Motorcycle jackets need to be form-fitting so that their padding can work better, but it can get difficult to find motorcycle jackets that fit well when you’re much taller than the average person.
If you’re one of these tall riders, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite motorcycle jackets that fit well with taller riders.
We’ve also included pros and cons so you can see what makes them stand out at a glance.
Please note that we participate in a number of affiliate programs, including Amazon, and earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Legal page.
We also wrote a buyer’s guide so you can see what makes a good motorcycle jacket, including what makes a good tall person’s motorcycle jacket and included a FAQs section at the end of it.
These resources can help you make a more informed purchase.
In a hurry? This is Our Winner!
- ✅ SIZE CHART: Check out our SIMPLE SIZE CHART FOR EXACT FIT!
- ✅ ADJUSTABLE VENTILATION: All-season motorcycle jacket equipped with zipper locked vents that allows you to choose your level of airflow depending on the weather. On hot days, remove the inner zip-out liner, for a comfortable trip.
- ✅ MULTI-POCKET STORAGE: 1 inner pockets and two outer pockets guard your possessions with heavy duty zippers, ensuring your valuables are never lost. The inclusion of a dedicated phone pocket means your cellphone will always be on hand and ready.
- ✅ FUNCTIONAL & COMFORTABLE: This is one of Viking Cycle’s most stylish motorcycle jackets with your comfort and style assured. The cuffs and waist have a custom adjustable Velcro straps that gives the desired fit.
- ✅ AFFORDABLE QUALITY: We manufacture our jackets with the highest quality materials at an affordable price. Try our jackets without worry because you will notice the quality of workmanship and ride in style.
If you need a taller motorcycle jacket in a hurry, we have our top-performing product right here.
This way you don’t have to worry about wasting your time. We chose the Viking Cycle Ironborn Protective Motorcycle Jacket because of how adjustable a product it was.
See what we mean in more detail below:
- A jacket that comes in larger sizes that should easily fit taller people, and at an affordable price.
- Unmatched adjustability thanks to adjustable zippered ventilation and Velcro cuffs and waist for versatile comfort options.
- Has multi-pocket storage to keep all your valuables safe, even has a distinguished room for phones so that they don’t break.
Best Motorcycle Jacket For Tall Riders – Comparison Table
Best Motorcycle Jacket For Tall Riders – Reviews
Viking Cycle Ironborn Protective Textile Motorcycle Jacket for Men - Waterproof, Breathable, CE Approved Armor for Bikers (Black, Large)
The first jacket we chose was the Viking Cycle Ironborn Protective Motorcycle Jacket, a textile jacket that comes in sizes from extra small to triple extra-large. This means there’s a wealth of size options that should fit taller people. There’s a sizing chart on the product page that can help you work out where you are in terms of jacket size so that you don’t get the wrong one.
This jacket comes with adjustable ventilation that’s managed through vents that are opened or closed by zippers. They allow you to have control over the airflow through your jacket during warmer weather. On hot days you can remove the zip liners so that your adventures can be as comfortable as possible.
The fit can also be adjusted via Velcro straps on the cuffs and the waist so that these jackets can loosen or contract around the arms and waist of the people putting it on. It also has multi-pocket storage that includes special features such as a pocket capable of safekeeping your cell phone.
It’s an affordable jacket that’s very breathable, but the fact it’s not very waterproof is a downside to those who often find themselves motorcycling in heavy rains.
- Sized up to XXXL, larger sizes should easily fit taller people
- Adjustable ventilation via zipper locked vents
- Adjustable Velcro cuffs and waist
- Multi-pocket storage including a dedicated phone pocket
- Very affordable
- Not waterproof
Milano Sport MJGAM0385LA Gamma Motorcycle Jacket with Red Accent (Black, Large)
The second motorcycle jacket we chose is the Milano Sport Gamma Motorcycle, another affordable option that comes highly rated on Amazon. They once again come in many sizes, but also come in multiple colors so you have some choice if you want your jacket colors to match your bike or helmet.
The jacket is lined with a thermal quilt that can be removed when you don’t want it, making this a good jacket to ride in all year round. The zippered vents on the chest and back regulate temperature even further too, allowing you to still have control once the liners have been removed.
The CE approved armor at the shoulders and torso of this jacket are also removable, so you have control over the padding you have too. The whole jacket is also waterproof, which makes this jacket better for those anticipating rain.
Before considering this jacket, you should know that the sizing operates off a European standard which means that the sizing runs smaller than would be expected by an American consumer.
- Available in four colors and up to XXX large size
- Thermal quilted liner can be removed
- Zippered vents on chest and back
- Removable CE armor
- Waterproof
- Sizing runs small
Dainese Men's Super Speed Tex Jacket Black/White/Red 56
Our third jacket is the Dainese Super Speed Tex Jacket, a mesh jacket that comes in a wide variety of sizes from 44 to 60, which translates to about XXL.
The jacket’s mesh is Windstopper fabric, which is polyester and polyamide fabric that’s designed to be very breathable, waterproof, and windproof to limit perspiration. The mesh uses Dainese’s patented perforation to allow aeration through the jacket, but it’s localized to not compromise the integrity of the stitching.
Don’t worry about air infiltration with this jacket though, it’s equipped with fasteners so you can fasten it to your pants with a secure zipper, ensuring that aeration only happens where it’s necessary. This decreases the wind resistance that can occur if the wind gets under your clothes at higher speeds.
There’s an abundance of pockets on this jacket that serve different functions. You have three storage pockets, two on the outside and one on the inside that’s perfect to store a phone or something else valuable. The other two pockets are on the chest and back and are used to house chest protectors and G1 or G2 back protectors respectively, allowing you to pad out this jacket at will.
It should be noted that the protector pocket at the front only covers half of your thorax, leaving the left side unpadded. The jacket material itself provides some protection, so it’s not too much of a vulnerability, but if you’re expecting that you’ll fall off your motorcycle a lot then it may become a problem.
- A mesh jacket with a wide variety of sizes
- Made with water and windproof
- Windstopper fabric
- Dainese patented perforation allows aeration
- Jacket fastening system eliminates air infiltration
- One inner and two outer pockets for storage and pockets for protectors
- Protector plate pocket only covers one side of your front
Tourmaster Transition Series 4 Men's Textile Motorcycle Touring Jacket (Black, Large)
Our next jacket is the Tourmaster Transition Series 4 Touring Jacket, a multi-season textile jacket that is great for transitioning between different climates, and it fits well for those of a tall and skinny build. It’s made of 600 Denier Carbolex shell material that provides a lot of protection for most of your jacket.
The parts that aren’t covered are the elbows that are covered in ballistic 1680 Denier padding to keep the boniest part of your upper body safe should a disaster strike.
The pipeline pinch venting system aerates the jacket when needed but can also pinch closed to become waterproof, allowing you ventilation and waterproofing through the same feature. Seepage is also stopped dead at the collar of this jacket thanks to the patented Aqua-Barrier hood, so no water will get into the jacket by falling into the collar.
There’s an action back rear panel for extra comfort and padding too. It should keep your spine safe should you end up rolling onto your back after a fall, but for most of the time you’ll just benefit from the comfort and support this panel gives your back.
Speaking of comfort, it should be said that not all of the pockets in this jacket are waterproof, meaning you’ll have less space for precious electronics. The Velcro used on this jacket can also deteriorate over time, which can come to be a nuisance and need replacing.
- Protective Carbolex 600D outer shell material
- 1680D ballistic padding at the elbows
- Pipeline pinch venting ventilates and waterproofs when needed
- Patented Aqua-Barrier hood under collar eliminates seepage
- Rear panel for extra comfort
- Not all pockets are waterproof
- Velcro can deteriorate in time
Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion Men's Textile On-Road Motorcycle Jacket - Silver/X-Large
The final jacket in our list is the Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion, a motorcycle jacket that, in its silver color scheme, looks more like a chainmail shirt than a biking jacket.
Go for the larger sizes to get that all important arm length, though you’ll probably notice that the page isn’t bursting with ratings. The feedback for the product is positive nonetheless, and the pages for the same jacket in different sizes are more active and rate highly at four and a half stars.
As for the jacket itself, it’s made of FreeAir mesh for maximum ventilation, which has the added effect of being lightweight for a biking jacket. The back is reinforced by a removable spine pad, and once removed you then have a back-mounted pocket that you can place your own spine protector, assuming it’s CE approved of course.
The storage in this jacket consists of an audio-ready smartphone pocket that allows you to keep your smartphone safe when riding.
- FreeAir mesh shell torso that covers your entire upper body
- Removable spine pad in a pocket that you can put your own spine protector in
- Audio ready smartphone pocket
- Page hasn’t got many ratings
Best Motorcycle Jacket For Tall Riders – Buyer’s Guide
How to choose the best motorcycle jackets
Since we’re focused on their fit, it’d be more useful to elaborate on motorcycle jackets as a whole. This buyer’s guide goes through the styles of jackets, the material, and the differences in fit between Europe and America.
Styles of motorcycle Jacket
What many people may think of when hearing the term ‘motorcycle jacket’ may be a far cry from the different styles you’ll find on the market. The uninitiated will probably think of cruiser jackets, the V-collared leather jackets made famous with the Greaser image popularized in the 1950s. Needless to say, not all cruiser-style jackets are made of actual leather, and these jackets are more of a fashion accessory than a protective measure.
The most common styles you’ll see are sport and adventure style jackets. Sport jackets follow a lot of the design specs of racing style jackets, which we’ll get to, but are laxer and fit looser on the body. They’re commonly textiles, which can easier facilitate the inclusion of ventilating mesh and removable liners.
Armor is common with them, but pockets are minimal. Sport and adventure jackets would be our recommendation of style, being the mid-ranges between functionally flawed cruiser jackets and unforgivingly functional sports jackets.
Adventure-style jackets are more of a niche, and feature jackets made from very durable textiles that are both breathable and waterproof to perform in hot and wet environments. If armor isn’t included, it’ll almost always be an option for you to place your own pads and protectors in. The big difference adventure jackets have is their abundance of pockets, making them perfect for lengthy trips, which is why we’d recommend these for everyday use. They also tend to have tall collars for neck coverage too.
Racing style jackets are very high-performance jackets that are made with abrasion-resistant material, often thick cowhide or synthetic paneling. They have a very tight fit. This means the pockets are minimal to none, hence why we mentioned these jackets aren’t very forgiving when it comes to living in these on your motorcycle commutes. Instead these are performance jackets that are better for occasions.
The Material
As mentioned, motorcycle jackets come in two main materials, these being leather or textiles. It’s a heated discussion in the community and, like any heated discussion, there’s no cut and dry answer to be found. Instead, it comes down to preference and application since each carries with them their own benefits and detriments.
Leather jackets suffer from the fact that leather comes in different grades. Quality varies with textiles too, obviously, but with leather the protection you get is going to be dependent on the quality of the leather, and good quality leather can get very expensive.
It pays off in its abrasion resistance, though, and you’ll find high-end performance jackets favoring leather over textile for this reason. It’s also an aesthetically pleasing material to make jackets from, and those jackets have a long history in the culture of motorcycling.
However, leather gets hot and isn’t naturally water-resistant, though it can be treated to be. They can be perforated to make them easier to wear in heat, too, but both treatments will see an increase in the price of the jacket, and it won’t compare to textiles. Leather is also heavier than textiles.
Textile motorcycle jackets are the much more versatile option since they’re easier to work with, supporting more features that can be built into them. They’re easy to make waterproof and can support more ventilation systems to keep riders cool. They’re also lighter and generally more flexible. They’re not as durable as leather, however, and mesh-using textile jackets don’t have the same abrasion protection. They also wear out faster than good leather too.
European and American Fit
You should be wary of the differences between European and American fit, mainly the fact that European fit is consistently taller and slimmer than the wider American fit. Since you’re shopping for jackets that fit well with tall people, in particular, you’ll need to pay more attention to the fit.
You’ll need to strike a balance between a taller, conventionally European fit but not have it too thin to the point where it’s uncomfortable to wear. Fortunately, most product pages should have some sort of table that can help you to convert European sizing over to American, but if not there are more generalized conversion charts available on the net.
FAQs
Should a motorcycle jacket be tight-fitting?
It depends on the jacket but generally, yes. If it’s not in some way tight to your body, it won’t be offering much in the way of protection. Now, if you mean tight to the point of constriction, absolutely not. Textiles and leather jackets both loosen with time, though textiles do this to a lesser degree, the point being that it can also depend on material and type of jacket.
As mentioned above, racing motorcycle jackets are near skintight for aerodynamics purposes, and so they’d fit tighter on you than a more lax adventure or sport motorcycle jacket which has lots of pockets and padding that makes the overall product less snug.
In short, should your racing motorcycle jacket be tight-fitting? Yes, as long as you can breathe and comfortably move your arms. Should your padded-out, adventurer-style jacket be tight-fitting? Not really, no, it has no business being tight to the point where it becomes an issue.
How do you break in a motorcycle jacket?
With how tight motorcycle jackets can fit, it’s sometimes required to break them in before throwing the jacket out thinking that it doesn’t fit you. Breaking in only ever needs to be done with leather jackets, though if a textile jacket is just a little too tight there’s no question that it’ll loosen with time and wear.
You need to be very careful breaking in your jacket if it’s leather, since any damage done will be semi-permanent. They’ll wear with use anyway, but there are a few tips to speed that process up.
There’s an old motorcycle jacket ritual, of sorts, that can help you break in your leather motorcycle jacket. It involves getting the leather wet in a light rain and then performing movements to stretch the now softened leather where it counts, mainly around the arms. Bend them as much as possible, or shadowbox, until the leather is dried. You can put it in the washing machine, but this will cause shrinkage, so we wouldn’t recommend it given how you’ve taken the time to find the right tall fit.
Ebay
If you haven’t seen anything you like or you’re on a tight budget and would prefer to buy used, we always recommend checking Ebay!
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