With the vast selection of motorcycle jackets out today it can be a hard choice as to which will best fit your needs. What you first need to determine what is important to you about your jacket. What types of features it should have? Pads? Pockets? Armor? Vents? Waterproof? Picking between leather or textile seems to be one of the most common questions I get regarding gear.
Carefully considering what it is you want should help narrow the field considerably. For some riders Leather is the best route. This group usually includes the folks that will be doing track days and spirited back road riding. Leather has a very high abrasion resistance, and for that reason is considered to be one of the best materials to have between you and the road in the event of a get off.
The other most common material is Textile. Textile includes mesh and other fabrics that offer a high amount of abrasion resistance, but textiles offer more ventilation for warmer conditions. Textile gear can also get wet without getting damaged. It’s generally lighter and can be easier to care for.
Another consideration is how it fits in regard to your riding style. It’s great if your jacket fits in the store but the goal is to have it fit when you are riding. If you own a cruiser you will probably find that a sport bike style jacket will not be comfortable with a cruiser, and visa-versa. Wearing a cruiser type jacket on a sportbike can actually restrict your movement and pose a safety hazard. Many riders pick the jacket solely based on the looks, but fashion will not protect you!
