Motorcycle Riding Jacket Buying Guide

Riding gear is something many of us usually avoid, knowing we are ignoring our safety. Previously, we discussed why riding gear is so important that it may save you from the most brutal accident; if you missed that post, you may read it here.

Today, in this motorcycle riding jacket buying guide, we will discuss how to choose a good riding jacket, considering the most important factors like types, safety, features, comfort, price, brand, etc.

Note: This guide is not biased to any brand; all the inputs are as per my knowledge.

Types of Riding Jackets

Mostly, we have either the street-focused riding jacket or the touring riding jacket; by the name, you may have already understood their purpose. Basically, a street-focused jacket has a maximum mesh panel for better ventilation, comparatively more tighter fit, and another hand touring riding jacket, also known as an all-season riding jacket, comes with better safety protectors, coverable mesh panels & little bit comfortable fit.

Also, there is another category, a race suit, which fits very snug and protects you best.

Safety

Safety is the biggest factor while choosing a functional Riding Jacket; otherwise, there is no point in wasting money, correct? Let’s first discuss what parts are prone to impact in a crash or accident: the Elbow, the Shoulder, the Spinal Cord, and lastly the Chest. While getting chest protection may require you to shell out a few bucks more but you must not compromise.

You may have heard a lot of certification standards like SAS-TEC, CE, etc. Generally, in budget Riding Gears, especially jacket & pants companies provide CE Level 1/2 protectors, which cost less but provide basic safety. The more you spend, the more safety you usually get.

Features

For a good Riding jacket, below are the must-have points.

Material

The riding Jacket should be made of a minimum of 600D Polyester (heavy-duty fabric) material to protect you from abrasion in case of a crash. Some mid-range even provides Cordura reinforcement at abrasive zones. There are many brands that mix leather or denim for better styling.

Ventilation

In India, we mostly face scorching heat throughout the year; hence, ventilation plays an important role. Generally, you should choose mesh jackets that provide excellent airflow to keep you comfortable. We will discuss a little more in the Types of Riding Jacket Section.

Rain Liner

Most of the budget jacket includes an inner/outer rain liner, which may save you from light to moderate showers. Nowadays, even budget rain liners tend to get breathable material, but only a few feel as comfortable as Gore-Tex. If possible, choose a Riding Jacket with an outer Inner Liner so that you can wear or remove it quickly.

Thermal (Winter) Liner

Similar to a rain liner, this inner shell (mostly) provides a comfortable & cozy feeling in colder weather. In the case of sub-zero temperatures, you can additionally wear a rain liner too.

Removable Protectors for easy wash & Upgrade

Over time, Riding Jackets will get dirty, smell bad, and provide less airflow, so you need to wash them. And frankly, I feel you should have removable protectors for ease of washing. Also, if you wish to upgrade armor, you should have an option.

Waterproof Pocket/Compartment

You may use a rain liner or an external raincoat, but what about your essentials, like a mobile? For that, most of the Riding Jackets come with minimum one waterproof pocket.

Visibility

Lastly, it is very important to stay visible in the dark. Here, reflecting panels work great, although most of the riding jacket has them, so still look for it before you decide.

Comfort

One of the most driving factors to decide not to buy a riding jacket is comfort. It is true that it adds heft and sometimes may create irritation or feel quite uncomfortable because of comparatively thick, highly abrasive material and protectors, but trust me, things have changed a lot.

Today, most jackets come with lighter fabric and protectors. With continuous usage, you will get accustomed, and do not forget to check for cushioned trims on the cuff and collar area.

Also, keep in mind similar to the snug helmet fit mentioned in our helmet buying guide, the Riding Jacket must also fit well to protect you. Protectors should be in place (use the buckle to adjust). Initially, you may feel odd, but in a week, it will be comfortable.

Brand & Price

There are many brands in the Riding Jacket category, like Alpinestars, Rynox, Furygan, Aspida, Biking Brotherhood, Zeus, Solace, Royal Enfield, and many more. I feel in the 10K (INR 10000) range, Rynox can be your best pick. I have it, and I do not doubt that they are advancing their technology to provide better safety and quality at a very competitive price.

Recommendations

1. Always try to get light-colored Riding Gear for additional visibility at night, along with a reflective panel.
2. I prefer to shop Riding Jacket or any other Riding Gear offline because the correct size & fit is very important and you can even observe the product better. In case buying online, try to test it in an offline shop and then order the size you felt perfect.
3. Protectors are there to save you, so buy the best protection possible in your budget.
4. In a week or so, the Riding jacket will get comfortable, hence wear regularly (break-in).

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Don’t forget to check out our complete Ladakh Ride Blog series and Riding Gear related posts.

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Thanks! Have a great day ahead.