Leather Weather: Our Favorite Bovine-Based Fall Riding Jackets

These fall favorites range in price from $399 to over $1,000. They're made from cowhide that's been tanned, dyed, worked into shape and built into virtual battleships. Some—like the Jagger from RSD—come with an innovative seam-sealed hoody under-layer that can be worn on its own, inside the jacket for extra warmth, or ditched in the summer when the mercury rises again. All the RSD jackets have vents (intake and exhaust) built-into their designs. Some, like the Belstaff, and the USA-made Vansons—the Chopper and our own signature V7 jacket, hew more to the traditional side. They're classic bulletproof armored black leather jackets. The Pakistani-made Merlin Chase offers an undeniable bang for the buck—it has zippered vents, plenty-thick leather, and a thermal quilted vest that can be zipped out at will. The other $400 jacket in the bunch—the Spidi Rock—combines slim-fitting Italian design with well placed (and well hidden) armor. On the exotic side of things, we've brought in a few pieces from Spanish brand El Solitario. And even if you're not ready to drop $1,050 on a new leather, the Kraken jacket worth coming down to try on the Kraken jacket.