Classic chic: Best retro leather jackets as chosen by MCN

Riders of retro, classic or vintage 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 obligatory. Whether you’re looking for traditional café racer cool, a 70’s retro vibe or just something that looks like it’s been there and back, there’s a jacket to suit your ride.

Looks may be the primary reason for choosing a vintage style leather jacket, but that’s no reason for skimping on safety, so weigh up options in the same way you would any new item of motorcycle kit. The CE certification is the first place to start, with AAA being the highest and B the lowest, then see what armour is included. Shoulder, elbow and back protectors are rated either CE Level 1 or 2, the latter offering greater resistance to impacts. A waist zip to connect to compatible jeans is also a good idea, as it stops the back of the jacket riding up.

Other features to consider are removable thermal or waterproof linings, adjustable ventilation ports to provide airflow in warm weather and pockets for storage, both inside and out. To ensure a precise fit, most jackets have adjustment points at the waist, collar and cuff.

We’ve gathered a selection of some of our favourite retro leather jackets here.

How MCN tests products

products
At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.
Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one. If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.
To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products

About the author: After qualifying as a mechanical engineer, Jim Blackstock began working on magazines in the early 1990s. He remains passionate about product testing to ensure readers know what products offer good value and why. He relishes torrential rain to see if riding kit keeps water out and an hour or two to tinker on a project bike in his workshop.

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.