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

Legendary USA Phoenix Leather Motorcycle Jacket $470
Now this is a cool jacket. It doesn't double as a tent, a backpack or a rain poncho (though a water-repellent treatment has been applied to the leather). The 1.2mm cowhide outer is soft and broken in. The metal zipper and hardware are nickel with an antique finish. The styling is that of a traditional collared motorcycle jacket but with western touches like the "V" upper back panel, side adjustment laces and leather zipper pulls. Legendary USA hasn't forgotten about storage, either, with two front zippered pockets plus a zippered chest pocket and two inside pockets. And the Phoenix is just as beautiful inside-the vest area of the liner features iridescent red satin (with soft nylon lining the sleeves) and lightweight insulation. The jacket has a nice feel with arm movement eased by large gussets behind the shoulders, though the sleeves are cut too generously. Also, the only venting comes by way of a few eyelets under each arm, and there's no body armor. But there are welcome touches; collar ends have snaps to keep them from flapping in the wind, and the jacket is union-made in the USA.

RATINGS
Comfort	4
Protection	2
Versatility	2
Overall	2.7

Notes: A blend of style and quality workmanship, the Phoenix is built to last.
Specs
Leather: 1.2mm UV and water-resistant cowhide
Protection: None
Storage: 2 waist pockets; 1 chest pocket; 2 inside pockets
Venting: Eyelets under the arms
Liner: Satin with Fiberfill insulation, not removable
Miscellaneous: Single-panel back; nice broken-in feel

Milwaukee Motorcycle Clothing Co. Crazy Horse Jacket $280
Forget about breaking in the MMCC Crazy Horse Jacket: They've done it for you. The full-grain cowhide gets a rich brown finish that not only looks well worn but is exceptionally soft. There are two slash pockets at the waist and two zippered vents across the chest. The sides have accordion stretch panels and waist flaps that close with snaps. The Crazy Horse is gusseted behind the shoulders for ease of movement, and the sleeves close with gusseted zippers. Across the back there are two exhaust vents and a padded kidney/lumbar panel. Inside you'll find two additional pockets and an insulated removable vest with a cell-phone pocket. The front closes with an extra-heavy-duty metal zipper, and elastic straps inside the jacket's back help tailor fit. That's all good, but we found shortcomings, too: There's no armor or double leather in the shoulders or elbows, and in the riding position the front of the jacket puffs out and the collar rides up. However, the sleeves are the right length for riding, and oh, that soft leather.

RATINGS
Comfort	3
Protection	1
Versatility	2
Overall	2

Notes: A good-looking jacket that's great for around town.
Specs
Leather: 1.0-1.4mm (approx.) top-grain, full-grain cowhide
Protection: None
Storage: 2 front pockets; 2 inside pockets; 1 liner pocket
Venting: 2 front zippered chest vents; 2 zippered back vents
Liner: Removable vest liner with Thinsulate insulation
Miscellaneous: Vest is made of beautiful, iridescent burgundy satin

Power Trip Powerglide Jacket $300-$320
The Powerglide has that I've-got-lots-of-horsepower kind of look. The broad shoulders and vertical lines in front add to the bold styling. But comfort hasn't been left out of the equation: The sleeves are precurved and angled forward with an expansion gusset behind the shoulders, so reaching the bars is easy. However, everyone felt the sleeves were too long-the Powerglide will best fit the tall and thin. The outer gets sturdy 1.2mm cowhide with a single-panel back and closes with a wind-flap-backed heavy-duty metal zipper. The sleeves close with zippers and snaps. For chillier rides there is also a lightly insulated vest liner that can be zipped out. The round collar closes with snaps. Two Velcro waist adjusters and a padded kidney/lumbar support panel on the lower back help form-fit the jacket. Cargo space is minimal with two waist pockets outside and one zippered pocket inside. We also weren't keen on the lack of leather reinforcement or armor for elbows and shoulders. On the other hand, venting is quite good with two large zippered vents in front, vents on the upper arms and zippered vents on each side of the back.

RATINGS
Comfort	2
Protection	2
Versatility	3
Overall	2.3

Notes: A stylish, basic jacket made of good-quality leather.
Specs
Leather: 1.2mm drum-dyed, uncorrected, top-grain cowhide
Protection: None
Storage: 2 waist pockets; 1 inside pocket
Venting: 2 front vents; upper-arm vents; 2 back vents
Liner: Zip-in vest liner
Miscellaneous: Reflective back stripe

River Road Vintage Hoodlum $200-$240
You can be vintage-cool with the Vintage Hoodlum. It's got old-school dirt-track styling with a finish that makes the dark-brown jacket look well worn but not worn out. While it's high on style, it also has many rider-friendly features. Pockets are plentiful with two zippered waist pockets, two chest pockets, one inside cell-phone pocket and another cell pocket inside the full zip-in liner. The zippered chest pockets are mesh-lined so they double as vents, and a single, zippered back vent is set between the shoulders. The front heavy-duty metal zipper lacks a storm flap, though the zippered sleeve ends are gusseted. The mandarin-type collar closes with a snap. The jacket feels nice while standing around, but once we sat on a bike it became apparent that the Hoodlum isn't entirely cut for a rider. When in a riding position, the chest of the jacket puffs out, the collar pushes against our chins and the sleeves are a little short, leaving our wrists exposed. The Vintage Hoodlum also lacks any armor or double-layer leather in the shoulder and elbow impact zones.

RATINGS
Comfort	2
Protection	1
Versatility	2
Overall	1.6

Notes: The Hoodlum jacket looks good but comes up short for serious riding.
Specs
Leather: Cowhide
Protection: None
Storage: 2 waist pockets; 2 chest pockets; 1 inside pocket; 1 liner pocket
Venting: 2 zippered chest vents; 1 zippered back vent
Liner: Full-body zip-in liner
Miscellaneous: No reflective material; finish seems heavily sprayed on

Roadgear X Jacket $200
To us, the Roadgear X Jacket has "muscle cruiser" written all over it (in invisible ink, of course). Made of 1.2mm drum-dyed cowhide, it's a sturdily built jacket. The heavy-duty plastic zipper is backed by a wind flap, the back has a reflective panel, and a foam-filled drop-back provides kidney protection and keeps chilly air out. The X dispenses with a thermal liner and concentrates on the body protection riders really need. The shoulders and elbows have removable CE-approved armor, and there's a removable foam back pad, double leather over the shoulders and soft foam sewn into the shoulders and elbow. The cuffs close snugly with zippers and snaps. Cooling is provided via zippered vents on the upper arms and two zippered vents down the back. The X does have two issues: The first is that the jacket front "stands up" a little when on a bike, a minor annoyance. The second is that the upper sleeves are too long and the excess material bunches up.

RATINGS
Comfort	2
Protection	5
Versatility	2
Overall	3

Notes: A highly functional motorcycle jacket but with a slightly odd fit.
Specs
Leather: 1.2mm drum-dyed cowhideProtection: Removable CE-approved armor in shoulders and elbows; foam back padStorage: 2 waist pockets; 1 chest pocket; 1 inner pocket
Venting: Sleeve vents; 2 zippered back vents
Liner: None
Miscellaneous: Reflective upper back panel; oddly cut sleeves; 2 front zippers

Scorpion All In Naked $400
Scorpion calls its gear Exo-Wear, as in exoskeleton. We didn't crash-test the All In Naked, but it's clearly built for more than style. Inside is a removable, medium-density foam back pad. Removable CE-approved armor resides in the shoulders and elbow/forearm area, with holes to assist with ventilation. The jacket itself is constructed from heavy 1.2-1.4mm drum-dyed cowhide with a double layer over the shoulders. A removable, full thermal liner with Scorpion's KwikWick material helps wick away perspiration; it even provides access to two of the jacket's three inside pockets. Two more zippered pockets are found on the front waist. Sleeves close with a zipper and two-position snap, while the front has a heavy-duty metal zipper with a wide wind flap. Gusseted zippers on each side of the waist allow adjustments, and stretch panels on the back of the elbows increase comfort. And from the padding in the elbows and shoulders to the black-on-black stripes and "Scorpion" across the front, it's plenty stylish. The All In Naked even has subtle, printed gray ghost and black-stitched flames on the right sleeve.

RATINGS
Comfort	4
Protection	5
Versatility	3
Overall	4

Notes: A triple threat of protection, comfort and style-the All In Naked does it all.
Specs
Leather: 1.2-1.4mm drum-dyed, top-grain cowhide
Protection: CE-approved shoulder and elbow/forearm armor; foam back pad; double-leather shoulders
Storage: 2 front zippered pockets; 3 inside pockets
Venting: 2 chest vents; 2 back vents
Liner: Full, removable insulated liner
Miscellaneous: Belt-loop pants attachment; close fit; no reflectivity