How to choose a motorcycle jacket?
When you want to buy a motorcycle jacket, the fundamental choice is between two main categories of materials to consider: leather and fabric. Let's take a closer look at the features and advantages of these two types of motorcycle jacket. Leather jackets are generally recognized as a staple for pilots of certain types of motorcycles such as Harley-Davidsons and rock'n'roll fans. Leather jackets are more than just a fashion statement and they offer other benefits to the rider while enjoying the open roads. In terms of safety, the greatest advantage of leather jackets is their abrasion resistance. This means that if you happen to be involved in an accident, leather jackets offer you the best protection against road erosion. However, the heavy material of a leather jacket has some disadvantages. Because of the weight, leather jackets can tire the rider faster than a fabric jacket. This material is not suitable for extreme heat, in fact under the sun, black leather will absorb heat very quickly. On the other hand, leather doesn’t behave very well even as a raincoat. Leather jackets can be treated to be water resistant, however it will eventually soak. Fabric jackets are much more versatile than leather ones. Thanks to their lightness, fabric jackets are highly breathable and offer good ventilation. For rainy seasons, fabric jackets can also be easily waterproof. For this reason, fabric jackets are a good option for rainy conditions as they will keep water away from you. However, the lighter fabric makes them less resistant, so fabric jackets wear out faster than high quality leather jackets.
How should the motorcycle jacket fit?
When it comes to the fit of your jacket, one of the most important aspects to find is definitely comfort, so the right jacket must be not too tight! There should be no pressure on the seams and on the zippers of the jacket, the jacket mustn’t be too wide otherwise you won’t be able to sit in a correct position. The sleeves are also fundamental, in fact, when you're in the driving position, the jacket should cover your wrists. When you stand up and lean your arms on your sides, the sleeves of the jacket will come around the middle of your palm. Finally, don’t forget about the length: the right jacket will be up to the belt when you are standing. This way, it will lean on your thighs when you are sitting on a motorcycle. Finding the right jacket can take time and you should be picky! Don't settle for anything less than perfection. Whether you want to travel in warm weather, cold weather or all year round, your jacket has to move with you!