Black leather motorcycle apparel can often be understated, which many shoppers might enjoy about their gear. The Highway 21 leather apparel I’ve been testing has a bit more pizzaz, combining a cool look with comfortable and protective materials.

The Highway 21 Women’s Pearl Motorcycle Jacket is one of the most eye-catching black leather motorcycle jackets I’ve seen. From the brass-colored snap buttons on the flared collar to the buckled belt, it oozes more old-school cool than anything else in my closet.

The jacket is made of premium full-grain leather and is comfortable to wear. The leather is soft and flexible, unlike some stiffer and more constricting leather jackets I’ve worn. It comes with armor pockets in the back, shoulders, and elbows, although you’ll need to purchase the armor separately.

For adjustability, the jacket includes buckles at the cuffs and waist, along with the leather belt around the hips. The cuffs also have zippered vents that can be opened for some airflow, although that’s the sum of the ventilation options on this jacket, so I avoid wearing this one in hot weather. It also includes a comfort inner lining, two handwarmer pockets, and an internal pocket with a stretchable strap inside to secure any items you want to stow there.

The part of this jacket that most gives it its distinct look is the asymmetrical zipper and collar. With the zipper about halfway up, the collar can be snapped back into place for an open collar without the rider having to worry about loose parts flapping in the wind. If you want to zip it up all the way, simply unsnap the buttons and zip it up. I think the unsnapped buttons distract from the cool factor, so I usually leave the collar snapped back.

Whenever I’m wearing the Pearl jacket, I also wear my Highway 21 Women’s Black Ivy Gloves, which are made of supple goat leather and feature dual-density memory foam for comfort and less vibration, pre-curved fingers, accordion expansion panels on the fingers, hard knuckle protection, and a hook-and-loop adjustable wrist. They also feature a laser-etched Highway 21 design on the back of the hand.

The gloves work well with the jacket, but they also feature a more versatile look that isn’t quite as distinct. They’re easy to slip on and off, and if you purchase the right fit, they don’t slide around while riding. Like the jacket, they don’t offer much ventilation, so I wear them more often in spring and fall.

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This Highway 21 leather apparel might not fit every look, but it certainly has personality. Both the Pearl Jacket and the Black Ivy Gloves are great spring and fall pieces of gear that are comfortable and protective. The jacket is available in sizes S-3XL for $249.95, and the gloves are available in sizes S-2XL for $54.95.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com