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Titled: Choosing Harley Jackets - Leather and Other Options Get the Motorcycles category RSS Feed

Choosing Harley Jackets - Leather and Other Options

Article Summary: Harley Davidson motorcycle jackets come in many different sizes, styles, and materials. This guide helps the readers navigate the options available to choose just the right one.

Harley Davidson Jackets are available in many different shapes and sizes. As a Harley biker, you are lucky to have many great choices when deciding on a jacket. The flip side, of course, is sifting through all the choices to find just the right one.

The biggest choice is likely whether to go with leather or a synthetic material. There are pros and cons to either, but in the end it comes down to a personal choice.

If you are hunting for a classy Harley Leather jacket, no amount of research will change your stance. Humor me for a few minutes, though, and let me discuss the varying styles available.

But if you cannot wait, you can locate a selection of highlighted here: http://www.spotmotorcycle.com/category/brand/harley-brand/harley-jackets

Harley Leather Jackets

Leather is the top dog of great looks. It's luxurious feel and silky exterior are unparalleled and will never go out of fashion. There are many different types of Harley leather jackets though, in general, leather offers fewer options for color and design than synthetic jackets.

Leather is known to retain heat, making it occasionally quite uncomfortable. This is a potential drawback to evaluate. The thickness of the leather presents a tradeoff -- thicker leather supplies superior protection but can be too hot in the summer. Many jackets offer tiny holes in the leather to counteract this problem, but it's not a perfect substitute for the adaptability provided by synthetics. Heavier weight leather also takes longer to "loosen up" and can feel stiff at first.

A short word about leather thickness: leather measured at under 1.0 millimeter in thickness is classified as lightweight, whereas leather thicker than 1.5 mm is very heavy. More details about leather thickness can be found here: http://www.ideamarketers.com/?_Leather_Motorcycle_Jacket_Weight_-_What_does_it_Mean&articleid=278992

Synthetic Jackets
If you are looking for timeless style, synthetic jackets will most likely never equal leather. But a synthetic is often quite stylish, and can supply quite a bit of a premium when it comes to functionality.

Many different choices in materials present themselves when opting for a synthetic jacket. One of the most popular is Cordura, a protective substance that is frequently used in hiking boots and luggage. Cordura jackets are very often treated so that they can be at the same time water resistant and breathable, like Gore-Tex. They also often provide built-in body protection in the joints and/or spine. Opt for CE-rated pads for the most highly-rated level of protection.

Also, because materials can be inexpensively colorized, they are typically available in a wide variety of color choices. Finally, these jackets are often very configurable -- some have openings that provide more air circulation, or replaceable inner linings that provide added insulation.

This site offers a good comparison of the ups and downs of synthetics versus leather: http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za/Clobber.htm

Nylon and Denim Jackets
Other types of materials may present their own value proposition. Take Denim. It offers a unique value: a certain classic style which is desirable to some, while being cooler in the summer than leather. Nylon, for example, supplies flexibility and some of the weatherproofing options of a synthetic but, according to some, might not offer up the classic looks of leather.

Harley Women's Jackets
One brief word about women's jackets...
Finding options that are designed only for women is now possible. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the choices out there. Most synthetic jackets are designed to be for both men and women, but several are specifically targeted for women. Choosing a leather jacket opens up a wide set of choices for fitted, classy women's jackets.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
Ken Av
This article was created by Ken Av, a biker since his early years and a self-crowned expert in evaluating motorcycle gear. Ken's ridden a Harley for many years now, and especially likes collecting and reviewing Harley gear. Check out his recommendations and reviews of the best Harley Apparel so you can ride in style.