Ultimate Motorcycle Jacket & Underlayer Buyer’s Guide: Updated May 2020

Quality Riding Jackets & Underlayers Keep Your Body, Chest, & Back Safe

Time to learn more than you ever wanted to about jackets and undershirts. Are you ready? Let’s do this.

Motorcycle jackets are a critical piece of gear that every rider should own and wear. In years past, the biker jacket became a fashion statement throughout the country but it is important to remember that this style of jacket was created for its function long before it caught on with the fashion world.

The original leather bikers jacket was an adaptation of the bomber jacket worn by early pilots. The leather was not only a great insulator but it was also very durable. Both of those benefits made leather the best choice for early motorcycle jackets.

As the years have progressed, motorcycle jackets have also evolved. Now leather is only one of the many options that riders have when looking for the perfect jacket. Textile and mesh jackets have become very popular because they are lighter weight than leather and they can provide much greater airflow. These two features have provided riders in a warmer climate the ability to ride more safely with hot weather jackets which still offer great protection. Prior to the creation of the new fabrics, riders often rode in the summer with no jacket and no real protection on their arms and upper body.

Not only are there a variety of different materials used for motorcycle jacket construction but many jackets are also purpose built. Riders today have many choices when buying a bike. They can go for the large cruiser with the upright ride position or the race bike with the very aggressive forward position or just about anything in between.

Other options now include going off road for motocross or a combination of on and off road for a tour and adventure ride. And each one of the styles of riding poses its own challenges and risks. So to keep up gear manufacturers have created gear that is purpose-built to meet the needs of each different type of rider.

That brings us to the most important point of this article. There is never going to be one perfect jacket or one jacket that we taut as the best any rider can buy. What is important to know is that there are certainly top quality jackets for every type of rider, the secret is to find the one that best meets your specific needs and personal taste.

To help you in making the best selection for your perfect motorcycle jacket we are going to educate you on the different types of jackets available and their features. We are also going to provide some additional information about some of the different underlayers that are available and what their features and benefits are. The end goal is to assist riders in making some great selections which allow them to be safe and comfortable as they enjoy their adventures.

Once again, there will not be specific manufacturers or brands listed in this buyers guide and we are not sponsoring or promoting any specific gear. This is a guide to teach riders what to look for in quality motorcycle jackets and underlayers. Riders will then need to apply our information along with their own taste and comfort to find the jacket and underlayer that best meets their needs.

As a new rider, you might have a very limited understanding of the importance of a motorcycle jacket. Its most basic function is to provide safety for riders in the event of an accident. The two biggest concerns for any rider are injuries from impact and injuries from abrasion, but new riders are obviously more concerned due to their inexperience on a bike. Riders should also understand that a motorcycle jacket provides more than just a protective layer for all riders.

Understanding Impacts & Armor

Impact injuries can occur when a rider hits another object, is hit by an object or upon contact with the ground. All of these can be very serious, especially if the rider is not well protected with a motorcycle specific jacket. Motorcycle armor and padding are what is going to absorb the energy from the impact and reduce the injury to the rider.

For jackets, there are 2 standards for armor.

• The first is EN1621-1 which covers armor for all parts of the body except the spine.
• EN1621-2 covers armor designed specifically to protect the spine. The main difference is that the spine protector must meet more stringent standards due to the potential for devastating injuries as a result of impact to the spine area.

To know that a jacket has quality armor, riders should look for a notation stating that the item is CE approved.

• Motorcycle jacket armor can include shoulder, elbow and back protection.
• Some jackets offer full back protection while others offer only lumbar protection.
• The protective inserts can be made from foam, memory foam, silicone, hard plastic and viscoelastic.

As you can imagine, the thicker and harder the layer is the better it will protect the rider. In some cases, jackets offer removable softer inserts as well as the hard plastic armor on the outside of the shoulders and elbows.

Again, the more armor the better for the most part. But all of these safety features do come at a cost. New riders who are shopping on a tight budget will quickly learn that many jackets only offer a basic foam pad which can be removed and replaced with a higher quality armor when budget permits. The biggest take away here is that as long as the jacket has pockets for armor inserts, the rider can upgrade to increase the level of protection.

Abrasion Protection

When considering abrasion protection, what you see is pretty much what you get. The outer shell material of the jacket is your abrasion protection and cannot be increased or changed. Exterior hard armor will help to protect shoulders, elbows and the spine during slides but the base material of the outer shell is all that protects the rest of the rider’s skin.

Leather was the material of choice for many years but new man-made textiles offer riders other high-quality options now. Cordura, Kevlar and other textiles have been proven to be as durable or more durable than leather and are also lighter in weight and offer better breathability.

The choice of the outer material should be made based on rider preference and the climate and environment of most rides. Leather material is still a good solid option in cooler climates. And the advent of laser-perforated leather makes it a viable option for slightly warmer climates as well. Textile materials are certainly the favored selection in hot and humid areas. Often these jackets will offer ventilation panels which have zipper or velcro closures but can greatly increase airflow without compromising the level of protection.

In addition to the protective benefits of motorcycle jackets, other features include protection from the elements and comfort features such as purpose-built jackets for specific ride styles. Riding in rain, wind or extremely cold weather can make many riders very uncomfortable and can suck any and all enjoyment from the riding experience. But a jacket designed for these environments or one which offers a windproof or waterproof liner is a game changer.

With the right gear, the elements will never ruin an opportunity for a great ride.

Comfort & Airflow

Another feature that new riders often overlook is airflow. There is a certain comfort benefit from air flow on a hot day but so is having a jacket that fits properly and allows air to flow through the material and not flap in the wind. New riders can easily become very distracted by the flapping arms, collar, and body of a jacket that is not meant for use on a motorcycle. What sounds like a small and manageable annoyance can become a big distraction which causes a new rider to lose focus and can result in an accident.

Along those same lines, jacket comfort comes from having the right style of jacket for the ride and your riding style. A touring jacket is perfect for a long ride. It offers a relaxed fit and covers the riders entire lower back. But that same jacket for a rider who is crouched in an aggressive position on a sport bike would not be as comfortable.

Again, having the right jacket to meet all of the needs and demands of the rider, the ride and the environment is critical to determining any “perfect” jacket.

Under layers are not necessarily an item that is needed for safety but they do make many riders much more comfortable which can impact their attention level, state of mind and overall safety on the road.

The two basic types of underlayers are those designed to be worn in extremely cold climates and those designed for extremely warm climates.

Most cold weather underlayers are designed to trap body heat or reflect body heat to help keep you warm. The newest materials can provide a great thermal layer without being thick and bulky like older gear. An added benefit for the higher-end underlayer gear is a windproof or wind resistant quality.

For riders who are willing to face any level of frigid temperatures to go for a ride, there are options which are heated and can be powered via a plug which connects to your bike. If you are not a fan of cold weather, a good underlayer is a great investment to make you more comfortable and keep your body more functional and alert. No rider should endure numb hands or feet when riding. It is just an unneeded risk that can easily be eliminated.

A less well known but equally important type of base layer is designed to be worn in extremely hot weather. The material is designed to wick moisture away from the skin and promote the natural evaporative cooling process. The comfort benefit is fairly obvious but added safety benefits include less moisture on your skin which makes it slippery. Shifting and braking can get more difficult when feet are squishing in soggy socks and boots. And wet gloves can greatly reduce your grip and dexterity.

The greatest benefit to a warm weather base layer on your core is that you will not experience the discomfort and issues related to excessive sweat such as heat rash and abrasions from soaked clothing.

Not everyone lives in a climate where any type of baselayer is needed. Or a rider might simply decide to only ride when the climate is comfortable and does not require additional layers to fend off the heat or cold. But for riders who face these conditions regularly, a base layer is a solid investment that will increase your enjoyment of a ride and allow you to completely focus on what is around you and not your discomfort.

Safety should always be a rider’s first consideration when evaluating motorcycle gear. An important part of the safety factor of motorcycle jackets is selecting the correct style for your ride. Comfort and fit will also have an impact on your selection but that fit will be dictated a lot by the bike that you are on and your riding position on the bike.

Another factor for many riders is versatility. A jacket that offers a removable liner or a waterproof liner can be a huge bonus. Many riders like to invest a little bit more in a single jacket that will meet all of their needs throughout the year. Price is also a concern as many riders have a strict budget for gear. Getting the best motorcycle jacket in your price range is always the main goal.

We recommend that all riders, whether you are just starting out or have been riding for years, place safety at the top of their list when looking at new jackets. Of course, there’s a lot of other important elements to consider, too: fit, comfort, price, and the type of the jacket are almost as important.

We’re operating under the assumption that you’re relatively new to motorcycles and riding gear; more advanced riders looking for information on the best gear should check out our recommendations for each motorcycle jacket type.

Under layers are not really a necessity for your first set of motorcycle riding gear. It doesn’t offer any real impact or abrasion protection other than being another layer between you and another object. But it does offer riders the ability to customize their comfort level. And that can be important, especially for new riders. Let’s face it, there is a lot to think about and pay attention to when you are learning to ride and more importantly, learning to ride safely. So eliminating the distraction of being too cold or too hot can be helpful.

Take a few minutes and read about some of the options that WBW has reviewed to see if under layers might be a good investment for you.

Our product recommendations are based on hands-on reviews, our familiarity with the brand, and owner feedback that we take into consideration during our research. Our recommendations may change as we review more jjackets hands-on, new products are released, etc. We will note any such changes in the article.