A motorcycle jacket is a key piece of clothing and safety gear in any biker’s wardrobe. Not only could it keep you warm in cool weather, but it could also help protect you in the event an accident occurs. There are hundreds of motorcycle jackets in the market, so how do you choose which one to buy? A lot of the choice comes down to these five preferences: the level of safety and protection you feel comfortable wearing, fit, materials, overall look, and price point. Utilize our guide for help making the perfect for you buying decision.
Contents
- Top 10 Best Motorcycle Jackets 2016
- Motorcycle Jacket Reviews
- Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 Men’s Riding Jacket Review
- Viking Cycle Asger Motorcycle Jacket Review
- Olympia Moto Sports Dakar Dual Sport Jacket Review
- Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 Men’s Mesh Motorcycle Riding Jacket Review
- Joe Rocket Cleo 2.2 Women’s Mesh Motorcycle Riding Jacket Review
- Xelement Momentum Tri-Tex Armored Motorcycle Jacket Review
- TourMaster Synergy 2.0 Electric Jacket Liner Review
- Alpinestars T-GP Plus R Air Jacket Review
- TMS Mens Enduro Armor Motorcycle Jacket Review
- Pilot Motosport Men’s Slate Air Jacket Review
- Safety and Protection
- Fit
- Materials
- Price
- Look
- Reviews
Top 10 Best Motorcycle Jackets 2016
| JACKETS | OUR RATING |
|---|---|
 Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 Men's Riding Jacket |  (4.6 / 5) |
 Joe Rocket Cleo 2.2 Women's Mesh Motorcycle Riding Jacket |  (4.8 / 5) |
 Pilot Motosport Men's Slate Air Jacket | (4.6 / 5) |
 TourMaster Synergy 2.0 Electric Jacket Liner | (4.6 / 5) |
 TMS Mens Enduro Armor Motorcycle Jacket |  (4.3 / 5) |
 Viking Cycle Asger Motorcycle Jacket | (4.6 / 5) |
 Alpinestars T-GP Plus R Air Jacket | (4.8 / 5) |
 Olympia Moto Sports Dakar Dual Sport Jacket |  (4.9 / 5) |
 Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 Men's Mesh Motorcycle Riding Jacket | (4.6 / 5) |
 Xelement Momentum Mens Black/Grey Tri-Tex Armored Motorcycle Jacket | (4.9 / 5) |
Motorcycle Jacket Reviews
If you’ve looked at our top rated motorcycle jacket selections above, then you might be wondering why our editors rated them the way that they did. Each jacket was evaluated on everything form performance to fit to value. To learn a bit more about what went into those ratings, keep reading for our reviews.
Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 Men’s Riding Jacket Review
Every person who has a motorcycle knows that their riding outfit is never complete without a great jacket. The Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 Men’s Riding Jacket is available in a variety of colors so you can find the perfect one to match your preferences and your bike. It is ideal to wear any time of year and will help you stay dry with the ventilated areas built in. The jacket is available in several sizes and you can further customize it to fit you properly with the custom adjustment system built in. There is even a removable inner liner. The Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 Men’s Riding Jacket is C.E approved armor.
Pros: Custom sizing option. Many color combination options.
Cons: Not waterproof.
Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)
Viking Cycle Asger Motorcycle Jacket Review
This jacket will protect you from wind and rain in style. Made from breathable Tri-tex fabric with a polyester zip out quillted inner liner, you are covered in all seasons.That’s why we think it is the best motorcycle jacket for hot weather. Polycarbonate armor protects your shoulders in case of a fall. It has brighter colored reflective panels for high visibility. Side waist straps are adjustable and there is a lower back kidney belt.
Pros: Fits well, five pockets, four zippered vents
Cons: Vecro collar can be less than comfortable
Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)
Olympia Moto Sports Dakar Dual Sport Jacket Review
Just the motorcycle jacket you need when looking for adventure, whether it is on or off-road. Thermalite fabric and construction ensure you can use it as long as the roads are passable, while protecting you from the wind and rain. Multiple pockets offer convenient spots for wallet, cell phone and keys. Stylish yet practical, includes motion-flex armor that is removable for the elbows, shoulders, and back for improved protection during impact. Comes in a variety of colors to match you ride.
PROS: Has both wind and waterproof options as well as Thermalite construction. Good comfort in most weather conditions
Cons: Expensive, small fit–order a size up, bulky with all liners installed
Our Rating: 
(4.5 / 5)
Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 Men’s Mesh Motorcycle Riding Jacket Review
This bike jacket is made from FreeAir poly mesh material with reinforced material at the shoulders, elbows, and ribs. The jet black color goes with everything. It comes with extra padding for protection in the right places. It has a removable waterproof liner for those rainy days. Pockets to warm the hands in that cold or rainy weather. It come in a variety of colors combinations with black. it comes in large and medium sizes.
Pros: Good quality jacket has some extra features like pockets to store items and holds up well in rainy weather, several color options available.
Cons: It is made in medium and large and does not fit well for some people. The material sometimes falls apart in certain weather.
Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)
Joe Rocket Cleo 2.2 Women’s Mesh Motorcycle Riding Jacket Review
This stylish women’s motorcycle jacket comes in a variety of colors and styles, but still works to keep you cool and safe. The mesh torso and back panels allow air to flow freely while panels in the shoulders and elbows conceal removable armor plating. The jacket also features a removable waterproof liner and nine-point adjustment system.
Pros: easy to move in, multiple sizes up to XXXL, lightweight, zip out waterproof liner
Cons: chest area may be tight for large-chested women
Our Rating: (4.8 / 5)
Xelement Momentum Tri-Tex Armored Motorcycle Jacket Review
This motorcycle jacket has everything you need to be both stylish and safe. The lead-free Level-3 armor is placed in panels throughout the jacket, allowing you to have freedom of movement while being fully protected. The jacket is fully ventilated, allowing you to wear this piece even in the warmest weather.
Pros: easy to move in, multiple sizes up to 5X, lightweight, zip out liner
Cons: only one color option
Our Rating: (4.9 / 5)
TourMaster Synergy 2.0 Electric Jacket Liner Review
Not enjoying your ride when the weather turns cold? This jacket plugs into the 12 volt electrical system of your motorcycle, ATV, or other vehicle and provides the warmth you need while riding in the elements. The Synergy material is less bulky than traditional layers of clothing and is warm and flexible. No sense feeling like a stuffed goose! Safe in wet environments, this jacket liner has a heated collar and expanding side panels for a snug fit. The shell is Taslan with 100G Polyfill insulation. The built-in temperature regulator provides continual comfortable warmth. Apparel is available in six sizes.
Pros: Heats quickly, works as jacket or liner
Cons: Sizes run large.
Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)
Alpinestars T-GP Plus R Air Jacket Review
Hit the streets in style in this sleek men’s motorcycle jacket. Boasting a 450/600 Denier Polyester outer shell, mesh paneling, and stretch paneling on the sleeves and shoulders, the T-GP Plus R Air Jacket keeps you comfortable in any season. Included shoulder and elbow armor, compartments for Alpinestars back and chest armor (sold separately), padded details, and reflective accents give you the protection you need and the striking image you want.
Pros: Removable shoulder and elbow armor, adjustable waist and cuff straps and sleeve and shoulder stretch panels for a comfortable fit, internal waterproof pockets, padded details, reflective details, well-ventilated, stylish
Cons: No included chest or back armor, main zipper is weak, sizes run small (uses European sizes)
Our Rating: (4.8 / 5)
TMS Mens Enduro Armor Motorcycle Jacket Review
If you’re looking for a great jacket to go off-roading in, look no further! This stylish motorcycle jacket is made of high density, waterproof and windproof fabric, making it perfect for all types of weather. A removable lining and lined collar make it great for cold and warm weather.
Pros: Velcro straps allow easy adjustment, multiple sizes up to XL, zipped air vents
Cons: pockets are designed for soft armor only
Our Rating: (4.3 / 5)
Pilot Motosport Men’s Slate Air Jacket Review
Men enjoy being stylish just as much as women do, so it stands to reason that a guy would want to wear something like this. The Pilot Motosport Slate Air Jacket has a sturdy but stylish design, using high-quality materials. It is designed with heightened user visibility, allowing the wearer to more easily find the pockets just by looking for the signature red tabs in the pockets. It is great to wear not only on a motorcycle but off one as well.
Pros: Good quality of materials, looks nice, sturdy design, red tab system makes finding pockets easier
Cons: May be too warm during summer heat, may be too thin for your uses
Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)
Safety and Protection
You might be thinking … of course I want the motorcycle jacket that is going to give me the most protection and help me be the safest. If comfort is a priority for you, you might not find that the ‘safest’ jacket is the most comfortable. For example, you might be more comfortable in a leather jacket but when the weather is hot or wet, leather jackets have a history of not performing as well as textiles. In shopping for the safest motorcycle jacket, you need to find out:
- What is the level of safety in all types of weather?
- Does it come with armor and if so, does armor provide enough protection?
- Does it provide good enough padding to protect me from frigid color temperatures in winter?
Fit
Some bikers prefer a snug fit while others prefer something loose. At the end of the day, you want your jacket to be comfortable; you do not want it to be too snug in the event you need to wear extra layers under it on cold days. On the other hand, if the jacket is too loose, it could ride up, leaving your skin exposed. In addition, if the jacket does not fit you correctly, the chances of it doing its job — protecting you — decreases. It is also important to note that in verifying the proper fit, you try the jacket on while sitting on your bike due to the fact that it will feel different when you are on your bike vs. you just standing it up trying it on.
Materials
The two most popular type of motorcycle jacket materials are leather and textile, each with its own pros and cons. A key in shopping for a motorcycle jacket is making sure the texture is consistent throughout the entire piece – you want a high quality product, not just a product that has one or two high quality parts, such as high quality sleeves.
Leather
This is the most popular type of motorcycle jacket material. Leather is classic and never goes out of style, making these qualities two key benefits of a leather motorcycle jacket. Other key benefits of leather motorcycle jackets include: high level of protection (textile cannot compete), durability, and work better on high-speed trips.
The main cons include: leather jackets tend to offer less ventilation than textile jackets and are heavy, are more difficult to clean.
As you shop for a leather jacket, you may come in contact with the terms top grain leather and full grain leather. What they simply stand for are the parts of the animal the leather comes from and how those parts are processed. Top grain is often sanded down to remove any problem areas, while full grain uses a process that relies on vegetable dyes. Thus, full grain should display natural markings top grain may have more of a uniform look.
Textile
This is the more versatile jacket material. Since textile jackets tend to breathe better, many riders find them ideal in all types of weather, not to mention, they also do better in rain than leather jackets do. Other features that make textile jackets appealing are their price points – they are inclined to being cheaper, and finally, textile material jackets are more lightweight than leather jackets (despite how bulky some look).
The main cons of textile jackets include: they won’t always keep you warm in cold weather – you may be required to wear layers under a jacket made with this type of material and textile material does not provide the same level of protection that leather jackets do.
Price
Prices are always going to range depending on product and quality. Expect real leather to be the most costly. What you have to remember is that a motorcycle jacket is an investment. If you can afford to spend a little more on a higher quality product, do it! You do not want to have to replace the jacket in a few years. If cost is an issue, one of the best times to buy is between November and January in order to capitalize on holiday sales. Typically, expect to spend around $500 for a quality jacket any other time.
Look
Now comes the fun part – choosing a look you love! If you are shopping online, always sort through as many photos as possible, even if you have to search the web for different photos. Sometimes, a motorcycle jacket can appear to look one way then you get it and see that it looks another. This brings us to our next important tip in buying a motorcycle jacket. There are a variety of styles to choose from such as:
- Adventure jackets – They have more of a sporty look.
- City jackets – This is one of the most casual styles. Some city jackets look attractive being worn as every day jackets.
- Cruiser jackets – Think John Travolta in Grease. Cruiser jackets make a statement.
Reviews
Check out the reviews of the product across different websites to get the best idea which jackets are worthwhile. Look for reviews that touch upon everything we spoke about above: safety, materials, price, and look.
We hope this guide was helpful. Happy shopping!
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