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Every rider with a few miles under her belt knows the importance of wearing the proper gear in the proper season. A leather jacket might be too too hot, or it might not have the water-resistant properties that a robust, three-season textile jacket provides. Textile jackets can be ventilated for hot summer days and might be designed with several layers to accommodate nearly year-round rides. They come in a variety of styles with features that make riding more comfortable regardless of the temperature. If you’re not sure which options is the best for your needs, check out our roundup of the best textile motorcycle jackets in this buying guide.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Klim Carlsbad Jacket
- Best Value: Alpinestars T-Faster Air Textile Street Motorcycle Jacket
- Best Mesh Construction: Rev’It Eclipse Jacket
- Most Stylish: Joe Rocket Atomic Men’s 5.0 Textile Motorcycle Jacket
- Best for Warm Weather: Viking Cycle Ironside Textile Mesh Motorcycle Jacket
- Best for Wet Weather: Speed and Strength Off The Chain 2.0 Textile Jacket
- Best Airflow: Dainese Super Speed Textile Jacket
- Most Lightweight: Bilt Blaze 2 Jacket
- Best Multipurpose: Firstgear Kathmandu Jacket
- Best Ventilation: Olympia Airglide 5 Jacket
Types of Textile Motorcycle Jackets
Cruiser
While most cruiser motorcycle jackets are made of leather, there are some brands that are textile, including Harley-Davidson. Cruiser textile jackets do not typically include armor or protective plating because people don’t usually ride a cruiser as fast as they do a sport bike.
Street
Street jackets can be textile, leather, or a combination. They often feature removable liners and a lot of vents so they can be worn over the course of several seasons. This makes them quite versatile. These jackets usually feature armored protection in areas such as the elbows, back, and shoulders.
Adventure
Many adventure-style or dual-sport jackets are made out of textiles and are designed to be breathable. They are ventilated and insulated and able to accommodate thermal liners. These jackets usually have numerous pockets and are longer than other types of jackets to cover more areas of the body.
Best Textile Motorcycle Jackets: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Klim Carlsbad Jacket
Best Value
Alpinestars T-Faster Air Textile Street Motorcycle Jacket
Best Mesh Construction
Rev'It Eclipse Jacket
Most Stylish
Joe Rocket Atomic Men's 5.0 Textile Motorcycle Jacket
Best for Warm Weather
Viking Cycle Ironside Textile Mesh Motorcycle Jacket
Best for Wet Weather
Speed and Strength Off The Chain 2.0 Textile Jacket
Best Airflow
Dainese Super Speed Textile Jacket
Most Lightweight
Bilt Blaze 2 Jacket
Best Multipurpose
Firstgear Kathmandu Jacket
Best Ventilation
Olympia Airglide 5 Jacket
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a high-quality jacket with a history of proven performance, you can’t go wrong with the Klim Carlsbad Jacket. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Alpinestars T-Faster Air Textile Street Motorcycle Jacket.
Key Features to Look for in a Textile Motorcycle Jacket
Size
Take your measurements before purchasing a textile motorcycle jacket to ensure it fits correctly. Also, check to see if the brand you’re considering is true to size or tends to run small. Wearing a jacket that is too large or too small isn’t a good idea. Larger jackets may billow in the wind, and smaller ones will make you feel too constrained. Both can make riding unsafe.
Armor
Motorcycle armor is often unnoticeable and very lightweight. Many textile jackets with CE-rated armor are designed to protect various parts of your body, including your back, elbows, and shoulders. Not all brands of jackets include armor, but some do. Some armor is also removable and replaceable.
Comfort
Choose the most comfortable textile jacket you can find. It should be snug but not too tight. While leather jackets are softer, they are also heavier. Textile jackets are lighter and more flexible, so they tend to fit a little differently than other materials. If you’re not comfortable when you’re on the bike, it can be distracting and dangerous.
Waterproof
If you’re looking for the best waterproof textile motorcycle jacket, make sure to read the fine print. Some are 100 percent waterproof, while others are simply water resistant. A few brands are designed to withstand the summer heat as well as sunlight. Many textile jackets are designed to hold up well in windy conditions.
Other Considerations
- Pockets. It can be frustrating if you don’t have a lot of pockets and carry a lot of stuff, including your wallet, phone, and keys. Most motorcycle jackets have two outside pockets, and some include one or two inner pockets. Determine what you need before you make a purchase.
- Night Visibility. It’s crucial that motorists see you when you’re riding at night. While your bike has lights and reflectors, it’s also a good idea to have reflective elements on your clothing, including your jacket. Many textile motorcycle jackets feature reflective striping on the sleeves and/or back that makes you more visible in the dark.
- Ventilation. If you’re riding in the summer, a ventilated motorcycle jacket is essential. It can get very warm when the temperature rises, which can cause you to sweat. The more ventilation, the cooler you will be. Textile jackets are much cooler than leather jackets, and some even feature zippered vents, which you can close on cooler days.
Tips
- When choosing a jacket size, think about how you sit on the motorcycle. You need it to fit properly through the shoulders and arms when you reach for the handlebars, not standing straight.
- Look for a jacket that can handle multiple seasons so you get the most use out of it. Ventilation zippers and removable liners take a jacket from one season to the next.
- Safety features like CE-certified shells give your jacket increased protective qualities. The jackets with the most protection will have these plates on the most vulnerable areas of your body, including the elbows, shoulders, and spine.
Textile Motorcycle Jacket Pricing
The more you spend, the higher the quality of the jacket. Textile jackets that sell for $60 to $200 are made of more durable materials and fabrics. They may also have more features, such as replaceable armor and extra pockets. Textile jackets for more than $200 are typically geared to adventure touring riders and serious sport bikers. They feature superior protection and are designed to withstand a variety of weather conditions.
FAQs
Reach forward with your hands as if you’re grabbing your bike’s handlebars. The sleeves should stay at your wrists. It shouldn’t feel tight through your shoulders, and the waist should be snug and stay in place without riding up.
The look of your jacket is about personal taste. Some riders choose to match the colors of their jackets to their other gear. Others prioritize safety and look for a high-visibility jacket, which has lots of reflective material and neon-yellow hues.
Match your jacket to the style of riding that you do. Jackets are cut to accommodate different riding positions. A jacket meant to be worn on a cruiser will not be comfortable on a sport bike and vice versa.
