Cafe Racer Leather Jackets

The cafe racer jacket has one of the most recognisable silhouettes in leather outerwear. A short stand collar, a clean front panel, a straight zip, and minimal hardware. No asymmetric zip, no snap collar, no excess detailing. The design comes from 1960s British motorcycle culture, where riders of lightweight, stripped-back bikes wanted a jacket that matched the aesthetic of the machine. The result was a jacket that has stayed relevant for sixty years without needing to change much.

Our cafe racer leather jacket collection has over 80 styles across two pages, in black, brown, tan, camel, and two-tone colourways, for men and women. Prices start at $149 and most styles are made from genuine lambskin leather.

What Makes a Cafe Racer Jacket Different

The key difference between a cafe racer jacket and a standard biker jacket is the collar and the front panel. A biker jacket has an asymmetric zip that pulls across the chest diagonally, with a snap-down or notch collar that creates a more aggressive silhouette. A cafe racer has a straight centre zip and a short, upright stand collar that sits close to the neck. The front panel is clean with no diagonal pull. This gives the cafe racer a sportier, more streamlined look that reads as slightly more refined than a traditional biker jacket without losing the leather jacket character.

The stand collar is the signature detail. It can be worn up for a more assertive look or folded down for a cleaner finish. Either way, it gives the jacket a distinctly different character to any other leather jacket silhouette.

Key Styles in This Collection

The Dark Brown Cafe Racer Leather Jacket is the most reviewed style in the collection, rated 4.82 out of 5 across 34 reviews. It is made from 100% real lambskin with a front zip, two chest pockets, two side waist pockets, and a soft viscose lining. At $149, it is one of the best value options in the collection.

The Johnson Brown Quilted Leather Cafe Racer Jacket is rated 4.85 out of 5 across 20 reviews. It adds quilted detailing across the body, which gives the classic cafe racer silhouette more visual texture. The camel brown version (Johnson Camel Brown Quilted Leather Cafe Racer) is rated 4.74 out of 5 across 23 reviews.

The Dodge Black Fitted Real Leather Biker Jacket is the highest-reviewed black style in the collection at 4.52 out of 5 across 27 reviews. The Dodge Tan Fitted version is rated 4.69 out of 5 across 16 reviews. Both are clean, fitted styles in genuine lambskin.

The Men’s Black Leather Cafe Racer Jacket with Premium Metal Hardware and the Men’s Retro Racing Black Leather Jacket with Red Stripes are the newer racing-inspired additions to the collection, both featuring stand collars and racing-style details.

For women, the collection includes the Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket Women (4.43/5, 28 reviews) and the Red Leather Moto Jacket Women’s (4.78/5, 23 reviews) among others. See the full women’s range in our Women’s Leather Biker Jackets collection.

Cafe Racer vs Biker Jacket

Both are leather jackets with a motorcycle heritage, but they serve slightly different purposes and suit different outfit types.

A biker jacket is more aggressive and assertive. The asymmetric zip and snap collar give it a harder edge that reads as rock or streetwear. A cafe racer is cleaner and more streamlined. The stand collar and straight zip give it a sportier, more refined character that transitions between casual and smart-casual more naturally than a biker jacket.

If you already own a biker jacket and want a second leather jacket, a cafe racer is the natural complement. It covers occasions where the biker feels too edgy without requiring you to step into a bomber or blazer.

What Colours Are Available

The collection covers most of the core leather jacket colours. Black makes up the majority of the range with over 50 styles. Brown, including dark brown, tan, and camel tones, accounts for around 30 styles. There are also two-tone options in red and black, white, grey, and green. If you want to explore specific colour ranges, see our Black Leather Jackets, Brown Leather Jackets, and Tan Leather Jackets collections.

Materials

Most cafe racer jackets in this collection are made from genuine lambskin leather. Lambskin is soft, lightweight, and comfortable from the first wear. It suits the cafe racer silhouette well because the clean, fitted cut benefits from a leather that drapes naturally against the body rather than holding a rigid shape. Some styles are available in cowhide for a heavier, more structured finish. Each product page specifies the leather type. You can read more about the difference between leather grades in our leather grade guide.

Fit and Sizing

Cafe racer jackets are cut close to the body. The collar sits upright and close to the neck, the shoulders should align exactly with your natural shoulder line, and the body should follow the torso without excess fabric. Most people find that cafe racer jackets feel slightly more fitted than biker jackets in the same size because there is no diagonal panel pull to add width across the chest. If you are between sizes, sizing up one is usually the safer choice. Our full Size Guide covers all sizes from XS to 3XL.

Care and Maintenance

Keep the jacket away from prolonged rain and direct sunlight. Clean surface marks with a soft dry cloth. Condition every six months with a quality leather conditioner to maintain the suppleness and natural finish. Store on a wide hanger. Avoid folding for extended periods as this causes permanent creasing, particularly at the collar where the stand sits.

Custom Cafe Racer Jackets

If you want a specific colour, lining, or fit that is not in the current range, our custom leather jacket service can produce it to order. You choose the leather type, colour, hardware, and measurements. We build it to your specifications.

FAQs

What is a cafe racer leather jacket?

A cafe racer leather jacket is a style of leather outerwear characterised by a short upright stand collar, a straight centre zip, and a clean, minimal front panel. It originates from 1960s British motorcycle culture and has a sportier, more streamlined silhouette than a traditional biker jacket.

What is the difference between a cafe racer and a biker leather jacket?

A biker jacket has an asymmetric diagonal zip and a snap-down or notch collar, giving it a harder, more aggressive look. A cafe racer has a straight centre zip and a short stand collar, giving it a cleaner, sportier silhouette that transitions between casual and smart-casual more easily than a biker jacket.

What is the best cafe racer leather jacket in this collection?

The Dark Brown Cafe Racer Leather Jacket is the most reviewed style in the collection, rated 4.82 out of 5 across 34 reviews. The Johnson Brown Quilted Leather Cafe Racer Jacket is rated 4.85 out of 5 across 20 reviews and adds quilted panel detailing for more visual interest.

What leather is used in cafe racer jackets?

Most cafe racer jackets in this collection are made from genuine lambskin leather, which is soft, lightweight, and suits the fitted cafe racer silhouette well. Some styles are available in cowhide for a heavier, more structured finish. Each product page specifies the leather type.

Can I get a custom cafe racer leather jacket?

Yes. Visit our Custom Leather Jackets page to choose your leather type, colour, hardware, and measurements for a bespoke cafe racer jacket made to your specifications.