If you have been thinking about biking and plan to get started any time soon, one of the questions on your mind is likely whether or not you should invest in a leather vest. When you look around, you sometimes see bikers who are wearing a denim vest instead of a leather one. However, there are some good reasons to wear a leather vest. These are as follows:
You want to be stylish but comfortable
There are going to be days when a leather jacket is a great idea. After all, when the temperature is frigid, you need to protect yourself by making sure you wear the right jacket. However, when temperatures get hot, you may find yourself tempted to just throw on a tank top or t-shirt. When you do this, you don’t really look like a biker anymore. The best way to look the part is to wear a leather vest; then you look like you’re ready to go for a ride.
You need pockets to carry things
Leather vests often have pockets inside of them that you can use to carry your cigarettes/lighter, mobile, knife, pistol, and even business cards. After all, you want to make sure you’re prepared at all times and you don’t want to have to go through your saddle bags or your tank bag to get out what you need. Plus, the hidden pockets in your vest make a great place to hold your money.
You want to display your patches
The longer you ride, the more patches/badges you will earn and collect. The patches/badges that you earn due to the time and/or distance you’ve ridden are definitely something to be proud of, so you are going to want to display them. While some of them may have an adhesive backing so you can stick them to your vest, you will likely want to have them sewn on so that they will not fall off when the leather gets hot.
You want to maintain your image
Out of all of the reasons to wear a leather vest, this is likely the most popular one. If you’re a “big, bad biker” then you are expected to wear a leather vest at the minimum. If you’re not wearing your vest, or “cut,” then you’re not going to be taken seriously by other bikers that you will encounter along the way.
How to choose a leather vest
Your personality determines the type of leather vest that is right for you. You don’t have to wear the same kind that the rest of your biker friends are wearing. Of course, you’ll also want to get some chaps and leather gloves to match your vest. There are several different types of leather to choose from:
- Buffalo: This leather is strong/sturdy enough to be used for many years. It doesn’t stretch as easily as some of the other types of leather, so it’s critical that you get the right size for you. Buffalo leather gives a very rustic look
- Pigskin: This leather is medium-weight, so you can tell that you are wearing it, but it’s not overwhelming like some might be. Plus, pigskin leather is much more affordable than other leather, making it a great choice if you don’t want to invest a whole lot in a leather vest at this time
- Lambskin: This is one of the most delicate and richest leather you can own. Due to the fact that it is so rich, it may not be the best choice for a motorcycle vest since it will be exposed to the elements
If you’re a new rider that hasn’t collected any badges/patches, you may consider purchasing a vest that already has them on there. This will keep everyone from realizing that you’re a new rider. Of course, if you don’t have proper motorcycle skills, they’ll probably figure it out anyway.
The key to selecting the right motorcycle vest is to be sure that it projects the right attitude. You may want to choose your vest so that it will button in the front or you may wish to wear it a little smaller so that you can use chains to connect the buttons. Regardless of the leather vest you choose, the whole point is that it completes your outfit and makes you look like a biker.
Now that you have a better idea regarding the answer to the question: “Why do bikers wear leather vests?” you can decide if it’s worth it for you. If you’re serious about riding or you’re a member of a club, it can be.