I’ve been on the hunt for a new motorcycle jacket, having worn my previous faux leather one for several years. Over time, its PU coating deteriorated, leading to cracks and flaking. This prompted me to explore genuine leather jackets, hoping for a more durable option. Let’s see how they stack up against each other.
For context, here are some details about my size: I stand at 5′ 4″, giving this review a petite-focused viewpoint. Typically, I fit into a size S across various brands.
Every jacket I’ve mentioned below hails from India, recognized by Reuters as one of the top five global leather producers.
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Madewell Washed Leather Motorcycle Jacket
Madewell Washed Leather Motorcycle Jacket – $525
When it comes to moto jackets, I lean towards a cleaner, understated design without excessive details. I’d rather not have a belt or epaulettes. Madewell’s jacket stood out to me precisely for this reason. Available in four shades with sleek silver fixtures, it was their brass hardware variant that truly captivated me. (Though I did spot a petite version online at some point, it quickly went out of stock and appears to have disappeared since.)
Madewell Washed Leather Motorcycle Jacket (Brass) – $525
Leather: Lamb leather. Lightweight. True to its name, it has a worn-in soft feel.
Ethics: The leather is from a tannery certified by the Leather Working Group, an organization that promotes more sustainable practices in the leather industry. The not-for-profit only examines tanneries and not other parts of the leather supply chain.
Price: $525. But from time to time it goes on sale. For Labor Day, it’s 30% off, which brings it down to $367.50. You can also find it secondhand on sites like Poshmark.
Fit: Runs snug. I wanted enough room to accommodate a light sweater, so I sized up to a medium.
Measurements by my tape measure (size medium):
15” shoulder to shoulder
19” chest from pit to pit
22.5” length front (though the website says 23″)
19” length back
25.25” sleeve
1 pound, 9.4 oz
Madewell Washed Leather Motorcycle Jacket (Brass) – $525
Impressions: The fit seemed good overall, though it tented out in the back away from the body. One aspect that didn’t work for me, though: the sleeves. They were way long for my arms, going up to the joint on my thumb as you can see above. A good option for someone with long limbs, but not for me!
This biker jacket did have the most color choices, nine in all, including some spring colors. If you’re looking for something different, you might find it here.
Quince 100% Washed Leather Biker Jacket
Quince Washed Leather Biker Jacket – $169.90
I’ve been pleased with many pieces from this direct-to-consumer brand. (See my review of some of their silk items.) Priced at just $170, this jacket seemed like too good of a deal not to try out.
Quince Washed Leather Biker Jacket – $169.90
Leather: Sheep leather. The leather’s lightweight, thinnest of all the jackets I tried. The finish is slightly shiny.
Ethics: This leather also comes from a Leather Working Group-certified tannery. The factory where it was produced is certified by Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), which aims to improve working conditions throughout supply chains.
Price: $169.90. Quince items don’t generally go on sale as they’re already priced low. But you can use my referral code for $20 off your first order.
Fit: True to size. I took a small.
Measurements (size small)
15” shoulder to shoulder
18.5” chest from pit to pit
23.25” length front
20.5” length back
23.75” sleeve
1 pound, 6.8 oz
Quince Washed Leather Biker Jacket – $169.90
Impressions: While the look is similar to the Madewell motorcycle jacket, the leather was thinner and didn’t seem quite as nice. I ordered two sizes to try on and was shocked by how lightweight the package was when it arrived. How could it contain two leather jackets?!
Perhaps because of its lightweight nature, this jacket draped a little funny on me on the front, creating some areas that didn’t lay flat. The back, though, lay flat just fine and didn’t tent out like the Madewell jacket. It was also slightly longer than the other jackets, which was not preferable to me as a petite person. Still, the quality is alright and the price can’t be beat. If you’re looking to get the biker look without heft, or if you live in a warmer climate, this lightweight version is one to consider. Quince also makes a $150 motorcycle jacket with a belt that looks very much like the AllSaints Balfern jacket.
AllSaints Dalby Slim Fit Leather Biker Jacket
AllSaints Dalby Slim Fit Leather Biker Jacket – $525
Can we have a try-on of leather biker jackets without AllSaints? I don’t think so. This brand is synonymous with leather jackets. They certainly have the variety. I tried the Dalby Slim Fit, which comes with silver hardware or gold.
