Should You Size Up or Down in a Motorcycle Jacket?

However, there is more to buying a motorcycle jacket. It may be easy to pick a style that one likes, then select their size, and finally, they are ready to ride. However, in the case of fit, the situation becomes disorienting in no time. Do you wear big in order to be comfortable or wear small to be snug and protective?

This is important to get it right. A jacket on the motorcycle is not a simple garb; it is an essential piece of protection. The correct fit is safe, convenient, and gives comfort during every ride. But how to size up or down, and to what is your best fit, bandit?

How Jacket Fit is More Important than Size Labels.

Motorcycle jackets are not casual like the jackets. Their design takes into account the impact zones, resistance to abrasion, and airflow, and all of it is determined by a proper fit.

When your jacket is too snug, it may limit movement, particularly around the shoulders and arms. It can be hard to navigate, examine blind spots, or comfortably access controls.

When it is loose, the protective armor (at the shoulders, at the elbows, and at the back) may dislocate during an accident, and thus it is not so effective.

The perfect jacket to wear on a motorcycle is tight but not too tight -the jacket is like a second skin, which moves with you.

When You Should Size Up

It is always prudent to go a size bigger in colder conditions, or when you have on a lot of clothes.

You need to size up when you should:

• In winter, you plan to use heavier outfits or hoodies.
• You desire more air space or comfort on long rides.
• Your shoulders or chest are too tight in your usual size.
• The material used in the jacket (such as leather) is not that stretchy.

Remember that motorcycle jackets, particularly the textile jackets, are typically designed to be tight-fitting and close to the body. A little sizing may also make your rides more comfortable without affecting the protection, so long as the armor in the proper location is not affected.

When You Should Size Down

In other instances, size down can make you look better. It is especially so with leather jackets, which actually stretch and fit your body with time.

Consider sizing down if:

• When zipped, the jacket is more or less loose in the chest or waist.
• The armor does not remain in the same place.
• You ride primarily during sunny seasons, and you do not wear heavy garments.

A snug jacket out of leather that seems tight in the beginning would eventually relax and shape to your body after several rides, and help you look like a custom-made jacket.

But when you can comfortably swing your arms or unzip the jacket without tugging it up, the jacket is too small. Do not give in or lose motion or comfort.

Test the Fit of Riding Position.

When trying on a jacket that fits over the motorcycle, imitate the riding position, flex your arms in front of yourself, and hunch over, as though holding the handlebars.

The sleeves of this position must:

• Pull your wrists; do not tug.
• Remain tight without immobilization.
• Protect your lower back (thanks to a drop tail design).

The sleeves may creep up or the jacket may snag at the waist, so you may have to go up a size. You may have to downsize in case of additional fabric bunching at the elbows or shoulders.

Learning the Differences between Materials.

Various colors are of different materials; thus, depending on the jacket material your jacket fits in, you can also decide on the sizing:

Leather Jackets: Start snug. The leather will extend and soften after a few rides.

Textile Jackets: True to size. They do not stretch and therefore make sure it fits well in the beginning.

Mesh Jackets: This is a tight jacket. You want them tight enough to hold the armor, not too tight so that they can breathe.

The size chart of the brand should always be checked because the motorcycle gear can fit differently across brands.

The Bottom Line: Fit Over Size

Then, should you wear a larger or smaller motorcycle jacket? The easy way out - not automatically. Focus on fit, not size labels.

The perfect jacket must also fit snugly to the body, keep the armor in its place, and at the same time, the jacket must have a full range of movement. In case you intend to wear in layers, do it one size larger. When purchasing leather, it is important to purchase it a few sizes smaller to have a snug fit, which breaks in.

In case of doubt, test yourself and compare with the chart of the brand, figure, or test it in a riding position to check how it really is.

A motorcycle jacket that fits perfectly is not only about looking good, but also being safe, comfortable, and confident every single time you are riding.