About Men's Biker Jackets

The off-center zip is not styling. It exists so the front closes flat without a ridge of doubled leather running down the middle, which is what made the shape work on a bike and why it still looks right eighty years later. Wide lapels, a short body, heavy hardware. This is the loudest jacket in the range and the one that needs the rest of the outfit to stay quiet.

Can you actually ride in one of these?

No, and we would rather say so. A road-legal motorcycle jacket needs CE-rated armour at the shoulders, elbows and back, and abrasion-tested panels. Ours have none of that. This is the silhouette that motorcycling produced, built for wearing rather than riding. If you ride, buy protective gear from a company that certifies it.

How is a biker meant to sit on you?

Short and close. The hem should finish at or just above your belt, never over it. The shoulder seam lands exactly on the shoulder bone — on this cut more than any other, a seam that has slipped down the arm makes the whole jacket look borrowed. Across the chest, expect to fit a t-shirt and a thin knit, and nothing more.

How long before it stops feeling stiff?

Three to four weeks of regular wear. Full-grain starts firm because nothing has been sanded off it, and it softens from the inside out as your movement works the fibers. The elbows go first, then the shoulders, then the back panel. Do not try to speed it up with heat or oil — both do permanent damage.

Black or brown for a first biker?

Black. The biker shape is already assertive, and black lets it sit inside a normal wardrobe. Brown pushes it towards a period look, which is a fine thing to want deliberately and an awkward thing to discover by accident.

Biker against the alternatives
BikerBomberCafé racer
FrontAsymmetric zipStraight center zipStraight center zip
CollarWide fold-back lapelsRibbed bandLow band, no lapel
VolumeClosest fittingRoomiestSlim, but softer than biker
Effort it asks of youHighNoneLow
Specification
Price$ 280 – $ 299
LeatherFull-grain cowhide
ClosureAsymmetric zip
SizesXS – 4XL
ShippingFree worldwide, duties paid

Questions, answered

Is this jacket safe for motorcycling?

No. It has no CE armour and the panels are not abrasion-tested. It is the biker silhouette, not protective equipment.

Why is the zip off to one side?

So the two front panels overlap without creating a thick seam down the center. It closes flatter and blocks wind better than a straight zip.

Should I size up for layers?

Not on this cut. The biker is meant to sit close, and an oversized one loses the shape entirely. If you need room for a sweater, the bomber is the better buy.

Does the color rub off?

No. The color goes into the hide rather than sitting on top of it, so wear darkens it rather than stripping it. Jackets that transfer color onto your shirt are coated, not dyed.

Will I pay import duty?

No. Duties and taxes are covered by us worldwide, so nothing is owed on delivery.

If the biker feels like too much jacket, the bomber gets you into leather with none of the commitment. For the same attitude with a hood on it, look at hooded.

BomberHoodedMen's Leather Jackets