Dainese Fighter Leather Jacket Review

I recently had the opportunity to test out the new Dainese Fighter leather jacket. I was eager to see how this jacket would hold up.

In this Dainese Fighter Leather Jacket review, I’ll provide an in-depth analysis of the Fighter’s key features, pros and cons, and how it compares to similar jackets on the market.

But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Is this the best leather motorcycle jacket for you? Let’s find out!

Why I Tested the Dainese Fighter Jacket

As a rider who values protection and versatility, I wanted to try out the Fighter jacket for a few key reasons:

• Premium Materials: Dainese uses top-notch leather and construction methods. I was curious to see the quality firsthand.
• Sporty Yet Subtle Design: The Fighter has a sporty, articulated fit but minimizes branding for a sleek, understated look. This aesthetic appealed to me.
• Armored Yet Flexible: With rigid shoulder plates and elbow protection, I expected good impact resistance. But stretch panels also provide flexibility.
• 4-Season Comfort: Perforated leather and a lightweight thermal liner allow this jacket to transition across seasons. It is ideal for my variable riding conditions.

Overall, the Fighter offers an ideal blend of protection, comfort, and everyday wearability. I was eager to take it for a test ride.

What I Cover in This Review

Throughout my testing, I thoroughly evaluated all aspects of the Fighter jacket. Here’s what I’ll cover in this breakdown:

• An overview of the materials, construction quality, and protective features
• Observations on the fit, comfort, and airflow
• How the style and aesthetics compare to similar jackets
• Breakdowns of the pros and cons based on my experience
• Comparisons to budget-friendly alternatives like the Dainese Street Darker
• Recommendations on sizing and overall impressions

My goal is to provide riders with an honest, detailed assessment of what it’s like to wear and ride with the Fighter jacket. Let’s get started!

Premium Protection With the Dainese D-Skin Leather

The first thing I noticed about the Fighter is the outstanding quality of the leather. Dainese uses their exclusive D-skin cowhide, specially treated for abrasion resistance, tear resistance, and comfort.

You can instantly feel the supple, premium texture. This is top-shelf material built to handle a slide.

The Fighter incorporates rigid shoulder plates and composite elbow armor for impact protection. The shoulder plates utilize a grippy aluminum slider overlaid on impact-absorbing foam.

There’s also a composite back protector pocket (armor sold separately).

This highly-abrasion-resistant leather and armor provide good peace of mind in the event of a crash. The D-skin material, in particular, gives you an extra margin of safety on the streets.

Sporty Racing Fit With Flexible Comfort

As soon as I slipped it on, I noticed the Fighter’s articulated racing fit. It’s tailored for a tucked riding position with curved sleeves and elasticized panels.

This performance-oriented cut delivers a fantastic fit for any sportbike or aggressive cruiser rider.

Despite the snug fit, I never felt restricted, thanks to the flexible stretch panels integrated along the shoulders, elbows, and back. These “accordion” panels allow free movement while maintaining protection.

The lightweight mesh lining also enhances comfort in warm weather. It allows air to flow right through the jacket. Overall, the Fighter achieves an excellent balance of form, function, and flexibility.

Understated Style Minimizes Branding

One of my favorite aspects of the Fighter is the stealthy, minimalist aesthetic. Beyond the outstanding construction, it simply looks fantastic.

Dainese opted for a toned-down style with no large logos or graphics. The embossed logos on the wrist and shoulder are subtle yet instantly recognizable. This gives the Fighter a clean, sophisticated profile.

The matte black scheme and touches of gray perfectly complement the murdered-out trend. For riders seeking protective gear with zero flash, the Fighter absolutely delivers. It’s ideal for anyone who wants a covert yet recognizably high-end jacket.

Ventilation and Weather Protection

Since I ride year-round, I was particularly interested in the Fighter’s ventilation and weather protection abilities.

The perforated leather provides excellent airflow in the heat. Air flows in through the chest panel and exhausts through the back. With the thermal liner removed, it’s impressively cool, even at high speeds.

For colder weather, the full-sleeve thermal liner does an admirable job of retaining heat. I stayed comfortable wearing it into the low 40s °F with just a t-shirt underneath.

While not meant for deep winter, it comfortably extends the jacket’s functional 3-season temperature range.

The included wind-resistant neck closure and wrist tighteners also seal out the elements. And the water-resistant leather provides decent weather protection in light rain. Overall, the ventilation and weatherproofing allow for year-round usage.

Convenient Features

Beyond materials and construction, the Fighter incorporates some handy features to increase convenience:

• Spacious waist-level pockets provide ample storage room
• The wrist closures utilize secure zippers with auto-locking sliders for easy adjustability
• Soft fleece lines the collar, avoiding irritation from contact with the neck
• Reflective details on the sleeves and back improve visibility

While these may seem minor details, they combine to create a thoughtfully designed jacket for real-world motorcycling. The features enhance comfort and versatility without impacting protection.

Sizing and Fit Guide

I’m 6 foot, 195 pounds, with a 42-inch chest. In most jackets, I wear a large, but I opted for a size 52 (EU sizing) for the Fighter, which equates to a US men’s medium.

The articulated racing cut gives it a snug fit. I’d recommend sizing down if you’re between sizes to avoid looseness. There’s also some adjustment room built into the waist.

Refer to the size chart and measure carefully. Keep in mind this jacket fits closer to a racing cut but allows more expansion than true track leathers. Arm length is also generous.

Dainese Men’s Jacket Sizing

EURO SIZE	ALPHA SIZE	USA SIZE	CHEST (IN)	WAIST (IN)	ARM (IN)	NECK (IN)	HEIGHT (IN)
42	XS	32	32.3-33.9	27.6-29.1	21.7-22	14-14.4	64.2-65.4
44	SM	34	33.9-35.4	29.1-30.7	22-22.4	14.4-14.8	65.4-66.5
46	SM	36	35.4-37	30.7-32.3	22.4-22.8	14.8-15.2	66.5-67.7
48	MD	38	37-38.6	32.3-33.9	22.8-23.2	15.2-15.6	67.7-68.9
50	MD	40	38.6-40.2	33.9-35.4	23.2-23.6	15.6-15.9	68.9-70.1
52	LG	42	40.2-41.7	35.4-37	23.6-24	15.9-16.3	70.1-71.3
54	LG	44	41.7-43.3	37-38.6	24-24.4	16.3-16.7	71.3-72.4
56	XL	46	43.3-44.9	38.6-40.2	24.4-24.8	16.7-17.1	72.4-73.6
58	XL	48	44.9-46.5	40.2-41.7	24.4-24.8	17.1-17.5	73.6-74
60	2XL	50	46.5-48	41.7-43.3	24.8-25.2	17.5-17.9	74-74.4
62	3XL	52	48-49.6	43.3-44.9	24.8-25.2	17.9-18.3	74.4-74.8
64	4XL	54	49.6-51.2	44.9-46.5	25.2-25.6	18.3-18.7	74.8-75.2

This table displays the Euro size, alpha size, USA size, and various chest, waist, arm, neck, and height measurements.

Pros and Cons

Based on my testing and experience, here are the key pros and cons of the Fighter leather jacket:

Pros:

• Premium D-skin leather feels supple and protective
• Streamlined aesthetics with minimal branding
• Excellent ventilation from the perforated chest panel
• Stretch panels enhance flexibility and comfort
• Thermal liner provides solid weather protection
• Handy features like storage pockets and reflectivity
• Great balance of protection, style, and comfort

Cons:

• Only available in black
• Requires buying back protector separately
• Snug fit may not work for some body types
• Not ideal for cold winter riding

Overall, I was very impressed by how well the Fighter combines high-end protection and materials with everyday comfort and versatility for those seeking the pinnacle of Dainese’s street offerings.

How the Fighter Compares to Budget Alternatives

The Dainese Street Darker offers a more affordable alternative for riders with tighter budgets. It uses standard cowhide instead of D-skin leather and ditches some premium elements. But you still get decent armor and the same stealthy styling.

The Street Darker doesn’t provide quite the same level of abrasion resistance and weather protection as the Fighter.

But it shaves off about $100 while maintaining core safety features. For cost-conscious riders, it’s a solid budget-minded option.

The Fighter is also comparable to flagship leather jackets from other premium brands like Vanson, Kushitani, and Alpinestars. But it stands out with unique Italian styling and top-notch Dainese construction.

Final Verdict on the Dainese Fighter Jacket

Is this the best leather motorcycle jacket? After thoroughly testing the Dainese Fighter leather jacket, I can confidently recommend it for sportbike and power cruiser riders seeking ultimate street protection.

The abrasion-resistant D-skin leather provides peace of mind, while excellent ventilation and weatherproofing make this a truly year-round jacket. It also nails the sweet spot of looking protective yet discreet.

At around $700, the Fighter is certainly a premium investment. But serious riders will appreciate the outstanding quality and construction. It doesn’t get much better than this for a pure street-focused jacket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Fighter work for taller/shorter riders?

The jacket is available in a wide range of sizes, so it can definitely accommodate taller or shorter riders. Pay close attention to the sizing chart. The sleeves and torso are longer than typical jackets.

How does the sizing compare to other brands?

It runs very true-to-size compared to other European brands. I’d caution against sizing up. Take precise measurements and refer to the size chart. The tailored fit is part of what makes it so protective.

Is the Fighter good for adventure/dual-sport riding?

While it provides excellent protection, the snug fit won’t work as well in an upright ADV riding position. For adventure riding, a jacket with a looser fit is usually more comfortable.

Does it have a removable waterproof liner?

No, there is no separate waterproof liner. The leather resists light rain, but you’ll need a waterproof outer layer for heavy rain.

What kind of climate is the Fighter best suited for?

With the perforated leather and thermal liner, it works well across a wide temperature range. I’d say anything between 50-90°F is ideal. Colder than that, and you’ll need extra insulation layers.

The Bottom Line

The Dainese Fighter jacket represents the pinnacle of aggressive street riding protection. Between the D-skin abrasion resistance, composite armor, and flexible comfort features, it’s hard to beat for performance-minded riders.

While premium-priced, it delivers equivalent safety and construction to Dainese’s track-focused race suits. If you’re seeking the ultimate leather jacket for carving canyon roads, the Fighter absolutely delivers. Just be sure to get the right size!

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