Best Women’s Motorcycle Jackets: Stay Stylish an Safe

But given that reality, how do you choose a good motorcycle jacket? Easy, you listen to the folks at The Drive who’ve logged a ton of miles on two wheels with loads of different jackets from different manufacturers. Let’s get into it.

I’ve crossed states and countries, I’ve ridden through rain storms and snow, and crashed my fair share. Through that experience, I’ve tested and ridden with hundreds of jackets across different brands. However, given my male status, I wasn’t able to test the jackets here. However, I’ve worked with these brands and understand they prioritize female fit and fitment, along with armor, and not just in a token way. 

Though I stand by these picks, I reserve the right to change my mind at any given point as new products enter the market, quality improves or degrades at a brand, or if a jacket gets better with yearly use. Or worse.

Whether you like to carve canyons at the weekend or just look like you do, you won’t go wrong with the Alpinestars Stella GP Plus R v3 Airflow Jacket. Wow that’s a mouthful, but it kind of makes sense, considering all the features it packs. It has a 1.3mm bovine leather construction, which helps it meet CE Category II PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 – AA class for protective riding garments. So, even if it didn’t have armor, it’s still a very protective jacket. But, of course, it comes with armor: Nucleon Flex Plus CE Level at the shoulders and elbows. There are pockets for KR-Ci chest and back armor, which are sold separately.

Although this jacket is mainly made from leather, it has High Resistant Stretch Fabric (HRSF) and accordion leather stretch panels on the back and shoulders, so you should have plenty of flexibility. When you’re on the move, localized perforations and zippered ventilation panels should keep you cool, and there’s a low-profile collar with soft edging and 3D mesh liner to prevent irritation. The only thing I’d like to see at this price point is a pack protector included in the sale or CE Level 2 armor at the elbows and shoulders.

I own the previous iteration of this jacket for men, and it’s easily one of the best models I’ve ever worn. What you’re looking at is a great value jacket and possibly the best overall summer jacket on the market. It’s made almost entirely from mesh panels, except for abrasion-resistant 600D polyester at impact zones. Although this is an extremely lightweight and breathable jacket, it’s CE certified to EN 17092-4:2020.

This model comes with REV’IT’s latest CE level 1 SeeSmart shoulder and elbow armor. There’s a pocket at the back for a SeeSoft CE Level 2 back protector (sold separately). There’s not a huge amount of adjustability in this jacket, but there are adjustable straps on the cuffs and hips. Unless you’re willing to layer up, this is a warm-weather only jacket. The only issue some people are likely to find with it is that it can run tightly across the shoulders, and unfortunately, there’s no stretch material here.

If money was no object and I wanted the best construction materials in my jacket, I’d get the Dainese Valorosa, no question. It’s made from Tutu cowhide leather and S1 fabric. Tutu leather is engineered to ensure high levels of abrasion resistance and that it has water- and oil-repellent properties. S1 fabric was developed to improve airflow throughout the jacket and is made of elastomer-coated cordura polyamide, which keeps it strong and breathable. When you combine these two materials with Dainese’s renowned high-quality finish, it results in one of the best-looking sports jackets on the market. Inside, the Valorosa features Quickdry Frame technology, which helps keep you dry on sweaty days in the saddle. 

In terms of armor, there are Composite protectors certified to EN 1621.1 on the elbows and shoulders. You also get replaceable aluminum plates on the shoulders, and the garment is certified according to the EN 17092 AA standard. This is undoubtedly a very protective jacket in its own right, but you can also add a G1 or G2 back protector to make it even safer. There are Microelastic elasticated 2.0 inserts and elasticated inserts found throughout this model, meaning it should feel very flexible. The only gripes I have with this jacket are that there are no pockets for chest protectors, and at this price point, I’d like to see a back protector included in the sale.

The Andes is a name that’s synonymous with adventure motorcycling, and the Alpinestars Stella Andes v3 jacket shows us why that continues to be true. This model features Alpinestars’ Drystar breathable membrane, which is incredible at this price point and means you don’t need to mess around with removable liners and deal with putting on a jacket with a damp exterior. There’s a direct ventilation system (DVS), which uses zippered chest air intakes and back exhaust ports. So you should stay relatively cool on warm days. When temperatures drop, you can pop in the removable thermal liner.

Keeping you safe in the event of a crash is removable CE level 1 Nucleon Flex Plus armor at the elbows and shoulders. The jacket meets CE Cat II PPE Regulation prEN17092, meaning it receives A class safety certification. Although this protection is relatively moderate, there are pockets for a Nucleon chest and back inserts (sold separately), and this jacket is compatible with the Tech-Air 5 airbag system (sold separately). Of course, there are pockets aplenty and lots of hook and loop adjusters.

Leather jackets and motorcycles go together like mac and cheese, but please, get one that’s meant for riding and offers adequate protection. You don’t have to sacrifice any of the style points a leather jacket gives if you go for the REV’IT! Liv Women’s Jacket. This model uses the brand’s SeeSoft RV34 shoulder and RV35 elbow armor, which is extremely low-profile and flexible, meaning it nearly disappears when you put the jacket on. There’s also room for a REV’IT! SeeSoft Type RV back protector, which is sold separately. The jacket itself is CE certified to EN 17092-3:2020.

The Liv is sharp, clean cut, and has a beautiful sheepskin leather construction. Again, the features that make this a great motorcycle are invisible to the untrained eye, just like the wind catcher behind the cuff zipper and front zipper. There’s also a branded reflective stripe at the back neck area. The only real con associated with this model is that there are no stretch panels, but that’s the trade off you make when choosing a jacket like this.

Alpinestars’ Stella GP Plus R v3 may be a mouthful of a jacket name, but between its safety features, flex inserts, and the breathability of this jacket, it's sure to impress. However, if you need something else, any of our picks will serve you well.

Here’s what you need to know before buying a motorcycle jacket. 

Consider the climate and type of riding you plan to do when choosing the jacket’s material. Leather is going to be the most protective but also the hottest. Textile jackets are more breathable but may not be as protective. No matter what jacket you choose, the material should be sturdy and durable so that it’s capable of protecting you during a fall. 

Your jacket needs to be comfortable both on and off the bike. Otherwise, you won’t want to wear it. Start by putting the jacket on and wearing it for a while. There should be no pinching or tight spots. Then sit on your bike and get into riding position. You should be able to move freely without restriction. Each jacket manufacturer has its own size chart: always measure yourself and order based on the size chart and cut of the jacket. European cut styles run smaller, so you may want to size up. 

Perhaps the most popular motorcycle jacket type is leather. They can be comfortable, stylish, sleek, and offer a huge range of protection. These jackets are typically made out of thick cowhide, buffalo hide, or even pigskin. Leather is a smart choice because it’s durable and effective at protecting you from road rash, scrapes, and cuts. The downside of leather is that it’s hot and can feel stifling in summer weather. 

Warm weather or summer jackets are typically made out of a textile material. This could be nylon or polyester that’s in a tight weave or mesh. These durable materials will provide you with abrasion protection while also increasing the amount of airflow. For the most breathability, look for a textile jacket with plenty of venting. 

Riding off the beaten path requires a jacket that can provide an increased level of protection. Adventure jackets provide that with move body coverage, waterproofing, and windproofing. They typically come with removable liners for more versatility when you wear the jacket. There are more external pockets for easy access to your items. 

Motorcycle jackets range in price. A quality jacket will set you back around $450 to $900, and that should include armor.