This Is Your ULTIMATE Guide To Riding Jackets!

Riding jackets are often admired for their rugged design and rebellious vibes. Common people see them as a style statement and posers use them to..well...pose. But for a true motorcycling enthusiast, they are their angel wings. These jackets are your first line of defense against everything the open road throws at you (within limits). From biting winds and sudden showers to the far less forgiving scrape of asphalt in case of an accident, riding jackets undertake serious responsibility. 

Think about the worst-case scenario: you’re riding at high speeds and crash without a proper riding jacket. Your skin touches the track and it's safe to say that it won't be a friendly encounter. Riding jackets exist to minimise injuries.

As we all understand the importance of protection, these jackets offer protection where it matters most. Equipped with reinforced materials and armour, they are crafted to absorb impact and resist abrasion, giving you a fighting chance to walk away from a crash instead of being carried off.

Riding jackets come in different shapes, sizes, colours and protection levels. But why is there such a diversity? The difference in armour and safety materials dictate the cost for the end users. There are textile jackets for all-weather versatility, leather jackets for unparalleled abrasion resistance and mesh jackets for hot weather comfort. Then comes the all-important armour levels.

Let’s face it, not all “protection” is trustworthy.

Riding jackets are available in two different CE levels: CE Level 1 and Level 2. The higher the rating, the more impact it can handle and the better it protects your vulnerable joints.

Investing in a good riding jacket is mandatory, whether you are a Sunday cruiser or a daily commuter. It’s an essential part of riding responsibly.

Real riding jackets: What do they do?

Real riding jackets are not born for aesthetics; these are made to save your elbow, shoulder areas, back and chest with foam padding or armour at the back. The armour helps to protect the body from impact by providing cushioning on the areas most likely to sustain impact during a crash.

These armour paddings either come with C.E. Rated 1 or C.E. Rated 2 protection ratings to shield the rider from the impact. The textile/mesh or leather used in these jackets is thick and abrasion-resistant. So even when you slide, the textile won’t easily tear off.

Protection on the elbow, shoulder, back and waist helps keep the jacket in place, so injury is minimised. Indian weather is not comfortable enough for tight and thick jackets, which is why mesh jackets provide enough ventilation. Hence, you won’t drown in sweat, making them the perfect companion for any kind of ride in the city or on highways.

Riding jackets also come with radium linings or patterns on the back, shoulder and front sides. This is done to ensure that headlights from oncoming motorists create larger reflective surfaces, thus making the riders visible in low-light conditions.

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Perfect materials for the jacket

In the old days, biker jackets were made of leather but now, manufacturers use multiple materials to make riding jackets. Many riders still prefer the style and performance of leather jackets but they aren't comfortable in Indian weather. Many riders enjoy the flexibility and fit of jackets made from high-density synthetic materials that are both strong and durable. Riding jackets are typically made of Mesh/Textile or Leather.

Mesh riding jackets

These riding jackets are made with a combination of mesh on the front and rear, with a main body holding everything together typically made up of textile. The textile portion is made from abrasion-resistant material so that it doesn’t tear off like paper in case of accidents. These jackets are good for air ventilation and perfectly usable in the summer season with a sun protection T-shirt. Removable pads or armour allow the jackets to be washed on demand.

Textile jackets 

These jackets are manufactured from polyester, nylon and Kevlar. These are more comfortable than leather jackets and also come with removable inners or pads. Textile jackets have proper ventilation designs but you can also pair them with windcheaters or raincoats to protect yourself from wet weather.

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Leather jackets

These are the costliest yet stronger than mesh and textile jackets. Leather jackets have the best abrasion resistance.

Types of riding jackets

Riding jackets are also categorised on the basis of usability. Just how sports bikes look different from adventure bikes, riding jackets are categorised into different models.

Sports jackets

These jackets come with tight fittings and a hump on the back. Some jackets come with a speed hump to make the overall posture aerodynamic.

Touring jackets

Touring jackets come with below-waist fittings and are designed to be loose fit. These jackets come with multiple pockets to store accessories and gear.

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Covers for riding jackets

Riding jackets can also be paired with multiple liners for protection against rain and the chilly winter liners. Rain liners protect the jacket from rain and act like raincoats while winter liners come with a thick layer to protect the rider from low temperatures.

Riding jackets based on protection level

Conformite Europeenne, or C.E.,  indicates that riding armour comes with certain safety standards. However, C.E. is only mandatory in the European Union and everywhere else, it is a bonus.

CE Level 1

Level 1 is suitable for casual riding and touring. These jackets feature a maximum transmitted force of below 18 kilo Newtons (kN) and no single value exceeding 24 kN.

CE Level 2

The CE Level 2 is best for high-speed riding, track races and hyper-riding. These jackets come with a maximum transmitted force of below 9 kN and no single value exceeding 12 kN. Level 2 jackets offer up to 50 per cent more impact protection than Level 1 jackets. The Level 2 jackets are thicker and heavier than Level 1 jackets. In regular usage, they can feel uncomfortable.

Just like helmets, riding shoes and gloves, riding jackets play an important role in keeping riders safe. Hence, we at Hardwire advise all riders to gear up and get on the road with a responsibility to foster a safe environment for everyone.

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