Motorcycle vest sizing trips up more riders than jacket sizing does, because a vest is worn so many different ways: over a t-shirt in July, over a hoodie in October, sometimes over a jacket. The short version: measure your chest over the layers you actually ride in, expect a trim fit through the body, and let features like side lacing handle the in-between. Here is the full answer, including the questions we hear most.
Should a vest fit tight or loose
A riding vest should sit close to the body without pulling at the snaps. Too loose and it flaps at speed and looks borrowed; too tight and the front gaps open when you sit on the bike. When you stand naturally, the front panels should close without strain and the armholes should not bite. Remember you are usually sitting with arms forward on a bike, which pulls the back panel taut, so a vest that feels perfect standing up can feel snug in the saddle. That riding position is why quality vests cut the back longer than a fashion vest.
Do motorcycle vests run small or large
Neither, but they measure differently than casual clothes. A vest size is a chest measurement over a bare shirt, so if you plan to wear yours over a hoodie or flannel, measure over that. As a rule of thumb, layering over anything thicker than a t-shirt means going up one size. If you ride in both, pick a model with side lacing: the laces give you a couple of inches of range, so one vest covers summer shirts and fall layers.
How to measure yourself
Wrap a soft tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the armpits, wearing what you ride in. Keep the tape level and breathe normally. That number, in inches, is what you compare against the size chart on each product page. Every Legendary vest page carries a measured chart with chest and length, and the charts are per model, not generic, so check the chart on the vest you are buying rather than assuming your usual size.
Big and tall riders
Most Legendary vests run S through 5XL, and the Legendary Club Vest with side lacing also comes in a Long length that adds two inches for taller riders. Leather stretches a little with wear and molds to you, but it will not fix a vest that is a full size off, so size from the tape, not from hope.
Vests that make sizing easy
- Legendary Club Vest with Side Lacing, $179.95. Made in USA, sizes S to 5XL plus Long, with laces that adjust for layering.
- Legendary Gunslinger Leather Vest, $220.99. Western cut in sizes S to 5XL, with interior gun pockets.
- BECK 566 Horsehide Motorcycle Vest, $440. Made in USA horsehide that breaks in to fit like a second skin.
Frequently asked questions
Should a motorcycle vest fit tight or loose?
Close to the body without strain. The snaps should close easily standing up, and the vest should not flap at speed.
Should I size up for layering?
Yes, one size if you ride over a hoodie or flannel, or choose a side-laced vest that adjusts across seasons.
Do leather vests stretch after wearing?
A little. Leather molds to your body with wear, but it will not make up for a vest that measured wrong on day one.
What sizes do motorcycle vests come in?
Most Legendary models run S through 5XL, and the side-laced Club Vest adds a Long length for taller riders.
The bottom line
Measure over what you ride in, trust the per-model size chart, and let side lacing cover the seasons. Get those three right and the vest disappears on the bike, which is exactly what a good one should do.