The Café Racer Look Without Leather: Waxed Cotton and Textile Riding Jackets
The café racer has its roots in 1960s London, when young riders raced between cafés on stripped-down bikes. Today the style is part of the scene all over Europe, from the custom garages of Berlin to the coffee stops along Lake Garda. The classic jacket is short, slim and made of leather. But leather is not the only way to get the look.
What makes a jacket look "café racer"?
- A clean silhouette without bulky panels or large logos
- A short or slightly longer cut that works in a forward riding position
- Classic materials: leather, denim, waxed cotton
- Muted colours: black, sand, brown, dark blue
- Finished with slim jeans and boots
Waxed cotton: the textile classic
Waxed cotton repels water and builds up its own patina over the years. On its own, though, it is not riding gear: it needs an abrasion-resistant layer and protectors to keep you safe in a slide.
The Adelaide Motorcycle Field Jacket brings both together:
- Waxed, water-repellent outer (60% cotton, 40% polyamide) with a water-resistant membrane
- Single-layer PEKEV® Ultra Lite, reinforced in the impact zones
- Certified to EN 17092, class AAA
- Protectors at shoulders and elbows, see product page for details
Caring for waxed cotton is easy: wipe it clean with a damp cloth instead of machine washing, and re-wax it from time to time.
Prefer a hood?
The Richmond Hooded Motorcycle Jacket is a clean black jacket in single-layer PEKEV® Ultra Lite, certified to class AAA, with a soft Tencel fleece hood and a longer back for coverage on the bike. For warm days, the Kingston Motorcycle Shirt gives you the same idea as an overshirt.
The jeans that go with it
Our Cafe Racer Motorcycle Jeans carry the name of the style: 12 oz selvedge denim, a regular slim fit with a tapered leg, a PEKEV® lining and EN 17092 class AAA. More in our guide to riding jeans.
Checklist for a casual riding jacket
- The whole jacket is certified to EN 17092, ideally AA or AAA, not just "armour included"
- Protectors at shoulders and elbows, plus a back protector or a pocket for one (see our guide to protectors)
- 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 fabric for summer
Questions riders ask us
Is a textile jacket as safe as leather?
Compare the EN 17092 class of the complete jacket, not the material.
Is waxed cotton waterproof?
It is water-repellent, not waterproof. For real rain, choose a jacket with a membrane, like the Adelaide.
Does it work off the bike?
That is the idea. A good casual riding jacket looks like a normal jacket when you walk into the café.
In one sentence
The café racer look is about clean lines and classic materials, so choose a jacket that is certified as a whole, protects where it counts and fits the way you ride.
