A Buyer's Guide to Leather Jackets - More Than Skin Deep

Shift Primer $300
Shift's entre into the street market, the Primer jacket might look pretty basic, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The stout 1.2-1.4mm leather has just enough user-friendly details to make it appealing to the discerning cruiser rider. A vent along each upper arm zips open to cool your pits (quite effectively, too), but we found no exhaust vents-just perforations below each armpit. The Primer's precurved sleeves mean it's comfortable in the arms-up riding position, and the cuffs and wrists get seam-sealing zipper closures running about 5 inches up the arm (though we would have also liked adjustable cuff snaps or Velcro). Along the waist is a cinchable belt with two snap positions so you can adjust fit-but just. The same beef applies to the mandarin-style collar and its single snap closure. With its matte leather finish, the Primer lives up to its colorless name-there are no reflective fabrics for conspicuity (though it's available in white with black, too). Still, with its decent price point, removable soft CE-approved armor, foam back pad and removable vest, the Primer could easily end up as your daily-driver jacket.

RATINGS
Comfort	3
Protection	3
Versatility	2
Overall	2.7

Notes: Hits the basics nicely and looks good doing it.
Specs
Leather: 1.2-1.4mm cowhide
Protection: Removable CE-approved elbow and shoulder armor; foam back protector
Storage: 2 side pockets; 2 inner pockets
Venting: 2 upper-arm zippered vents; underarm perforations
Liner: Removable quilted vest
Miscellaneous: Black or white; no reflective material

Spidi JK Leather $500
Italy is synonymous with art, and for those in the know that also includes leather. The Spidi JK Leather jacket exemplifies that from its style, its protection and most of all its buttery-soft, 1.1mm-thick sheepskin exterior. Corduroy lines the inside of the round collar for comfort, and the removable full liner is as smooth as silk. There are two adjustable waist belts and a back loop that can attach to pants to keep the jacket from riding up. The fit is definitely for riding, the jacket cut close but comfortable, although the sleeves are loose-fitting despite the gusseted zippers and snaps on the cuffs. Impact protection is provided by CE-approved armor in the shoulders and elbows/forearms, with a pocket for an optional back protector. The front has a heavy-duty metal zipper with a leather wind flap. Spidi nailed the dirt-track styling with the simple cut and a couple of contrasting stripes. There are also five pockets-two on the waist, one on the chest and two inside. One of those, the cell phone pouch, can even be reached through an opening in the removable liner.

RATINGS
Comfort	5
Protection	3
Versatility	2
Overall	3.3

Notes: Style! Protection! That's amore!
Specs
Leather: 1.1mm naturally tanned, polyurethane-finished sheepskin
Protection: CE-approved shoulder and elbow/forearm armor; pocket for optional back protector
Storage: 2 front zippered waist pockets; 1 chest pocket; 2 inside pockets
Venting: None
Liner: Removable full liner
Miscellaneous: No reflective material

Tour Master Coaster II Leather Jacket $240
Tour Master's neoclassic-styled Coaster II Leather Jacket is worthy all-around gear. The outer styling makes the jacket seem simple, but it's chockful o' features. Under the dirt-track-inspired shell is CE-approved armor in the shoulders and elbows plus a stiff foam back pad, all removable. A full, removable liner has polyfill insulation, and the sleeves zip off, too. For more temperature control there are two mesh vents in the back, two mesh-backed arm vents, and the front waist and chest pockets are backed with mesh and double as flow-through vents. There are two other pockets inside and another inside the liner. Shoulders are gusseted for ease of movement, two waist belts fasten with Velcro and the sleeve cuffs close with zippers and Velcro tabs. The fit is spot-on when you're in a riding position, comfortably snug so that the body armor stays in the right places, though the upper sleeves tend to be long. The top-grain, 1.2-1.3mm cowhide requires little break-in time. The Coaster II also comes in black on black, white on black and gray on black.

RATINGS
Comfort	4
Protection	4
Versatility	5
Overall	4.3

Notes: For protection, style, features and price, the Coaster demands consideration.
Specs
Leather: 1.2-1.3mm aniline, drum-dyed, top-grain cowhide
Protection: CE-approved shoulder and elbow armor; foam back pad
Storage: 2 waist pockets; 2 chest pockets; 2 inside pockets; 1 liner pocket
Venting: 2 waist, 2 chest, 2 upper arm, 2 rear vents
Liner: Removable, insulated full liner
Miscellaneous: Gusseted shoulders; pants attachment zippers included

Triumph Rivton Jacket $410
The Rivton Jacket is designed by and specially manufactured for Triumph, so you won't find it elsewhere. Let's call it British classic dirt-track meets hooligan, with its red and cream stripes, old-school quilting in the shoulders and elbows, and mandarin-type collar. Made of 1.2mm full-grain cowhide, it's a fairly light jacket with an already broken-in feel. Of course everyone will know you're a Trumpet fan with "Triumph Motorcycles" embroidered on the front, Great Britain and Union Jack patches on the right shoulder and a Triumph patch on the left. The cuffs zip closed, and there's perforated leather gusseting behind the shoulders. The front zipper is heavy-duty metal, with snaps at the bottom and at the collar and adjusters at each side of the waist. All snaps are rubber-covered to prevent scratching your beautiful custom paint job. There is also an abundance of reflective piping on the front, back and sleeves. In case things go shiny-side down, CE-approved armor in the shoulders and elbows and an (optional) back protector will cover you. The fit is comfortable, though the Rivton can ride up in front.

RATINGS
Comfort	2
Protection	3
Versatility	2
Overall	2.3

Notes: You'll look stylish whether you're hitting the ton or cruising to dinner.
Specs
Leather: 1.2mm full-grain, drum-dyed cowhide
Protection: CE-approved armor in shoulders and elbows; pocket for back protector
Storage: 2 front zippered pockets; 1 inside
Venting: None
Liner: Polyester mesh and nylon
Miscellaneous: Lots of reflective piping; optional vest liner

Vanson CSR2 $459
This broad slab of top-grain leather may seem simple, but it's all in the wearing. The 3.5-ounce, 1.5-1.7mm hide is one of the stoutest here, and it gets waxed and oiled for added protection of the natural finish (the pebble grain found on other coats is usually man-made). As a result, the Classic Sport Rider jacket's stiff as a board the first few times it's worn 'til it gets broken in. With a mesh lining and precurved sleeves, the CSR2 features a relatively sporty fit (the company's new Drifter jacket offers a more relaxed fit), but as it breaks in it tailors itself to your body. The double leather at the shoulders, elbows/forearms and waistband is good for abrasion resistance, but the jacket also accepts optional CE-approved body armor at the shoulders, elbows/forearms and spine. An adjustable waistband is sequestered inside, and you can zip in a proprietary Streamliner thermal liner. At its core this classic black jacket sports uncluttered lines and no bling, though any Vanson jacket is customizable for fit, color and graphics. Like all Vansons the CSR2 is made in the USA.

RATINGS
Comfort	2
Protection	2
Versatility	2
Overall	2

Notes: The bulletproof Vanson may not have a lot of bells and whistles, but you can readily alter it to your liking.
Specs
Leather: 1.5-1.7mm full-grain, top-grain cowhide
Protection: Double leather at shoulder, elbows, forearms and waist (CE armor optional, including back protector)
Storage: 2 inner zippered pockets
Venting: 2 rear zippered vents
Liner: Nylon mesh
Miscellaneous: One-year warranty; no reflectivity

This Just In
Schott NYC Classic Racer Leather Motorcycle Jacket 641HH $595
A late arrival to this guide, the Racer Leather Motorcycle Jacket comes from possibly the oldest name in motorcycle apparel. Schott NYC has been making leather goods for 95 years, and the RLM Jacket shows that experience. The style is all about function; the lines are clean without any padding or vents. For warmth there's an insulated, quilted body liner with fabric lining in the sleeves. The waist has two belts with adjustment buckles, and the cuffs zip closed. The front metal zipper is absolutely massive. Interestingly, the Classic Racer is constructed from horsehide. New, this jacket is literally stiff enough to stand up on its own but still comfortable off the rack, and the thick horsehide breaks in reasonably quickly. The cut is close-fitting with snug cuffs. We appreciate the durable construction and the large, single back panel but wish that Schott would update this jacket with armor (they say they're considering it).

RATINGS
Comfort	3
Protection	3
Versatility	2
Overall	2.7

Notes: Fine American craftsmanship in a jacket that will last a lifetime.
Specs
Leather: 1.3-1.5mm horsehideProtection: None
Storage: 2 waist pockets; 1 chest pocket; 1 inside
Venting: Small vent grommets under the arm
Liner: Insulated around the body
Miscellaneous: Gussets under and behind arms; no reflectivity material