Best Textile Motorcycle Jackets

Once upon a time, textile riding gear was the red-headed stepchild of motorcycle safety gear. Well, the manufacturers got wise and started producing high-quality riding gear made out of something other than the hides of dead critters. With textile gear, you now have the option of some of the most current protection technologies in styles that you’ll be happy wearing for years to come. So, we thought we’d put together a selection gear that shows the full breadth of what’s available from top-shelf gear makers.

Alpinestars proves that you can have top-level protection in a textile jacket with the Alpinestars Yaguara Jacket For Tech Air Street. When paired with the Tech Air Street system ($1,150), you will be wearing the current state of the art in motorcycle safety gear. The Yaguara itself is constructed of Polyamide fabric with the Drystar membrane laminated to the interior. In case you think that means you can’t keep cool, the jacket also has eight ventilation zippers to flow cooling air over your body. Protection comes courtesy of CE level 2 armor at the elbows and shoulders. CE rated chest and back armor are available as an option for those who don’t opt for the Tech Air Street. A multitude of adjustments make achieving the optimal fit possible with adjusters on the arms and waist. Two front hand pockets and a large back cargo pocket are available as well as two front chest pockets. Reflective material keeps you visible at night while the stretch panels on the shoulders make movement on the bike easy. The Alpinestars Yaguara Jacket For Tech Air Street is available in sizes S-3XL in black-dark grey-medium grey, black-anthracite, black-dark grey-yellow, black-anthracite-grey, and black-yellow color ways.

Shop for the Alpinestars Yaguara Jacket For Tech Air Street here

Geared towards warmer climates, the Cortech GX Sport Air 5 Jacket will have you protected and well-ventilated. Constructed of 600D Carbolex polyester fabric with Armor-Link 3 mesh 1680D ballistic polyester in the shoulders, elbows, and forearms, you’ll be comfortable knowing that you’re protected from abrasion. Those double-layers arms are also pre-curved and fit with CE-approved Armadillo armor in the elbows and shoulders. The back receives an articulated triple-density back protector. For less sunny weather, the Aquatherm two-stage removable waterproof liner and insulated vest liner have you covered. Comfort-wise, the microfiber trim on the Mandarin collar and zippered cuffs will keep chaffing away. Reflective piping and Coretech logo increase nighttime visibility. If you want to attach a pair of pants, an 8-inch zipper, complete with the pant side portion is included. For carrying little essentials, you get two hand-warmer pockets and a mobile device pocket in the jacket shell, liner and vest. Sizing ranges from women’s XS-XL and S(Plus)-XL(Plus). The color options are: black, black-pink, and black-hi-viz.

Shop for the Cortech GX Sport Air 5.0 Women’s Jacket here

Combining the fit, style, and protection found in Dainese’s leather gear, the Super Speed Textile Jacket mixes textile and mesh construction to provide the cooling you need in warm weather with the protection necessary in a mishap. Protection comes from the CE-approved shoulder and elbow armor while the aluminum inserts on the shoulders help keep the jacket from catching on the pavement and causing the rider to tumble. Pockets are provided for optional back and chest protectors. The jacket’s large mesh panels allow for maximum airflow while the Duratex fabric fights abrasion. The fit of the Super Speed is comfortably sporty, as is the design. The Dainese Super Speed Textile Jacket is available in European sizes 44-64 in black-dark grey and black-white-red color ways.

Shop for the Dainese Super Speed Textile Jacket here

Shop for the Held Carese II Gore-Tex Jacket here

With an unabashedly sport fit, the Icon Overlord SB2 Jacket features D3O CE certified armor at the back, elbows and shoulders. The perforated shell allows for cooling air flow in warm weather, and a removable insulated vest liner holds in the heat on your core. The shoulder caps are constructed of TPU to assist in a slide. The Icon Overlord SB2 Jacket is available in sizes S-4XL in the following colors: black, white, grey, red, and blue.

Shop for the Icon Overlord SB2 Prime Jacket here

The Joe Rocket Atomic 5.0 Jacket is a slim-fitting jacket that has proved popular among riders through several iterations. Billed as a multi-season jacket, the shell is constructed of Rock Tex and Hitena Waterproof materials. The integrated dual-closure zipper along with the removable full-sleeve thermal liner keeps the cold winds out and helps retain body heat. On warm days, the updated ventilation scheme optimizes cooling airflow while the waterproof zippers still keep the rain out. Crash protection comes courtesy of the abrasion-resistant shell and the CE-approved armor in shoulders and elbows. External armor pockets make it easy to remove the protectors for cleaning. A pocket holds a back pad and is capable of accepting a sturdier back protector. Articulated back expansion panels keep the fit slim, yet comfortable. Conspicuity is provided via 360˚ reflective panels and logos. Sizing goes from S-5XL in black, black-grey, black-red, black-blue, black-orange, and black-hi-viz.

Shop for the Joe Rocket Atomic 5.0 Jacket here

The Klim Induction Jacket offers plenty of ventilation to keep you cool on hot rides. However, you won’t have to give up your protection from abrasion in the process. Klim uses Karbonite, an abrasion and tear-resistant mil-spec-derived nylon mesh. Additionally, the major abrasion points of elbows and shoulders receive heavy duty 840D textile for even more protection. Under those extra textile layers, adjustable D3O EVO XT Level 1 armor protects the elbows, while D3O EVO Level 1 shoulder pads keep your other corners safe. A D3O Level 1 back pad helps keep your spine safe. To stay comfy in the riding position, the jacket has an articulated fit with a slightly longer body length. Stretch material lines the elbows, and two quick-adjust forearm straps help to fine-tune the fit. A fleece-lined collar prevents chaffing. The jacket features five different pockets: 1 external upper chest pocket, 2 lower zippered hand pockets, 1 inner chest pockets, and 1 forearm emergency ID pocket. The Klim Induction Jacket is available in sizes S-3XL in blue, dark grey, hi-vis, and grey.

Shop for the Klim Induction Jacket here

An upgrade to the popular Sand 2 Jacket, the Sand 3 offers 4-season functionality while refusing to compromise on any single season. For hot weather, the polyester shell offers longer zippers to open enlarged areas of 3D mesh to the airflow. For wet weather, the waterproof layer is completely removable for better dry weather breathability. The thermal liner is also removable and can be carried in the roomy back pocket. Combine all the layers for the cold and wet or remove them all for a free-breathing summer jacket. The zippers allow for fine tuning of all temperatures in between the extremes. Seeflex CE Level 2 protection is included at the shoulders and elbows, while the jacket can accept the optional Seesoft Back Protector-Type RV. The Sand 3 can also accept Challenger Cooling Vest and Hi-Viz Connector Vest for even more versatility. Finally, either the Leatt or Moveo neck brace can be accommodated. The REV’IT! Sand 3 is available in sizes S-4XL. The color combinations are: black, black-blue, sand-black, and silver-anthracite.

Shop for the REV’IT! Sand 3 Jacket here

The Speed and Strength Off The Chain 2.0 Jacket provides off-bike fashion with on-bike protection. The outer shell is constructed water resistant AR-600 textile, and the interior features a cotton poly hooded liner. Your skin gets coddled by the microfiber-lined collar and cuffs. Impact protection is provided by removable Vault CE Level 1 shoulder and elbow protectors. There’s even a removable Vault CE Level 1 spine protector. Zippered vents provide cooling. Shoulders have expansion gussets for rider comfort when on the bike. To combat having the jacket climb up the rider’s back at speed, belt loops offer solid mounting points. Finally, reflective trim makes you more visible at night. The Speed and Strength Off The Chain 2.0 Jacket is available in sizes S-3XL in black, black-orange, brown, and vintage black.

Shop for the Speed and Strength Off The Chain 2.0 Jacket here

Designed for naked and sportbike riders, the Spidi Warrior Tex Jacket features two highly abrasion and water resistant fabrics that combine with the EN1621-1 certified Forcetech protection on shoulders and elbows to keep the rider safe in a get off. Hard Warrior protectors on the shoulders disperse impacts and promote sliding. A pocket for a CE Level 1 or Level 2 Warrior back protector makes it easy to increase your protection. A Warrior Chest protector is also an option. Air intakes on shoulders and back provide ventilation. When the weather gets cooler, a removable 100g thermalliner helps to retain body heat at speed. Two outer pockets and one inner pocket hold essentials. The Spidi Warrior Tex Jacket is available in sizes S-3XL in white-black, black-fluorescent yellow, and red-white-black.

Shop for the Spidi Warrior Tex Jacket here

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