The Best Motorcycle Jackets You Can Buy in 2023
Last updated March 15, 2023 by Simon Bertram
About Our Selections
Every motorcyclist needs at least one motorcycle jacket. Riding a motorcycle leaves you exposed to the dangers of the road, as well as at the mercy of the weather. The best motorcycle jackets offer crash protection in a comfortable, flexible, and hopefully, waterproof package. Despite there being thousands of products to choose from out there, there are plenty of so-called riding jackets out there that aren’t fit for purpose.
To help separate the wheat from the chaff, or rather, the fashion jackets from the real deals, we’ve put together a list of our current favorites.
Since there’s no one-size-fits-all jacket, we’ve divided this list up with entries from across the range. It includes two sport-focused jackets, two-adventure options, something for traditional cruiser riders, and our top choice for urban, café-racer style riders. And for good measure, we’ve rounded it off with a solid summer option, and a jacket for colder climates too.
To make our decisions, we looked at a wide range of factors, from build quality to comfort, as well as the level of protection offered and the overall value-for-money. Of course, we also evaluated jackets based on other reviews from real-life customers too.
Here’s what we came up with.
Note: MotorBikeWriter.com participates in the affiliate programs for Amazon, RevZilla, and others. Some of the links in this list are affiliate links that we will earn a small commission from if you purchase through them. This is how we fund our site - thank you for your support.
Entry-Level Jackets
Priced under $250, these jackets offer the best value for your money.
Rev'It! Eclipse 2 Jacket
The evolution of a budget favorite jacket that has all the features you want at an unbelievable price
Get Yours
RevZilla
$189.99 as of March 15
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $189.99
Sizing: XS to 4XL
Safety: CE Level 1 A.
Ideal For
Riders looking for a warm weather budget jacket that provides all the features you want to stay protected and cool
All styles of riding
Highlights
600D polyester chassis and 450D polyester mesh construction to provide abrasion resistance on high contact areas while flowing massive amounts of air
Rev'It! SeeSmart CE Level 1 armor at the elbows and shoulders, with a pocket for a universal back protector
Downsides
No included back protector
Llacking internal pockets
Sizing is usually on the small side, order one size up if concerned
Sedici Garda Waterproof ADV Jacket
A capable, waterproof ADV jacket that won't break the bank
Get Yours
RevZilla
$249.99 as of March 15
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $249.99
Sizing: SM to 5XL
Safety: CE Level 1 A
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See our complete Sedici Garda WP jacket review
Ideal For
The budget-conscious rider that wants the most bang for the buck
ADV, adventure touring, and sport touring styles of riding
Highlights
600D textile core with 1200D reinforcement on high abrasion areas to give you the best protection a budget ADV jacket can
Waterproof membrane keeps you dry even in a downpour
Well ventilated with six zippered vents
CE Level 2 armor at elbows and shoulders
Downsides
No back protector included
Vents are prone to leaking
No "big and tall" sizing option
Mid-Range Jackets
Priced between $250 and $500, these mid-market jackets are right in the price to performance sweet spot
Dainese Air Frame D1 Jacket
A jacket that is designed for the hot Italian summers means that this is one cool jacket, in more than one way
Get Yours
RevZilla
$269.95 as of March 15
Amazon
$273.95 as of March 15
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $269.95
Sizing: EU 44 to 60 (US SM to 2XL)
Safety: CE Level 1 A
Ideal For
Riders wanting a quality budget jacket for hot summer riding
All styles of riding, although Dainese suggests sport or sport touring as intended market
Highlights
Extremely large mesh areas backed with QuickDry mesh fabric liner to wick away as much heat and sweat as possible
Removable windproof liner in for cooler weather riding
Armor provided in shoulders, elbows, and upper forearms to CE Level 1 standards, with a pocket for a back protector
Downsides
No back protector included
Sizing can be an issue as it is a slim/sport fit
Scorpion EXO 1909 Leather Jacket
Need a retro or cafe racer jacket that gets the job done without fuss? This is the jacket for you
Get Yours
RevZilla
$499.95 as of March 9
Amazon
$514.95 as of March 15
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $479.99
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Safety: CE level 2 A
Ideal For
Riders looking for a retro styled leather jacket that is completely up to date with protection features
Standard style of riding, although the jacket is suitable for most styles of riding
Highlights
Distressed cowhide leather construction so it feels soft and supple, but carries high abrasion resistance, with reinforced overlays on elbows and shoulders
Removable EverHeat cold weather liner so you can ride for 3 seasons
SAS-TEC CE Level 2 armor at the shoulders and elbows, with a pocket for a back protector
Four external and two internal zip pockets
Downsides
No back protector included
Water resistant, not fully waterproof
Ventilation is through small areas of perforated leather and two small rear zippered rear vents. Can trap a lot of heat in the jacket
High-End Jackets
Priced over $500, these jackets are the best of the premium segment.
Alpinestars GP Plus R V3 Rideknit Leather Jacket
A superb warm to hot weather sport and track jacket that is also compatible with the TechAir 5 airbag vest
Get Yours
RevZilla
$629.95 as of March 15
Amazon
~$1,000 as of March 15
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $629.95
Sizing: EU 48 to 64 (US SM to 4XL)
Safety: CE Level 2 AA
Ideal For
Riders wanting a capable hot weather sport and track jacket that is chock full of the latest Alpinestars safety features
Sport, sport touring, track day styles of riding
Highlights
1.3 mm premium cowhide construction backed by Alpinestars' RideKnit fabric. This textile is moisture wicking and heat resistant, preventing friction heat from a slide burning your skin
Well ventilated with hundreds of micro-perforations to allow air to pass through
Compatible with Alpinestars' TechAir 5 airbag vest, either the racing or street version
CE Level 1 Nucleon flex forearm, elbow, and shoulder armor included
Downsides
Back protector not included, although Alpinestars states that this is because the TechAir 5 airbag vest has a CE Level 2 backplate already
Race/slim fit, so larger riders may have issues squeezing into the jacket
Rev'It! Cayenne 2
A premium warm weather ADV and adventure touring jacket with every feature your could possibly want
Get Yours
RevZilla
$729.99 as of March 15
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $729.99
Sizing: SM to 3XL
Safety: CE Level 2 AA
Our Review
See the Rev'It! Cayenne Pro review from 2008 for the original jacket the Cayenne 2 evolved from
Ideal For
Riders wanting excellent protection and value from a warm weather ADV jacket
ADV and adventure touring styles of riding
Highlights
Full PWRShell ripstop shell construction, backed by PWRShell Stretch and Shoeller-dynatec mesh for very resilient abrasion resistance
SeeSoft CE Level 2 armor at the elbows, shoulders, and include back protector, with pockets for chest armor
Mount anchors for kidney belt and Segur neck brace built in, in case you want to attach external protection above and beyond the jacket itself
Very adjustable with multiple arm, waist, hip, and chest straps to fine tune the fit
Included hydration bladder pocket that will accept the most common type of hydration bags
Downsides
Heavier than most jackets
Very focused on ADV and touring, with few features for other styles of riding, including sport touring
Fitment is usually small, might need to order one size up if concerned
Roland Sands Ronin CE Leather Jacket
A premium cruiser and neo-retro jacket made from powersports-grade leather
Get Yours
RevZilla
$725.00 as of March 15
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $750.00
Sizing: SM to 3XL
Safety: CE Level 2 AA
Ideal For
Riders wanting a classic look but premium protection
Standard and cruiser styles of riding
Highlights
Premium full grain 1.0 to 1.2 cowhide leather that is the same type used in superbike race suits
Handmade and hand finished with wax, wash, and oil for natural weatherproofing
SAS-TEC CE Level 2 armor in the elbows and shoulders with a pocket for a back protector
Micro-perforation ventilation to keep you from overheating
Downsides
At this price point, not including a back protector is simply inexcusable
Most pockets other than the two external and two internal stretch mesh are functionally useless, as they are in odd places and rather small
KLIM Latitude Jacket
When only the best of the best ADV jacket for full expeditions will satisfy you
Get Yours
RevZilla
$699.99 as of March 15
Amazon
~$750 as of March 15
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $699.99
Sizing: SM to 4XL
Safety: CE Level 2 AA
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Our Review
See the complete AGV Pista GP RR Carbon review
Ideal For
Riders wanting the absolute best of the best in terms of expedition level ADV and adventure touring jackets
ADV and adventure touring styles of riding
Highlights
840D Cordura and Gore-Tex 2-layer performance construction throughout, for incredible abrasion resistance and full waterproofing
Premium goat leather reinforcement on high abrasion areas
D3O CE Level 1 armor included on the elbows, shoulders, and back
Excellent ventilation via chest, sleeve, wrist, and back zip vents
5 external and 4+1 internal pockets, with the +1 being a hidden pocket for documents, passport, et al behind the back protector
Downsides
Very expensive for nominal day to day riding. Jacket is aimed at those that spend days or weeks on the road
Waist pockets are a bit tight
No thermal liner included
See Other Great Riding Gear
Looking for something else? Have a look at our other curated riding gear recommendations.
