Mto cafe racer jacket suggestions

[MadCat]

Hey all

I am getting ready to put in an order for another leather jacket. This time I am after a cafe racer in black.

I will most likely have Johnson Leathers make the jacket for me as I have been satisfied with their product.

When putting in the request, what are some of the things I should ask for? I don’t ride so is a bi swing back/yoke/gussets necessary? Should I go with a buco style collar? Hand warmers? One piece back? Leather type?

I am leaning towards horsehide but am open to suggestions.

 

[Bennarion]

I can't do without hand pockets

 

[MrProper]

Hey all

I am getting ready to put in an order for another leather jacket. This time I am after a cafe racer in black.

I will most likely have Johnson Leathers make the jacket for me as I have been satisfied with their product.

When putting in the request, what are some of the things I should ask for? I don’t ride so is a bi swing back/yoke/gussets necessary? Should I go with a buco style collar? Hand warmers? One piece back? Leather type?

I am leaning towards horsehide but am open to suggestions.

Just take a look at the pictures of Cafe Racer and decide what you like. If it's ‘just’ about wearing it anyway, i.e. a fashion item, then functionality won't be the top priority. I don't need hand warmer pockets, gussets or action backs. A one-piece back is a matter of taste. I quite like a back yoke.
Leather doesn't really matter as long as it meets your requirements. I've had FQHH (too stiff for me), veg tanned sheepskin (very comfortable) and Badalassi (very nice, but also a bit stiff and above all loud). I've also had goat, but I didn't like the leather (5* leather). I would probably go for CXSH (steerhide) now.

 

[barnabus]

I think I'd struggle to look much further than the Rugged West Voyager tbh, although it's not MTO.

@MrProper has significant experience with their products.

THE VOYAGER

Rugged West

ruggedwest.co

 

[MrProper]

^^
MTO is possible, but not necessary if you can wear off the rack. My jackets are customised because my measurements are too weird for OTR ;-)

 

[James Lavine]

Hey, sounds like a solid plan! If you're not riding, a bi-swing back or gussets might not be necessary, but they can still add comfort and range of motion. As for the collar, a Buco style is always a classic touch on a café racer and looks sleek. Hand warmers are great for functionality, especially in colder weather. A one-piece back gives a cleaner look, but it depends on the style you're going for. Horsehide is durable and ages beautifully, but steerhide is another good option if you want something a little softer.

 

[Edward]

I owned a Route 66, US made cafe racer type maybe twenty years ago. Bought it at the time to wear to the office (a Perfect style being a bit much for that), sold it again after some time as it just didn't do it for me with a collared shirt. Now I have a few t-shirts again after years of not wearing them, I'm tempted by a CR again. What I find attractive about the design is its minimalism: for me, these jackets are at their best with chest pockets only. I wouldn't consider one with handwarmers now (my last one had handwarmers only; in retrospect it's one of the things I disliked about it). Of course, I never use handwarmers on any of my leathers - if they're on the jacket, it's for visuals alone. They might as well be fake pockets for me.

 

[TelemarkTumalo]

You don't mention whether your needs are for casual wear or for riding a bike. If for riding, do you need inside pockets for armor? Dedicated riding jackets will typically have larger zippers and pulls so that gloved hands can operate. Consider the cuff size/diameter as well and whether you will use a short glove, or a gauntlet style glove.

Langlitz offers their jackets with or without armor pockets and you can add or delete handwarmer pockets. https://www.langlitz.com/product/clackamas-timberline/