Road motorcycle jackets at Shark Leathers span every riding condition, from summer mesh to four-season laminates. Textile, leather, kevlar, cotton-aramid and hi-vis builds cover commuters, tourers and weekend riders. Every jacket here carries CE-rated armour as standard or as a direct upgrade path.
Oxford Advanced Expedition Layer Thermal Jacket - Black
Thor 2024 Pack Black Textile Jacket
Merlin Jacket Edale II Cotec Black
Merlin Chigwell Lite D3O® Jacket Olive
Merlin Brody D3O® Utility Shirt Brown
BERIK STRADA JACKETS BLACK / HI-VIZ
BERIK APEX JACKET BLACK / FLURO RED
BERIK MONZA JACKET BLACK / WHITE
Leatt 8.5 ADV MultiTour Jacket - Iron Grey
Oxford Arizona Air 1.0 Mens Jacket - Black
Merlin Jacket Chase II D3O Black 44 XL 820241
Merlin Jacket Chase II D3O Black 46 2XL 820258
Macna Raddic Jacket Black/Taupe Camo
How to choose your road jacket
The right road jacket is determined by three fixed variables: abrasion resistance standard, armour certification level, and material construction. Fit, venting and waterproofing follow those three in the safety hierarchy.
Abrasion resistance by material
EN 17092 rates jackets zone-by-zone. AAA is the highest civilian rating, covering Zone 1 (shoulders, elbows) and Zone 2 (back, chest). Full-grain cowhide at 1.2 mm to 1.4 mm sets the abrasion benchmark. Kevlar and cotton-aramid blends reach EN 17092 AA at roughly 40% less weight. Mesh panels need 600 denier or higher to contribute to abrasion resistance.
| Material | EN 17092 Rating | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Full-grain leather (1.2 mm+) | AAA / AA | Sport, touring, everyday |
| Laminated textile | AA | Four-season touring |
| Kevlar / cotton-aramid | AA | Commuting, ride shirts |
| Standard textile | A / AA | All-season road use |
| Mesh (600D+) | A | Summer, warm-weather |
CE Level 1 vs CE Level 2 armour
CE Level 2 limits transmitted force to 9 kN at shoulders, elbows and back. CE Level 1 allows up to 18 kN. For road riding above 80 km/h, CE Level 2 protection is the right choice. Most jackets ship with Level 1 as standard; confirm the back pocket accepts a Level 2 insert.
Construction by riding style
Four-season laminates bond the waterproof membrane to the outer shell in 2 or 3 layers, preventing liner bunching above 120 km/h. Summer jackets with 70% or greater mesh coverage reduce core temperature by up to 8 degrees Celsius at 30-degree ambient. Hi-vis builds meeting AS/NZS 4602.1 Class D carry a minimum 0.13 m2 of fluorescent material on the torso.
Brands include Merlin, Macna, Difi, Berik, Oxford, Motodry, Leatt, Shot.
Frequently asked questions
What EN 17092 rating should I look for in a road jacket?
For road riding above 80 km/h, target EN 17092 AA or AAA. AAA is the highest abrasion rating and covers Zone 1 and Zone 2 impact areas. A-rated jackets pass at a lower threshold and are better suited to low-speed urban use.
Is CE Level 1 or CE Level 2 armour better in a road jacket?
CE Level 2 is better. It limits transmitted impact force to 9 kN at shoulders, elbows and back, versus 18 kN for Level 1. Most road jackets ship with Level 1 as standard; check whether the back pocket accepts a Level 2 insert as an upgrade.
What is the difference between a laminated textile jacket and a standard textile jacket?
A laminated jacket bonds the waterproof membrane directly to the outer shell in 2 or 3 layers, which eliminates liner bunching at speed and maintains consistent waterproofing under pressure. A standard textile jacket uses a separate removable liner, which is lighter but less sealed under sustained rain or high-speed airflow.