Jacket Fit and Sizing
Motorcycle Jacket Size Chart and Measuring Guide
Motorcycle jacket size chart for men and women in inches and cm, US, UK and EU sizes, plus how to measure your chest, waist and sleeve and check riding fit.
Motorcycle jackets are sized by your chest. Measure the fullest part of your chest with the tape under your arms, then find that number in the maker's size chart and check waist and sleeve on the same row. Below is a full men's and women's chart in inches and centimeters, how to measure for it, and how a riding jacket should fit once it arrives.
This page is part of our jacket fit and size guide.
Key takeaways- Chest sets the size; waist and sleeve confirm it.- U.S. men's jacket sizes are 10 lower than EU sizes: US 42 = EU 52.- The size number is not your chest in inches on every chart. On the chart below, a US 42 is for a 40.9 in chest.- Test fit in riding position and over your winter layer.
Men's motorcycle jacket size chart
These are body measurements from Leather Collection's men's jacket chart, not jacket measurements. U.S. and UK men's jacket numbers are the same.
Source:.
Each letter covers two number sizes here: S is US 34 or 36, M is 38 or 40. Order by your US size number when you can.
| US / UK | EU | Letter | Chest in (cm) | Waist in (cm) | Sleeve in (cm) | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 42 | XS | 33.1 (84) | 28.3 (72) | 21.7 (55.1) | 5'5" (165) |
| 34 | 44 | S | 34.6 (88) | 29.9 (76) | 22.1 (56.2) | 5'6" (168) |
| 36 | 46 | S | 36.2 (92) | 31.5 (80) | 22.6 (57.3) | 5'7" (171) |
| 38 | 48 | M | 37.8 (96) | 33.1 (84) | 23.0 (58.4) | 5'9" (174) |
| 40 | 50 | M | 39.4 (100) | 34.6 (88) | 23.4 (59.5) | 5'10" (177) |
| 42 | 52 | L | 40.9 (104) | 36.2 (92) | 23.8 (60.4) | 5'11" (180) |
| 44 | 54 | L | 42.5 (108) | 37.8 (96) | 24.1 (61.2) | 6'0" (183) |
| 46 | 56 | XL | 44.1 (112) | 39.4 (100) | 24.4 (62.1) | 6'1" (186) |
| 48 | 58 | XL | 45.7 (116) | 40.9 (104) | 24.5 (62.3) | 6'2" (187) |
| 50 | 60 | XXL | 47.2 (120) | 42.5 (108) | 24.6 (62.6) | 6'2" (188) |
Women's motorcycle jacket size chart
Women's charts add a breast column. On this chart, "chest" is taken under the bust and "breast" at the fullest point.
- US: 6; UK*: 10; EU: 38; Letter: XXS; Breast in: 30.7; Chest (under bust) in: 29.1; Waist in: 22.8; Sleeve in: 20.7; Height: 5'2"
- US: 8; UK*: 12; EU: 40; Letter: XS; Breast in: 32.3; Chest (under bust) in: 30.7; Waist in: 24.4; Sleeve in: 21.1; Height: 5'3"
- US: 10; UK*: 14; EU: 42; Letter: S; Breast in: 33.9; Chest (under bust) in: 32.3; Waist in: 26.0; Sleeve in: 21.5; Height: 5'5"
- US: 12; UK*: 16; EU: 44; Letter: M; Breast in: 35.4; Chest (under bust) in: 33.9; Waist in: 27.6; Sleeve in: 21.9; Height: 5'6"
- US: 14; UK*: 18; EU: 46; Letter: M; Breast in: 37.0; Chest (under bust) in: 35.4; Waist in: 29.1; Sleeve in: 22.2; Height: 5'7"
- US: 16; UK*: 20; EU: 48; Letter: L; Breast in: 38.6; Chest (under bust) in: 37.0; Waist in: 30.7; Sleeve in: 22.6; Height: 5'8"
- US: 18; UK*: 22; EU: 50; Letter: XL; Breast in: 40.2; Chest (under bust) in: 38.6; Waist in: 32.3; Sleeve in: 23.0; Height: 5'9"
- US: 20; UK*: 24; EU: 52; Letter: XL; Breast in: 41.7; Chest (under bust) in: 40.2; Waist in: 33.9; Sleeve in: 23.1; Height: 5'10"
Source:. *The store does not list UK sizes; the UK column uses the general US-to-UK conversion for women's sizes. In centimeters, breast runs 78-106 cm and waist 58-86 cm across these sizes.
For cut and fit differences in women's riding jackets, see our women's biker jacket sizing guide.
How to measure for the chart
Have someone else hold the tape if you can; Leather Collection's tips say a second person should take the measurements. Use a soft cloth or plastic tape, stand tall and relaxed, and write each number down.
- Chest. Around the fullest part, tape under the arms and flat across the back. The store chart says to stand straight and breathe normally.
- Waist. If your belly measures more than your chest, size for the belly. The store's own pages disagree on where the waist is: 2 in (5 cm) below the navel, your natural waist, or level with the top of the hip bones. Use the point the chart you are ordering from names.
- Sleeve. Arm relaxed at your side, elbow slightly bent, from the point of the shoulder down the outside of the arm to the wrist.
- Height. Barefoot, standing upright with feet together, from the top of your head to the floor. It helps you choose between two rows.
The store also disagrees with itself on clothing: one page says measure on bare skin, another says over a thin shirt. Either way, keep the tape flat and snug, not tight.
More detail on each tape position is in how to measure for a jacket size and how to measure for a motorcycle jacket.
How to read a motorcycle jacket size chart
Check three things before you pick a row.
- Body or garment measurements? A body chart tells you which body the jacket is made for. A garment chart lists the jacket's own measurements, which include room over your body, about 1-2 in at the chest on a bomber, for example. The chart above is a body chart.
- Number vs letter. Letter sizes vary by brand; a Medium in one may fit like a Small in another. Under the European standard, men's M covers a 94-102 cm (37-40 in) chest.
- Brand origin. Sportsbikeshop notes Italian jackets tend to be well fitted, while UK and German makers are more generous around the waist.
| If your numbers... | Do this |
|---|---|
| Chest fits one row, waist the next | Size for the larger, then check the shoulders fit |
| Fall between two rows | Use your height and sleeve to break the tie |
| Fit no row (long arms, short torso) | Consider a custom size |
How a motorcycle jacket should fit
A riding jacket fits snug without limiting movement. Too tight restricts breathing and arm reach and can pull armor off the joint; too loose lets armor shift and the leather flap in the wind.
Riders over 6 ft 1 in may need long sleeves. Fit style matters too:
Leather does not stretch into size, so judge fit on day one. If you wear a bomber off the bike, its fit rules differ: see how a bomber jacket should fit and bomber jacket sizing.
| Check | Standing | Riding position |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeves | Slightly past the wrist, around mid-palm | Reach the wrists with arms out to the bars |
| Length | Reaches the belt line | Rests on the thighs; back covered |
| Layers | Try over your heaviest layer | You can still hug yourself comfortably |
| Fit | Cut | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| American | Roomier at waist, shoulders and arms | Touring, layering |
| European | Slimmer, tapered waist, narrower arms | Sport and café racer riding |
| Racer | Very snug, pre-curved arms, shorter | Full tuck on fast rides |
Biker jackets in your size or cut to you
Leather Collection men's biker jackets come in standard sizes, and every jacket in the range has a Custom Size option where you enter your own measurements. The listed leathers are cowhide, sheepskin and lambskin.
Related guides
- Wondering why the cut is so short? See why are motorcycle jackets so short?
FAQ
What size is a 42 men's jacket?
A US 42 is an EU 52. On the chart above it fits a chest of about 40.9 in (104 cm) and a waist of about 36.2 in (92 cm), and is labelled L.
How big is a size 46 motorcycle jacket?
On this chart a US 46 (EU 56, XL) is for about a 44.1 in (112 cm) chest and 39.4 in (100 cm) waist. Other brands may differ, so check their chart.
How do I determine my motorcycle jacket size?
Measure your chest at the fullest point, under the arms, and find it on the maker's chart; then check waist and sleeve on that row.
How should a motorcycle jacket fit?
Snug but not restrictive, with sleeves reaching your wrists and the back covered in riding position.
leatheride Editorial Team
leatheride articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.