The classic leather bike jacket has made a massive resurgence in recent years. Here are five of our picks, which will all look just as good in 2070 as they do today.
The leather bike jacket has become a symbol of motorcycling. These jackets combine timeless looks and design with modern standards of protection.
Richa Daytona 2 Leather Jacket
Customer rating:
Customers have been very impressed with the quality feel of this jacket, which is constructed from buffalo leather and has a CE safety rating of AA (the middle of three levels). The jacket features D3O armour at the elbows, shoulders, and back, but customers noted this doesn’t make the jacket bulky, with several happy to wear the jacket casually off the bike. The majority of reviewers were happy with the fit of the jacket, although one taller reviewer found the jacket a little short.
Weise Detroit Leather Jacket
Customer rating:
This highly rated jacket is made from milled leather, which many customers found to be incredibly soft and supple from the off, despite also being relatively thick. The jacket comes with armour at the shoulders, elbows, and back, which earns praise for being unobtrusive both on and off the bike. While most customers have been happy with the fit of the jacket, one or two riders had to order a larger size for a better fit. The Detroit has a CE safety rating of AA, which is the middle of three levels.
Weise Hydra WP Leather Jacket
Customer rating:
Sportsbikeshop customers love the Hydra. From the first 59 reviews, it scored an impressive average of 4.8 stars, although some customers say they went up a size from their usual. As well as a removable waterproof liner, which is unusual for a leather jacket, there’s a removable thermal lining and a full set of CE-approved armour. The short and long connection zips allow the attachment of matching Hydra jeans. The Hydra WP jacket has an AA safety rating, the middle of three levels within the CE approval structure.
Oxford Walton Leather Jacket
Customer rating:
Sportsbikeshop customers have awarded the Oxford Walton jacket 4.8 stars from the first 10 reviews, heaping particular praise on the build quality of the jacket. Reviewers have noted that the jacket is versatile, and can be used across three seasons - probably not including winter! One customer, although happy with the jacket overall, notes that the arms are a little on the longside. The Walton jacket is CE-approved for safety at a rating of AA, the middle of three levels.
Richa Cafe Leather Jacket - Black
Customer rating:
The word that pops up most in the customer reviews for Richa’s long-serving Cafe jacket is ‘value’. With an average rating of 4.9 from the first 33 reviews, that’s an impressive record. Owners like the construction quality of the jacket, and the satin-like finish of the leather, which is described as being somewhere between matt and gloss. It’s made from cowhide throughout, has traditional cafe racer styling and meets the CE safety standard at the basic A grade. The removable thermal lining earns praise for its insulating qualities and sizing is described as accurate.