What Should You Look For When Buying Motorcycle Clothing Online?

By Author: Speedwear Ltd
Total Articles: 30
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Buying motorcycle clothing online is convenient, but there is one obvious problem: you can't try the jacket on before handing over your money.

That makes a bit of checking worthwhile. The photos may look great, but fit, fabric, protection and even the intended use can be quite different from what you expected.

So before adding those motorcycle jackets to the basket, there are a few things worth looking at properly.

Start With What You Actually Need

Are you buying something for regular riding, weekend trips, commuting, or mainly a jacket that can work around town too?

It matters.

Some motorcycle clothing is designed around riding protection, while other pieces take inspiration from classic motorcycle clothing but are intended more as lifestyle wear. Those aren't necessarily interchangeable.

For example, a heritage-style waxed cotton jacket can be a very useful outer layer, but that doesn't automatically mean it has the same protective features as a purpose-built riding jacket.

That's one detail people can easily miss when shopping ...
... online.

Don't Guess the Size

This one sounds boring, but getting the size wrong is probably one of the quickest ways to regret an online purchase.

Check the retailer's measuring guide rather than assuming your usual shirt or coat size will match. Measure your chest, waist and other required areas as instructed, and check the actual size chart.

A jacket should allow normal movement without hanging loose. You also need enough room for whatever you normally wear underneath it.

And don't forget gloves. Some retailers, including Speedwear, provide separate measuring guidance for gloves because sizing isn't always as straightforward as choosing small, medium or large. 

Look Closely at the Material

A product description saying “motorcycle jacket” doesn't tell you very much by itself.

Waxed cotton, leather and technical fabrics all behave differently. Waxed cotton, for instance, is known for its weather resistance and tends to develop its own appearance as it gets worn. Speedwear's range includes waxed cotton jackets alongside leather jackets and other motorcycle clothing. 

Have a look at the fabric weight, lining, closures and pockets too. Those little details can tell you a surprising amount about how the jacket is meant to be used.

Check the Protection, Not Just the Look

This is especially important with motorcycle jackets.

Check whether the jacket actually includes armour, what areas are protected and whether the product is sold as protective motorcycle equipment or primarily as heritage/lifestyle clothing.

Don't assume that an old-school appearance means old-school protection. Nor should a stylish jacket be treated as safety gear simply because it appears in a motorcycle collection.

The difference is worth paying attention to.

Read the Care Instructions Before Buying

Some motorcycle clothing needs a little maintenance.

Waxed cotton jackets, for example, may need reproofing as the finish wears away. They also need different cleaning methods from ordinary cotton clothing.

It is worth reading the care information before buying, especially if you prefer clothes you can simply throw in the washing machine and forget about. You may be in for a surprise.

Finally, Check Returns and Product Details

Before ordering, look at the returns policy, delivery information and the measurements listed for that specific product.

Shopping online doesn't have to mean buying blindly. Take a few minutes to check the fit, material, intended use, protection and care requirements. Then you're choosing motorcycle clothing because it suits your riding and your day-to-day life, rather than because it simply looked good in the first photograph.