Functional Fashion: The Best Leather Motorcycle Jackets

From our favorite Duluthian comes this waterproof and breathable leather jacket made from a new CORIUM+ material, which combines specially treated high quality leather with an integrated waterproof laminate. CORIUM+ leather contains a proprietary treatment that keeps it from absorbing water; millions of micro-vents let your personal moisture right out, even as it keeps even the heaviest deluges from soaking in.  Only the most supple, luxurious and flexible cow hides are selected for the complicated processing and tanning technology that makes that possible.

Inside, six carefully fitted, easily removable TF armor systems provide superior energy absorption in key areas with minimal physical restriction. Design updates of the latest ‘3’ version include waterproof underarm vent zippers, a slightly larger pocket on the right forearm, a fold-away reflective cover over the dual-slider zipped back vent, and a near-full circumference (270°) pant-to-jacket zipper. Available in black or Hi-Viz yellow.

The original Dyno jacket from Alpinestars was one of the first leather jackets the company ever made. It became a best seller, and the updated version 2.0 carries on the tradition. Fully CE-approved, the Dyno v2 is made from supple leather with stretch panels across the chest for greater mobility. Two exterior pockets are paired with a waterproof internal pocket, and snaps at the waist help make for a better fit. CE certified Bio-Armor sits in the shoulder and elbow pockets for impact protection. A modern take on a vintage-ish jacket, the Dyno is classically understated but still has plenty of pop.

The Jacket Maker is an interesting addition to this list, as we aren’t focusing on one specific model. Instead, the business as a whole is what makes this company unique. The Jacket Maker has hundreds of affordable leather jackets to choose from, each offered in eight sizes to fit most anybody. But what really sets them apart is the ability to choose a made-to-measure jacket so you can get an absolutely perfect fit with only a nominal upcharge (just $30).

If you want to take things to the next level, the Jacket Maker also offers a bespoke service. They will work with you to get exact measurements and you can choose from a wide variety of patterns, fabric/leather, embroidery, and more so you can build the jacket you’ve always wanted.

Every jacket produced by the Jacket Maker is handmade with full grain natural leather and features premium components like YKK zippers. The Jacket Maker manages to keep prices low with a direct-to-consumer approach.

This is a promoted product placement.

From the absurdly expensive department comes the Ivy 2.0 from Belstaff. At $1650, it’s the most expensive jacket on this list, and could be useful for showing your SO what a bargain the $500 jacket you really want is, if nothing else. But what does a giant wad of cash get you? In short, extravagance. Bull leather construction from 1.0-1.1mm thick hide, the Ivy 2.0 also gets cotton/viscose lining. The diamond pattern on the shoulders and elbows (along with CE approved armor underneath) is a signature Belstaff feature, while the collar is corduroy-lined, with hardware made from vintage nickel. There are two zippered side pockets and an embroidered logo on the sleeve. Visually, the classic leather jacket look is clearly still there, with the offset zip being a clue to the classic design. The Ivy 2.0 is a little shorter than the version 1.0 to make it better suited for sportier motorcycles.

Dainese is code for slim-fit Italian fashion and top-notch protection. Iride matte leather, S1 bielastic stretch panels, and Pro-armor impact panels come together in a vintage-inspired ladies’ jacket. A TechFrame internal liner provides increased air circulation on hot days. Safety stitching and reinforced construction help the Lola 3 meets prEN 17092 motorbike protective jacket certification, and there’s a pocket for an optional back protector as well. (For the latest in protection, google up Dainese’s D-Air line of airbag-equipped gear.)

Summertime is prime time for most of us, and it doesn’t appear summers will be getting cooler anytime soon. That’s why you want a perforated jacket; you’ll be surprised how much air flows through those tiny holes if you’ve never ridden in one. The Sport Pro comes in a non-perf version, too; in a perfect world you’d have both. Not only is the premium cowhide in this jacket perforated, it’s also got zippered air vents and extractors for even more airflow as needed. Also Pro Armor inserts at the shoulders that combine with the interchangeable aluminum shoulder plates for excellent protection. Dainese says metal offers excellent abrasion resistance, does not degrade during a slide and does not trigger any dangerous rolling or twisting of the joint. Good to know.

Do you work out? You’ll love this jacket’s athletic Italian fit and its sleek ergonomics, comfort, and lightness.

Icon has a good rep for high quality at reasonable prices, and the Hypersport 2 Prime is at the top end of its performance envelope. Thick, 1.1-1.3mm TracSpec cowhide, designed with strategically sewn accordion leather flex zones, results in Icon’s “Attack Fit,” for high speed work. Your D3O impact protection package handles impact absorption – and an internal waist zipper connects to the matching Hypersport Prime pants. Deep chest pockets double as chest vents. Reinforced perforation zones let the breeze in as needed, and the microfleece-lined collar adds, ah, comfort.

The REV’IT Glide Vintage Jacket contains modern protection – CE-Rated armor at the shoulders and elbows, with a pocket for an optional back protector – inside an understated, vintage-inspired old-school jacket. MotoGP-inspired, the jacket incorporates a connection zipper to attach to any REV’IT pants. The standard removable sleeveless liner makes this a three-season jacket as well as one that looks great off the bike.

Styled after RSD’s popular Ronin jacket, the Maven is a basic cafe racer style jacket form fitted for the female anatomy. Airbone leather is RSD’s premium cowhide offering. Pre-curved sleeves, relaxed collar and a dropped back are all part of the performance riding fit; an adjustable zip waist and comfort flex panels under the arms are designed to let women further tailor the Maven to their form. Inside, there’s a satin poly lining. If you want impact protection, though, you’ll pay a bit more for armor to fit into the jacket’s shoulder, elbow, and back protector pockets.

They know a thing or two about wet and cold in Finland, which is Rukka’s country of origin. The Aramen caught our roving eye; it’s constructed from the same type of waterproof Corium leather as the Aerostich Transit. Specifically, this is perforated aniline calf leather Corium+ Platinum laminate, which is claimed to be wind and waterproof, as well as breathable – which means it should keep you comfy in all kinds of conditions, and there’s a removable thermal liner as well. CE-approved Rukka D3O LP1 shoulder and elbow protectors, and a D3O Air XTR All Back Protector are included, along with a long list of features.

Remember the jacket Marlon Brando wore in The Wild One? This is it. The Original. The Perfecto. Schott and Brando defined the leather motorcycle genre with this jacket. Constructed from U.S.-sourced drum-dyed, hand-cut, heavyweight 3-3.5 oz. steerhide leather, the Perfecto is the standard by which all other classic American jackets are judged. For example, the offset zipper and slash cut front zip pocket are now iconic, just like the huge back panel design, Other signature touches include the snap-down lapels and attached belt with nickel plated buckle. There’s not actually any armor or padding inside, but for many people, especially ones who don’t ride, that may not be an issue.

High in Italy’s Chiampo Valley, where they’ve been tanning hides for 600 years, is where Spidi sources the large panels of 1.1 to 1.3mm-thick cowhide for its aptly named Premium jacket. Flex and accordion panels running the length of the jacket give the jacket an excellent fit for both ecto and mesomorph body types, along with freedom of motion. CE-approved elbow and shoulder add impact protection, and the optional Warrior back protector will slot right in. Zippered vents at the chest offer relief from summer heat, and a removable thermal liner makes the Premium a viable three-season garment.

An iconic American brand, Vanson is known for its leather jackets. Go to the company website and prepare to be bombarded with a variety of different options. The AR3 is Vanson’s first leather jacket, but updated with CE-approved F.A.S. armor at shoulders and elbows, and the ability to accept the optional backpad. The action back segues into a dipped back and kidney panel for a windtight fit. Hardware is brass, zippers are metal. Vanson uses a specially formulated hot wax recipe dating back before WW2 to give it its distinct sheen and look. To quote Vanson, “This is a living material that changes with use and time all the while gaining a fine patina from use.”