Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Leather Jacket Question for Cold Weather Riding

Never owned a leather jacket and was wondering if they provide as much cold weather warmth as the textiles? My Joe Rocket needs replacement and really like the look of the Triumph Leather Jackets (retro paddock). How are leathers in 30-40 degrees?

I have the Triumph highway jacket that they unfortunately don't make anymore (it is such a cool jacket). It has a liner and I've worn it to as low as 27 degrees. Of course I had a sweatshirt and a thermal top on underneath that and was thankful for the stop lights when I was riding home that night (for a chance to feel the heat coming off the engine). It took a while to break in but the Triple collection leather gear that I've seen seems to be very good (a little pricey but very good).

My Triumph Classic leather jacket has been more than adequate over this past week - temps down into the mid 30's. I do like the tall stand up neck on this jacket, and I HAVE to recommend the Triumph Fleece Neck Warmer made to fit in it, and many of their other jackets as well. Really completes the garment, and THAT is what will keep you warm. The wind won't penetrate the jacket, so if you dress appropriately underneath, and the jacket is sized properly, the only other thing is to keep the air out of the neck and sleeve ends. I learned while hunting as a youngster that, if you keep your neck (and head) warm, that's half the battle. Oh, and your feet. (but you knew that) The Neck Warmer is well made, inexpensive, and easy to put in or take out as the weather changes. The jackets have hook and loop strips on the back of the jacket neck, and down the upper inside edges just inside the zipper, and the Neck Warmer attaches along those three strips. It comes down mid-chest, and has three snap closers in front. Like a small fleece cape warming your upper torso under the jacket.

I guess I'm a daily riding commuter now. Addicted. Can't stop. I ride a 25 mile round trip commute, in Houston Katy Freeway rush hour traffic. My leather makes me feel bullet proof.

I have to second Blackwind's comments about the neck warmer. That was one of the first pieces of cold weather gear I picked up before I got the jacket. I didn't get the one that fits in the Triumph jackets. I assume it's a one size fits all since my jacket has velcro pieces that couldn't be there for anything else. If it wasn't for the neck warmer then I wouldn't be able to ride no matter how many layers of other gear I have on. I just found a fleece neck warmer on eBay (it's like a long tube) and I just tuck the ends into my jacket and helmet.

Hey Greg, I have that jacket too, love it! But I still feel like the wind somehow maked it thru the zipper and around that flap... Definitly wear some sort of fleece or wind-stopper something under it. Then again, if you have a wind-screen, probably not a big deal. Neck warmer for sure!!

With the liner in and a scarf, I have ridden in ice and snow with my classic leather jacket made by Purple Hog without getting terribly cold. I've had it for over 20 years and it is still in good condition. That doesn't happen with fabric.
http://www.purplehogleathers.com/

to me, leather is one of the best wind stops i have ever owned. i have often said "isnt that why god made cows?? hahaha"that being said, there are a couple things to keep in mind. you want gloves that go over the ends of your sleeves, you want a good zip out liner(thinsulate for instance) and absolutely there needs to be a flap over the zipper, some jackets just have the zipper exposed, that dont git it, the flap keeps the air from slippin in through the zipper. also a neck warmer is nice to have and you can get them cheap at just about any bike show vender that has jackets and such. i often will wear a bandana over my mouth and chin, and i have noticed latley there are leather bandana type things available already cut to fit with velcro in the back. so.... the right gloves,jacket,chaps,and under garmets all play a role in staying comfortable. at 20 to 30f you can stay comfy, its when it gets teens and below it becomes a little more difficult, thats when i usually grab a magazine or newspaper to shove up under my jacket hahahahahha. but i havnt had to do that in a very long time( ya see... i live in fla. again hahahahaha) oh another thought, i have also been known to put my raincoat on over my leather to add protection from the wind after all it is a windbreaker right hahahahahahahahaha

I've had both types of jackets for years. My favorite leather jacket is 3/4 length & has a snap-out thermal liner, which I never use in the SouthEast.

Instead, I have a heated vest. This keeps you from having to "layer up" so much, which in turn limits mobility. I can say that the belief that "keeping your chest/heart warm will increase you entire body temprature" is TRUE!!


With all that said, & as much as I love my leather, my Belstaff "textile" jacket is warmer a colder temps.

I have both, a textile jacket and Fox Creek leather Vented Racing Jacket. Both stop wind good. I prefer the leather jacket with the liner. In really cold weather I'd recommend another layer under ANY jacket.
I wear a full face helmet and use a balacava to keep cold wind off of chin and neck.

Steve

The Triumph neck warmer is a one-size fits all, and is listed in the clothing catalog as an accessory - back in the back of the book with the socks, scarves, and other items.

For anyone who doesn't know - Triumph is very responsive to requests for catalogs off their corporate site (U.S. site anyway). I request a new model catalog every year, and also an accessory/clothing catalog. The dealers sometimes get enough to give some away - if you get there before they are all gone - but that cost the dealer money too. (They're free off the Triumph site.)

If my dealer invoice is correct - the part# is M2030000 for the neckwarmer.

My former description may have fallen a little short - I said it comes down mid-chest - it does. It also covers the shoulders, and the back of the shoulders, as well.

It was in the low 40's yesterday morning, but warmed up to 80 again (yuck) - so on the ride home last night I left the jacket zipper down an inch or two from the top - neck warmer in - and was very comfortable riding home. It wasn't 80 then (this was six-thirty in the evening), but I could have gone without it if I were leaving the house.

My small Oxford Sprint tankbag has too many other items in it to stow the neckwarmer...

It really is a nice piece.

40 degree (F) ride today with my retro paddock jacket and all was well but my thumbs.......didn't even have the liner in yet... Really enjoy this jacket.

I own a roo skin walden miller jacket. I comes with different liners and has two front zips so you can expand out with plenty of insulation underneath. I have used it in cold runs ( to me cold is 20 degrees C and freezing is anything less.