If you enjoy riding a motorcycle, you’ll need to invest in the right jacket. A high-quality motorcycle jacket will provide the perfect combination of comfort, protection and style. Rather than choosing just any leather jacket, though, you should consider a leather cafe racer jacket. Available for sale here at LeatherCult, it’s arguably one of the most popular jackets among motorcycle riders. What is a leather cafe racer jacket exactly, and what it makes better than a standard leather jacket?
Overview of Leather Cafe Racer Jackets
Also known simply as a cafe racer, a leather cafe racer jacket is a lightweight leather jacket that’s optimized specifically for motorcycle riders. Leather cafe racer jackets are designed with a lightweight and streamlined construction to provide a superior level of performance when riding a motorcycle.
It’s believed that leather cafe racer jackets originated during the 1960s in London, England. Around this time, motorcycle enthusiasts would gather to perform races. This was shortly after World War II, so trucks and cars were uncommon. Instead, many people rode motorcycles. Enthusiasts discovered that wearing a leather cafe racer jacket improved their performance while also providing them with a higher level of comfort in this process.
Leather Cafe Racer Jackets vs Standard Leather Jackets
Leather cafe racer jackets are made of the same genuine leather as traditional leather jackets. You can find both types of jackets made of napa leather, which is regarded as one of the highest-quality types of leather in the world. With that said, there are some key differences that distinguish leather cafe racer jackets from standard leather jackets.
All leather cafe racer jackets are lightweight. Since their origins during the 1960s, they’ve been designed with a lightweight construction. Motorcycle riders need lightweight clothes so that they can easily maneuver around corners. With a leather cafe racer jacket, motorcycle riders have more mobility thanks to its lightweight construction. Standard leather jackets, on the other hand, may or may not have a lightweight construction.
In addition to a lightweight construction, leather cafe racer jackets feature a minimalistic design. What does this mean exactly? A minimalistic design means they don’t have a lot of unnecessary embellishments or aesthetic features. Instead, they have a simple design that focuses strictly on the basics.
Leather cafe racer jackets are designed for motorcycle riders, so you can rest assured knowing that they offer a high level of protection. Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous at times. If you fall off your motorcycle, you could sustain road rash. A leather cafe racer jacket can protect you from such injuries. Even though they are lightweight, they are designed with a strong and durable genuine leather that protects your body from common types of motorcycle-related injuries, including road rash. Other leather jackets, on the other hand, typically offer less protection from injuries.
Benefits of Wearing a Leather Cafe Racer Jacket
Research shows that nearly 7% of all U.S. households own a motorcycle. Owning a motorcycle, of course, comes with the responsibility of protecting yourself from injury. You can’t wear traditional clothes, such as a shirt and jacket, and expect to stay safe. Rather, you’ll need to wear clothes that are designed specifically for motorcycle riders — and there’s no better choice than a leather cafe racer jacket.
Wearing a leather cafe racer jacket will cover your upper body in a layer of high-quality and protective genuine leather. Hopefully, you don’t have an accident. If you do, however, a leather cafe racer jacket will protect your upper body.
Another benefit of wearing a leather cafe racer jacket is improved performance. As previously mentioned, they feature a streamlined and minimalistic design. They don’t have unnecessary embellishments or aesthetic features. Leather cafe racers focus strictly on the basics. This minimalistic design means you’ll be more aerodynamic when wearing a leather cafe racer jacket, which should result in increased mobility and potentially faster speeds when riding a motorcycle.
Leather cafe racer jackets might be designed for motorcycle riders, but you can wear them for other occasions as well. Many riders wear a leather cafe racer jacket both on and off their motorcycle. You don’t have to take off your leather cafe racer jacket when you stop riding. You can continue wearing it all day long.
Choosing a Leather Cafe Racer Jacket: What You Should Know
When choosing a leather cafe racer jacket, check to see what type of leather it’s made of. Some manufacturers use cheap or otherwise low-quality leather in the construction of their leather cafe racer jackets. Unfortunately, these jackets don’t offer the same level of protection as their high-quality counterparts. A high-quality leather cafe racer jacket should feature a premium type of genuine leather, such as napa leather.
You’ll need to find a leather cafe racer jacket in the right size for your body. Remember, you’ll probably be wearing it while riding a motorcycle, so it needs to fit properly. If a leather cafe racer jacket is too small or too big, it may restrict your ability to move.
Leather cafe racer jackets are available in a broad range of colors. Black is probably the most popular color. A black leather cafe racer jacket offers a modern appearance that’s preferred by many riders. Nonetheless, you can find leather cafe racer jackets in countless other colors.
Tips on Wearing a Leather Cafe Racer Jacket
When wearing a leather cafe racer jacket, remember to secure the front. Most leather cafe racer jackets feature a zipper on the front. For the highest level of protection, you should zip up the front when riding your motorcycle.
You should also choose similar clothes that flow cohesively with your leather cafe racer jacket. If you’re wearing a black leather cafe racer jacket, for example, you may want to pair it with black leather trousers.
Keep in mind that you should accessorize your leather cafe racer jacket with durable footwear. Some riders prefer shoes, whereas prefer boots. You can wear either type of footwear; just make sure they are strong and durable.