Motorcycle jackets buying advice and reviews

Welcome to our motorcycle jackets homepage, where you'll get the very latest in-depth reviews of the products we're testing. Our team put thousands of miles on each pair we test to ensure we can deliver verdicts you can trust.

But it doesn't stop there. Our motorcycle jacket buying guides deliver exactly what they say: helpful, essential information so you can make the right choice when you decide to take the plunge.

Year: ALL

Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road review | Next-level off-road protection

05 March 2024 by Michael Guy

The Alpinestars Tech-Air Off-Road is an all new armoured jacket featuring advanced airbag technology and switchable modes for Street, Enduro and Rally riding. Airbags for racing and road use...

Alpinestars Andes V3 Drystar Jacket review | Durable comfort all day long

05 March 2024 by Carl Stevens

When it comes to a textile motorcycle jacket, I’m a bit lazy. I want one set that covers everything from sunny off-roading to winter jaunts in the torrential rain, and that’s exactly where the third...

The Richa Atlantic 2 jacket and trousers are tough textiles for both sides of the Atlantic

28 February 2024 by Dan Sutherland

I’ve been using Richa’s AA-rated Atlantic 2 jacket and trousers since the onset of autumn 2023. Used for both commuting and leisure rides, I’ve experienced surprisingly warm weather, harsh winter...

The Halvarssons Gruven jacket and Laggan pants make a tailored all-season motorcycle suit

26 February 2024 by Justin Hayzelden

Swedish brand Halvarssons have been motorcycle kit since 1946, but the Gruven jacket and Laggan pants are my first experience of the brand. Together they make a laminated textile suit designed for all...

Alpinestars Domino Tech review | A practical, casual A-rated jacket ideal for city riding

15 February 2024 by Michael Neeves

The Alpinestars Domino is a CE-approved wind and water resistant, softshell, unisex motorcycle jacket, designed for town riding and casual wear. It’s packed with useful features and available in black...

The REV'IT! Poseidon 3 GTX will become Justin's first choice for textiles for some time

23 November 2023 by Justin Hayzelden

The REV’IT! Poseidon 3 GTX jacket and trousers is the third generation in a line of premium textile adventure suits that were first introduced back in 2013. The Poseidon 3 is intended for all-season...

Motorcycle armour buying guide | The best ways to protect yourself on a motorcycle explained

10 October 2023 by Phil Clarke

Riding a motorcycle gives a feeling of liberation unlike any other, but the more we do it, the higher the chances we’ll find ourselves in a difficult situation. That’s where good motorcycle armour...

Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 Stella Airbag Vest Review

10 October 2023 by Emma Franklin

Alpinestars’ Tech-Air motorcycle airbag project has been around since 2003, but back then it was strictly the preserve of world championship riders only. Since then the brand has gone commercial and...

Oxford Original Approved AA MS Shirt Review

10 October 2023 by Ben Clarke

Riding shirts like the Oxford Original Approved AA MS have been around for a few years now and are a more protective option than wearing a Carhartt or Dickies lumberjack number on your...

Tried and tested: RST Pro Series Commander jacket review

14 September 2023 by Ben Clarke

The RST Pro Series Commander jacket is the firm’s flagship textile motorcycle jacket. It’s a completely waterproof laminate jacket thanks to its SinAqua Pro technology – meaning you don’t have to mess...

Tried and tested: Alpinestars Faster V2 review

14 September 2023 by Joseph Wright

The Alpinestars Faster V2 is a sporty leather motorbike jacket that pairs protection fit for the track with comfort, practicality and style for the road. It follows the original Faster jacket which...

Race trim: Best sporty leather jackets

14 September 2023 by Justin Hayzelden

A leather one piece race suit is the way to go for track riding, but if you want to keep the race look on your road going sportsbike then a sporty leather jacket may be a more practical solution. Most...

Tried and tested: Vanucci VAJ-4 textile jacket review

14 September 2023 by Ben Clarke

The unfortunately named Vanucci VAJ-4 textile jacket forms part of the brand’s modular bike kit range called Vanucci+ that lets the rider pick and choose which layers they want to buy and wear. So,...

Classic chic: Best retro leather jackets as chosen by MCN

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Riders of classic, vintage or retro motorcycles have a duty to follow the visual impact of their machines, and donning an old school, retro leather jacket to complete the image is practically...

Tried and tested: Dainese Racing 3 jacket review

06 September 2023 by Michael Neeves

This Dainese Racing 3 jacket was launched back in 2017 and updated with the Racing 4 version in 2022. It featured some light upgrades and new colours, but both versions are essentially the same.

Adventure motorcycle jacket buying guide | Why globetrotters all wear them and how to find yours

31 August 2023 by Phil Clarke

When you’re packing up for an adventure ride, your motorcycle jacket is one of the most important pieces of adventure kit to consider. Chances are you’ll be basically living in it the whole time, so...

Best motorcycle jackets tried and tested by MCN | An expert buying guide, whatever you ride

31 August 2023 by Charlotte King

After a helmet, the most well known piece of kit that bikers wear is a good motorcycle jacket. Motorcyclists have been wearing leather jackets ever since riders first discovered that cow hide was...

Airbag review: Furygan Universal Vest tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Furygan airbag vest system uses technology developed by French firm In&motion which also provides the technology to other manufacturers, such as RST, Klim, Held and previous Furygan zip-in...

Best RST airbag clothing

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

RST airbag clothing offers an affordable way for many riders to get the latest safety tech. There are many, me included, who passionately feel that personal airbag clothing is the next game-changer...

Jacket review: Richa Daytona 2 tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Richard Newland

Leather motorcycle jackets that look good on all types of bike are, oddly, relatively hard to find. Sporty is easy, and so is out-and-out retro, but finding a timeless and well-spec’d jacket that I’d...

Jacket review: Spada Peacedog tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

After a helmet, a leather motorcycle jacket is perhaps the most well-known – and desirable – item of motorcycle clothing that people want – and recognise. And while there are lots of retro-styled...

Jacket review: Goldtop Bobber tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Ben Clarke

From the minute you pick up the Goldtop Bobber motorcycle jacket you can feel its quality – there’s a reassuring heft to it, the leather is soft and sumptuous, all the zips, buckles and fasteners feel...

Jacket review: Duchinni Strike tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The recent explosion in retro-styled motorcycles has led to a subsequent explosion in retro-styled clothing to match. This leather from Duchinni, the Strike, isn’t necessarily retro-styled but is...

Jacket review: Richa Charlestone tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Most people know quality when they come across it and the Richa Charlestone jacket really ticks the box. There are numerous ways to judge the quality of clothing and this jacket scores in each and...

Jacket review: Knox Urbane Pro tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Knox Urbane Pro Mk2 is a versatile armoured under jacket that can form the foundation of whatever clothing system you want. All in one motorcycle jackets are great, however by their very...

Woven winners: Best sporty textile motorcycle jackets

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

While leather can offer the highest levels of protection rating, a sporty textile jacket can come close and add functionality such as breathability alongside waterproofing and a range of other options...

Stand out from the crowd: Best hi viz motorbike kit

31 August 2023 by MCN

There’s no doubt that if you want to be seen on your motorcycle or scooter, then wearing and using hi viz motorbike kit is the way to go. It does what it says on the tin; high visibility. It means...

Jacket review: Merlin Edale tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Merlin Edale is a waxed cotton motorcycle jacket that combines protection, a classic look and some waterproofing performance. When I think of waxed cotton jackets, I either conjure images of...

MCN’s top tested textile motorcycle jackets for safety, comfort, and all-weather riding

31 August 2023 by Robin Kirkley

There are two broad categories of motorcycle jackets: textiles and leathers. Each has its own distinct features, and often choosing between them comes down to personal preference and the type of...

Retro practicality: Best waxed cotton motorcycle jackets

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There was a time that there were only a couple of ways to keep water out of your riding jacket. One was to make it from leather (cows are, after all, waterproof) and the second was to make it from...

Textile suit review: Duchinni Hurricane jacket and Pacific pants tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

It’s a fallacy that you have to pay top money for top protection when it comes to motorcycle clothing. Sure, there are benefits to spending more, like extra features but that doesn’t mean that you...

Jacket review: Merlin Drifter tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Merlin Drifter is part of the firm’s Explorer range, so it has a definite touch of adventure to it though it looks and feels equally at home on a retro or worn with a pair of riding jeans. One...

Safety in style: Best casual textile motorcycle jackets

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Casual textile motorcycle jackets offer all the comfort and style of a fashion garment but also carry some level of proper protection to the rider. Sometimes, you want the full-length protection...

MCN's pick of the best high-end textile motorcycle suits for practical riding

31 August 2023 by Charlotte King

Nothing protects like leather when it comes to motorcycle jackets and trousers, but textile motorcycle suits have the edge in practicality. By using the very latest materials such as Gore-Tex,...

Jacket review: Spada Ascent tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Spada Ascent is a touring/adventure style textile jacket that’s good to go whether you’re commuting through winter or taking on a round-the-world trip. There are some genuine bargains around...

Jacket review: Furygan Narval tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Furygan Narval is designed specifically to take its cues from the company’s sports leather jackets but with that flexibility that being formed in textile material offers. It’s a relatively short,...