How to choose and buy a motorcycle jacket: material, season, protection
Start with when and how you ride
A motorcycle jacket that is perfect for a hot summer will not save you in winter, and the other way round. So first decide on the season. Summer models have mesh perforation and ventilate well. All-season jackets come with a removable lining and a membrane, and can be adapted to the weather. Winter ones are more strongly insulated and hold the wind better. In India, ventilation and a rain liner for the monsoon often matter more than warmth.
Riding style also sets the tone. A touring jacket is longer, with pockets and vents. A sports jacket is shorter, fits tightly and is usually leather. A city one looks like an ordinary jacket, and for enduro people take light, ventilated models.
Leather or textile, protection
- Leather resists abrasion better and lasts long, but is heavier and hotter in summer.
- Textile (Cordura, mesh) is lighter, and with a membrane it keeps out rain.
- Built-in protection: shoulders and elbows are a must, and a pocket for a back protector is highly desirable. Check the CE marking and the level (1 or 2).
- Fit: the shoulders and sleeves must not shift while riding, and the jacket must not ride up your back.
What to put in your request
- Material — leather or textile.
- Riding style — touring, sport, city, enduro.
- Size — S–XXL or EU, or measurements (chest, shoulders, sleeve length).
- Season — summer, all-season, winter.
- Protection — CE, a pocket for a back protector.
- Men's or women's.
- Brand, for example Held or Alpinestars.
- New or used, budget and delivery city.
Example: “I am looking for a men's textile touring motorcycle jacket, size XL / EU 54, all-season with a removable lining and CE level 2 protection. New, preferably Held. Delivery to Hyderabad, budget up to ₹20,000.”
How to compare offers
Check what is included in the price: the back protector is often sold separately. Look at the seams, zips and the Velcro on the cuffs. For used ones, ask for photos of the inside and for a note on whether it has had falls: leather can have hidden wear after a slide. Size charts differ between brands, so it is better to ask for the measurements of the garment in centimetres and compare them with your own.
In winter, remember that you wear thermal underwear under the jacket, so you may need a slightly bigger size.
One more point for textile: ask whether the membrane is sewn into the jacket or comes off with the lining. A sewn-in membrane saves you from rain always, while a removable one can be left at home in the heat, and the jacket becomes lighter. Look also at the adjusters on the sleeves, waist and neck: they help you fit the jacket and keep the wind out.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write a request once, and sellers of riding gear send offers in chat with prices and terms. They see where their offer stands and can improve the terms. Nobody sees your phone number until you choose. Also read how it works.
To go with the jacket, pick motorcycle trousers, motorcycle gloves or body armour.
