Men’s Leather Motorcycle Jacket

What Makes a Real Leather Biker Jacket?

Not every biker jacket is made from the same hide, and across our leather jackets for men, the leather you choose will alter the way that the jacket feels, fits and ages.

A real leather biker jacket has to be made of cowhide leather to be a genuine jacket, the same hide behind our cowhide motorcycle jackets for women. It is heavy, thick, stiff when new, and it takes time to get it soft, but it remains soft for years. Lambskin is lighter and softer from day one and drapes closer to the body, which makes it more comfortable to wear on a daily basis than it would be when hard in use.

Weight is equally important as the type of hide. The heavier the leather, the more durable and structural it will be. The lighter it will be, the more comfortable and easier draping.

A full grain leather motorcycle jacket incorporates the upper layer of the leather, including all of the imperfections, which is what allows it to age into a patina rather than cracking.

The corrected grain leather is sanded and reprinted to cover up imperfections, therefore it wears less. Real leather biker jackets have a natural and irregular grain. Bonded leather or faux leather jackets are too even and stiff to wear.

Biker Jacket Styles

Classic Brando-Style Biker Jackets

The original moto-style silhouette is that of the Brando style, which features zippered sleeves that gradually narrow at the cuff, a belted waist, wide snap lapels, and an asymmetric zip across the torso. When people think of “biker jackets,” this is the type that comes to mind; it’s ideal for men looking for a rugged aesthetic that's designed to last.

Café Racer Jackets

The cafe racer deconstructs the moto jacket to the fundamentals: lapels replaced with a band collar, straight center zip, and a simple, tight chest that doesn't have any extraneous hardware. It was developed in Britain in the 1960s when racing drivers demanded speed over style with their jackets. For a more streamlined and understated jacket, a leather cafe racer jacket is your pick.

Two-Tone & Contrast Jackets

Two tone leather jackets feature color blocked panels, contrast sleeves, a contrast yoke or a racing stripe down the arm, making this a classic biker jacket into a statement piece. Where a single color jacket reads classic, a double toned leather jacket reads bold, and a spiked and studded leather jacket pushes that statement even further.

Black and white, brown and tan, or navy and gray are popular combinations. Prefer a single bold shade over blocking? A green leather jackets men, maroon leather jacket, or red leather jackets pick delivers the same impact in one tone.

Padded & Quilted Jackets

At the shoulders, elbows and upper back, quilted panels provide structure and shape to a jacket, and are sewn into straight or diamond lines that maintain shape. The quilting of the padded leather motorcycle jacket will not affect the fit of the jacket, but it will provide a little padding and the signature “moto” style.

Distressed & Vintage-Finish Jackets

Distressed and vintage-finish jackets serve what your new jacket will look like after five years of use. Each is waxed, washed and hand distressed by our leatherworkers. It has creasing and fading built in from day one, meaning you get the broken-in look without having to wait for it. For a softer, non-leather texture with the same lived-in feel, a suede jacket for men is worth a look.

Style or Riding Gear? An Honest Answer

We build our jackets in genuine leather, cut in the moto silhouette, for style and everyday wear. Full grain leather is naturally wind-resistant and holds up to daily use in a way most textile fashion jackets can’t, and that’s a real advantage.

That said, it won’t replace real riding gear, only hold up better than most casual jackets do. If you ride regularly, on the road or the track, buy purpose-built riding gear instead, gear made and certified for impact and abrasion protection.

If you want something built to your exact fit for your riding requirements, we can make a custom motorcycle jacket.

How a Leather Biker Jacket Should Fit

A classic leather biker jacket, or a slim fit leather biker jacket, should sit close. It should snug across the chest and shoulders, ending right around your belt line. Shoulder seams matter most, since they’re the one part of the jacket that can’t be altered after purchase. They need to sit right on the bone, not drooping or pulling tight.

Sleeves should run to your wrist bone, a little longer than a suit sleeve, since you’ll wear this jacket with your arms forward. Leave room for one thin layer underneath, a t-shirt or thin sweater, no more.

Heavy cowhide runs tight the first month and then molds to your body. Lambskin feels right from day one. Check how to take your measurements before choosing a size. We also cut big and tall biker jackets for longer, broader frames. If you're between sizes, we will build you a custom leather jacket to your exact body measurements.

Caring for a Leather Biker Jacket

Over time leather dries out, so condition your jacket every few months or more often if you wear it a lot, particularly in dry conditions. If a men's biker jacket does get wet, let it dry in a place where there is no direct heat, but not on a radiator, as this will crack the leather.

Store on a wide hanger, unrolled and without a plastic cover because it will hold moisture. Maintain zips/snaps free of dirt and lightly lubricated. Elbows, cuffs and collar snap wear first so check them on each conditioning. Anything more than light care will be better off with a leather specialist than DIY.

How to Style a Leather Biker Jacket

Overall, one black moto jacket and one white tee and dark-colored jeans make a year-round outfit. Browse every silhouette in our black leather jackets collection, or soften the moto cut with our leather bomber jackets for men.

For a more rugged and relaxed style, try a brown leather jacket or distressed jacket, a chambray shirt and chinos. The leather cafe racer jacket fits more comfortably over a sweater than a t-shirt for a smart casual outfit.The two tone jacket should be the focal point of the outfit, and so other elements should be kept in neutral colors. Cooler palettes work too, a blue leather jacket for men over grey, or a pink motorcycle jackets piece if you want it loud.

In colder weather, a moto jacket can be worn over a hoodie for warmth without sacrificing the style, or reach for a men's hooded leather jacket that builds the hood right in. In warmer months, riders often switch to men's leather vests. Boots bring in more of a style quotient than sneakers, especially on skinny jeans. Shopping locally? See what's in stock under motorcycle leather jackets near me.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Leather Are Your Motorcycle Jackets Made From?

All jackets are made with full grain cowhide, lambskin or goatskin. The premium quality and longest lasting one is cowhide. Lambskin is the softest and lightest, and goatskin has a pebbled grain.

Can I Wear These Jackets While Riding A Motorcycle?

Of course you can. We make high quality bikers jackets and motorcycle jackets for aesthetic and riding purposes. However, they are not certified protective gear for impact or abrasion resistance.

How Should A Leather Biker Jacket Fit?

It should sit close across the chest and shoulders, with the shoulder seam on the bone and sleeves reaching your wrist bone. Leave room for one thin layer underneath, and no more than that.

What’s The Difference Between A Brando Style Jacket And A Café Racer?

A Brando style leather jacket has an asymmetric zip, wide lapels, and a belted waist. A racer drops the lapels for a band collar and a straight zip, giving it a slimmer, more minimal profile.

How Do I Know It’s Genuine Leather?

Genuine leather has a natural, uneven grain that varies across the hide, and it develops a patina with wear. Bonded or faux leather looks too uniform and feels stiff or plasticky to the touch.

Do You Make Custom Biker Jackets To Measure?

Yes, we make custom jackets to your exact measurements, from fit and sleeve length to leather type and finish. It’s the option to choose if you’re between sizes or built differently than standard.