#MotorcycleJacket

What better time to take a closer look at the Dainese Alger Nomad jacket than now while the 43rd running of the Dakar Rally is underway. Inspired by rally racing of the ’80s, the Alger jacket is part of the Dunes collection, a subset of Dainese’s Settantadue vintage-inspired line. This jacket was specifically styled after Edi Orioli’s late 1980’s Dainese rally gear (pictured below). With vintage style and off-road adventures in vogue, Dainese looked back to its own history when creating the Alger jacket. 

What makes for the best motorcycle jacket comes down to a lot of different variables, not excluding rider preferences. So rather than tell you that the following jackets are unequivocally the best, we’ve decided to highlight offerings that we’ve previously included in our more focused jacket lists (textile, leather, winter, women’s etc.) to give you a smattering of what Motorcycle.com sees as some of the best jackets currently in production. 

I’m a gear nerd. Have been, and hope to always be. I nerd out on unique materials, armor, and the latest and greatest of motorcycle gear. That makes me a sucker for KLIM’s heavily researched and developed garments. Toward the end of 2019, I had the chance to join the folks at KLIM for a 2020 product launch and an inside look at some of the materials technology that was being developed and tested at the Gore Labs in Maryland. It was akin to touring Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. 

Klim makes some of the most technical gear on the market. From the companies Klim partners with, to the level of thought, research, and testing that goes into new products, it’s always exciting to hear what the brand has coming down the pipeline. Recently, I had the opportunity to take a trip with the folks from the Klim HQ in Rigby, ID, to the Gore facility in Maryland (think Gore-Tex). We had the opportunity to tour the Gore labs – an eye-opening and mind-blowing experience – and later got to check out some of Klim’s 2020 product line, which includes some new stuff that I think will be a hit for the company. In addition to new gear of its own, Klim has teamed up with In&Motion, a company that makes motorcycle airbag vests, to bring the Klim Ai-1 airbag vest to America’s motorcycling contingent.

When it comes to motorcycle apparel, quality is about much more than just fashion, staying warm, or added protection, which is why the way it’s made is essential. First Manufacturing Co. has been making leather goods for motorcyclists the traditional method for over 30 years. Their line of motorcycle jackets, gloves, and accessories are made with care, while new product lines are road-tested by a team of riders before they hit shelves.

The REV’IT! Offtrack jacket and pants have actually been in the company’s lineup for some time, albeit with a brief hiatus. Now, the combo is back, ready for adventure, and available in three colorways to make sure you look good whilst doing so. The first chance I had to test the Offtrack gear was 1,600-plus miles through England in August. It had been scorching hot the week prior to my arrival and though the temperatures had begun to drop, I still experienced vast temperature swings and plenty of moisture. As it would turn out, the Offtrack jacket and pants were the perfect kit for the trip. How so? Read on.

At first sight, I wasn’t overly stoked about the look of the REV’IT! Prometheus jacket. It was just a little too simple. My wife, however, was plenty stoked. The folks at REV’IT! had offered it as an alternative to a jacket which is being discontinued and I agreed to give it a try. Once I received it, I was much happier with it and my wife who works in the fashion industry gave me the old, “I told you so”. That happens more often than I’d like to admit – with style, anyway.

There are leather motorcycle jackets, and then there are leather sport riding jackets. Leather jackets designed for sport riding are typically going to fit more snug in order to better keep their armor in place and allow for a more aerodynamic profile overall. Depending on the level of sport jacket you’re considering, it may also include more abrasion resistant materials like leather with special treatments or plastic impact sliders. The Spidi Carbo Rider is an excellent example of an aggressive sport jacket that can be worn for daily use.

Full Mesh Jacket. Like the FMJ, the REV’IT! Traction jacket features an abrasion-resistant outer to protect its softer inner (you). The Traction jacket from REV’IT! is a summer jacket entirely composed of breathable fabric to keep you cool during the summer while also providing a removable waterproof liner for those Spring showers. Not to mention, the jacket looks the business when you’re walking around the urban jungle off of the bike, too.

As we roll into fall, you’re looking at primetime motorcycle gear shopping. With roughly half the continent reaching the end of riding season, motorcycle helmets, jackets, and other types of motorcycle gear are popping up on sale across the web. In particular, Revzilla.com has recently opened up a significant closeout sale featuring all sorts of gear from Dainese, Alpinestars, Icon, and many of your other favorite brands, with savings ranging from 20% to 65% off!

I’m not much of a cruiser guy, but this past July Motorcycle.com sent me to my first media launch for the 2018 Indian Scout Bobber ( which ended up being pretty rad). As I have mentioned in previous articles, I am a gear nerd and have amassed plenty of jackets, pants, boots, helmets, etc., over the past 10 years since I began riding. With all of that gear I still found myself without a subtle jacket that one might classify as a cruiser jacket. The folks here at MO tasked me with finding a jacket that might fit the bill and suggested I look at the new line-up from Rev’it!.

When I started riding I wanted the flashiest gear I could find. Bright colors, exposed armor — anything that told the world I was a motorcyclist. A funny thing happened along the way: I attracted the attention of cops, too. Once, fairly recently, on a MO group ride to Laguna Seca, a member of the local constabulary singled me out from the pack because, my red riding jacket “was easiest to identify,” he said. “All your buddies blended together.” Turns out he was a rider too and let me off easy.

Touring gear, by definition, must be versatile. If you’re traveling long distances, you’re likely to encounter a variety of weather conditions, perhaps even in the space of a single day. In addition, cargo carrying capacity is more important than on your typical day ride. Designed in the stylish adventure riding mold, the Andes is part of Alpinestars Tech-Touring line of gear.

Continuing our lists of Top 10 Motorcycle Holiday Gifts for you or a loved one, this week’s list focuses on items ranging in price between $200 and $500. Here we’ve compiled a bevy of items for both the rider and motorcycle alike. Whether the gift is for a person or a two-wheeled companion, either way, we’re sure with one of these items the recipient will be happy. We tried to cover a broad spectrum of riders and machinery, but narrowing the options to just 10 was no easy task. If you have a suggestion for this list, or simply want to add something you really want, say so in the comments section below. Who knows, Santa might grant your wish this year.

When I was a kid, my two favorite stores in the mall were the tobacconist and the leather shop. They just smelled so damned manly. I’d step in to either one just to inhale the heady, grown-up aroma of machismo, chivalry and courage, smells that would transport my 10-year-old self to a world still beyond the grasp of a Toughskins-wearing fifth-grader, a world where guys drank beer out of cans, held doors open for ladies and had a perpetual trace of grease under their nails.