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Helmets and motorcycle jackets are the most important pieces of equipment if you’re planning to have a motorcycle. They’re crucial for the safety they provide, as well as features that enhance your experience while riding a motorcycle.
In this article, I’ve compiled a list of 8 vegan motorcycle jackets, but first I want to talk about the things you should consider before making any investment.
As you might know, most motorcycle jackets are made from either leather, textile or a combination of both. However, nowadays, leather jackets are part of a fashion trend. Back in the day, they were used in the aviation industry by bomber pilots, and only later it was adopted by the motorcycle industry due to their durability, and a wider range of applications.
Needless to say, leather jackets are now extremely popular, and most are made from genuine leather. You can find versions made with faux leather, but they’re outnumbered by the number of genuine leather jackets available in the market.
This being said, there are wonderful textile jackets out there for vegans, which quite sincerely provide features that are more appreciated than leather jackets. These features (which I’ll reveal in a bit) make textile motorcycle jackets suitable for all-seasons.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Vegan Motorcycle Jacket
If you’re buying a vegan motorcycle jacket, might as well get a damn good one!
This section will break down what you should be looking for in a motorcycle jacket, by going over the things I’ve researched and believe to be important to put you in a place where you can choose the best motorcycle jacket for your particular needs.
Material
Motorcycle jackets are either made from leather, textile or a mix of both. However, if you’re vegan, and want a jacket that hasn’t jeopardized the life of an animal, you have to stick to either faux leather or textile options. Here is a breakdown of the characteristics of each material:
- Faux Leather (not leather): Faux leather jackets are not as robust and protective as genuine leather jackets when it comes to fending off injuries, but they are decent (though it also depends on the faux leather being used). Faux leather jackets are easy to clean and maintain. The negative aspect of any leather jacket is that they’re excellent when it’s cold, but not appropriate in hot conditions.
- Textile: Nylon is a widely used fabric in textile jackets because of its ability to blend really well with materials such as Armacor, Kevlar, and Denier Cordura. The materials are incorporated in nylon jackets because of their insulation, breathability, and waterproofing functions. Textile jackets are extremely versatile, and they perform well in both hot and cold conditions.
- Hybrid: I’m not entirely sure how often you can find a blend of faux leather and nylon motorcycle jackets, but the goal here is to take the good aspects of (faux) leather and nylon to produce high-quality motorcycle jackets.
Safety
When you’re riding a bike, you have to be a defensive rider and make sure you’re focused on the road at all times. This being said, it’s not unusual to see motorcycle collisions or accidents, and it’s important to choose a motorcycle jacket, helmet, boots, and gloves that diminish your chances of getting injured.
Comfort
There are typically two factors that dictate the level of comfort in a motorcycle jacket:
- Weight: Jackets made from either faux or genuine leather are generally heavier than textile jackets because they’re denser. Textile jackets, on the other hand, are lightweight which makes them ideal for racing and touring (long-distance traveling).
- Fit: Is your jacket tight or loose? Sport-oriented jackets are typically designed to fit tightly around your torso while commuter jackets fit loosely for additional comfort. What’s also worth mentioning is that most jackets are equipped with adjustable straps that allow you to adjust the fit based on your own preferences.
Features
Here’s what most people look for when it comes to features in motorcycle jackets:
- Mesh Ventilation Membrane: This increases the airflow in the jacket to prevent you from sweating, which is a feature that a great number of leather jackets don’t have.
- Removable Thermal Linings: Removing thermal linings is useful if you feel overbeari