The Best Motorcycle Jackets: Ride With Confidence

It’s time you upgraded that entry-level jacket to one of the best motorcycle jackets.

byRobert Bacon|
Rev'it Summer Jacket
Robert Bacon

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BYRobert Bacon/ LAST UPDATED ON May 10, 2023

“Dress for the slide, not the ride” is a phrase that’s been uttered by motorcyclists for decades. But I’d argue no one says it more than motorcycle instructors, the people whose job it is to keep riders like you and me safe. It’s no coincidence that these are also the people I’ve seen wearing some of the most protective jackets on the market. The right motorcycle jacket inspires the confidence to hunt apex after apex, throw a leg over when dark clouds loom, or hit the road when the sun is beating down. Get the best jacket for the occasion, and give yourself the confidence to tackle any adventure.

Best Overall
Dainese Super Rider D-Dry

Dainese Super Rider D-Dry

Summary
If you could only have one jacket to cover you all year round this waterproof sports touring model with a removable thermal liner and shoulder and elbow protection makes a compelling argument.
Pros
  • Removable thermal D-Dry liner
  • Mugello fabric
  • Sporty three-season jacket
  • Pocket for double chest protector
Cons
  • No CE Level 2 armor 
  • Back and chest protectors sold separately 
Best Value

Scorpion EXO Optima Jacket

Summary
You don't have to spend a fortune with this 100% waterproof all season riding jacket. The laminated fabric and removable thermal liner help to keep you comfortable.
Pros
  • Fully seam-sealed waterproof 
  • Direct Core Ventilation
  • Exo-Tec CE rated armor
Cons
  • Zipper hits your neck 
  • Slender arms
Honorable Mention

Alpinestars T-GP Plus R v3 Air Jacket

Summary
This lightweight and versatile jacket is perfect for the turn and burn with its enhanced abrasion resistance, upgraded armor, and ergonomic construction.
Pros
  • Poly-fabric stretch insert
  • Extended mesh panels 
  • 3D mesh collar
Cons
  • Small zipper that’s hard to work in gloves
  • European sizing

Summary List

Our Methodology

I used the construction material, features, and rider’s reported experiences to narrow down the list to the best motorcycle jackets. That way, I stayed true to The Drive’s methodology of finding the best products for motorcycle enthusiasts.

My broad personal experience with various types of motorcycle jackets helped me to analyze each jacket option for its best qualities. When choosing this list of the best motorcycle jackets, I considered more than just the basics of size. I wanted to create a comprehensive list that addressed beginners and experienced riders, warm and cold weather riders, and riders on a variety of bike styles. 

Best Motorcycle Jackets: Reviews & Recommendations

If I could only own one motorcycle jacket, it’d be the Dainese Super Rider D-Dry, hands down. It’s based on the race-ready Super Rider jacket, so it has a sporty design, but it’s packed with the technology needed to make it a three-season jacket. It features a removable light thermal liner with a breathable waterproof D-Dry membrane. The external fabric also has a water-resistant treatment, so you needn't worry about getting caught in the rain or chilly temperatures. Since this is a mesh and leather jacket, once you remove the thermal liner, it’s breathable and perfect for summer riding.

This model is made from leather and Mugello fabric, which is durable and stretchy but won’t lose its shape over time. You can adjust the wrists, waist, and neck closures, which ensures the jacket stays snug while you’re on the move. There are removable composite CE level 1 protectors and aluminum inserts on the shoulders. At the back, there’s a pocket for a G1 or G2 back protector, and at the front, there’s a pocket for a double chest protector (sold separately).

Specs

  • Ride Style: Sport touring
  • Construction Material: Textile and leather
  • Included Armor: Shoulder and elbow

Pros

  • Removable thermal D-Dry liner
  • Mugello fabric
  • Sporty three-season jacket
  • Pocket for double chest protector

Cons

  • No CE Level 2 armor
  • Back and chest protectors sold separately

Best Motorcycle Jacket Value

Scorpion EXO Optima Jacket

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Scorpion’s EXO Optima proves you don't have to spend a fortune to stay warm and dry when riding in winter weather. The entire jacket’s construction is seam-sealed with laminated fabric to make it completely waterproof, and the double zippers give you extra protection from the elements. The removable EverHeat liner will help your body retain its natural heat so that you can stay warm but not too warm. For protection, there’s CE-rated armor on the shoulders and elbows and a foam back pad. Let’s be real — you’ll want to replace the armor if you want real protection.

The biggest problem with this jacket is that the zipper hits you right on the neck. There’s no protection from it, so it’s best to not zip it up all of the way. The arms are also slender, so you’ll want to size up if you have some bulky arms.

Specs

  • Ride Style: Adventure/Touring
  • Construction Material: Laminate fabric
  • Included Armor: Shoulder and elbow

Pros

  • Fully seam-sealed waterproof
  • Direct Core Ventilation
  • Exo-Tec CE rated armor
  • Removable EverHeat thermal liner

Cons

  • Zipper hits your neck
  • Slender arms

Alpinestars’ T-GP full textile jacket comes in two options, a summer jacket that’s breathable and a warmer three-season version for colder weather riding. This is a good casual everyday riding and beginner’s jacket with soft instead of hard shoulder sliders and more flexible internal armor to give you better freedom of movement. These changes make the jacket way more comfortable than hard armored jackets. A nice subtle feature is the full stretch fabrics to make this jacket versatile for a variety of riding positions. Another nice feature is the comfort material on the inside, so it’ll feel really nice

One drawback of this jacket is the small zipper that’s frustrating to operate when you’re wearing gloves. The sizing is accurate but runs small and is slim through the torso. You’ll also want to add a back protector.

Specs

  • Ride Style: Sport
  • Construction Material: Textile/Mesh
  • Included Armor: Shoulder and elbows

Pros

  • Sport fit
  • Poly-fabric stretch inserts
  • Extended mesh panels
  • 3D mesh collar

Cons

  • Small zipper that’s hard to work in gloves
  • European sizing

Best Adventure Jacket

Rev'it! Sand 4 H20

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Rev’it is crushing it with its lineup lately, and the Sand 4 H20 is a prime example. The exterior is made from an abrasion-resistant polyester shell, which has three vents at the front, twin zippered ports to ventilate your arms, and two exhaust vents at the rear. Warm-weather rides won’t be a problem. But this is an adventure jacket, so it needs to be ready for all conditions. The removable waterproof Hydratex mid-layer and thermal layer ensure you can ride in any weather conditions. And, as these are both freestanding destination garments, you can stay warm and dry after you’ve hit the kill switch.

Keeping you safe in the event of a spill is ventilated Seeflex CE Level 2 armor at the shoulders and elbows. There are pockets for a back protector and split chest protectors, which are sold separately. The adventure jacket has an internal pocket within the thermal liner, a slit pocket, inner pockets, waterproof stash pockets, and a waterproof inner pocket. There’s also a stash pocket at the rear, which is large enough to store the included liners. Laminated reflective strips at the chest and back, as well as a reflective logo on the upper arms and pocket flap, should help to keep you safe in low-light conditions.

Specs

  • Ride Style: Adventure
  • Construction Material: Mesh and Polyester ripstop
  • Included Armor: Shoulder and elbows

Pros

  • Removable waterproof and thermal liners
  • CE Level 2 armor included
  • Liners can be worn as garments
  • Pocket for chest protector inserts

Cons

  • No back protector included

Best Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Scorpion EXO 1909 Leather Jacket

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This jacket from Scorpion oozes cool with its retro styling and tasteful details. The soft leather is already distressed, making this jacket look like you’ve owned it for years, despite just pulling it out of the box. Unlike the jackets of old, this one comes with perforations to keep you cool, and armor to keep your body intact. The reinforcement overlays are nice to protect your elbows from road rash and the EverHeat removable liner is perfect for when you want to wear your leather on a colder day, because we all know the wind chill factor is real.

One potential issue with this jacket is that the leather fades. However, you’re buying a distressed jacket, so the fading should be a welcomed part of ownership. The liner lacks a bit of quality, so the fabric can begin to fray in places.

Specs

  • Ride Style: Touring
  • Construction Material: Leather
  • Included Armor: Shoulder and elbow

Pros

  • Soft distressed leather
  • Leather overlays at elbows
  • Removable EverHeat jacket liner
  • Perforated panels

Cons

  • Leather fades
  • Liner can fray

Best Summer Motorcycle Jacket

REV'IT! Eclipse Jacket

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The Rev’it! Eclipse jacket is easily the best summer jacket on the market. I should know because I have one. The outer shell is made from mesh and polyester 600D, which is extremely breathable and makes you feel like the jacket is cooling you down while riding. So, as a summer jacket, it works perfectly. This isn’t a jacket you can use all year, but it shouldn’t be a problem adding it to your collection as it’s one of the most affordable models on the market.

It comes with Knox CE Level 1 armor at the shoulders and elbows. You can fit a CE Level 2 SeeSoft back protector, which is sold separately. Be aware, particularly if you’re adding the back protector, that the sizes run a tad small, so you might need to go a size up. There are velcro straps at the waist and wrists, which are the only negative comment I have to make about the Eclipse, as they sometimes become undone. There are two slit pockets on the outside and an inner pocket.

Specs

  • Ride Style: Summer
  • Construction Material: Mesh/polyester 600D
  • Included Armor: Shoulder and elbows

Pros

  • Knox Flexiform CE protection
  • 600D polyester
  • Adjustment straps
  • Extremely breathable

Cons

  • Weak Velcro
  • Sizing runs small

Best Women’s Motorcycle Jacket

Icon Contra 2 Women's Jacket

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As a woman, it’s a struggle to buy gear. You want to be safe, but you also want to look good. This sport jacket from Icon hits every cylinder as it not only looks good but is also protective. Sport riders will appreciate the pre-curved arms that follow your natural body positioning while on your bike. The massive mesh panels are made from ballistic nylon to give you plenty of airflow through the chassis without sacrificing abrasion resistance. A removable lightweight liner means you can continue to wear this jacket when temperatures drop. The nicest thing about this jacket is the flattering shape it gives you; no linebacker shoulders here. Use the straps on the arms and waist to cinch the jacket down and prevent billowing in the wind.

The biggest problem with this jacket is that it isn’t ideal for curvier ladies, so those who are well endowed or have hips may find this jacket confining in certain, ahem, areas. You can size up to ease this. The zipper on the front also feels flexible, but that doesn’t mean it’s weak or not durable.

Specs

  • Ride Style: Sport
  • Construction Material: Textile and mesh
  • Included Armor: Shoulders, elbows, and back

Pros

  • Woman-specific fit
  • Removable insulated liner
  • Pre-curved arms
  • Ballistic nylon paneling

Cons

  • Not ideal for curvy women
  • Flexible zipper

Our Verdict on the Best Motorcycle Jackets

I've chosen the Dainese Super Rider D-Dry as the best overall motorcycle jacket. Its removable thermal liner makes it a great three-season option, and while it looks sporty, it's plenty durable and stretchy. For a more affordable option, the Scorpion EXO Optima Jacket has an impressive amount of waterproofing and armor.  

FAQs 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

Q: Do you really need a motorcycle jacket?

A: Do you enjoy your skin? Are you averse to skin grafts and multi-hundred-thousand-dollar doctor bills? Yes, you need a motorcycle jacket. Not only does it protect you in the event of a crash, but it also protects you while you’re riding. Your jacket protects you from the elements and airborne road debris. Plus it gives you pockets, which are convenient for carrying your stuff.

Q: Why are motorcycle jackets so expensive?

A: They are expensive because you aren’t buying a fashion piece; you’re buying a piece of safety gear. You’re paying for the research and development that went into the production of that jacket. You’re also paying for all of the innovative materials and extra bits that go into the jacket. Think of it this way — that $500 for the jacket is way cheaper than a hospital bill or funeral service. 

Q: What is CE armor?

A: CE refers to the armor being CE-certified, which stands for Conformité Européene. The only time you’re required to wear CE-rated gear is when you’re on a track. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear it when casually riding. There’s Level 1 and 2 armor, with Level 2 offering you better impact protection.

Q: How do I know what size motorcycle jacket to buy?

A: If there’s a local motorcycle gear shop that stocks the jacket you’re interested in, go and try it on. Otherwise, read through the reviews and see if buyers say it fits true to size, is too tight, or is too loose.

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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