One of the main reasons motorcyclists wear a leather jacket is for protection in case of an accident. However a good quality leather motorcycle jacket is also the only line of defense against the cold and rain, and in many cases worn to keep us motorcyclists warm and dry.
So, does a leather motorcycle jacket keep you warm and dry?
Leather jackets should be made out of high-quality leather, and when properly made, they are waterproof, keeping you warm and dry, protecting you against the elements. Quality jackets are made with a ventilation system that keeps you cool in the summer and keeps the water and cold out in the winter.
When it comes to iconic leather jackets, it’s difficult to look past the MA-1 bomber leather jacket. These jackets were made famous when airplane pilots started wearing them in the 1950s. The reason behind them wearing them was that airplanes changed from propeller to jet engines, which meant colder and higher altitudes for the pilots, urging the Air Force to design these jackets to keep their pilots warm!
Why Does A Leather Motorcycle Jacket Keep You Warm And Dry?
To answer this question, we need to look at the type of materials used when making a high-quality motorcycle jacket. Discussing certain design elements will also help with this investigation.
Type Of Leather
When it comes to high-quality, durable leather motorcycle jackets, the better the leather, the better the jacket. Using animal hide leathers to produce these jackets is what most manufacturers do. Top choices include cow, deer, horse, and kangaroo hides.
Cowhides make up for 65% of all the leather used in leather products. This leather is considered to be the most waterproof natural leather that you can find on the planet. For those who don’t know, leather is animal skin that underwent a tanning process and is much stronger than human skin.
High-quality leather protects your skin better than other materials. It acts as a second skin, keeping you warm and dry.
Some motorcyclists prefer using a jacket made out of kangaroo leather, as this is much lighter than other leather types and has excellent abrasion resistance. It is also not as hot to wear in the summer as different thicker types of leather.
When buying a leather jacket to protect you against nature’s elements, you will do well to steer clear of any jacket which is labeled as “faux leather.” This fake leather indicates that a synthetic material (that mimics the look and feel of genuine leather) has been used, be wary because “faux leather” lacks the unique characteristics of natural leather.
“Faux leather” will be waterproof due to it not having any pores. Not having pores in the garment stops the air from flowing freely, which means it will not pass through the jacket, making you sweat profusely even when it is cold and wet. Imagine wearing a plastic jacket, and you will get the idea.
Faux leather will not give you the same abrasive support and protection from a safety perspective if you need to be protected in an accident on asphalt as genuine leather will provide.
I know good quality leather motorcycle jackets are quite a large expense buy in my opinion, they are worth every penny when you consider the benefits.
If you click HERE you will be taken to Amazon where you can view my top pic for a leather motorcycle jacket.
Leather Designs
Leather motorcycle jackets are usually designed with a thickness of 1,2mm-1,4mm for maximum protection. This thick barrier acts as a barrier of insulation, preventing your body heat from escaping, keeping you warm when it is cold.
Have you ever wondered why the front zipper is sometimes situated off-center and not in the middle of a leather motorcycle jacket?
Maybe you thought this was part of its appeal and that it made the jacket look more stylish? Well, it does have a particular stylistic appeal to it, but the main reason for it being on the side is to create a seal, making it the ultimate windbreaker!
The number one enemy of any biker, besides negligent motorists, is wind and rain. Even when you ride on a lovely summer’s day, the breeze that you will encounter at top speeds can be cool to the skin. Not to mention the icy winds of winter that numb your whole body when it comes into contact with you. Luckily high-quality leather is windproof, and added ventilation vents help cool you down on a hot summer’s day.
Ventilation vents are incorporated in leather motorcycle jacket designs, with the help of zips that open up to allow wind to flow through your jacket, keeping you cool when needed. Zipping up the ventilation vents will hold water and icy winds out, allowing you to stay warm and dry during cold and wet rides.
If you find that your regular leather jacket is a bit too hot in the summertime, look out for unique leather jackets that are specifically made to be worn in the summer. Another reason that a quality leather jacket will keep you warm and dry is that most jackets are fitted with a quilted fabric as a liner, keeping you snug and comfortable.
Should you stay in an area where hot weather dominates throughout the year, you should consider investing in a heavy perforated leather jacket. These extra pores will produce extra ventilation but still not be porous enough to let water in.
What are the benefits of a leather motorcycle jacket?
Here’s my answer,
A high-quality leather motorcycle jacket gives the rider protection from physical injury due to the heavy internal padding, added protection features such as metal shoulder covers, and abrasive protection. A leather motorcycle jacket also protects the rider against the cold and rain as natural leather is also waterproof and windproof.
Do Leather Motorcycle Jackets Stretch?
Here’s my answer:
When you purchase a new leather motorcycle jacket, you will want it to fit snugly to your body. Over time, the jacket will break in and stretch. This is a natural process. The leather will become more supple over time, and you will gradually start to feel where the leather is stretching and breaking in. The more you wear the jacket, the sooner this process will start happening.
I have written an article pointing out what a buyer should look for when purchasing a leather motorcycle jacket. the article is called ‘mens motorcycle jacket buyers guide’ which you can read HERE
When riding a motorcycle, what additional leather attire will also keep you warm and dry?
Wearing leather while riding your motorcycle has a two-pronged advantage:
1) Your body is protected should you be involved in a crash.
2) The leather keeps you warm and dry from nature’s elements.
Some bikers go the whole nine yards when it comes to this protection by wearing a one-piece full leather suit, for example. In my opinion, safety and comfort should go hand in hand when enjoying life on two wheels.
Here are some clothing items that you should consider to add to your cart when buying your high-quality leather motorcycle jacket:
Leather Gloves
- Hands are incredibly fragile in cold weather and will stiffen up quickly when left unprotected.
- Leather gloves will keep the hands dry and warm, enabling the rider to steer and brake properly when encountering rain and icy winds.
- Protecting your hands and wrists in a crash from abrasive asphalt roads is what leather gloves will do.
If you click HERE you will be taken to Amazon where you can view my top pic winter motorcycle gloves.
Leather Boots
- The trick in buying boots to ride in is to make sure that they feature an enforced heel and toe protection and should be manufactured with thick leather.
- Your riding boots need to support hundreds of pounds of machinery when it comes to a stop, so your riding boots need to be as strong and durable as possible.
- Leather will also keep your feet from getting wet and help keep them warm during incumbent weather.
If you click HERE you will be taken to Amazon where you can view my top pic for motorcycle boots.
I purchased a pair of high-quality leather motorcycle boots which I have had for over 10 years now. They are thick and heavy and protect my feet, ankles, and shins.
There have been a few times when my motorcycle boots have protected me and I am extremely happy I paid the extra money to get high quality boots.
Yes I know they could probably do with a clean!
One-Piece Leather Suit
- Arguably the safest and most comfortable suit that a biker can wear during a long or short drive.
- Wind and water won’t touch you when wearing this suit, and the leather will keep you warm and dry, from root to tip.
- It will cost you more than a leather jacket, but the full-body protection it offers makes the investment a good one. You will see many sports bike riders wearing one-piece leather suits as they provide the ultimate protection.
If you click HERE you will be taken to Amazon where you can view my top pic one piece leather suite
In Conclusion
When getting on a motorcycle, everything tends to go fast. You are exposed to the elements, and protecting yourself with a high-quality leather jacket is the bare minimum that you should do.
A proper genuine leather motorcycle jacket keeps you cool when it’s hot, warm when it’s cold, dry in all weather conditions, and alive when you fall. It is like you are putting on a superhero suit to protect yourself.
Leather does keep you warm and dry, and if you are feeling a bit too hot while wearing it, then use your ventilation vents (all well-made leather motorcycle jackets should feature these) to modify the airflow, and off you go! Most leather motorcycle jackets are waterproof, or at least water-resistant, and will keep you dry when riding in wet or snowy weather.
It is never a good idea to ride without a leather jacket. Firstly, it is worn to protect yourself during a crash, and secondly, it will protect you from the elements.
A good quality leather motorcycle jacket looks not only good but also adds significant benefits to your riding safety.
Happy riding!
