The 5 Best Leather Jackets for Men

Is there any accessory for men that’s more timeless, iconic, and downright cool than a leather jacket? Combining both fashion and function in a manner that other clothes can’t match, the leather jacket has become the go-to item to don for a beer at a friend’s or a night on the town. First appearing on German fighter pilots in World War I (and subsequently called “Bomber Jackets” in World War II), the leather jacket has evolved to define the meaning of hip for generations of men. Choosing a leather jacket can be an extremely personal decision - there’s a style and cut for almost every personality type. But let’s face it: there are cheap, knock-off leather jackets and there are overpriced, designer leather jackets. How do you find your Goldilocks jacket (you know, the one that’s “just right”)? We researched the classic styles for fit, comfort, construction and overall Cool Factor, and these are the 5 jackets we decided were the best available.

Decrum Cafe Racer Leather Jacket

Race Out And Get One

With a variety of styles, real leather construction, a tailored fit, and an excellent price, Decrum’s Leather Jacket gets our highest award.

Best Overall

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In a crowded field of jacket fashion, it’s not easy to choose one to be considered the best overall, but we had to go with Decrum’s Cafe Leather Jacket. Crafted from real leather with a viscose interior lining, the Decrum style is a sleek, timeless and classic look. In fact, Decrum offers three different varieties in both black and brown, each of which looks equally appropriate for everyday or evening wear. The quilted pattern on the sleeves extends all the way to the elbow, while the edge of the sleeve features a zippered cuff that works as a windbreaker. Sizes range from a 42 chest all the way up to a 56, with a corresponding length that places the edge of the jacket right at the beltline. This is a quality leather jacket at an affordable price that won’t make you feel out of style by next winter.

Pros:

Perfect sleeve lengths
Strong, durable zippers
Free returns for incorrect size

Cons:

Thin material through the sleeves
Designed to be tighter around the waist

Landing Leathers Air Force A-2 Bomber Jacket

Landing In A Closet Near You

Landing Leathers brings both style and tradition to one of the most classic leather jacket designs available.

Best Bomber Jacket

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The first, the best, the iconic: no other style screams “classic leather jacket” quite like the bomber jacket. Designed for both functionality and warmth, Landing Leathers’ bomber jacket has a genuine soft-touch Nappa leather outside with a cotton/polyester blend in the body lining, as well as a 100% polyester sleeve lining and filler. Designed in the U.S. with a trademarked brand, Landing Leathers features timeless epaulets box-stitched on each shoulder, with dual entry pockets and an additional inside pocket. Ribbed cuffs around the wrists ensure warmth, and a WWII-era American flag on the inside lining rounds-out the ageless design. It’s a replica of the immortal A-2 military jacket, with detail down to the very stitching.

Pros:

Zipper with snap storm flap
Available in 16 different sizes
Strong leather & heavy lining

Cons:

Three-piece leather back not completely authentic
Zipper tough to move at first

fJackets Natural Distressed Leather Jacket

Sometimes Older Is Better

Harkening back to the vintage leather jackets of the 1960s, FJackets’ sleek cut is both simple and stylish.

Best Vintage-Style Jacket

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Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and James Dean knew it: a leather jacket is the epitome of cool. The style that made men sex symbols in the 60s is still alive today in FJackets’ Natural Distressed Leather Jacket. Made of real lambskin leather, Fjackets offers the two separate styles that made this jacket the look of its era: the Antiq Brown, with its button-down front and wide-collar, and Rempege, with its zippered front and straight collar. As a light leather jacket, it’s suitable for both winter and spring days as well as summer evenings. Crafted to be supple yet strong, each stitch is reinforced for strength. Moderately priced at around $150, it’s an affordable way to be cool while staying warm.

Pros:

Distressed leather for vintage feel
Seven different sizes available
Great attention to vintage detail

Cons:

No return policy
Pockets are not deep

Flavor Motorcycle

For Boys In The ‘Hood

Harkening back to the vintage leather jackets of the 1960’s, FJackets’ sleek cut is both simple and stylish

Best Hooded Leather Jacket

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One of the most popular styles today is to wear a hoodie under your jacket (and yes, it also provides an added layer of warmth and comfort). Flavor’s Leather Motorcycle Jacket combines both hoodie and jacket in one, creating a stylish and practical coat. Available in four styles and two colors and manufactured with 100% genuine leather, the jacket also features two hand pockets to help keep you warm and three zippered pockets for wallets, keys & more. There are also two inner pockets for your phone or other accessories. Not in the mood for a hood? The hood easily zips off, allowing you to wear the jacket with a stand-up collar. Resting at hip length and featuring adjustable cuffs, you can customize the jacket even further for warmth. It’s also available in brown suede with a brown hood.

Pros:

100% cotton filling
Comes in 6X Large for wider men
Durable metal zippers

Cons:

Sizes run small – be careful
Imported product can create shipping delays

Milwaukee Leather Side Lace Motorcycle Jacket

Born To Be Wild

From a name that bikers have trusted for three decades, Milwaukee Leathers provides the ultimate in style and utility

Best Motorcycle Jacket

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Next to the bomber jacket, there isn’t a more iconic design in leather than the motorcycle jacket. For nearly 30 years, Milwaukee Leather has specialized in classic riding gear, becoming one of the most trusted names for bikers nationwide. Fabricated from their patented COOL TEC premium-milled cowhide leather, the Side Lace Jacket is road-tested for strength, warmth and comfort. Featuring the timeless, 3-zipper-pocket and half-belt design and featuring a removable, full-sleeve zip-out liner, the jacket is perfect for all road conditions as well as all sizes of riders. Do note, however, that this particular style does not feature armor inserts in the elbows and shoulders, which is sometimes a premium safety feature for riders.

Pros:

Money-back guarantee
Side Lace detail provides optimal fit
Accurate fitting guide

Cons:

No inside pockets
Metal fasteners can oxidize

Frequently Asked Questions

So, what exactly is leather?

In short, leather is a material created by tanning the skin and rawhide of an animal, most frequently the hides of cattle. It comes in five different grades: Top Grain, Full Grain, Corrected Grain, Genuine Leather and Bonded Leather. Genuine and Bonded aren’t considered “technical” grades, but have become standardized terms within the industry.

I see a lot of leather jackets in the $40 – $50 range, but all the one you mention are about $150 or more. Why?

We believe the best leather jackets are real leather jackets. Lower-priced coats are typically manufactured with faux leather, vinyl, naugahyde or some other synthetic material. Of course, clothes must fit your budget and your style, so the choice is yours, but our choice was to feature only real leather jackets. However, we fully support, encourage, and commend those who are seeking vegan alternatives instead of using real leather.

When I look at online customer reviews, I see a lot of comments about sizing issues. How do I ensure a proper fit?

Buying online can indeed pose challenges to finding a leather jacket with the proper fit. We recommend finding suppliers with a wide variety of sizes and a detailed sizing chart. Once you’ve settled on the style and brand of jacket you want, read through the reviews and/or questions & answers sections – you’ll find a lot of comments about which sizes fit buyers’ unique body shapes and dimensions. Finally, make sure you only buy from a reputable seller with an easy (and hopefully free) return and exchange policy.