The weight of leather jackets is considerable. You notice that the first time you wear a leather jacket. The feeling is similar to pulling on an old-fashioned suit of armor. How come leather jackets are so heavy? A leather jacket can be lightweight or very heavyweight. A jacket’s weight is typically determined by the type of leather used and other factors, such as its thickness and construction or design. Besides the above reasons, I will discuss several others in this article.
Leather jackets are heavy
Leather jackets are heavy because they are made from real leather. Its unique properties make it a sturdy, durable, and flexible natural product. Animal skin is used to make leather, and the skin is the largest organ in the body, containing multiple layers of epithelial tissue. Because of this, leather is much denser than most jacket fabrics. Hence, real leather jackets are heavy since they are made from rawhide.
Leather Type Used For Jackets
It is also the type of leather that is used to make leather jackets that makes them so heavy. Leather comes in different types, and heavier varieties are usually used for jackets. Cowhide is the most common type of leather used for jackets. Leather made from cowhide is strong and durable. It is usually thick and heavy. Buffalo hide, bovine hide, and deerskin are also types of leather that make jackets heavy.
Leather jackets made from any of these types of leather will be significantly heavier than those made from standard fabric types. On the other hand, Lambskin, calfskin, or even faux leather jackets, are usually lighter. Thus, the type of leather used for the jacket plays a major role in its weight.
Jacket Lining Types
A leather jacket’s lining and material contribute to its weight as well. Simple leather jackets lined with cotton, silk, or other non-insulating material are very lightweight. Linings made from insulating materials, such as fleece or thermal fibers, will add weight to a leather jacket if they are made from materials that keep people warm.
As a result of the lining material, your leather jacket will be thick and heavy, so you should consider this when buying one.
Design, construction, or style of a leather jacket
The construction, design, or style of the leather jacket can also make it heavier. The extra details and features on biker jackets make them more rugged and heavy-duty than other styles of leather jackets, which make them heavier. Also, bomber or aviator jackets are heavy compared to regular leather jackets. On the other hand, leather suits and blazers are typically much lighter because they have fewer details. A multi-paneled leather jacket will likely be heavier than a single-paneled jacket if it is pieced together with heavy stitching. A leather jacket that has many zippers and pockets will also weigh more.
Furthermore, leather jackets with multiple layers of insulation are lightweight, but they will be much heavier if they have layers of insulation. Thus, how heavy a jacket is also depends on its style or design.
Leather Jacket Findings
Racer and biker leather jackets often feature metal findings (fittings and fasteners) to give them a rugged appearance. Metal zippers, eyelets, rivets, snaps, buckles, and studs are examples of this. All of these metal fittings make the jacket heavier.
In some leather jackets, there is also a fur lining attached with hooks or Velcro. Adding these to the jacket also adds weight. So, it is best not to buy leather jackets having a lot of metal fittings and extra details if you want a lighter-weight jacket.
Leather Jacket Accessories Quality
Genuine leather jackets usually come with high-quality hardware and accessories. In no way would a manufacturer use an expensive leather material to build a leather jacket only to attach cheap, inferior hardware to it. When you buy a good-quality leather jacket, you should expect to find high-quality zips, snaps, and buckles. As you wear your leather jacket or carry it around, all these accessories will add weight to it.
Leather Jackets: Old vs. New
Leather jackets that are new will be lighter than leather jackets that are old. A new jacket may seem thicker at first because it is stiff and hard to bend.
If you wear the jacket frequently or keep it for a long time, the leather will soften up and become suppler over time, reducing its weight. In older jackets, the leather dries out as it ages, so, despite the fact it’s thinner, it still appears heavier because it’s less flexible.
A school of thought also proposes the opposite- that conditioned leather jackets will be heavier because they are applied with oils and waxes.
Does a leather jacket weigh a lot?
As we have discussed, leather jackets can become very heavy, but what is the weight of a leather jacket? Well, that depends on the jacket’s style and design. In general, a leather jacket without any extra features or details weighs around 2 to 3 pounds. Depending on the number of pockets, metal findings, and accessories on your biker or racer jacket, it might weigh as much as 5 pounds.
As previously mentioned, many factors affect the weight of a leather jacket. It is therefore important to not only consider style and design but also other factors such as insulation, padding, and any extra details. Choosing a leather jacket for you requires consideration of a few factors, including the jacket’s use, how comfortable it is, and other factors.
Is a heavy leather jacket a sign of quality?
As you can see, leather jackets are heavy for several reasons. It raises the question, however, whether a heavy leather jacket is better. The simple answer is no. High-quality jackets can be made with lighter-weight materials as well. A leather jacket’s weight should not make you think it is a better product than it is. Many factors determine the quality of a leather jacket, including the materials used, the stitching, the brand, and the price.
If you’re looking for a quality leather jacket, don’t just focus on its weight.
Last Thoughts
In a conclusion, this concludes our list of the leading reasons why leather jackets are so heavy. Besides being made entirely of natural materials, they also have linings and are made of different types of leather. It also adds weight to a leather jacket if it has buttons, zippers, and other accessories attached.