Belted and Waxed Motorcycle Jackets – Five Plus One

Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.


Waxed and belted motorcycle jackets are a classic British style, originally popularized by Belstaff and Barbour in the 1950s. Since then, a seemingly endless number of companies have produced their version of this jacket, tweaked with their own details to form something truly unique. While this style of jacket isn’t something that everyone feels the need to own, it certainly has its own spot in history and can fit into your wardrobe with little trouble.

1) Merlin: Atlow Waxed Jacket

Belted-and-Waxed-Motorcycle-Jackets---Five-Plus-One 1) Merlin Atlow Waxed Jacket

Merlin’s Atlow Waxed Jacket is a great option if you’re looking for something versatile and relatively inexpensive. While the style remains timeless, this iteration of the jacket is made from 8oz. waxed canvas fabric with a waterproof Reissa membrane, removable insulated lining, and shoulder/elbow armor for added protection. With the four, standard front pockets and one added zippered chest pocket, this jacket has room for just about anything you’ll need to take with you.

Available for £224 from Urban Rider.

2) Walker and Hawkes: 4-Pocket Motorcycle Jacket

If you are interested in waxed and belted motorcycle jackets but aren’t sure you’ll really end up wearing one, then Walker and Hawkes’ 4-Pocket Motorcycle Jacket is fantastic choice. It’s inexpensive, comes in a wide range of colors and sizes, and has all the elements that make up this classic design: four front pockets, a matching belt, and a waxed cotton exterior. While you aren’t going to get all the bells and whistles in such an inexpensive piece, it’s a great value and makes for perfect beater jacket when you don’t know what the day ahead of you holds.

Available for £55 (~$71) from Walker and Hawkes.

3) Addict: AD-WX-02 BMC Jacket

Belted-and-Waxed-Motorcycle-Jackets---Five-Plus-One-3)-Addict-AD-WX-02-BMC-Jacket

Addict makes beautiful, classically styled garments and spares no expensive in making them the best they can be. Their AD-WX-02 BMC Jacket is made from Waxed, Oil-Skin Cotton, which gives a beautiful, textured sheen to the final product. It features a plaid lining with corduroy collar and cuffs for comfort, and has an additional Melton wool liner for more frigid days. Made in Japan with brass hardware and the best possible construction, this jacket is here to last and will only age better as it is worn in.

Available for $1150 from Clutch Cafe.

4) Belstaff: Trialmaster Jacket

Belted-and-Waxed-Motorcycle-Jackets---Five-Plus-One-4)-Belstaff-Trialmaster-Jacket

We would be remiss if we didn’t include Belstaff’s Trialmaster Jacket on this list given that fact that its release in 1948 spurred this style of jackets popularity for years to come. This version features a 6oz. wax cotton exterior with a cotton, check twill lining, breathable construction, and pockets galore for everyone you need during your daily travels. It has all the other details you’d expect: from the matching belt to the optional, quilted vest that snaps in to add all the additional warmth you could hope for.

Available for $595 from Belstaff.

5) Barbour x Saturdays NYC: Winter SNYC Wax Jacket

Belted-and-Waxed-Motorcycle-Jackets---Five-Plus-One-5)-Barbour-x-Saturdays-NYC-Winter-SNYC-Wax-Jacket

Barbour is another brand that helped to iconicize belted and waxed motorcycle jackets, and their collaboration with Saturdays NYC resulted in the release of the fantastic Winter SYNC Wax Jacket. This piece has the classic four front pockets, matching belt, and corduroy cuffs/collar, but continues the motif with corduroy on the front pocket to hold on the belt. The additional pile liner gives this piece a bit of flair that would ordinarily be a much more understated twill.

Available for $630 from End.

Plus One – Private White V.C.: Archive Twin Track Jackets

Belted-and-Waxed-Motorcycle-Jackets---Five-Plus-One-Plus-One---Private-White-V.C.-Archive-Twin-Track-Jackets-front-back

If you are looking for a true standout in the field of waxed and belted motorcycle jacket then Private White V.C.’s Archive Twin Track Jacket is an obvious choice. Much of the style is the same, but the spread collar, dual front zippers, and unique belt buckle set this jacket apart from any of the competition. Made from 12oz. waxed cotton with a moleskin lining, this jacket is sure to keep you warm and dry this coming fall, while looking great the whole time.

Available for $845 from Division Road.