Café Racer Jackets Without the Leather: Waxed Cotton and Casual Riding Jackets

In short: You can get the café racer look without leather: waxed cotton and modern textiles work, as long as the complete jacket is certified to EN 17092, ideally class AA or AAA. Our Adelaide Fieldjacket and Richmond Hooded Jacket are certified to class AAA; the Cafe Racer Jeans complete the look, also class AAA.

The classic café racer jacket is short, slim and made of leather. It is a great look, but not every rider wants leather: it is heavy, warm in summer and stands out off the bike. The good news is that the café racer style works just as well with modern textiles, as long as the protection is there. Here is how to get the look without the leather, and what to look for in a casual riding jacket.

What defines the café racer look?

• A clean silhouette: no bulky panels, no oversized logos, no reflective stripes everywhere
• A short or slightly extended cut that works in a forward riding position
• Classic materials: leather, denim, waxed cotton
• Muted colours: black, sand, brown, dark blue
• Slim jeans and boots to finish the look

Waxed cotton: the classic alternative to leather

Waxed cotton has been used for motorcycle jackets for generations. It is water-resistant, gets better with age and develops its own patina. On its own, though, waxed cotton does not offer much protection in a slide. A modern waxed jacket needs an abrasion-resistant layer and armour to be real riding gear.

The Adelaide Motorcycle Fieldjacket combines both:

• Waxed, water-resistant outer (60% cotton, 40% polyamide) with a waterproof membrane
• Single-layer PEKEV® Ultra Lite, reinforced in the impact zones
• CE EN 17092 class AAA
• D3O® Ghost protectors at shoulders, elbows and back
• Four utility pockets in a classic field jacket design

Care is simple: spot clean with a damp cloth instead of machine washing, and re-wax from time to time to keep the water resistance.

A casual riding jacket that doesn't look like gear

If you prefer a hood to a collar, the Richmond Hooded Motorcycle Jacket takes the same idea further: a clean black jacket in single-layer PEKEV® Ultra Lite, CE class AAA, with a soft Tencel fleece hood and an extended rear cut for coverage on the bike. From the parking garage to the coffee shop, no jacket change required.

For warm days, the Kingston Motorcycle Shirt gives you the same look as an overshirt.

Complete the look: café racer jeans

The jacket is only half of it. Our Cafe Racer Motorcycle Jeans are named after the style: 12 oz selvedge denim in a regular slim fit with a tapered leg, a full PEKEV® lining from waist to ankle and CE class AAA. Roll the cuffs over a pair of boots and you have the classic café racer outfit, with modern protection. More on choosing riding jeans in our motorcycle jeans guide.

What to look for in a casual riding jacket

• CE certification of the complete jacket to EN 17092, ideally class AA or AAA. Not just "armour included".
• Armour at shoulders and elbows plus a back protector or a pocket for one. See our guide to motorcycle armour.
• A riding cut: longer at the back, sleeves that stay long when you reach for the bars.
• Weather protection that fits your riding: a membrane for wet days, breathable fabrics for summer.

Frequently asked questions

Is a textile café racer jacket as safe as leather?

The CE class tells you. A textile jacket certified to EN 17092 class AAA has passed the same highest-class abrasion test that a leather jacket would have to pass for that class.

Is waxed cotton waterproof?

Waxed cotton is water-resistant. For real rain protection, look for a jacket with a waterproof membrane, like the Adelaide.

Can I wear a café racer jacket off the bike?

That is the point. A good casual riding jacket should look like a regular jacket when you walk into a café, an office or a bar.

The bottom line

The café racer look is about clean lines and classic materials, not about leather alone. Choose a jacket that is certified as a whole, has armour where it counts and fits the way you ride. Then add slim riding jeans and a good pair of boots.