MO Tested: Speed & Strength's Fame & Fortune Jacket Review

Hipster or no, the ¾-length Fame and Fortune jacket has a cool, waxed cotton style about it that’s both moto as well as casual. Its Vintage Black color (the only color available) is kind of a gunmetal grey/blue highlighted by black leather accents and snaps designed to look like buttons on the outside, flannel and corduroy on the inside. The external front of the jacket has two snapped and zippered chest pockets in addition to a combination zippered hand pocket and snapped/zippered carrying pocket flanking both lower sides of the jacket. There’s a large, enduro-type pocket at the lower rear of the jacket that’s also closed via a snap and a zipper.

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Internally, there’s a zippered chest pocket on the left side. You gain an additional internal pocket when the removable, insulated vest liner is installed. Yes, the Fame and Fortune does have a warmth liner, but it’s only a vest and not a full-sleeve liner, so weather temperatures during Spring and Fall are appropriate, unless you’re willing to layer-up with other garments.

Like most textile jackets that lack the heaviness of leather to resist flapping in the wind, the Fame and Fortune comes with snap adjusters on the arms to keep things tight, as well as snap adjusters on the waist. The snaps aren’t the strongest ones we’ve encountered and will occasionally come undone, but they’re better than nothing, while also being attractive.

Helpful during warmer months is the Speed Zip ventilation system – fancy speak for zippered closures on the biceps, shoulders and back that when open promote airflow throughout the jacket. The positioning of the vents allows wind to force them open wide providing good airflow on warmer days.

Sizing is large, so you’ll want to consider going down a size from what is normal for you, or better yet, go to a Speed and Strength dealer and try one on. I normally wear a size medium, and while the medium Fame and Fortune I received fits comfortably, it certainly allows for a few extra layers to be worn beneath. Sizing runs from Small through 3XL.

What you get for the $249.95 price of the Fame and Fortune is an attractive jacket if you’re into the vintage-military type style – certainly a nice garment for any cafe racer or scrambler rider. The Fame and Fortune is comfortable and functional and can be worn in public without advertising that you ride motorcycles. The affordable pricing is felt in the lower quality zippers and base level armor, but otherwise we view the Fame and Fortune a good value. You’ll certainly see me wearing it in future motorcycle shootouts.