I love my biker jackets. I have a great vegan leather motorcycle jacket and two really good synthetic + polymer protective motorcycle jackets for serious riding.
If you’re a vegan biker, then a durable, protective vegan motorcycle jacket is a must-have for your safety.
However, you don’t have to be a biker to enjoy the timeless style of an old-school faux leather biker jacket!
I’m not what you’d call a “serious” biker. I enjoy riding my little Kawasaki Ninja on the weekends, and I’ve rented some touring bikes while traveling the world. Whenever I ride, though, I don’t leave the house without a protective jacket.
Whether you’re just looking for a stylish vegan motorcycle jacket or you’re looking for a comprehensive armor-lined protective vegan biker jacket, you’ve come to the right place!
In today’s post, I’m going to break down the most popular vegan-friendly materials used in biker jackets and give you a few tips on how to pick the right one for your needs.
Then, I’ll show you some of the best vegan motorcycle jackets for women and men. Let’s ride!
What Are Vegan Motorcycle Jackets Made Of?
In the early days of motorcycles, leather jackets were the most popular type of motorcycle jacket. Leather was strong, durable, water-resistant, windproof, and would provide adequate protection against small debris that would fly up off of the road.
The problem with this, of course, is that leather isn’t vegan.
Lucky for vegans, there are plenty of great faux leather motorcycle jackets to choose from. Vegan leather isn’t the only material used for motorcycle jackets, though!
Here’s a quick table breaking down the most popular materials used for vegan motorcycle jackets:
| Materials Used For Vegan Motorcycle Jackets | Why? |
| Vegan Leather | Classic-style motorcycle jackets (the ones that most rock stars go for) are typically made with vegan leather. High-quality, designer brands may use the more expensive plant-based leather, that’s made by adding hardeners to fruit/vegetable pulp. Most of the more affordable vegan leather jackets are made from synthetic polyurethane (PU) leather, though, as it’s more affordable to the source. |
| Denim | Denim biker jackets go back almost as far as leather biker jackets. Denim is a form of ultra-strong cotton and is 100% vegan! Denim motorcycle jackets are a lot lighter than vegan leather jackets and provide mild wind-breaking combined with a tough barrier to pebbles, sand, and other road debris. |
| Canvas | Canvas is made from cotton. It’s similar to denim but is woven tighter. High-density canvas is often used to make racing-style motorcycle jackets due to the lightweight, protective flexibility it provides. |
| Polyester Mesh | Polyester mesh is very common in motorcycle jackets. It’s a durable fabric that allows plenty of airflows to keep you cool. Protective polymer plates are often placed between the outer layer of mesh and the inner lining of the jacket to provide armor. |
| Polymer Plastic | Polymer is often used in high-quality protective riding gear. Hard pieces of polymer plastic are typically used around the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Softer, more rubber-like pieces of armor are used to protect the spine and ribcage, which are more delicate. |
Here’s a quick run-down on motorcycle jacket armor and why it’s so important:
What Are Vegan Leather Jackets Made Of?
Vegan leather jackets can either be made of plant-based leather or synthetic “faux” leather. Faux leather jackets are far more common due to their widespread availability and the cheap cost of materials.
Plant-based leather, while more eco-friendly, is considered a luxury material and is typically only used by high-end designer vegan brands.
Are Vegan Leather Jackets Worth It?
It all depends on the quality of the jacket. For the most part, faux leather is just as durable and reliable as real animal-derived leather. As long as the designer uses high-quality stitching, durable zippers, and high-quality dye, you should be all good!
Plant-based leather is more natural than synthetic leather and offers the same durability without all of the greenhouse gas emissions released during the manufacturing process. The only downside of plant leather is that it’s more expensive.
Is Vegan Leather Good For Riding Motorcycles?
Vegan leather is a great material for riding motorcycles. For one, it’s a thick fabric, which means that it’s an excellent windbreaker (very important when riding at high speeds).
Secondly, it can protect your skin in the event of a fall. Vegan leather is very hard to rip through, which means that it’s excellent for abrasion resistance.
It’s also water-resistant, which can help if you’re caught in a rainstorm!
The Best Vegan Motorcycle Jackets For Men 2024
Even though I’m a female rider, the stats show that only 20% of all motorcycle riders are women (although this number is growing). Since 80% of riders are males, I figured I’d start off my list by showing you some of the best vegan motorcycle jackets for men!
Below, you’ll find high-quality armor-plated biker jackets as well as some more comfortable classic-style vegan leather jackets.
1) Alpinestars Men’s Armored Vegan Motorcycle Jacket (link)
- Overall Quality: 10/10
If you’re looking for an ultra-high-quality vegan motorcycle jacket designed to withstand hard pavement, then Alpinestars Men’s Armored Jacket is your best bet.
Alpinestars has built quite a reputation for itself in the racing world. They put tons of research and development into all of their products and design them for world-class racers.
This armored motorcycle jacket is made using a breathable polyester mesh that’s layered with protective polymer plates designed to withstand heavy impact in the event of an accident.
Each plate is made using a single direct-injection method, which makes for a more durable, reliable armor plate that won’t break under force.
The entire spine is lined with a contoured armor plate, along with the shoulders and chest. The elbows are protected with extra-thick armor plating since that’s often the first part of the body to make contact with the ground in an accident.
One of the great features of the Alpinestars Armored Jacket is that it’s completely adjustable! The waist has a large belt and there are tightening straps located around the ribcage and wrists.
This allows you to get a snug fit, which is very important if you want to ensure that you’re fully protected.
Even though this protective vegan motorcycle jacket looks heavy, it’s actually incredibly lightweight, so it won’t weigh you down while you’re riding.
This is one of my boyfriend’s favorite riding jackets during the hot summer, as it allows plenty of natural airflows and keeps the rider from getting too hot and sweaty!
What I Like About It:
- Ultra-lightweight and very breathable, thanks to the mesh construction.
- Fully adjustable straps for a tighter fit.
- Protective armor plates on the spine, chest, shoulders, and elbows.
- Excellent stitching quality.
- Perforated, breathable armor shells.
What Could Be Better:
- It’s very expensive, which could be a barrier for some.
- It doesn’t have a liner, so you’ll need to wear this on top of a jacket when it’s cold.
2) Borleni Protective Motorcycle Jacket (link)
- Overall Quality: 10/10
If you’re looking for a protective vegan motorcycle jacket without the bulky armor plates, then Borleni’s Protective Motorcycle Jacket is another good option.
This is a racing-style jacket that fits snuggly, giving your upper body a more aerodynamic profile and reducing drag, which is very important when you’re riding on the highway at high speeds.
At first glance, it looks like a leather riding jacket. When you look closer, though, you’ll realize that it’s made out of high-density 600-denier polyester.
This means that it’s thin enough to remain flexible and thick enough to provide wind-breaking and resist abrasions from falls.
Although it’s not your typical armor-plated riding jacket, it does offer decent protection where it matters most. The shoulders, back, and elbows are reinforced with a second layer of fabric to resist abrasion and provide a bit of mild shock absorption.
There’s also a removable back pad that fits in and out of a slot for those who want extra protection.
If you plan on riding at night, then you’ll also appreciate the slim reflective stripes on the upper back of the jacket. These can improve your visibility and ensure that cars see you, even if your tail lights are dim or not functioning properly.
Like most good motorcycle jackets, the Borleni vegan biker jacket features straps and snaps, so you can adjust the waist, wrist, and upper arms.
It’s available in gray-black, red-black, and all-black.
What I Like About It:
- Made with durable 600-denier industrial polyester.
- Breathable and protective.
- Reinforced elbows, shoulders, and back.
- Removable protective back pad.
- Comes with a removable winter liner for riding in the cold.
- Large zippered pockets keep your valuables secure.
- Affordable.
What Could Be Better:
- It runs a bit small, so you may want to order one size larger than usual.
3) Xelement Red-Black Tri-Tex Motorcycle Sport Jacket (link)
- Overall Quality: 8/10
If you’re looking for an affordable armor jacket, the Xelement Tri-Tex Vegan Motorcycle Jacket is an excellent choice that offers great overall quality without breaking the bank!
It doesn’t look quite as stylish or modern as the Boreli or Alpinestars jackets I mentioned above, but it’s a lot cheaper, making it a good entry-level jacket for new riders or weekenders.
It’s made using all-polyester. The mesh outer is made from lightweight 600-denier polyester while the elbows and shoulders are reinforced with ultra-strong 1680-denier polyester to resist abrasion in the event of a fall or slide.
It features removable polymer armor plating on the shoulders, elbows, and mid-back. My only qualm here is that the armor plates are a lot smaller than I’d prefer, and won’t provide as much protection if you get in a serious accident.
Although the fit isn’t as snug as the Alpinestars racing jacket, it features snaps on the arms, wrists, and chest so you can adjust it as tight as you need.
One of the features that I really appreciate about this jacket is that it has a waterproof inner lining. This is great if you’re touring or during the spring season when unexpected rainstorms are part of everyday life.
The lining can be easily removed and stored in a bag or motorcycle storage compartment when you’re done with it.
What I Like About It:
- Made using vegan-friendly polyester.
- Removable armor plates protect the back, elbows, and shoulders.
- Breathable mesh outer.
- Includes removable waterproof inner liner.
- Affordable protection.
What Could Be Better:
- I wish the armor plates were larger and more protective.
- The jacket itself could fit tighter; it’s a bit lose around the sides and arms.
4) Hood Crew Men’s Stand-Collar Faux Leather Motorcycle Jacket (link)
- Overall Quality: 7/10
If you’re looking for a bomber-style vegan leather motorcycle jacket that looks stylish while providing a bit of protection, then Hood Crew’s Stand-Collar Faux Leather Motorcycle Jacket is a decent choice.
While it doesn’t offer the protective armor plates that you’ll find in racing-style motorcycle jackets, this jacket does look a lot better.
The outer is made with thick, abrasion-resistant vegan leather, and the inner is made from a comfy blend of cotton and polyester. It features a built-in hoodie that keeps you warm whenever you’re not on the bike.
I really like the tall “stand-collar” which firmly encircles your neck, preventing wind and debris from bouncing off of your neck. This also provides a better fit for your helmet, so you don’t have to worry about wind getting under your strap and trying to blow it off.
It’s wind-resistant, great for cool autumn weather, and incredibly comfortable! The jacket is available in black, brown, blue, red, khaki, and gray.
I recently got the red one for my boyfriend to wear whenever he’s doing some light riding around town.
What I Like About It:
- Very comfortable.
- Made with durable vegan faux leather.
- Available in six different colors.
- Features a stand-collar that protects your neck from flying debris.
What Could Be Better:
- There are no armor plates.
- There are no adjustable straps around the waist or wrists.
- Not as safe as an armored jacket for riding at high speeds.
The Best Vegan Motorcycle Jackets For Women 2024
Of course, I can’t forget about all of my fellow biker chicks out there! Below are all of the motorcycle jackets that are currently in my wardrobe! These are easily some of the best vegan motorcycle jackets for women!
5) Bellivera Women’s Faux Leather Motorcycle Jacket (link)
- Overall Quality: 9/10
If you’re looking for a classic punk-style vegan leather biker jacket, then you’ll love the Bellivera Women’s Faux Leather Motorcycle Jacket!
It’s made using ultra-soft, high-quality vegan faux leather that actually feels like real leather. It’s even textured, which lends itself to a more authentic feel.
The first thing you’ll notice about this jacket is the wild art. While they offer some more basic styles, they also feature nine different painted and embroidered styles that make a statement.
The durable leather is both windproof and waterproof, which makes this jacket as great for riding as it is stylish. Simply put, this is one of those jackets that you’ll want to ride in and wear at the party afterward.
The only downside to this vegan leather biker jacket is that it doesn’t have any armor plating or reinforced elbows and shoulders. The leather will provide good abrasion resistance in the event of a slide, but it’s not good for protecting against a hard fall.
What I Like About It:
- Awesome style and artistic embroideries/painting designs.
- Super high-quality vegan leather.
- Very comfortable.
- 100% waterproof.
- Adjustable waist belt.
What Could Be Better:
- I wish there was space for removable armor padding.
6) Alpinestars Women’s Stella Andes Pro Vegan Motorcycle Jacket (link)
- Overall Quality: 10/10
If you’re looking for a more protective vegan motorcycle jacket, then Alpinestars Stella Andes Pro Motorcycle Jacket is a great choice. I’ve had mine for almost three years and it’s my favorite everyday riding jacket.
It’s made from high-quality reinforced poly-textile that’s breathable, wind-resistant, and water-resistant as well! Although it doesn’t have polymer armor plates, it does feature ultra-thick padding on the shoulders, elbows, chest, upper back, and lower back.
Adjustable straps around the elbows, wrists, and chest allow you to get a perfectly snug fit. It also features a removable winter liner, so you can keep on riding, even in the cold.
One of the things I like the most about this jacket is the large secure pockets that are perfect for keeping your wallet, phone, and other large-sized valuables safe and secure while you ride.
What I Like About It:
- Reinforced elbows, back, and chest.
- Included removable winter liner.
- Breathable and protective.
- Large secure pockets.
What Could Be Better:
- I wish there was an option for armor plates.
Conclusion – What’s The Best Vegan Biker Jacket?
Of all of these jackets, I would say that the Alpinestars Men’s Armored Motorcycle Jacket is the best. Although it’s sized for men, I’ve actually found that it’s more unisex than anything.
I frequently borrow my boyfriend’s whenever I plan on doing high-speed highway riding, and it fits me just as well as it fits him. I really like the added armor plating and security.
If you’re looking for something a little more “classic,” my second choice would be the Bellivera Women’s Faux Leather Motorcycle Jacket. The quality of the leather combined with the awesome style make it an awesome riding jacket!
Vegan work boots also double as great motorcycle riding boots. If you liked this post, then be sure to check out my latest post on the best vegan work boots!
