A buying guide to women's motorcycle jackets written by our female experts at MCN

Choosing women’s motorcycle kit can be fairly tricky, what with sizing being so unpredictable and various style choices on offer. Picking out which motorcycle jacket is best for you can be quite a long process with a substantial amount of research required.

The selection of gear for women is growing with the increased popularity of motorcycling among ladies, meaning that there is more choice than ever for us female riders. Before this, women had little choice but to wear men’s clothing, less than ideal. Motorcycle gear that doesn’t fit correctly will be uncomfortable and potentially even dangerous, as armour will not sit correctly, but also, being uncomfortable can be incredibly distracting.

What to consider when buying a women’s motorcycle jacket

First and foremost, safety should take priority, so look for good CE ratings in your potential jacket. AAA is the highest level of protection, with AA being second, then A and lastly B, but you rarely see B-rated garments these days. Armour will also rated to either Level 1 or Level 2, with 2 being the higher level impact protection. Look for a jacket with good elbow and shoulder armour and either a back protector included or a pocket to add one.

Ideally you will need a jacket that is tailored to the female shape, so that the fabric sits nicely and doesn’t bunch up or flap in the wind while riding. Some brands cater to different body types better than others so it’s best to try a few different manufacturers. Consider practical aspects that you want, like waterproofing, pockets and so on as some jackets will have more features than others.

The type of riding that you do will need to be thought about, if you are commuting on your sports tourer then a touring-derived waterproof textile jacket would likely be most suitable. However, if you are a fair weather rider who only rides in the sunshine to grab tea and cake with your partner or friends, then a leather jacket may be more your thing.

Below, we’ll take you through our favourite tried and tested ladies motorcycle jackets, for any rider from sporty riding to touring.

Sporty jacket

Sportsbike jackets are usually made of leather due to its abrasion resistance but are also available in textile. They have a shorter cut at the front to avoid bunching up when leant over to the low bars of a sportsbike. Some really sporty versions have a race hump at the back for increased aerodynamics.

Summer jacket

Summer motorcycle jackets are fairly self explanatory, they are jackets that are designed to keep you cooler in hotter riding conditions. They tend to be either perforated leather or a textile mesh to allow airflow through the jacket with reinforcements in key areas.

Touring/adventure jacket

Adventure jackets are intended to be a technical all-in-one, providing all-day comfort in a huge range of riding environments. They will offer ventilation for hot rides, a removable thermal lining for cooler ones, a waterproof and breathable membrane/lining for when it rains, and lots of pockets for storing all of your bits and bobs.

Casual retro jacket

For those weekend jaunts and when you simply won’t ride in the rain, there is the casual leather jacket or even a motorcycle hoodie. With lots of options to choose from including retro jackets, flannel shirts to wax jackets.

Frequently asked questions

I have a particularly large chest, what jackets can I wear?

Sandra from Sportsbike Shop says that Held are a great brand to consider if you struggle to find a jacket that fits over a larger bust. Klim is another that we have been told are very accommodating.

How should my jacket fit?

Ideally you want a snug fit that leaves no flapping excess fabric, but allows free enough movement that you can comfortably control the bike. Jackets with fitting adjusters to the waist, hips and arms will help you to achieve the optimum fit. Also consider if you want to layer up underneath the jacket for warmth, as some will be too snug for this without sizing up.

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How MCN tests womens jackets

At MCN, our team of expert female journalists with decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles test as many jackets as we can get our hands on so we can tell you which is worth spending your money on.

We don’t test our kit to destruction or crash test it (not on purpose); we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Some of our testers specialise in sportier kit and ride a lot of sportsbikes on the road and track while other prefer touring in textiles or cruising the streets on a Harley with a retro leather jacket.

Whatever we’re riding and wearing, the testers are asked to think about certain aspects of their jacket when they are writing their review. These categories should be given a star rating out of five, with only jackets that are awarded four stars or more overall included in a buying guide.

Comfort

Is the jacket comfy? This may seem like a pretty basic need but it’s one of the most important factors. If you’re thinking about how uncomfortable you are, you’re not thinking about the road ahead! Comfort also covers aspects like the venting/insulation and the feel on and off the bike.

Practicality

It’ll be more of an issue with more complicated modular jacket systems but is it easy to put on/take off? The testers will also consider the number and location of pockets and versatility in this category.

Looks

The look of a jacket is completely subjective, but we like our testers to give an opinion. They know their onions after all!

Quality

How does it feel? You can often tell from the moment you pick up a jacket whether it’s likely to last a lifetime or barely a season. If it’s waterproof, does it stay dry? What are the zips like to use and are they sturdy?

Protection

This is an objective element to this category as we only test jackets that are designated as PPE and so meet the required CE testing criteria. The overall garment abrasion standard and the level of the armour is taken into consideration, but it’s not as simple as scoring a tougher jacket higher.

Some jackets are designed to be lightweight, cooling or casual-looking and so any CE rating is impressive. Similarly, a high-rated jacket could have armour that doesn’t stay in place as you move around.

Ultimately, we ask our testers if they would you feel confident crashing in it (or how it performed when they did crash in it).

Value

Is the asking price fair compared to other jackets on the market and the quality of garment you get. Cheap doesn’t mean the same as good value here.

Overall

An aggregate of the other scores that may be rounded up or down at the discretion of the tester. The big question is, would they spend their own money on the jacket?

If you can’t see a review against a jacket on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These jackets will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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Our scores explained

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

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