Many motorcyclists want gear that doesn’t look like motorcycle gear—but that usually means buying something with a vintage vibe to it. What if you like techwear, and you simply want a feature-rich motorcycle jacket that matches the rest of your wardrobe?
We regularly see motorcyclists ride in puffer jackets, softshells, or anoraks, simply because they can’t find motorcycle jackets that offer the same aesthetic or protection from the elements. So we’ve rounded up five techwear jackets that are designed for motorcycling. Some of them keep things simple, while others are packed with riding-specific tech.
Akin Moto Alpha 4.0 motorcycle jacket We tested the third version of Akin Moto’s parka-style Alpha jacket last year and loved it…. mostly. Like any piece of gear, we managed to find a few nits to pick. But the Australian gear company is small and agile—so they’ve taken our input, and feedback from their customers, to upgrade the Alpha again.
The Akin Moto Alpha 4.0 jacket features a heavyweight 600D outer shell, backed by a waterproof membrane and a zip-out thermal liner. It’s cut long and boxy, with a removable hood that stays in place around the back of the jacket via a magnet. There are waterproof YKK zippers throughout, a storm flap along the front, and a smorgasbord of pockets and zippered vents.
Akin’s branding is stylish and minimal, and areas like the cuffs, neck and hand warmer pockets are trimmed with a plush fabric. Priced at AU$349.99 [about $233], the Alpha 4.0 comes out in a stealthy all-black and a blocky black-and-white combo. It also has pockets for elbow, shoulder and back armor, but you’ll need to spring for the protectors separately. [More]
Rev’It! Component H20 motorcycle jacket Rev’It!’s ‘DIRT’ range of gear is designed for adventure riders, but many of the pieces are subtle enough to pass for everyday gear. The Rev’It! Component H20 jacket sits at the top of the range. Styled sort of like an anorak, and available in black or the ochre yellow pictured here, it’s a full-featured motorcycle riding jacket that’s also waterproof and armored.
The Component H20’s made from a stretch ripstop fabric, with extra bits of Cordura in key impact areas, and Rev’It!’s proprietary ‘SEESMART’ protectors at the elbows and shoulders. (Since it’s an off-road-inspired piece, the assumption is that you’ll wear a separate back protector underneath it.) The hood and storm collar can be removed and stowed in the generous back pocket, and there are multiple zippered vents for when the day heats up.
If you like what you see, you can snap it up over at Revzilla for $519.99. [More]
Saint Puffer jacket A good puffer jacket is a must-have for cold weather—but how about one you can ride in? This motorcycle-specific puffer jacket from the Australian outfit Saint fits the bill, ticking boxes for style, warmth, and protection.
Available in black with minimal branding, the AU$399 [about $266] Saint Puffer has a Cordura outer (coated for waterproofing), a recycled polyester synthetic down filling a wind- and water-resistant internal membrane. A dropped hem at the back adds extra coverage, while pockets for shoulder, elbow and back armor add extra protection—if you cough up extra for the D30 protectors, that is. [More]
Aether Apparel Divide motorcycle jacket Aether Apparel’s forte is high-end technical clothing, and that ethos is reflected in their motorcycle gear. At $995 the Aether Divide jacket ain’t cheap, but our experience with Aether’s gear is that it’s well-designed, well-made, and feature-rich.
Designed for long-haul adventures (although we’d wear it day-to-day too), the Divide comes in olive green, bright blue, and grey. The outer is abrasion- and wind-resistant, and waterproof, with zippered vents, extra material at high-impact spots, and an interior neck gaiter that can be cinched down when the weather gets nasty. Tasteful details abound—like the lamb leather neck trim, and the thumb loops behind the storm flap’s snaps that make it easier to close them with gloves on. [More]
Icon1000 Basehawk 2 motorcycle jacket We’re suckers for the dark and brutal vibe of Icon1000’s gear, and the Portland company’s new Basehawk 2 jacket is the perfect example of this. It’s basically a bike-specific softshell hoody, albeit a burly one, with leather reinforcements along the shoulders and upper arms.
The vibe is murdered-out, the logos are stealthy, and the Basehawk’s hoody is stowable. You also get four zippered vents, and a unique double zipper system at the front that effectively lets you turn the entire closure into one long vent. That makes the Basehawk best suited to mild to warm temperatures.
It’s also excellent value at $299, complete with a full set of D30 protectors, no less. [More]
