Best Womens Motorcycle Jackets (UK Ladies 2023 Options)

Women’s motorcycle jackets have come a long way, and it is great to see such a vast selection on the market. 

There are jackets across all categories of riding styles to suit every female rider. 

We have gathered our favourites here for you, followed by a buying guide that will ensure you know what to look out for in a good protective jacket. 

Here are our top women’s motorcycle jackets.

Best Ladies Motorcycle Jackets Reviewed

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RST Ladies Pro Series Paragon 6

The ultimate adventure jacket doesn’t need to cost you a full wage packet, and the Paragon 6 is a great example of that. 

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The Pro Series Paragon 6 has a CE-AA rating which means it is suitable for everyday road riding situations, and it has been tested to prove this. 

It is loaded with important features that make an excellent technical jacket: CE Level 1 shoulder, elbow and back protection (which can be upgraded), Sinaqua waterproof membrane, removable thermal lining, removable throat coat, and several waterproof pockets, including a rear map pocket. 

RST haven’t slacked on comfort either with a neoprene comfort collar, adjustable waist and cuff tabs, stretch panels, excellent ventilation throughout and a connector zip for trousers. 

The Paragon 6 is an excellent jacket, but it does come up a little snug, so ordering a size up is a good idea. 

Pros

• Sinaqua waterproof membrane
• CE Level 1, shoulders, elbows and back protector 
• AA rated
• Ballistic and Maxtex shell construction
• Waterproof pockets
• Comfortable
• Great value

Cons

• Sizing is unpredictable

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Richa Ladies Lausanne Leather Jacket

Richa knows how to make quality riding gear, and the Lausanne jacket fits right in with the best of them. 

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The standout feature of the Lausanne jacket is the flattering female fit. The cut is really nice and hugs you in all the right places. The timeless design is also another bonus, as you can wear this jacket while riding any style of motorcycle. 

D30 armour is equipped at the shoulders, elbows and back, which means not only are you protected but super comfortable too.

The jacket has been rated CE-AA, so would be considered suitable for most riding scenarios.

The leather is of high quality, it is nice and supple off the shelf, so there is no need for much of a breaking-in period. Richa has also lined the jacket with a cotton mix for added comfort and a neoprene collar. 

There are some adjustment options at the cuffs and waist for the right fit as well as an inside pocket and two outer pockets. You also get a short connecting zip for trousers. 

Richa has really produced an excellent leather riding jacket with the Lausanne, one that will work on your Panigale and your classic Bonneville.

Protective, flattering and comfortable, there isn’t much else you could ask for out of a jacket. 

Pros

• D30 armour at shoulders, elbows and back
• Comfortable
• AA rated
• Accurate sizing
• Quality calf-skin leather
• Form fitting

Cons

• None

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Dainese Carve Master 3 

When the men’s Carve Master jacket came out, it was one of the first laminated Gore-Tex jackets (aside from Rukka) that was more affordable. 

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I loved it, it was so comfortable, but it just didn’t fit properly. The women’s version took a while to be released; years on, we have the Carve Master 3. 

It is still as good as the original, with a laminated Gore-Tex liner, which essentially prevents water from getting through the outer material, reducing dampness in heavy rain. It is fully waterproof and breathable. 

You get CE level 2 armour at the shoulders and elbows with space for a Dainese Level 1 or 2 back protector. 

The thermal liner is removable, and the materials used for the lining are plush, soft and comfortable. 

There are plenty of adjustability options for the perfect fit, and the jacket cuts a nice figure when you have it set up to your body shape. 

It is best suited as a winter riding jacket, as even with the thermal liner removed, it is a pretty warm jacket. 

Pros:

• Laminated Gore-Tex liner
• Comfortable
• CE Level 2 shoulder and elbow protection with space for back protection

Cons:

• Expensive
• Small sizing

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Held Sabira Leather Jacket

The Sabira leather jacket is another classic silhouette but is one that fits the female form very nicely.

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The sheepskin leather feels premium and soft from day one but also feels notably durable and protective. 

CE Level 1 armour is used for the shoulders and elbows with the option of adding in a back protector accommodated using the Held Clip-in technology. 

Held have reinforced the shoulders, elbows and back with aramid fibres for added abrasion resistance, and you can use the hook and loop system for chest protectors if you wish. 

A lengthened back panel has your lower back protected from a slide, and you have stretch panels for added comfort where you need them most. 

Pros

• Comfortable
• Stylish
• CE armour at shoulders and elbows 
• Back protector pocket
• Quality sheepskin leather construction

Cons

• No back protector as standard 

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Richa Ladies Toulon 2 Leather Jacket

Richa has done it again with the Toulon 2 jacket, which is just an excellent leather jacket.

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The bonus of this one is that it maintains a casual style with a removable hood etc. but retains its protective properties with D30 armour at the shoulders, elbows and back, and it has a CE-AA rating. 

There is no need to sacrifice protection if you want a more casual look on the bike, not when the Toulon 2 is available. 

The leather is of a high grade, there is a removable thermal gilet for added warmth, the hood is removable, and there is a mesh lining which is there to control your temperature, so you stay comfortable. 

Stretch panels allow for easy movement on the bike. 

There is no need to go for just a kevlar shirt or hoodie to look casual when a protective casual jacket looks this good. 

Pros:

• Casual style
• Climacontrol mesh lining
• D30 armour all round 
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Pricey

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Buyers Guide

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Fortunately, we ladies have quite a large selection to choose from now when it comes to motorcycle clothing, but what that means is that it can be a bit of a minefield to navigate when looking for what you want or need. 

There are some key things to think about when buying a jacket which will help narrow down your selection and select the right jacket that is fit for purpose, for the right situation.

Here are my top tips for buying a ladies’ motorcycle jacket:

Protection

Before anything else, you should always consider how protective a jacket is, as the most critical purpose is to protect you in the event of an accident. 

You can get a basic idea of a jacket’s protective capabilities by looking for the CE rating label. 

All motorcycle clothing now sold as Personal Protective Equipment needs to have a CE rating legally; 3 ratings can be applied: A, AA and AAA. 

• A grade is applied to jackets suitable for urban riding; they are usually lightweight and more fashion-conscious.
• AA grade jackets have been tested more extensively for everyday riding conditions on various road situations and surfaces.
• AAA grade jackets are the highest-rated for safety and will be the most heavily armoured jackets available, typically aimed at sports riding where high-speed impacts are a significant risk

Looking for the CE rating on the jacket’s label will give you a good indication of the conditions the jacket has been tested and approved for. 

The next step is to check the jacket’s armour that it is supplied with. 

As a bare minimum, a good jacket should have CE Level 1 protective armour in the shoulders and elbows with space for a back protector insert. 

You should also then purchase a CE Level 1 back protector to go in the jacket’s pocket. 

There are a couple of things to check:

• Some jackets still come with a foam back protector that is not actually armour but keeps the shape of the jacket; you should replace this immediately with real CE-approved armour
• The shoulder and elbow pads are often just Level 1 armour to pass the CE approval tests
• A good option is to upgrade this armour to CE Level 2 for the best protection possible

Sizing

I always recommend that you don’t depend on a jacket’s size label to guarantee it will fit. 

In fact, it is much better to not even look at the size of a jacket and just try it on. This is mainly good for your mental health. I often come up 2 or 3 times my usual size in motorcycle jackets, which has me questioning my belly! 

Motorcycle clothing is notoriously all over the place with sizing, manufacturers have not set an industry standard for sizing, and it can be a serious nightmare. 

Your jacket needs to fit you properly to offer you the most protection possible. An ill-fitting jacket can be pretty hazardous in an accident, and discomfort can also be distracting and annoying. 

Here is what you need to look out for to know your jacket fits properly:

• The shoulder and elbow pads are sat in the right place with no digging in or restriction of movement.
• It needs to be a snug fit but not restrict your movements; struggling with a jacket as you reach for your controls can be fatiguing.
• Make sure the jacket isn’t too loose, as should you end up in a slide, the jacket can ride up, exposing you to the road, and your armour won’t sit in the right place to protect you.
• Ensure the sleeves cover your wrists and aren’t too short, and ensure the jacket covers your lower back when in the riding position.

Focusing on how the jacket fits as opposed to the size label will ensure it is comfortable and will offer you the best protection should you need it. 

What sort of riding do you do?

Choosing a motorcycle jacket can be difficult as there are so many styles to choose from, and each suits a different type of riding, more so than others. 

You need to think about your riding style, so consider the following questions:

• Do you ride all year?
• Do you ride in the rain?
• Are you more of a sportsbike rider?
• Do you prefer to just ride in warm, dry weather?
• Do you wear a protective armour shirt?

Questions like these will help narrow down what you need from a jacket. 

The main jacket types and the riding styles they are best suited for are:

• Textile jackets – Suited for all-year, all-weather riding, with removable liners, usually waterproof ventilation systems. 
• Leather jackets – Suited for sportsbike riders with lots of armour and race humps, but also traditional style leather jackets will suit summer riders.
• Waterproof jackets – Specific jackets built to tackle the wet weather; the best are lined with Gore-Tex and will keep you dry no matter what
• Casual jackets – Lightweight, stylish and best suited for urban riding, suitable for a commuter, can come in the form of armoured shirts or hoodies; those who wear armoured shirts might opt for a light casual jacket. 

Conclusion

There you have some of the best ladies’ motorcycle jackets available, along with a guide to help you make the right choice for you. 

Without a doubt, the RST Pro Paragon jacket offers the most bang for the buck and will see you through all year in all riding conditions. 

However, if you want a leather sports jacket, the Richa Lausanne would be my number one, thanks to its superior leather quality, comfort, and standard D30 armour.

Related

Also see:

• Best ladies’ motorcycle leggings
• Best women’s motorcycle boots