While a fashion-focused moto jacket may look good off the bike, it won't offer the protection you need for a safe ride on two wheels. If you're a serious biker, you'll need protective gear designed specifically with motorcycle riding in mind.
In this guide to women's motorcycle jackets, we're spotlighting the best ladies' jackets on the market today for female riders. But first, let's highlight a few key design details you need to look for while you shop.
What to Look for in a Motorcycle Jacket
The right motorcycle jacket offers the right balance of comfort, protection, and style. Keeping these key design details top of mind ensures you find the right gear for your riding needs. But exactly what should you be looking at and for?
Material
To ensure you stay warm and dry during your ride, you'll need a jacket made from the right material. Whether it's a classic leather moto jacket or a waterproof GORE-TEX shell, it's essential that the fabric can withstand the elements. You'll also want to consider the weight of the material. Are you looking for a lightweight shell that's breathable and layerable or a thick jacket to keep you warm in any weather?
Armor
Protective armor is what sets a functional riding jacket apart from a fashionable moto you can find in any store. No matter how confident or experienced you may be as a rider, it's crucial to wear protective gear any time you hop on your bike. Hard pads along the back, ribcage, shoulders, and elbows can significantly reduce your chance of serious injury during a fall. By absorbing impact and minimizing friction, they help prevent sprains, broken bones, severe scrapes, and other painful injuries. Some styles allow you to remove the padding for a customizable fit, more comfortable fit.
Some brands will offer upgrade level on armor. But there is never any need to spend money to upgrade the level of protection as you already have great armor included in the jacket.
Ventilation
Breathability is key for a comfortable ride. Many jackets are made with adjustable ventilation panels to keep air flowing to prevent you from overheating and keep sweat odors from lingering after your ride. If you're prone to getting sweaty, look for jackets made with mesh linings, zippered ventilation pockets, and sweat-wicking fabrics.
Comfortable Fit
While it's important for your riding jacket to offer plenty of protection, it shouldn't restrict your range of motion or interfere with your ride. A roomy silhouette with an adjustable fit ensures your jacket is comfortable enough to wear for hours on end during a long ride.
Ample Pockets
Any good jacket offers plenty of space to store your phone, wallet, and other essentials while you ride. Stick to jackets with zippered pockets that'll keep your belongings secure when you're on the move.
The 10 Best Women's Motorcycle Jackets
This versatile Stella T-Kira Waterproof Jacket from Alpinestars was designed with a woman's body shape in mind. A longer back protection ensures your back and hips stay covered, and abrasion-resistant material on exposed areas helps prevent scrapes during falls. Waist adjustment straps provide a more comfortable fit during riding while complimenting the clean, sporty look of the jacket. Zippered air intake vents strategically placed along the sides help the jacket adapt to any weather conditions. Its versatility, durability, and practical design are well worth the splurge.
Heading out for a long ride? This adaptable Artemis Adventure Women's Jacket from KILM is just the thing to wear. The GORE-TEX performance shell is lightweight, waterproof, and incredibly practical. Two zippered hand pockets, one upper arm pocket, one internal chest pocket, and one concealed document pocket on the lower back offer plenty of space to stash all your essentials. Two chest vents, two cross-core vents, two articulated forearm vents, two bicep vents, and two vertical back exhaust vents ensure continuous airflow to keep you from overheating during warm summer rides. There are integrated shoulder, elbow, and back pads for added protection and adjustable straps along the waist and arms for a customized fit.
Whether you ride a futuristic sports bike or a classic chopper, you can't go wrong sporting this Flex Tex Women's Protective Jacket. Soft armor shoulders, elbows, and back improve safety during falls and crashes. Reflective details increase visibility for a safer ride at night. A full mesh lining helps wick sweat away to keep you dry and comfortable during your ride. Snap front vents on the upper chest allow for easy temperature adjustments, while waist adjustment straps allow for a custom fit too. Every major seam is triple-stitched for added durability. The sporty riding jacket comes in four color options to complement any bike and helmet.
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For everyday rides, there's the Avalon Women's Street Jacket from Klim. It's made from Mil-spec Klim Karbonite nylon mesh fabric for superior tear ad abrasion resistance. A UV-resistant treatment on the exterior fabric prevents fading through years and years of sunny rides. For added durability, it's stitched with Rhino-stitch construction. D30 Level 1 armor on the shoulders, back, and elbows reduces the chance of serious injury during a crash. 3M Scotchlite reflective tape on the arms and upper back increases visibility during late night and early morning rides. Its articulated fit, mesh lining, hip expansion gusset, adjustable forearm straps, and stretch material at key points make it incredibly comfortable too. The practical jacket comes in three color options: dark grey, light grey, and high-visibility neon yellow.
For serious protection, there's the Transition Series 4 Women's Motorcycle Riding Jacket from Tourmaster. It's crafted with a Carbole outer shell with an articulated triple-density back protector and CE-approved elbow and shoulder armor. Pipeline venting provides ample ventilation when open and stays watertight when closed. To keep you dry and comfortable inside, a microfiber lining on the collar and cuffs and an under-the-helmet hood help eliminate seepage. A removable thermal lining and adjustable waist belts with TPR allow you to customize the fit and feel of your gear. Zippered chest map pocket, fleece-lined hand warmer pockets, internal pouch pockets, and a phone-specific pocket keep all your essentials close by while you're on the go. The versatile style comes in black, grey, and high-visibility neon yellow.
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When it comes to motorcycle gear, nothing beats a classic black leather moto jacket. This Milwaukee Riders Women's Motorcycle Jacket is the kind of piece you'll use often and keep forever. It's crafted from luxe cowhide leather with an extra layer over the elbows for added protection. A zippered front closure, waist belt, notched collar with snaps, and shoulder epaulets bring a timeless look that's fit for any chopper. Lace-up sides add style and allow you to customize the relaxed fit. Two large interior pockets safely store anything and everything while you ride. Zippered vents throughout provide adjustable ventilation when you need it.
Stay warm during winter rides with this Women's Heated Motorcycle Jacket from Venture Heat. The weather-resistant jacket comes equipped with seven heat panels made from flexible micro-alloy heating elements. Connect the power cord to the 12V plug on your bike, and you'll be warm in seconds! You can control the heat settings through a button on-board or a convenient app. To save space during travel, the self-heating jacket packs easily into its self-contained pocket. Its practical design, compact size, and versatility make it an excellent choice for snowmobiling and ATVing too.
The Cleo Elite Women's Mesh Motorcycle Jacket from Joe Rocket offers the perfect balance of practicality, protection, and style. A removable dual-density spine pad and externally accessible elbow and shoulder armor absorb impact and reduce abrasion during falls and crashes. The cooling FreeAir mesh shell keeps you cool and comfortable during hot summer rides. During colder months, a two-stage waterproof treatment and removable insulated liner keep you dry and warm no matter the weather. The 8-point Sure Fit adjustment system allows you to customize the fit of the sleeves and waist for superior comfort and a full range of motion. Bikers can choose from four versatile color options: silver, black, hot pink, and mint green.
If there's one women's jacket worth splurging on, it's this Stella Dyno Women's Leather Motorcycle Jacket from Alpinestars. It's cut in a streamlined cafe racer silhouette with a bold Alpinestars logo across the chest and two white stripes down the sleeves. Full-grain cow leather provides a luxuriously soft feel and comfortable fit that only gets better over time. Internal CE-certified Bio-Armor on the shoulders and elbows increases protection without added bulk.
While most men's gear can be too bulky through the arms and shoulders, this women's jacket from Harley Davidson fits just right. It's an excellent option for women with broad shoulders and thick arms. The classic cafe racer leather jacket is made from high-quality leather with protective shoulder and elbow armor for added safety. Two zippered front pockets provide a convenient place to store your phone, wallet, and other must-haves while you ride. The sleek black leather, streamlined silhouette, and bright orange and white Harley Davidson logo across the chest look equally as stylish when you're off your bike.
