Here’s a quick hypothetical to illustrate the power of the best men’s leather jackets. Let’s say you’re heading to a party. You’re not even dressed yet, and your anxiety is already begging you to stay put, throw on your hood, and introduce your old Thai friend to your new Disney+ girlfriend. What are your options? You could ingest a bunch of CBD on the way out—but let’s be honest, those products are all suspect. You could drink some good old-fashioned courage liquid as soon as you arrive, but you also don’t want to spend the next day in bed taking Advil and Gatorade. So instead, you do the only thing that makes sense: throw on a pristine leather jacket, check your reflection in the mirror (“AYY!”), and then spend the rest of the evening charming everyone you meet.
That’s exactly what the best leather jackets for men do. They make you stand a little taller, speak with more confidence, and seem even more attractive. They’re like the pills Bradley Cooper takes in Limitless, only instead of psychotic ambition, they unlock genuine badassery. Of course, that kind of confidence doesn’t come cheap. But if you’re willing to invest in it, we’ve rounded up 27 of the best leather jackets that are worth your hard-earned cash. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-wear style or one that’s galactic in scope, these jackets will make you feel like you’re in the clear.
Leather Jackets You’ve Already Thought About
Before a bunch of menswear fans yell at us, here it is: the jacket worn by Marlon Brando in The Wild One. It’s also the leather jacket you probably think of when someone says “leather jacket.” Schott has been making the appropriately named Perfecto jacket right here in the U.S. for generations, using the highest-quality leather and heavy-duty hardware. Sure, it looks great with a simple white T-shirt and jeans on a Harley. But it transcends motorcycle associations so much that you can wear it even if you don’t know how to ride a bike. Throw it over a hoodie, layer it over button-down and matching trousers, or wear it with calfskin leather pants and chunky boots.
The Best Flight-Ready Leather Jacket
Golden Bear is a legend in outerwear, churning out some of the finest leather jackets on the planet in their San Francisco factory for 80 years. This gorgeous bomber jacket is a classic, crafted from supple, slightly distressed brown leather, with a pair of handy front pockets and a detachable shearling collar for those days when you want to don your aviator goggles and go Maverick.
Best Leather Jacket on the Budget
Here’s a question to ask: What’s that trusty flannel shirt you can’t stop wearing? The one with the roomy chest pockets that looks good with a sweatshirt, oxfords, and everything in between? What if it was made out of leather? Ralph made that dream come true with this devilishly handsome button-down in lightweight suede. Is it really just a suede shirt? Debatable. Maybe it’s a lightweight blazer that looks like a shirt? We agree. Think of it as a leather jacket for people who don’t wear leather jackets.
Gaudy-Good style leather jacket
If Nicolas Cage were in Uncut Gems, this is the jacket he’d wear. It’s smart, a little flamboyant, and not for the faint of heart, making it perfect for 2022. Pair it with a flamboyant silk shirt, dance shoes, and bright trousers – ready to move. It’s made from eco-friendly faux leather, but we think Cage would still approve.
Best Eco Leather Jacket
If you’re trying to live sustainably but still need leather goods, Deadwood is the brand for you. The Swedish brand creates classic jackets from high-quality recycled leather. This trendy suede style is minimalist, modern, and more affordable than your average leather motorcycle jacket.
Best “Scandalous” Leather Jacket
Vanson’s incredibly cool Bones jacket is an icon: it’s been reimagined by Supreme, referenced by Kapital, and once nearly banned by the American Motorcyclist Association for its supposed “outlaw” nature. But it’s not just about looks. Made from super-tough cowhide and heavy-duty hardware, it’s made for the road and built to last. And when you consider that Vanson cuts and sews each jacket by hand—yes, those bones are sewn on one at a time—the price is a relative bargain. Throw it on over a white tee and jeans and let it do the talking.
Hog-Wild Leather Jacket
This one is dedicated to Ewan McGregor and only Ewan McGregor. Belstaff’s iconic Trialmaster jacket was perfect in waxed cotton, but this all-leather version has us rethinking it. And when you’re riding your ‘Borovok and blasting down the highway, the smell of leather goes really well with petrol.
Let’s start with a roundup of similarly designed, celebrity-approved jackets at a variety of price points. First up is the Tom Ford classic. You’ve seen it on guys like Tom Holland and Ryan Reynolds. It’s cut like a goddamn dream, and feels better than anything else you own (probably).
And here’s this jacket from Todd Snyder. Outerwear is one of the brand’s strongest suits, and the Dylan jacket is another A-list favorite. You’ve seen it on Tom Holland (yes, again), Hasan Minhaj, and a bunch of other very famous guys, and now they can say they’ve seen it on you, too.
And finally, here’s this remarkably similar option from Banana Republic. Yes, the mall made a really convincing knockoff worthy of a spot on this list, and managed to save thousands of dollars in the process. But don’t let the low-price fool you: These are made from a super-supple goatskin suede that doesn’t require the usual break-in period.