The leather jacket has been a staple of men's style for decades now. After all, name another piece of outwear that works just as well with a T-shirt and jeans as it does with chinos, a collared shirt, and a necktie? Yeah ... we'll wait.
The leather jacket emerged onto the American cultural scene as a byproduct of the post-war era, serving as functional jackets favored by bikers and pilots for their durability. It became a fashion choice for 1950s greasers, 1970s punks, and virtually every counter-cultural movement since. Any child of the ’90s knows a leather jacket wasn’t just an optional accessory ... it was a necessity for anyone who wanted to be viewed as remotely cool, from Uncle Jesse on Full House to Neo in The Matrix.
These days, the modern man should have at least one leather jacket in their closet. Although, with so many different styles out there, it certainly couldn't hurt to have more if you have the space and budget. While a proper leather jacket can sometimes range well into the high hundreds in terms of price, these durable, dependable jackets are built to last, so consider it a worthwhile investment.
Here are our favorite leather jackets for men in each of the most popular styles.
Some people use "biker jacket" as a catch-all term for any leather jacket, which can sometimes result in self-described "biker jackets" riddled with straps, tassels, and other dangling accessories that are just begging to get caught in gears and spokes.
This slim-fitting variation on the biker jacket is minimalist to a T, helping to cut a striking silhouette on more slender frames. Made with real lamb leather, this casually cool jacket fits in just as well in the workplace as it does for a night on the town.
A racer jacket, sometimes called a “Cafe Racer,” is known for its sleek design, strong central zipper, and iconic snap tab neckline. It’s also one of the best styles of leather jacket for moving beyond the standard “black leather” shade.
Whether it's the splash of color in strips — like the famous "Captain America" jacket sported by Peter Fonda in Easy Rider — or a bold, weathered brown like this John Varvatos slim fit jacket, this style offers a lot of options when it comes to a unique leather jacket look.
This particular jacket is great for those with broader shoulders, and it pairs brilliantly with a quality pair of blue jeans. It features two chest zip pockets, a front zip pocket, and two slip pockets along the sides.
One of the all-time, most classic leather jacket looks is the Moto jacket. You've seen it on Brando in The Wild One, Schwarzenegger in The Terminator, and the Ramones on pretty every album cover they've ever had (except End of the Century, but the less said about that, the better).
Distinct for their snap-button lapels and shoulder snaps, Moto jackets, like this item from Joe's Jeans, can give off that intense biker vibe that really makes a statement. We're highlighting this particular jacket because it has several eye-catching features — like its angled chest zipper pocket and side button flap — that will make it the focal point of any outfit.
But it's not so busy that it comes across as almost chaotic: Motos that come with a waist strap, for example, can be a bit much.
The terms “bomber” and “flight jacket” are technically interchangeable, and they cover a wide range of styles. The goal of all these different designs, however, is the same: warmth. With pilots often having to soar to high altitudes, providing warmth was key — and that puffy collar you often see in old fighter pilot photos is the result of a thick sherpa inner lining.
For those hoping for that look — and that warmth — without having to break the bank (or go the Top Gun route), Levi's offers an affordable sherpa-lined bomber that cuts down on some of the bulk of a "true" bomber jacket to provide a more flattering frame. It cuts down on cost by utilizing a 100% polyurethane faux-leather.
This more traditional flight jacket, the A-2, was first introduced to pilots in 1931. Notable for the knitted waistband and wrists that it shares with its predecessor the A-1, this jacket is designed to keep in warmth while slimming the design down from the original in order to accommodate the cramped space of a cockpit.
This particular flight jacket will keep you cozy with a polyester and cotton lining, along with a no-frills look that works great with a simple T-shirt and pair of aviators.
The rustic simplicity of this mechanic's jacket from Schott feels as much like it came right out of an adventure film, like an Indiana Jones or a Rocketeer, as it does the mid-century garages from whence it actually originated.
Of course, a jacket of this quality and cost is not one you’d ever want to subject to the oily rigors of automotive repair. But considering both the tasks this style of jacket was designed to endure and the quality of craftsmanship Schott has put into their jackets for over a century, it’s fair to say this stylish jacket can certainly take a licking.
What we, and in this case Levi’s as well, are calling a “shirt jacket” can also be referred to as a French worker’s jacket or a bleu de travail, and it dates back to the 19th century.
Those early jackets were made of moleskin, but later iterations would turn to suede, as the material could provide warmth while still offering the slim style the garment called for.
This Levi’s shirt jacket splits the difference, offering a 100% polyester faux suede that’s light on the wearer. It offers easy range of motion, but still retains warmth.
One of the most recent innovations in the leather jacket world is the “hooded” jacket, which incorporates a sweatshirt style hood onto the classic leather jacket design. The look has obviously caught on, with this particular item from Hood Crew ranking as Amazon’s #1 best seller in the category of men’s leather jackets.
Made from PU faux leather, this jacket offers a removable hood, allowing the wearer to customize the jacket for the occasion.
Michael NataleCommerce EditorMichael Natale is the commerce editor for Best Products, covering a wide range of topics like gift guides, kitchen appliances, lifestyle products, and more.
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