boot Co. Roadster Jacket
Thursday Boot Co.
- Colors - Black Matte, Black Coffee, Walnut
- Material - Hand-Finished Full Grain Leather
- Sizes - S, M, L, XL, 2XL
A style jacket through and through, this Roadster jacket from Thursday Boot Co. comes in three different colors with the option to have the jacket crafted in either a slim, athletic, or relaxed fit. The Roadster was designed with the timeless spirit of the American values of freedom and independence in mind, and is meant to be a jacket that will last you for years. Some of the other cool features of this jacket include a plush polyester Interior with leather trimmings, a long-lasting metal zipper that is guaranteed for life, and twin side pockets for your smaller belongings.
BUY NOW AT THURSDAY BOOT CO., $360
4. Venture Heat Men’s Bluetooth 78W Heated Motorcycle Jacket
Venture Heat
- Colors - Black
- Material - Leather
- Sizes - S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL
Want to talk about a cool jacket? This right here is a cool jacket. The Bluetooth 78W Heated Motorcycle Jacket is a riding jacket that has bluetooth enabled power sports liners within the jacket that both keep you warm and light up. The heat zones are in the right and left chest, right and left sleeve, right and left back, as well as the collar, and comes with a battery harness and fuse kit. As you can see from the picture, this jacket is indeed epic, and one can only imagine what it looks like at night.
5. David Outwear Salvador Leather Jacket
David Outwear
- Colors - Black, Saddle Brown
- Material - Premium Crafted Leather
- Sizes - S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
You can also opt for the David Outwear Salvador Leather Jacket which is a stylish head-turner. The jacket comes in two colors (black and saddle brown), and is made from premium crafted leather of the highest quality. The jacket also features a detachable hoodie with signature durability, along with being waterproof, scratch resistant, and abrasion proof.
BUY NOW AT DAVID OUTERWEAR, $95.95
6. Alpinestars Bionic Plus V2 Jacket
Alpine Stars
- Colors - Black, Black Anthracite Red, Grey/Black, Sand/Black
- Material - Leather
- Sizes - S, M, L, XL, 2XL
Another jacket for the avid bikers, the Alpinestars Bionic V2 Jacket comes in an assortment of colors and sizes that is all about your personal preference. A jacket that is both comfortable and flexible, the Alpinestars V2 is highly technical featuring an all-new Level 2 Cell Technology chest protector for ultra-light weight and optimum ventilation, a super-ventilated Level 2 Nucleon Cell & Flex Hybrid Technology back protector, foam padding, adjustable straps and more. You’ll definitely have all the tools to keep yourself protected while on the road, and you’ll look great while at it.
