A Beginners Guide: Different Types of Motorcycle Jackets

My bike has a full tank of gas on this gorgeous Saturday and I am so ready to ride! I pull on my boots and jacket, put the helmet in one hand as I open that huge door. I put my helmet on — or don't I? Oh, my right arm has a huge tear! It’s time for a new jacket. I hadn't bought a jacket in forever and didn't know the current state of offerings or what might be best for my kind riding. Right as I was about to motor down to Barnes Harley-Davidson®, however, I decided that maybe it would be prudent for me to a bit of investigating before.

Types of Jackets

Motorcycle jacket materials to considerWhen figuring out which motorcycle can be the best one, there are fundamental categories of motorbike jackets you have got from that's known as leather-based and textiles. Below, we will break down the advantages and features of different ’types’ of jackets, as well a focus on Mjacket…

Leather

Harley-Davidson® badass look + style. As a rule leather jackets are most often associated with motorcycle riders and hard-rotting rock n roll bands, particularly Harley-Davidson®. Well, stylizing yourselves with other material for jackets won't give you what leather ones do, but that is only a few of many benefits leathers provide to bikers when on the open roads.

Abrasion resistance: The biggest performance benefit that leather jackets offer in terms of safety from abrasion. That means that if you find yourself in a crash, it will offer the most protection against road rash over any type of jacket.

Safety: “The Primary Safety Benefit of Leather Jackets is their Resistance to Abrasions.”

The heavy material that makes up a leather jacket, meanwhile, means this style has some drawbacks. Leather jackets are heavy, and they add to rider fatigue after a few days compared with​never missing on affordable textile jacket. The heavy fabric also does not cope well with warmer weather or rain. Black leather in the sun will burn me faster than a salamander at high noon in any desert.

Conversely, leather is not great for being waterproof. Naturally, you can make leather jackets water-resistant but moisture will get through eventually.

Triple Vent System™ Jackets

Triple Vent System™ jackets come straight from Harley Davidson Motorcycle Jacket to address the above-mentioned overheating problem with leather garments. Go ahead and be a bad boy, all while being cool AND protected.

The world's largest motorcycle manufacturer first makes this innovative jacket where a rider can regulate the airflow which circles him and then sell its patent. Crafted with big fairing riders in mind, these jackets are given a triple layer of side vent intake that will make certain you keep cool.

It considers these motorcycle jackets best in comfort, performance and protection. And since Triple Vent System™ jackets include body armour that *is* very light…the fact they are leather probably provides even better protection.

Triple Vent System™ jackets are great year-round options, and those who live in climates where the weather is unpredictable will appreciate their flexibility (Vancouver).

Triple Vent System™ technology is used in a handful of models within the Mjacket line, as well as additional Harley-Davidson® jackets.

Textile

Now for the textiles! You can do far more with this jacket material than you would be able to accomplish out of leather. Textile jackets are highly breathable as well and thanks to the use of lightweight materials have impressive airflow.

Then there are the textile jackets, these will also serve you great in a downpour (so all year round if your based out of Vancouver). For this reason, textile jackets are great in the wet as they will keep you dry.

Of course, working the fabric means that textile jackets are a bit easier to put features into than their leather counterparts as well.

Textile jackets will, however, break down quicker than a high-quality leather jacket does but this is just due to the nature of textile material – they are lighter so wear out faster.

Mesh

The Textile Jacket's little bro. Mesh: A cool choice (pun intended) for those who enjoy riding in the summer.

Mesh JacketsThe idea here is that mesh jackets keep you the coolest in hot-weather riding, but provide the least amount of protection.

Mesh jackets, on the other hand due to its light fabric they are typically found with a lower price point when lined up against Textile or Leather Jackets.

3-in-1

Throw on a 3-in-1 jacket in case it gets breezy! Since you can wear these jackets as a light jacket, heavy (lined) jacket or separate vest and sweatshirt makes them super versatile.

These components can be customised to the temperature and usage as well in a variety of styles and materials. For riders looking for year-round versatility with a single option, the Mjacket 3-in-1 has become one of Helite's most popular options.

Considerations

Body Armour

Body armour is obviously very important because in the event of a crash it could be what saves you from injury. Riding jackets — Many riding jackets come already with armour but you may need to buy them separate in some cases.

Rain

Of course if you are riding in the rain, it does make sense that one would seek a jacket which will keep you dry too. Although we have a small number of jackets that work in these conditions, selling a few rainproof liners and mid-layers has got you covered to keep it dry with your jacket.

Mid-Layers & Liners

Not only does this give you the flexibility to adapt your kit for colder parts of the year, without having to purchase a jacket for each season. Enjoy skiing with our fantastic heated liners — check out the heated performance collection on our online store.

The “Ideal” Fit

In addition to giving Instagram models a great aesthetic and adding “timeless” vibes, motorcycle jackets are genuinely important when it comes to riding. Though there are myriad of lists about what is right and wrong when it comes to the fit for your jacket, one thing is certain — comfort. Because the best jacket for you and your running needs are vital, we've created a simple guide to make sure that you get it

Size

Not too tight! The jacket shouldn't have stress (a lot) on the seams and zippers.

Not too loose! Wear the jacket and sit on your bike in an alert mode. If you can pinch a handful of material from the chest, it's too big.

Then it all depends on how comfortable you want to be and what style of fit I prefer a happy medium between these two extremes.

Sleeves

This will mean that the jacket sits below your wrists when in the riding position. If you rise to your feet, let the arms hang naturally by their sides — Henig said this seems like a state of arrested development with its story-straight line and give-and-take sleeves that just kind of stop part way down her forearms.

Length

Your jacket should line up even with your belt when standing. By this means its tube tops your lap when you good sitting on a bike.

It can take a while to find the perfect jacket, and you deserve nothing but the best! You deserve nothing less than the best. You want to ride in hot weather (check out our tips for that), cold weather, all year round your jacket definitely has to move with you!

Stop by one of our stores to slip on your favourite jacket or, if you're still not sure, we'll help steer you in the right direction. I live in Vancouver, and the rainy season is long; so I went for Mjacket using a textile fabric to protect me from rain.

What jacket did you choose? Let us know in the comments!

Find the perfect matching items. Read our previous blog posts, choosing the right helmet and selecting your riding boots.