I recently wrote about cafe racer helmets, but now I want to touch on the best cafe racer jackets. If you ride one of these bikes you need the right jacket.
Cafe racers are as much about style as they are anything else. Riding one is about the speed and experience of riding an old-school, custom, or retro-styled bike, but it’s also about the gear you wear and how it fits with the bike.
Here are my top picks for jackets that not only provide ample protection and features but give you what you need in terms of cafe racer style.
What Makes the Best Cafe Racer Jacket?
A big part of what makes a cafe racer jacket awesome is the style.
It has to have the right style to even be considered one of these motorcycle jackets. If it would look out of place on a cafe racer or retro-style motorcycle then it can’t be on this list.
The second is construction and features. What is the jacket made of and is it a good choice for all cafe racer riders? Here, I’m looking for strong materials that not only provide good protection but also look good.
We’re talking premium leather 0r high-quality textile material. Armor is a plus, and so are things like vents, perforated panels, and plenty of pockets. Features matter and they can be the difference between a jacket you like and a jacket you love.
Below you’ll find my picks for the best care racer jackets. These are the jackets I would buy or intend to buy.
Here are the Best Cafe Racer Jackets
1. Scorpion 1909 Leather Jacket
This Scorpion jacket is named after the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—my home base. Its style harkens back to 1909 when the racetrack was first started but it has modern construction and features.
The jacket includes distressed leather, Sas-Tec Level 2 armor in the elbows and shoulders, a pocket for a back protector (sold separately), perforations for airflow, two large zippered vents, and a removable EverHeat jacket liner with Kwikwick panels.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at CycleGear
2. Merlin Shenstone Air D3O Jacket
The Merlin Shenstone Air D3O Jacket is a great option for those looking for something with textile construction. The classic design is full of utility and looks fantastic.
It features Halley Stevensons’ 8oz Cotec fabric construction with plenty of pockets. Inside you get a Reissa Active waterproof and breathable removable liner, D30 LP1 armor in the elbows and shoulders, and a D30 Viper Stealth back protector. There are also Merlin branded snaps at pockets and wrist closures and adjustments on the biceps.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
3. Belstaff Ariel 2 Pro Jacket
Belstaff has some fantastic jackets and the Ariel2 Pro Jacket is one of them that’s perfect for the cafe racer rider.
The jacket features a technical wax cotton construction, a waterproof membrane, and a cotton check lining. There’s also D30 LP1 vented shoulder and elbow armor, and room for a back protector. There are zippers and snaps at the cuffs and waist adjustments to either side. There’s also a cover for the zipper so it doesn’t scratch your tank and a snap at the collar to keep out the wind.
Check it out at Revzilla
4. REAX Fairmount Riding Shirt
The REAX Fairmount Riding Shirt is a super cool simple jacket that blends street style with cafe racer motorcycle gear styling. It’s more of a jacket than a shirt.
The jacket features a 67 percent cotton and 33 percent polyester construction with 12oz coated denim. There’s a polyester liner with 140GSM Aramid knit. You also get CE Level 2 armor on the shoulders and elbows, and a pocket for a back protector, if you feel the need for it. There are multiple pockets, including a waterproof one, and loops for attaching to some jeans.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at CycleGear
5. Roland Sands Ronin Leather Jacket
I’ve showcased a lot of Roland Sands Design products and that’s because I believe they’re some of the best out there. This Ronin jacket from the company is no exception.
It looks good and comes with plenty of features, including a full leather construction, pre-cured sleeves, perforations in the sleeves for airflow, zippered waist adjustment, zippered cuffs, a satin poly liner, and pockets for armor in the elbows, shoulders, and back.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at CycleGear
6. Roland Sands Clash Jacket
Another great option from Roland Sands Design is the Clash Jacket. This jacket is a super stylish one that is available in a variety of colors including the Oxblood you see above.
The jacket features an off-set zip style with a snap collar. It also gets pre-curved sleeves, quilted accents, reinforced riveted elbows, leather perforations for airflow, zip close cuffs, a satin poly liner, and pockets for armor in the elbows, shoulders, and back.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at CycleGear
7. REV’IT! Stewart Air Jacket
If the REV’IT! jacket a couple of selections up doesn’t do it for you, then maybe this one will the Steward Air Jacket features a simple and clean look that will look good on just about any rider.
The jacket features a perforated buffalo leather design with a removable poly-thermal liner, CE-approved armor in the elbows and shoulders, a pocket for a back protector, adjustability at the cuffs and waist, and loops for connecting to some pants.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
8. First Manufacturing Top Performer Jacket
If you’re a bit of a bigger guy, I’d suggest the First Manufacturing Top Performer Jacket.
The jacket features a more generous fit than some of the others on this list. It also features several vents for airflow, pockets for armor, and built-in padding in the elbows, kidney area, and shoulders. According to some customers, you should size down a size to make sure you get a jacket that fits properly.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at CycleGear
9. Merlin Alton Jacket
The Merlin Alton Jacket is a sleek and stylish jacket that will work great for any cafe racer rider.
The jacket features an aniline matte leather finish and full leather construction. The jacket also offers a removable thermal vest, CE-approved armor in the elbows and shoulders, a foam back pad that can be removed for a CE-approved back protector, vents for airflow, waist adjustment, and several pockets inside and out.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
10. Alpinestars Brera Airflow Jacket
The Alpinestars Brera Airflow Jacket is a slim-fitting perforated leather jacket that is stylish, simple, and full of modern features.
The jacket includes a full-grain leather shell, perforations on the front and back of the jacket for airflow, CE approve BioArmor in the shoulders and elbows, a foam back pad that can be removed for a CE-approved back protector, zippered pockets, zippered vents, and zippered cuffs with snap adjustments.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at CycleGear
11. Joe Rocket Classic ’92 Jacket
If you are looking for a cafe racer jacket with a truly classic style, then the Joe Rocket Classic ’92 Jacket is the one for you.
This jacket features full leather construction of 1.2mm drum-dyed cowhide, snap Mandarin collar, zip-in quilted full sleeve liner, zippered cuff with a snap, and pockets for optional armor. There are also accent colors on the sleeves for added visibility and a bit of style. This color comes in multiple shades.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at CycleGear
12. Scorpion Covert Waxed Riding Shirt
Are all these leather jackets too much for you, then consider the Scorpion Covert Waxed Riding Shirt. This is really more of a jacket than a shirt.
The exterior of the riding shirt is 12-ounce denim and inside the jacket is a DuPont Kevlar liner. The jacket also comes with a poly mesh liner, two upper external chest pockets, and pockets for CE-approved armor in the elbows, shoulders, and back. It’s simple and to the point and will look good on anyone on a cafe racer.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at CycleGear
13. Merlin Chigwell Lite Jacket
The Merlin Chigwell Lite Jacket is a classically styled jacket that fits a little on the trimmer side. It’s a premium European fit, and a great option if this suits you.
The jacket features 8oz Halley Stevensons/Merlin collaboration tech wax with mesh construction. Included are extra stitching in all seams for added strength, D3O LP1 shoulder and elbow armor, and a D3O LP1 back protector. There are also plenty of adjustments on the arms, cuffs, and waist.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
14. Merlin Barton II Jacket
The Merlin Barton Jacket is another fine option. This jacket is as well made as any high-end fashion jacket but with the added benefit of protection. It does come with a high price, though.
The jacket features a style that looks better than pretty much anything else out there. It has a Scottish Halley Stevensons 12oz Silkwax waxed cotton outer construction. There are removable D3O CE LP1 protectors on shoulders and elbows and a pocket for a back protector, which is not included. There are numerous exterior pockets and interior pockets, adjustments at the waist, and zippered cuffs with snaps.
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
15. Roland Sands Truman Jacket
Last, but not least, we have the Roland Sands Design Truman Jacket. This jacket’s simplistic style is timeless and will look absolutely fantastic on any bike, especially on cafe racers.
The jacket features a waxed canvas construction, multiple pockets, zippered cuffs, adjustment at the waist, leather details, satin poly liner, a soft lined internal pocket, and pockets for armor in the shoulders, elbows, and back (armor sold separately).
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
