How Do I Choose the Best Denim Biker Vest?

There are several things to consider when choosing a denim biker vest. Fit, style, and wash are primary considerations. You should also consider price point, quality, and the presence or absence of road armor. All factors taken together will help you determine which vest is right for you.

While style factors are usually the first consideration when choosing a clothing item, special considerations exist when choosing a denim biker vest. Chief among these is the vest's ability to help protect you in the event of a crash. Both denim and non-denim vests for motorcycle and scooter riders are available with armor inserts. These inserts are usually made of a heavy, road-resistant compressed foam and are sometimes threaded with metal fibers for additional strength and durability. They are usually removable so that the garment can be cleaned.

You will need to determine whether or not you want your vest to include this type of armor. Armor comes in differing weights and road-test ratings. Keep in mind that armor can affect the fit of a vest and you might need to purchase a larger size. Regardless of whether or not you opt for an armored vest, you'll want to ensure that you choose one that fits properly, particularly at the arm holes. Arm holes that are cut too tightly can bind and become extremely uncomfortable during a ride.

Once you've chosen between armored and non-armored denim biker vest styles, you can choose the wash and style that appeal to you most. Such vests are often available in different blue washes, from light to dark, as well as black and sometimes other colors. Fasteners and trim pieces such as zippers, buttons, and grommets typically are available in a range of finishes as well. Vests might also have a frayed or worn appearance or may appear crisp and new. They might also be highly structured or may fit loosely.

You'll also want to evaluate the quality and price point of your denim biker vest. Such vests are available in a wide range of qualities, both in terms of the fabric and fasteners used to create the garment and in terms of the assembly. Lower quality vests often use lighter-weight material and might feature only basic stitching at the seams. Higher quality vests could be lined or pre-shrunk and often feature reinforced stitching at the seams and at fastener attachments.

Pricing for a denim biker vest is usually dependent upon the quality, brand, and presence or absence of armor. You'll want to choose the vest that appeals to you most, has the features you want and sells for a price that's acceptable to you. As with any item, there is no universal best option, but rather the option that is best for you.