A motorcycle vest can add style to any outfit when you are on the road. There are a large range of vests available.
Motorcycle Leather Vest
Vests made of leather are an excellent choice for both men and women for tough outdoor apparel. They provide good protection from the cool winds, wet weather and can be worn over any motorcycle gear. Vests made with lamb skin will give a more stylish look for women as they will be softer, and for men, choose cow hide which will give it sharper lines for a biker look. Modern vests will fit just right and provide a snug fit, and the weight should not be too heavy, to weigh you down. Additional features will be a zippered pocket on the inside of the vest and open pockets on the outside. It is recommended to wear some under armor heat apparel, if you are using these under direct sun on a hot day. This will provide further cooling from the heat.
Depending on your needs, check that the leather vest does not come with unwanted patches, or logos and emblems that may interfere with the look you are after. If in doubt, contact the vendor before you purchase. Expect to pay a price of above $80 for a good quality product made with durable material. Pay attention to the stitching, as this is the area that will most likely be stressed during riding. Always start with a smaller size and work your way up, as the leather will stretch over time. If you have a larger body size, you will need to make allowance for your stomach area and choose one size higher than your normal body fit. Leather vests should be worn with a tight fit around the shoulders but loosen as you tailor towards to stomach line.
Denim Motorcycle Vest
Denim vests make a perfect jacket replacement for an every day casual look, without being weighed down by heavier materials like leather. The advantage of denim is that you can choose from a larger range of colors instead of just brown or black. Decided if you want to have traditional buttons or snap buttons, which may suit you better if you need quick removal after a ride. Most denim sizes can be matched exactly to the normal size of clothing that you wear. Keep in mind that denim will generally not stretch as much, and may be tight around the chest area if your size is too small. Look for extra features like zip pockets and also snap pockets. Mens and ladies sizes are usually shown as small (S), medium (M), large (L) and extra large (XL). Shipping and delivery costs are generally lower for denim wear, as the weight is lower.
Motorcycle Safety Vest and Reflective Vest
Safety vests need not look ugly anymore in the modern day. For example, the Icon Mil-spec Mesh vest creates a highly visible safety vest when worn at night. This is due to the highly reflective materials used to shine any light back at the source, and in the day the bright orange colors provide excellent visibility even from a distance. The weight of the safety vests are generally light, with some being able to be folded and put into your pocket easily. Colors range from orange and yellow, to the occasional white, depending on the purpose. Most riders are content with orange, as it compromises style with function. Road workers, military personnel and delivery staff will find these vests invaluable for their jobs. Wikipedia have a great definition of high visibility clothing.
Motorcycle Bullet Proof Vest
If you are after a SWAT or Police style looking vest, these these are perfect for your riding experience. These vests are made purely with tactical styling in mind, featuring customized magazine pouches which can be detached and moved around. Extra padding is provided on the inside for extra comfort and protection. Most are constructed of durable nylon, and come with adjustable straps and holsters to allow the user to hold their flash lights, knives, and accessories. Velcro will hold almost all of your belongings in place while you are on the road. Please note that most of the vests your see for sale online are not bullet proof, unless it is stated that they are compliant with NIJ levels. Vests made for motorcycle riding are purely for aesthetic purposes only.