The average speed of a motorcycle accident is a mere 30-mph. At this speed, whether your hands are on the bars or holding onto the grab rail, a leather motorcycle jacket will save you from a world of pain.
If you thought it wasn’t possible to ride safely and look cool at the same time, our 14 Best Black Leather Motorcycle Jackets will prove you wrong.
| Best Overall | Best Budget |
| Milwaukee Leather Women’s Black Vented MC Jacket with Removable Hoodie | Men’s Perforated Motorcycle Leather Jacket with External and Internal Armour |
| Versatile and made to handle the weather | Safety conscious jacket that wont break the bank |
| Best Unlimited | Best Wild Card |
| Alpine Men’s Missile Ignition Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket Tech-Air Compatible | Scully Men’s Fringed Leather Short Jacket |
| High Tech High Spec | Cool Jacket with Fringe Benefits |
Disclaimer: Article contains affiliate links*
Police Style Motorcycle Leather Jacket
The Daniel Smart Side Lace Police Style Motorcycle Leather Jacket is a nod to the premium-quality leather jackets worn by motorcycle cops.
This leather jacket made from 1.2-1.3-mm high-quality cowhide is supple and easy to wear. At the same time, it is durable enough to feel substantial.
The side lace jacket has a half belt in the front to take up any slack. Better yet, it will be snug and warm once the temperatures start to dip. A full-sleeve zip-out insulated liner is a welcome addition giving it four-season flexibility.
The action back allows the side lace jacket to move with the rider. Meanwhile, the inner liner has stretch panels, making it clear that Classic’s design has the motorcyclist in mind.
Heavy-duty zips and snaps, top-grade leather and rider-friendly features make the Daniel Smart Classic a great choice.
Best Budget – Safety Conscious Jacket that won’t Break the Bank
Men’s Perforated Motorcycle Leather Jacket With External and Internal Armour
If you ride a sports bike, you will be looking for a leather motorcycle jacket with a high degree of flexibility. Body armor is another box that needs ticking, and this black leather motorcycle jacket by Leather Teknik has it all.
Using a combination of premium grain and perforated leather together with hardwearing textile, the jacket’s arms have pre-formed bends. Internal and external armor is fitted to the main impact area. The back of the jacket features padding and extends past the kidneys.
As the perforations suggest, this is a motorcycle jacket suitable for spring and summer riding, but a removable liner should help with any sudden temperature drops. All in all, a well-thought-out sports motorcycle jacket, which is further enhanced by its external symmetrical armor.
Best Unlimited – High Tech High Spec
Alpinestars Men’s Missile Ignition Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket Tech-Air Compatible
Class-leading armor, top-grade leather, and compatible with the world’s most advanced motorcycle airbag system. What more could you ask from a leather motorcycle jacket? Quite a lot, but then again, the Alpinestars Missile Ignition jacket delivers and then some.
This motorcycle jacket provides excellent ventilation with premium-grade 1.3mm leather panels, perforated leather, and stretch fiber panels. Concertina panels run from the top of the shoulder to under the arm for maximum movement. What’s more, you’ll find body armor sliders fitted to the shoulders and elbows.
The Missile Ignition jacket is designed for a tailored fit, and the curved arms and the back hump add to its aerodynamics. Last but not least, the Missile is compatible with Alpinestars’s excellent Tech-Air airbag crash protection system, giving total peace of mind.
Heavyweight Vintage Café Racer Jacket
Joe Rocket Vintage Rocket Men’s Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket
The mandarin style collar of this vintage-style black leather motorcycle jacket from Joe Rocket features a neoprene lining to keep out drafts and water. The multi-season jacket also boasts a removable full-sleeve liner and zippered cuffs.
You’ll find four exterior and two interior zipped pockets on this drum-dyed black café racer jacket. The leather ranges from 1.0-1.2mm thick which equates to around 5lbs in weight. The jacket therefore feels pretty substantial without being too heavy.
All zips are top-quality YKK, and you’ll find an interior storm flap on the main zip. Joe Rocket describes the fit as ‘relaxed.’ What’s more, there are pockets for optional body armor and an extra feature is the subtle branding.
Old School Cool
Noble House Luftwaffe BF-109 Fighter Pilot Leather Jacket, Steer Hide Flight jacket
I am not a fan of the phrase ‘smart casual.’ If you ride to work though and need to roll up looking like you mean business, this black leather jacket offers style and functionality.
There is a tradition of biker clothing being borrowed from practical military gear. And this thick yet soft black leather jacket is a straight lift from World War II’s German Air Force.
You will find two hand warmer pockets on the jacket’s exterior, along with two zipped chest pockets. Inside there are a further two pockets, and the padded lining is non-removable.
A short strap and buckle finish off the bottom of the jacket. Meanwhile, another strap and snap fastening keep the collar in place. All external zippers feature glove-friendly tabs.
Vintage looks with Modern Body Armour
ScorpionExo 1909 Men’s Leather Motorcycle Jacket
According to Scorpion, the design inspiration for this black leather motorcycle jacket is a nod to those worn by Indianapolis speedway riders of the early 1900s. Looking at photos of those pioneering racers and the tracks they raced on, I’d have to say that the 1909 looks more than up to the job.
Made from 1.4mm premium top grain leather, this is one serious retro motorcycle jacket. Also, weighing in at 6lbs, you’re going to appreciate the quality the moment you put it on.
You’ll find top-spec YKK zips throughout, and all critical seams have reinforced stitching. Tucked away under the arm and torso perforated sections provide added airflow. And with an Everheat inner liner, this jacket can handle most weather that comes its way.
A cool feature is the SAS-Tec body armor included in the shoulders and elbows. It molds to the body when warm and exceeds EN 1621 level 2 requirements.
Bad Ass Biker Jacket
First MFG Co. – Night Rider – Men’s Motorcycle Black Leather Jacket
Regular readers may recognize this item from our ‘Brown Leather Motorcycle Jacket’ review. It was there that we looked at the strangely elegant oxblood version of the Night Rider.
This black option has the same features and is a bike leather that is too good to ignore. So here are a few reminders of why this black leather motorcycle jacket is such a bad ass.
For starters, there’s the 1.4mm high grain leather used in its construction. Also, weighing in at 7.6lbs, it’s going to feel like a suit of armor. On the subject of armor, the pockets are located on impact areas (armor not supplied). There are two large vents on the front and one full-width vent on the back to cool things down.
An action back handles extra movement duties. All pockets, vents, and closures feature blacked-out super stealth YKK zips. The Night Rider also has concealed carry pockets. These, apart from their obvious use, are also ideal for stashing multi-tools along with a snack or two!
Great Jacket, Great Price
Viking Cycle Cafe Premium Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket for Men
Splashing all your cash on purchasing a motorcycle and having no money left for protective gear is now a thing of the past. Plenty of features and a reasonable price make the Viking Café jacket a deserved popular purchase for bikers on a tight budget.
The jacket is constructed from drum-dyed quality black leather and is finished with blacked-out zips with glove-friendly pulls on all closures and pockets. The shoulders and elbows feature heavy padding, while the back is protected with CE-approved body armor.
Style-wise, as its name suggests, the round stand-up collar and side zip closure lean towards a café racer vibe. It is also possible to zip the jacket to either motorcycle pants or attached to jeans via belt loops.
The two front and two zippered back vents are useful features and ones you don’t always find on motorcycle jackets at this price point. But now, thanks to Viking Cycle, you can look cool and feel cool at the same time.
Ride the Summer in Style
Harley-Davidson Men’s Synthesis Pocket System Reflective Black Leather Jacket
A review of leather motorcycle jackets that didn’t include a couple from the Motor Co. just wouldn’t be the same. After all, H-D sold their first branded riding apparel (a wool jersey) way back in 1912!
This middleweight cowhide black leather jacket owes its looks to the café racer culture. What we have here is more of a summer around-town jacket than an all-season, all-rounder.
There are no armor pockets, but padded areas cover the top of the shoulders and lower back, while the main seams are double stitched. On the exterior, two hand warmer pockets are joined by two large zipped vents. These correspond with vertical zipped vents on the back.
The two large vertical zips on the front of the jacket reveal six stash pockets, two of which are waterproof to accommodate electrical items. This black leather jacket also benefits from 3M Scotchlite reflective piping along the back of the arms and shoulders. This piping is subtle but highly effective.
Best Wild Card – Cool Jacket with Fringe Benefits
Scully Men’s Fringed Suede Leather Short Jacket
Last but not least is our wild card pick. I understand safety is of prime concern, but this fringed jacket is an unapologetic nod towards the ‘Easy Rider’ era.
The top-grade boar suede leather jacket may not come with airbags or body armor, but it’s tough enough to save your skin in a low-speed slide. The front and back of the shoulders are covered with a traditional Western yoke design, with the edges finished in weaved suede.
The fringes on the arms and body of the jacket are around 6ins in length, which is long enough to catch the wind but not whip the pillion passenger.
There’s a sturdy full-length front zip, two outside pockets and the satin-style lining adds to the quality feel.
If the call of ‘born to be wild’ is too loud to ignore, this fringed jacket is the one to choose.
The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide For Motorcycle Gear:
- Best Motorcycle Backpacks
- Coolest Motorcycle Aviator Goggles
- Motorcycle Ankle Boots
- GUIDE: Gear For A Motorcycle Roadtrip
- Top-10 Retro Motorcycle Gloves
- Best Black Leather Jackets
- Carbon Fiber Open Face Helmets
The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide For Motorcycle Gear:
- Best Motorcycle Backpacks
- Coolest Motorcycle Aviator Goggles
- Motorcycle Ankle Boots
- GUIDE: Gear For A Motorcycle Roadtrip
- Top-10 Retro Motorcycle Gloves
- Best Black Leather Jackets
- Carbon Fiber Open Face Helmets
Motorcycle Jacket For Your Better Half
Best Overall – Versatile and Made to Handle the Weather
Milwaukee Leather Women’s Black Vented MC Jacket with Removable Hoodie
The number of features present in the Milwaukee women’s leather jacket makes it a real three-season option. As it is made from 1.2-1.3mm goatskin leather, the outer should be sufficiently tough for most conditions.
The addition of a full sleeve zip-out thermal liner/hoodie gives extra flexibility. The good news is, that with two chest and back vents, the rider is pretty much covered for all eventualities.
Talking of covering eventualities, you’ll find not one but two conceal and carry pockets for your favorite compact semi-autos. Its designers have also included an interior media pocket with a wire feed, so you can consider all those boxes ticked.
All the Bells and Whistles
Alpinestars Women’s Stella GP Plus R v2 Airflow Leather Motorcycle Jacket, Black/Fuchsia
The Alpinestars brand needs no introduction, but pay special attention when looking at the Stella range of women’s motorcycle jackets, of which there are several versions. This particular motorcycle jacket option has all the bells and whistles.
Like the Teknic, this black and fuchsia motorcycle jacket uses a combination of premium and perforated leather along with poly-stretch inserts. And together, these provide the ultimate in fit and form. At 1.3mm, the thickness and grade of leather are top-shelf.
The curved sleeves and accordion stretch panels reduce on-the-move fatigue. Meanwhile, the jacket’s armored inserts offer protection for both elbows and shoulders.
With its stylish fuchsia and white flashes and a high degree of safety features, the Alpinestars ladies motorcycle jacket is a class act.
Fuss Free and Tough
Harley-Davidson Women’s Alameda Heavy-Weight Leather Biker Jacket
Not every lady biker is looking for a leather motorcycle jacket adorned in flash and neon. For anyone who prefers a fuss-free leather jacket that is as tough as old boots, Harley-Davidson’s women’s Alameda jacket is the one to choose.
This jacket, made from heavyweight cowhide features a classic side zip crossover vintage-style design with a snap-down collar. Although not supplied, there are pockets for armor at the elbows, shoulders, and back.
Two zipped pockets are located on the outside with one zipped inner pocket. You will also find a short belt and buckle located on either side of the waist for adjustment.
An action back adds to the comfort and ease of movement. Meanwhile, a plaid cotton twill liner means the rider will stay toasty should the temperature drop. Ladies, this is a heavy-duty, no-nonsense black leather motorcycle jacket. Better yet, it will save your hide and look stylish.
Simple and Stylish
True Element Women’s Premium Braided Motorcycle Black Leather Jacket
Mid-weight pebble grain cow leather gives this jacket a good degree of protection. It’s pliable enough though, to prevent its wearer from moving like an extra from ‘The Walking Dead.’
The jacket is nicely uncluttered with just two outside, one inside pocket and a side zip opening. The slightly longer style, together with its subtle leather side braiding, adds to its classic looks.
The waist is elasticized on each side to give a tailored look. And there’s a zip-out full-sleeve thermal liner to provided added warmth. The snaps on the collar are corrosion-proof, and the zips are heavy-duty. This jacket is a simple, stylish, and user-friendly motorcycle leather.
Be Safe and Look Cool
Just like you take care of your bike chain and do regular service on your bike, wearing motorcycle gear that offers protection when riding should be an automatic decision, not a choice to ponder.
*Products in our Buyer’s Guide section are carefully chosen and we recommend only the best for our loyal audience. Bear in mind that this article contains affiliate links and if you purchase via our links – Old News Club will earn a commission.
