how to choose leather jacket

How to choose your Leather Motorcycle Jacket?

Are you a leather jacket and Harley fan? Are you looking for a good leather jacket? It's always a tough choice, what is the best leather jacket? Maybe you are asking yourself, How do I get a good leather jacket? How is a leather jacket supposed to fit? Is a leather jacket a good investment?

Many of our clothes are compulsive purchases. Very few will become our "favorite clothes". A mistake is costly, as the garment will remain at the bottom of the wardrobe.

A leather motorbike jacket is different. It is a lasting purchase, almost an investment. A motorbike jacket is designed to protect your body. A mistake will be costly financially but can be expensive in terms of safety. That's why you need to choose your leather motorbike jacket with the utmost care. It will be one of the garments you wear most often. To find the perfect balance between aesthetics, comfort, and robustness, here are some answers.

Welcome to Skull Action, the place where enthusiasts like you do their best to offer you quality content. Today, we will talk about leather jackets, and this article is for bikers and for people who are just passionate about this mythical and timeless garment. We will address the following points:

  • What is the purpose of the leather jacket?
  • How a leather jacket can protect you.
  • How to choose a jacket style?
  • How to choose the right size for your body?

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What is the purpose of a leather motorbike jacket? 

The leather motorbike jacket remains a safe bet, inseparable from a world of pleasure, freedom, passion, and competition. Leather breathes and keeps its shape and colors over the years. It is more resistant to rubbing and weathering than textile. In our wardrobe, we must admit that leather is the only material that ages well.

Like motorbikes, motorcyclists' and scooterists' clothing has evolved. Some jackets are both very aesthetic and very technical. Most motorbike jackets benefit from technologies derived from circuit racing: flexible or reinforced shells made of aluminum or carbon, replacement of certain areas with composite fabrics, and the addition of waterproof membranes, particularly on the seams. 

The choice of a leather motorbike jacket depends first on the use you will make of it: daily, intense, or occasional. The look is critical but should come second. For example, a beautiful full-grain leather jacket may not be suitable for permanent use on the road or motorway.

Choosing a full-grain, corrected grain, or split leather motorbike jacket?

The full-grain of a hide is the side where the hair is, as opposed to the flesh side. The grain is the skin from which the top layer has been removed. The rind is the lower part for products that require solidity above all. The corrected bloom is a skin that has certain imperfections. The leather is sanded and then coated with a varnish to make it uniform to remove these imperfections.

harley leather jacket

The best part of the animal is the rump, corresponding to the back and the croup. The worst part is the flanks, corresponding to the belly. The neck is called the collar, but it is mainly used as a backup as it is wrinkled. To guarantee a leather product’s homogeneity, the cutter combines different pieces to obtain the best final result.A leather motorbike jacket is made in full-grain, grain, corrected grain, or crust, depending on its destination. 

You also have to take into account the cost price. If you're going to be doing a lot of mileage, the crust is the best choice, even if it's less noble. For reasons of cost and solidity, lamb and calf are rarely used. The finest and most supple leathers also fear water the most and stain more easily.

Simply put, if you're looking for an urban look, the more expensive leathers are best. For a biker's soul, opt for more solid leathers.

vintage leather jacket

The safety and protection offered by a leather motorbike jacket

Leather offers good resistance in the event of a fall or slip on a two-wheeler. It can be combined with Kevlar ™ jeans, which have the advantage of being discreet yet intense. It's no coincidence that on the racetrack, the motorbike suit remains leather. But this is not always very practical in everyday life. That's why we usually settle for a leather jacket and cotton or Kevlar jeans.

Although some purists will always opt for 100% leather, most motorbike jackets today are technical and combine several polyamide materials.

The air and waterproofing and comfort of a leather jacket

Leather offers good protection against a bit of rain and the wind. You can add a jumper or a removable thermal liner in winter and a windbreaker over it. Before going out in the rain, you can spray a waterproofing spray, but this should be done occasionally.

So as not to give the wind too much of a grip. When your jacket is closed, the waist should not be too loose. Also, check the armhole, if possible, while wearing your usual gloves. Also, ideally, you should check the feeling around your neck while wearing your helmet.

skull jacket waterproof

The different styles of motorbike jackets

There are several categories of jackets to suit your tastes and needs. Motorbike enthusiasts usually have two jackets, sometimes, even more, one for summer and shoulder season and one for winter. The leather keeps warm, which is a real advantage in winter but a genuine inconvenience in summer. Some leathers have additional treatments, such as nubuck and suede, which are scraped to improve the feel and then waterproofed. These are beautiful leathers but not necessarily suitable for heavy use. You don't want your leather motorbike jacket to look good for six months. You want it to look good for ten or fifteen years!

Choosing a leather racing jacket

For those who travel in all weathers, but do not ride all day. There is the racing motorbike jacket. It can withstand a shower, a little snow, a little wind, and cold. Of course, in the middle of winter, a removable lining should be added. Aesthetically, the motorbike racing jacket is embellished with aluminum or carbon shells that give an authentic biker look.

Some models are equipped with a back hump to improve aerodynamics on the road. This type of jacket is especially suitable for heavy riders or track athletes. Sometimes the unexposed parts are not made of leather but of elastic fabrics. Another advantage is that the treads of a racing jacket are pre-shaped to reduce elbow resistance when riding.

Choosing a vintage leather motorbike jacket

If you like vintage style, a motorbike jacket derived from the timeless perfecto created in 1928 (soon to be a century old!) may be suitable. There is a wide choice of old-school models inspired by the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. If you are a fan of custom culture, this type of jacket will give you a unique look. Vintage doesn't have to mean austere. A vintage motorbike jacket can blend different colors while giving you a little "Harley", or heroic fighter pilot, feel. 🤘🏻

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Choosing a leather roadster jacket

Like the racing jacket, the roadster jacket offers a wide variety of choices. It is designed for heavy use and can be adapted to all circumstances of everyday life. On a standard structure, the finishes and colors follow the current trends. The significant advantage of the leather roadster jacket is that it is all-purpose. It can be used, for example, to go to work, for walks, or deliveries by motorbike or scooter.

If you are thinking of functionality and efficiency, the motorbike roadster jacket can be an excellent choice. Thanks to its straight cut, it is also very comfortable.

Choosing a leather touring jacket

The touring motorbike jacket, or motorbike touring jacket, is probably the favorite of those who ride in all weathers. Far from being a simple leather motorbike jacket, it benefits from technical innovations that make it more waterproof and safer. Very practical, it adapts to all body types. Like its cousin, the motorbike roadster jacket, it has many pockets; This is the jacket for enthusiasts, for those who feel like bikers before they feel like drivers.

An interesting variant is the motorbike touring jacket.  In rainy or windy conditions, the touring coat is the most suitable. But it is longer than the jacket. Again, you have to think about using the jacket: a touring jacket can be worn over a classic coat. It can be matched with K-way ™ type windproof trousers that cover city trousers.

biker leather jacket

Choosing an urban leather motorbike jacket or urban leather motorbike jacket

If you're going on holiday by car and only use your motorbike in the city, choosing an urban motorbike jacket or urban motorbike jacket can be a smart move. Its design makes it more ready-to-wear. It allows you to move quickly from the street to the office while retaining the technical features that make it safe while riding. Some models are also waterproof.

The urban leather motorbike jacket can also be used as an over-jacket to cover a city jacket. 💪🏻

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Choosing a woman's leather motorbike jacket

Most women tend to choose a leather jacket that is lighter, more fitted, and more colorful than men. But here again, you need to ask yourself the right questions. If you only use your motorbike rarely, but for long journeys, it is better to choose a leather motorbike jacket, which is the cousin of the touring jacket or the roadster jacket. The look of the leather and the harmony of the colours are, in this case, adapted to the tastes and aesthetics of women. 👧🏻

If you're a commuter, the choice is more likely to be for the descendants of the perfecto or the charming derivatives of the aviator jacket. Often, the option will compromise between feminine and elegant look and the intrinsic qualities of leather: solidity and safety.

girl leather jacket

A woman's leather motorbike jacket can be beautiful and can be worn in all circumstances. All you need to do is keep a windbreaker in the boot of your motorbike, which you can put on in case of rain. 

The manufacturers are making great efforts in design; today, a woman's leather motorbike jacket is very feminine. Even sexy if that's the effect you're looking for, think about matching accessories to your new jacket.

The color of your handbag and shoes, and the jewelry you wear. A gothic motorbike jacket can be stunning but more challenging to wear daily unless that's already your style.

If you're only buying one jacket, it's best to go for a classic, versatile style. A leather motorbike jacket in delicate tones will be perfect for commuting to work, but also for a night out with friends. 

The urban leather jacket seems the most balanced choice. A wide variety of collars are available, depending on whether you live in a warm or cold region. You can also choose between zips and buttons. If you live in a windy area, the zip should be covered with a flap.

fashion leather jacket

Practicality and ergonomics: choosing the right size for your leather motorbike jacket

If you usually wear tight-fitting clothes, you can choose a slim-fitting leather motorbike jacket. Under no circumstances should you feel bulky. On the other hand, if you have a bit of a belly or curves, it is better to choose a straight cut. Don't choose a jacket that is too wide either. The coat should not bulge when you are riding at high speed.

When you try on your new leather jacket, your movements may be slightly restricted. Close the coat altogether, then touch your shoulders and shoulder blades on both sides, one hand after the other. This should not hurt. The leather will loosen up a bit to fit you, just like shoes.

women-skull-jacket

A leather motorbike jacket should not be too close to the body - unless you only ride occasionally. If you ride in winter, it's essential to try it on with a jumper and a removable thermal liner. Also, check the shoulder and elbow protection.

You should feel comfortable. Sit down and hold your hands out as if you were riding your bike. Pay attention to the feeling in your arms, elbows, and shoulders.

And above all, in your new leather motorbike jacket, you must like yourself!

And you, which leather jacket will you choose?

This blog article shows how you can select your coat according to its utility, style, and morphology. Leather jackets have no secrets for you. You just have to apply everything we've seen above to choose the perfect shell for you.

If you are a biker, we have great news for you. We have a collection of leather jackets sorted by quality. You won't find better anywhere else. Just click on the image below and browse the skull leather jacket collection.

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