So I'm fairly new to riding and I'd like to get a nice leather jacket. Obviously I'd like a Harley jacket but damn $$$$$$ are there any other good brands out there? Are the Harley leathers worth the money or will I be buying the name?

 

No opinion on HD apparel quality as i don't own any, but I can endorse Milwaukee Leather jackets and vests.

 

G/f bought me a Harley jacket for Christmas a couple years ago.
Made in China...she paid around $350 for it. I also have one that
I bought cheap from leatherup.com, made in Pakistan I think,
and then I sewed a $20 Harley patch on the back of it. I'm not cheap,
just mindful of excessive spending.

To answer your question...yes, I think you're paying for the name when you buy
Harley apparel.

 

If you're gonna spend that much money, get Fox Creek. If you want something cheaper, go Leatherup.com.

 

Be patient and skim your local CL or eBay - saved $400 on mine a while back...

 

HD- No. There's still a few USA manufactures that make good leather for about the same price of HD china stuff.

 

I expect that while not all pieces of leather are created the same, you'd need to be some kind of expert to tell "premium" from "good enough". My HD jacket is made of heavy yet pliable leather and it has brass zippers that don't eff up. The coat seems to be well thought out with useful pockets where you need em and protectors in the elbows and shoulders. I paid for the name but the quality is in it too.

I gave up on any real effort to "save" on clothing decades ago. If I like it I buy it because I've purchased too many "compromises" over the years just to leave em hang in my closet because I didn't like the look or fit. Money wasted on closet stuffers isn't saving IMHO.

 

There are several better made in the USA Jackets for the same price of a Chinese made HD jacket. Look at Fox Creek, Hillside USA, Legendary USA and Brooks.

 

I for one have a couple HD jackets a leather and textile number. I also have Fox Creek. Overall view, the leather HD is fairly light weight, but I qould say overall well constructed. No complaints. The HD textile is also a great jacket. It's a 3-in-1 with armor and my go to when summer hits. The Fox Creek is a heavier leather it seems than the HD, within a few weeks I had pocket stitching break. To my understanding, Fox Creek will fix it, but being overseas, it's a annoying to have to have to send something to get fixed that whould have been done right the first time.

Overall, I am happy with my HD jackets. Not so much with my "American made is best!" jacket. Granted, the Fox Creek is my daily use this time of year because it fits my needs better than the others. Better overall, meh. Good, sure. I haven't taken a slide on any, so I can't vouch for that.