Harley Davidson Jackets are available in numerous styles and materials. As a Harley rider, you are fortunate to have several viable options when shopping for a jacket. The flip side, of course, is sifting through all the choices to find just the best one.

The biggest concern is probably whether to go with leather or a synthetic material. There are positives and negatives to either, but in the end it's probably a personal decision.

If you're looking for a classic leather jacket, no amount of reading will change your stance. Humor me for a few minutes, though, and allow me to discuss the various choices available.

But if you can't wait, you can read about a set of featured Men's and Women's Harley Jackets here.

Harley Leather Jackets

Leather, of course, is well-known for its classy looks and timeless styling. A well-made leather jacket will have that full, silky feel that embodies luxury. Leather also provides top-notch abrasion protection. Heavier weight material, of course, provides superior protection, but the bad news is that it can be overly warm in hot weather. Some leather jackets are available with perforations to supply additional cooling. This will vent the heat in the hot weather, but could be not what you want in cold weather.

Leather jackets are usually restricted to fewer color choices than synthetics since they are harder to dye. They will certainly be subject to a "break in" period, when the virgin material is still stiff. This effect will decrease over time as the material molds to the body's shape.

A quick word on leather weight: leather measured at under 1.0 mm in thickness is said to be lightweight, while leather thicker than one and a half millimeters is very heavy. More on leather thickness can be researched on this website.

Synthetic Jackets
Synthetic jackets are available in the widest range of choices. A single model may be available in dozens of configuration options. Warm weather liners, for instance, can be taken out or replaced. Zipped vents can be left open or closed to change the amount of circulation. And body protection panels can be replaced with a CE-rated pad or taken out.

One of the most popular synthetic material for a motorcycle jacket these days is Cordura. Cordura is a strong canvas-like material which can often be used in hiking boots or luggage. Cordura is frequently trumpeted as a sturdier alternative to Gore-Tex, in that is at the same time breathable and water resistant. Synthetic jackets typically offer a wider (and wilder) set of color choices, making them very stylish, but for some, these materials will never match the classic style of leather.

This website provides an excellent comparison of the ups and downs of synthetics vs. leather.

Nylon and Denim Jackets
Of course, many jackets just do not really fit the aforementioned classification. Denim, for example, provides a unique proposition: a type of classic style which is desirable to some, while being less hot in the summer than leather. Nylon, for example, supplies durability and some of the cooling options of a synthetic but, according to some, might not provide the classic styling of leather.

Harley Women's Jackets
A short note on women's jackets...
Biker fashion has progressed over the years, to the point today where you can discover stylish choices that are uniquely designed with women in mind. Many synthetic jackets are designed to be unisex, but at least a few options are available that are specifically targeted for women. Going with leather provides a wide set of options for tailored, classy women's jackets.