Leather Jackets for Men

Leather jackets have been a stylish addition to men’s wardrobes for a long time.  They can range from high fashion, high dollar leather coats to lower cost leather motorcycle jackets.  There are few men who don’t look great dressed in leather.

When shopping for a new leather jacket, there are many things to consider.  First, of course, like anything else you purchase, you have to determine how much you are willing to spend to get what you want.    If price is no object, you can find a $1400 leather jacket at Nordstrom.  Most of us can’t afford to spend that much.  If you are a good shopper, you can find a really nice leather motorcycle jacket on line for anywhere from $100 to $150.  Or you can find a decent classic motorcycle jacket for between $70 and $90.

There are many decisions to be made about style.  There are leather bomber jackets, classic motorcycle jackets, classic motorcycle jackets with zipout liners.  There are leather blazers, leather scooter jackets, leather sleeveless jackets.   It’s up to you to decide what feels comfortable for you, what looks best on you and what jacket best serves your purpose.

In this day and age,  many of us prefer to shop on line.  It can be difficult to decide from a picture and you have to be sure that the online store you buy from is reputable and carries good quality merchandise.   Most leather jackets sold in this country are not made in America.  It’s sad but true.  But the quality of the leather can vary from brand to brand.  The thickest leather jackets (and probably the most expensive) are made from nappa leather and vary greatly in thickness between 1.1 and 1.5 mils.  If it is too thick, the break-in period is probably longer than most of us want to wait.   But if you buy a leather jacket that is made from the cheapest cowhide and it feels thin and kind of brittle, you can be pretty sure that it won’t last long.   My grandfather used to say “cheap is cheap” and it’s good to keep that in mind when buying a nice leather jacket. 

                                        

A leather motorcycle jacket is an investment.  It is protection when you are riding, as well as warmth and a place to display motorcycle patches.   Most motorcycle riders take pride in their bikes and spare no expense in keeping them tricked out.  You would be wise to do the same when purchasing your leather motorcycle jacket.    A decent leather jacket  will last a long time – even if you are rough with it.  They will last even longer if you take care of them and use leather care products on them from time to time.

Another decision to make when purchasing a leather jacket is color.  Even though we most often think of leather jackets – especially motorcycle jackets – as predominantly black, they do come in various shades of brown that might be a good alternative for people who don’t particularly care to wear black all the time. 

Another option in leather jackets is the sleeveless leather motorcycle jacket.  It provides the same protection and style as the classic leather motorcycle jacket – just without the sleeves.  It can be a good option for motorcycle riders in warmer climates.

If you are looking for a fashion leather jacket or blazer, the same options apply. It is important to find the style that looks best on your body style.  Leather blazers can have two buttons or 3 buttons and they can be long or waist length. 

Regardless of the style, it is important to know what you like and find the leather jacket that suits your purpose.  If you live where it is cold, you might want to make sure you have a removable liner or a neck warmer.   Some leather motorcycles jackets come with hidden pockets inside for carrying a pistol.  Some have zippers and lots of pockets.   Some have fancy designs on the back, some are plain.  You can find leather jackets with studs and skulls or you can find a fine fashion jacket with a slim cut that will look great with your dress slacks when you go to a fancy restaurant for dinner.

The classic leather motorcycle jacket became “cool” when Happy Days was popular and The Fonz wore one.  Younger guys wanted to be like him.  Now, leather has taken its rightful place in fashion so that anyone, regardless of age or background, can look great and feel confident in a nice leather jacket.

Motorcycle helmet for Safety - Preventing serious injuries and deaths from motorcycle.

Even though we are the first to agree that there is nothing like the feeling of the wind in your hair when you are riding along on your motorcycle.  Back in the 60’s when I first started riding motorcycles, I remember clearly the sensation of my hair flying in the wind behind me, the smells of the area I was riding through, the freedom I felt.  We didn’t wear helmets because we didn’t think of it. They were big and bulky and would make your hair flat. 

But nowadays with so much more traffic than there was 40 years ago, there is no denying that helmets save motorcycle riders' lives.  Preventing serious injuries and deaths from motorcycle crashes is a major and growing public health concern.

Consider that:

·         Motorcycle crashes killed 4,502 people in 2010.

·         Motorcycle-related deaths have increased by 55% since 2000.

·         Motorcycle crash-related injuries and deaths totaled $12 billion in one year, in medical care costs and productivity losses.

·          Almost half of the fatal accidents show alcohol involvement and injury severity increases with speed, alcohol involvement and motorcycle size.

                             

·         In the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents.

·         Reports indicate that the wearing of appropriate gear, specifically, helmets and durable garments, mitigates crash injuries substantially.

The good news is that riders and their passengers can protect themselves by wearing helmets. Helmets are estimated to prevent 37 percent of crash deaths among motorcycle riders and 41 percent of crash deaths for motorcycle passengers.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2006, 13.10 cars out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes. The rate for motorcycles is 72.34 per 100,000 registered motorcycles. Motorcycles also have a higher fatality rate per unit of distance traveled when compared with automobiles.  Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists' risk of a fatal crash is 35 times greater than a passenger car. Motorcycles have 16 times the rate of serious injuries per 100 million miles compared to cars, and double the rate of bicycles.

Additional data reveals that there are over four million motorcycles registered in the United States. Motorcycle fatalities represent approximately five percent of all highway fatalities each year, yet motorcycles represent just two percent of all registered vehicles in the United States. One of the main reasons motorcyclists are killed in crashes is because the motorcycle itself provides virtually no protection in a crash. For example, approximately 80 percent of reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death; a comparable figure for automobiles is about 20 percent.

 When you ride your motorcycle or are a passenger, follow these tips to stay safe:

·         Always wear a DOT-approved helmet.  They come in a variety of sizes and designs, can make a fashion statement, and are easily the best protection money can buy. 

·         Never ride your motorcycle after drinking.  Alcohol greatly impairs your ability to safely operate a motorcycle. If you have been drinking, get a ride home or call a taxi.

·         Don't let friends ride impaired. Take their keys away.

·         Wear protective clothing that provides some level of injury protection     Leather jackets and chaps during the winter months, denim jackets and chaps when it is warmer out.  Never ride in flip-flops and shorts.  It only takes a second to touch a hot pipe with your bare skin and incur a bad burn.

·         Avoid tailgating.

·         Maintain a safe speed and exercise caution when traveling over slippery surfaces or gravel.

We know many motorcycle riders and also ride our own motorcycle.  Recently a popular guy at our local bowling alley was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident.  His wife, who was wearing a helmet, lived.  He was not wearing a helmet and he incurred fatal brain injuries.

As retailers who sell motorcycle safety attire, we are acutely aware of the importance of wearing helmets, Motorcycle jackets, Motorcycle leather clothing, as well as driving defensively.   We sincerely hope our friends and customers all take heed and wear proper attire when riding.