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

There are two broad categories of motorcycle jackets – textiles and leathers. Each has its own distinct features, and it often comes down to personal preference and the type of riding you do. We’ll take a look at some of our favourite textile motorcycle jackets in this article.

Textile vs leather jackets

Leather jackets have a timeless style about them. They offer excellent protection, often with a higher CE Rating than textiles, and will last for decades if well cared for. But they’re less versatile in changing weather. They can overheat when it’s hot, and when the heavens open up they can become water-logged and heavy.

The basics of textile motorcycle jackets

The reason textile jackets are so popular is they do the job a motorcycle jacket is designed to do in most situations and in all weather conditions. 

The first is to keep vulnerable parts of your upper body protected if you should have a spill. It should also keep you warm and dry when it’s cold or raining, and ventilated when it’s warm/hot.

Comfort and practicality are big reasons why so many motorcyclists prefer textile jackets. Utility is another consideration, including how many pockets the jacket has for carrying smaller items that you need to access quickly, especially useful on longer rides where your motorbike is loaded with luggage?

Best deals at a glance

• 50% off Dainese Alligator Textile Jacket – was £369.95, now £184.98
• 45% off Pharao Cedar Waterproof Textile Jacket – was £189.99, now £99.99
• 30% off RST Pro Series Adventure-X CE Textile Jacket – was £299.99, now £209.99

Protective features of textile motorcycle jackets

A jacket’s impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and construction strength are mostly what will protect you in a fall. You might also consider an airbag as an enhanced safety feature.

Many textile motorcycle jackets will come with armour inserted in the back, shoulders, and elbows, although some charge extra for the back armour plate. Chest protection is also an optional add-on. The armour should be rated at least Level 1, but ideally Level 2 (the highest), which absorbs and dissipates impact energy more effectively.

The textile garment itself will have its own CE Rating. Garments constructed to an AAA Level offer the highest level of abrasion resistance and the strongest construction methods (seam strength etc). These are often stiffer and not as comfortable on long rides. Most textile jackets these days are rated AA but are well covered by armour inserts to the highest level. If you mainly ride longer distances or at higher speeds then your jacket should have either the AA or AAA rating. Textile jackets used mainly for urban riding or bimbling over to the local cafe might only need to be A or AA rated.

 

The looks, features and practicality of textile jackets

After considering how a textile motorcycle jacket will protect you, it then comes down to the features and looks you want, and how practical it needs to be. 

Most will either be water-resistant or waterproof, and will be breathable (well ventilated) when temperatures rise.

Modular textile jackets combine detachable layers that provide different functions. There’s the tough, water-resistant outer layer, a waterproof inner layer, and a thermal liner for colder days.

You can add or subtract these layers depending on the weather forecast for the day. But three layers can be bulky, and it can be a hassle stopping to detach or replace layers.

Laminated textile jackets simplify this by bonding the inner waterproof layer to the outer shell guaranteeing you a dry ride. You’ve still got the detachable thermal liner if needed.

A touring-style textile jacket will be longer so it keeps your lower back covered over the miles and in varying weather conditions, while something a bit more sporty will be shorter and maybe more stylish.

It’s worth considering if there’s any reflective material on the jacket. This goes a long way to increasing your visibility to others on the road without being quite as flamboyant as a hi-vis jacket.

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Here are some great deals from MCN on textile motorcycle jackets

Other textile jackets to consider

Related: Best leather motorcycling jackets

A summary of what to look for in a textile motorcycle jacket

Textile motorcycle jackets are great for packing lots of functionality into one jacket, so it’s worth capitalising on that when you’re looking to buy one.

Protection is a big thing to consider, so check the safety rating for impact and abrasion resistance. Textile garments generally have lower safety ratings than leathers, and you don’t often see higher than an AA rating. But they compensate for that with the highest levels of armour inserts.

Utility can make textiles incredibly practical, so check how many pockets are offered and how big they are. You won’t want to carry everything in your jacket, but having large and plentiful pockets can save you from digging to the bottom your panniers at every border crossing and are ideal for carrying your phone, a few snacks maybe, and other small items.

Ventilation makes textiles incredibly versatile for year-round riding. Conversely, if you want the jacket to be warm enough for cold rides check for thermal linings and/or thermal padding to keep windchill at bay. Also consider any waterproofing, as not all textile jackets offer this, and some are better than others.

If all that sounds like a lot to get your head around, It’s worth having a look at some of our expert jacket reviews. Here at MCN, we go into the nitty gritty – putting all kinds of products through thousands of miles of testing, to find out which kit on the market today is really value for money.

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How MCN tests motorcycle jackets

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.

We’ve worn these Tried & Tested jackets for hundreds or thousands of miles on MCN test bikes and we ride in all weathers and conditions, too. We’ll never recommend a jacket we wouldn’t wear ourselves!

If you can’t see a review against a jacket on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These jackets 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.

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When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

- 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.