Which motorcycle jacket should you choose? A guide from A to Ö

Which motorcycle jacket should you choose? A guide from A to Ö

Leather, textile, mesh, sport, touring, urban, short, long... the selection of motorcycle jackets is enormous. It is both an advantage and a challenge. If you are unsure about which jacket to choose, you don't need to worry – here you will find the solution!

Contents:

• Which motorcycle jacket should you choose? Ready-made solutions
• Types of motorcycle jackets
• Materials in motorcycle jackets
• Some words about membranes
• Safety and certifications
• Protection in motorcycle jackets
• Should a motorcycle jacket be tight or loose?
• Summary

How do you choose the right motorcycle jacket?

When choosing a motorcycle jacket, you should focus on three main points:

• Safety
• Comfort
• Area of use

Example: If you ride an adventure bike on long distances in all weather and sometimes ride on gravel roads, you should choose a multi-layer textile jacket with a membrane and plenty of pockets. Below you will find more ready-made solutions.

Which motorcycle jacket suits you?

The touring rider

• Usage: Long trips in all weather
• Best choice: Textile jacket for touring
• Important: Connection to pants, removable membrane and thermal lining, plenty of pockets

The urban rider

• Usage: Commuting to work/school, city riding
• Best choice: Leather or textile jacket
• Important: Removable membrane if you ride in the rain, good protection, style that fits your personality

The sport rider

• Usage: Fast riding, track days
• Best choice: Sport jacket in leather
• Important: Ability to connect to pants, good protection, body-hugging fit

The classic motorcycle rider

• Usage: High quality and timeless style
• Best choice: Leather jacket
• Important: Design you like, high-quality leather, good protection

The off-road and adventure rider

• Usage: A lot of riding in terrain
• Best choice: Lightweight textile jacket with room for personal protection
• Important: Good ventilation, adjustment options on sleeves and waist

Types of motorcycle jackets

Motorcycle jackets can be divided by material and area of use.

Materials:

• Leather – Durable and protective, but heavy and less ventilated
• Textile – Lighter, more flexible, suitable for touring and adventure
• Jeans – Urban style, but needs reinforcements for protection
• Mesh – Perfect for summer riding thanks to ventilation

Functional segments:

• Sport & sport-touring – Shorter models, often leather, few pockets, sometimes removable membrane
• Touring – Multiple pockets, good ventilation, mostly textile
• Classic & urban – Leather, simple design, tight fit
• Women's jackets – Same segments as above but with tailored fit

Materials in motorcycle jackets

Motorcycle jackets can be made from several materials, here are the most common:

• Leather: High safety and durability, but heavy and poor ventilation
• Cordura: Durable nylon material, common in touring jackets
• Polyester (1200D): Lightweight and quick-drying, used in urban and off-road jackets
• Jeans: Requires reinforcements with Kevlar or Armalith for protection
• Mesh: Perfect for warm days, often combined with protective reinforcements

Some words about membranes

Membranes make the jacket windproof and waterproof while allowing it to breathe. Examples:

• Waterproof: Pory is smaller than a raindrop, so rain does not penetrate
• Breathable: Pory is larger than water vapor, so sweat can escape
• Types: Detachable or laminated membrane

Safety and certifications

Motorcycle clothing within the EU is classified as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and follows:

• EN13595 – Older but stricter standard for professional use
• EN17092 – Newer standard with levels A, AA, AAA (AAA provides the highest protection)

Protection in motorcycle jackets

Most jackets have:

• Shoulder protection
• Elbow protection
• Option for back protection
• In some cases, protection for the chest

Protection levels according to EN1621:

• Level 1 – Max 18 kN force transmission during impact
• Level 2 – Max 9 kN force transmission during impact (higher protection level)

Should a motorcycle jacket be tight or loose?

A jacket should be perfectly fitted. Not too tight (which hinders mobility) and not too loose (which compromises protection). Adjustable sleeves and waist help with fit.

• Leather and urban jackets fit tighter
• Touring jackets become roomier when the lining is removed

Summary

• Safety first – Choose a jacket with certified protection
• Comfort is important – Ensure the jacket fits well and has good ventilation
• Usage determines the choice – Touring, sport, or urban? Choose accordingly

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which motorcycle jacket should I buy? One that is safe and well-fitted. Safety means PPE certification and good protection. Fit and comfort are equally important.

How should a motorcycle jacket fit? It should be neither too loose nor too tight. A loose jacket causes the protections to shift, while a jacket that is too tight restricts movement.

What is the best motorcycle jacket? It depends on your needs! There is no universal jacket that fits everyone – choose based on your riding style, budget, and personal preferences.

With the right choice of motorcycle jacket, you ride both safely and comfortably – whether you are on a long trip, commuting to work, or pushing curves on the track!