Cafe Racer Motorcycle Jackets

Cafe racer motorcycle jackets are slim leather jackets cut in the style of 1970s racing jackets. Each one has a snap-down collar, a front zip and zip cuffs, with very little extra detail. Here you can pick from black and brown jackets for men and women, in sheepskin or nubuck leather.

What Makes a Cafe Racer Jacket

A cafe racer jacket has a slim fit and a clean front. The collar is short and snaps down flat. A straight zip runs up the middle, and the cuffs close with zips. There are no wide lapels and no belt. This simple look comes from the racing jackets of the 1970s.

Every jacket in this group shares the same base design:

• Four zip pockets on the outside: two on the chest and two at the sides.
• Two inside pockets: one with a snap and one with a zip.
• A tab at the waist so you can make the fit a little tighter.
• YKK zips and snaps with an antique brass finish.
• Midweight leather with a water-resistant finish.

The short cut stops at the hips. That keeps the jacket neat when you sit on a bike and easy to wear with jeans off the bike.

Brown, Black and Nubuck

You can choose black or brown, and smooth or nubuck leather. The smooth jackets use sheepskin that is 0.8 to 0.9 mm thick. The nubuck jackets use leather that is 0.9 to 1.0 mm thick. Nubuck is leather that has been lightly brushed, so it feels soft, like velvet.

• Brown: the Brown Cafe Racer Leather Jacket for men and the Leather Cafe Racer Jacket Womens Brown for women.
• Black: the Black Cafe Racer Leather Jacket for men, with a viscose lining, and the Womens Cafe Racer Leather Jacket Black for women.
• Brown nubuck: the Nubuck Cafe Racer Leather Jacket for men, with a viscose lining.
• Black nubuck: the Retro Cafe Racer Leather Jacket for men, a vintage take with a viscose lining.

Smooth sheepskin looks clean and a bit shiny. Nubuck looks flat and soft, which gives the jacket a more worn-in, vintage feel.

Womens Cafe Racer Jackets

There are two womens cafe racer jackets: one in black and one in brown. Both use sheepskin that is 0.8 to 0.9 mm thick, with a viscose lining. They have the same slim cut, snap-down collar, zip cuffs and waist tab as the mens jackets.

Pick black for a sharp look that goes with most outfits. Pick brown for a warmer, more vintage tone. For outfit ideas, read our guide on how to wear a womens cafe racer jacket .

Cafe Racer Jacket FAQ

What is a cafe racer jacket?

A cafe racer jacket is a slim leather jacket based on 1970s racing jackets. It has a short snap-down collar, a straight front zip and zip cuffs. It has few extra details, so the front looks clean. You can wear it on the bike and in town. Our cafe racer jackets come in black and brown, for men and for women.

Do you have brown cafe racer jackets?

Yes. There are three brown cafe racer jackets. The Brown Cafe Racer Leather Jacket is for men and uses smooth sheepskin. The Leather Cafe Racer Jacket Womens Brown is the womens version, also in sheepskin, with a viscose lining. The Nubuck Cafe Racer Leather Jacket is for men and has a soft, brushed nubuck finish that is 0.9 to 1.0 mm thick. All three share the same pockets and brass zips.

Is there a womens cafe racer jacket?

Yes. There are two. The Womens Cafe Racer Leather Jacket Black and the Leather Cafe Racer Jacket Womens Brown are cut for women. Both use sheepskin that is 0.8 to 0.9 mm thick, with a viscose lining. They have a slim fit, a snap-down collar, zip cuffs and a tab at the waist. To find your size, check the size chart before you order.

What is the difference between a cafe racer and a biker jacket?

The main difference is the zip and the collar. A cafe racer jacket has a straight zip down the middle and a small collar with no lapels. A classic biker jacket usually has a zip that runs at an angle and wide lapels that fold open. Many biker jackets also have a belt. The cafe racer looks cleaner and simpler. To see other styles, browse our urban motorcycle jackets .

Can I ride in a cafe racer jacket?

These jackets are made in the cafe racer style for daily riding and for wear in town. They use midweight leather with a water-resistant finish. The zip cuffs close around your wrists, and the waist tab helps keep the jacket in place. The short cut also sits well when you lean forward on a bike. Each jacket also comes in a Custom Size, made to your measurements. See how to measure for the steps.