For over 50 years, Milwaukee Leather has been creating high-quality leather apparel and accessories for riders across the country. Our roots stem from the heart of Milwaukee, where our founder Harley Davidson opened up his first shop back in 1969. From humble beginnings in a small storefront, Milwaukee Leather has grown into one of the most well-known and respected names in motorcycle gear.
While we’ve expanded over the decades, our commitment to quality, innovation, and rider safety has always remained the same. We use only the finest leathers and materials and employ master craftsmen to handmake our products. Each item we create goes through rigorous testing and inspection before being approved for sale. This guarantees our customers receive gear built to perform and protect in any riding condition.
Our Story
Harley Davidson first started tinkering with leather as a young man in Milwaukee in the 1960s. He always had an eye for fashion and loved the look of the leather jackets worn by bikers around town. He began practicing leatherwork as a hobby and discovered he had a real knack for it.
In 1969, Harley decided to turn his passion into a business. He opened up a small leather goods store and began producing his own line of leather apparel and accessories. His designs combined classic biker style with innovative functionality, gaining popularity around Milwaukee.
Within a few years, Harley had outgrown the first shop. He moved the business to a larger facility and brought on additional skilled craftsmen to keep up with demand. The 1970s saw the rise of motorcycle clubs across the country, bringing more riders into stores looking for riding gear. Milwaukee Leather earned a reputation for making high-performing jackets, vests, boots and other products riders loved.
In the 1980s, Harley focused the company on expanding nationally. He cultivated connections with dealers around the country to get Milwaukee Leather products on their shelves. His quality manufacturing and smart business sense drove growth year after year.
By 1990, Milwaukee Leather was one of the top names in motorcycle apparel in the United States. Even with growth, Harley kept the company headquartered in Milwaukee as a tribute to the brand’s roots. He brought his family into leadership roles, passing along his passion for craftsmanship.
Today, Milwaukee Leather has over 300 employees across multiple facilities in Wisconsin. We ship our products worldwide while maintaining our founding commitment to excellence. More than 50 years since opening that first small storefront, our purpose remains the same—to create gear that enables riders to pursue their passion on the open road.
Our Values
Milwaukee Leather thrives thanks to our deeply ingrained company values that guide every decision we make:
Quality Without Compromise
We refuse to cut corners. All of our products meet meticulous standards and undergo comprehensive testing. We only use premium materials from trusted suppliers. Our craftsmen are required to demonstrate expertise before being allowed to work. We stand behind everything we produce to give our customers confidence in our gear.
Innovation in Design
Good enough never satisfies us. Our designers are constantly pushing boundaries to improve our products. We experiment with the latest materials and technologies to enhance protection, comfort, and performance. Customer feedback drives many of our best upgrades and new ideas. Our innovation delivers progressive gear that meets emerging rider needs.
Safety First
Above all, we believe in protecting motorcyclists on the road. Our products guard against impact, abrasion, weather, and other hazards. We educate riders on proper gear selection and maintenance. We actively support initiatives that promote motorcycle safety. Everything we do focuses on allowing customers to pursue their passion while minimizing risk.
Honest Value
We deliver premium quality at fair prices. Our products are priced based on their materials, construction, and protective qualities. We cut excess profit margins to give riders access to safety gear at a reasonable cost. Our customers receive lasting value for their money thanks to our commitment to excellence. We pride ourselves on upholding fair pricing.
Legendary Customer Service
Riders who choose our gear deserve an exceptional experience. We strive to deliver friendly and knowledgeable support at every stage. Our customer service team promptly and thoroughly answers questions to improve sales and satisfaction. We handle repairs, replacements, and returns efficiently to never leave a rider dissatisfied. Milwaukee Leather creates gear to last and stands behind our products.
By staying true to these core values over the decades, we’ve built one of the strongest reputations in the motorcycle industry. Our values allow us to balance growth and innovation without sacrificing quality or losing sight of rider needs. As we move into the future, these principles will continue guiding our mission.
Our Process
Producing high-caliber motorcycle gear requires attention to detail throughout a rigorous development and manufacturing process. We apply decades of expertise to every product that bears the Milwaukee Leather name.
Design
Our talented design team pays close attention to the latest rider needs and industry trends. They identify opportunities for new products that solve problems and elevate performance. Hundreds of hand-drawn sketches lead to refined computer-aided models using the most advanced equipment available. Our designers invest heavily in understanding our customers to deliver gear that fits seamlessly into their riding.
Material Selection
We use only the best leather, textiles, protective armor, and hardware in our products. Our long-term supplier relationships give us access to premium materials at fair prices. For leather, we select durable, abrasion-resistant hides. We choose versatile, high-tenacity textiles optimized for riding. Our armor and visors meet rigorous impact standards. Every material matches our quality benchmarks.
Prototyping
Before starting full production, we create multiple prototypes of each product. Our development team meticulously evaluates these early samples. They test for proper pattern cutting, stitching, construction methods, and durability. We recruit employee riders and consumers to test prototypes and provide feedback. This prototyping stage ensures any flaws or adjustments are identified prior to manufacturing at scale.
Craftsmanship
Even with modern equipment, expert handcrafting goes into every product. Our leatherworkers have decades of specialized experience producing exceptional apparel and accessories. We train them on the latest techniques and hold them to the highest standards. Consistent quality checks happen throughout the fabrication process to guarantee conformity. Our culture of craftsmanship delivers gear riders are proud to wear.
Safety Testing
We use certified labs to put our gear through a battery of tests. Our leather and textile jackets undergo abrasion resistance assessment to verify they withstand crashes. We test impact absorption per safety standards for armor. Our products must pass rigorous quality control checkpoints focused on safety. All of our gear is designed, constructed, and tested to protect in real-world conditions.
Finishing Touches
The last steps in our process include decorative accents and final quality assurance. We add custom logos, badging, and design elements to complete each product’s unique look and style. Before shipping, every item goes through multiple quality assurance checks to detect any flaws. This final stage culminates our meticulous development and production process.
By rigorously following these steps, we ensure Milwaukee Leather gear delivers on rider expectations. Our focus on quality materials, thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and comprehensive testing allows us to stand behind everything we produce. We know our reputation rides on the safety and satisfaction delivered by each jacket, vest, pair of chaps, or other product we sell.
Our Commitment to Riders
Milwaukee Leather understands choosing riding gear is an incredibly important decision. The safety and security riders feel on the road starts with the protection and performance of their equipment. That’s why we remain focused on serving bikers across the world with gear that helps them make the most of their passion.
Riding With Confidence
Our goal is for riders to be able to hit the open highway knowing their gear has them covered. We give riders the highest caliber leather, textiles, armor, and construction to handle road hazards. Our extensive testing procedures verify the protective qualities of every jacket, glove, pant, and boot before they ship. Riders can push their limits with gear designed to hold up through all riding conditions.
Enhancing The Ride
Beyond protection, we design gear to improve the riding experience. Leather products molded to body contours provide unmatched comfort on long hauls. Innovative ventilation systems keep riders cool in warm weather. Integrated pockets and compartments offer convenient access to belongings. Custom adjustable closures deliver the perfect fit. The rider-centric details we build into our products enhance every trip.
Outstanding Customer Service
We understand our customers entrust us with their riding safety. That’s why going above and beyond to meet their needs is our top priority. Our customer service team offers friendly, knowledgeable support to find the perfect gear for each rider. We make returns, exchanges, repairs, and replacements quick and hassle-free. Milwaukee Leather strives to build relationships with our customers that last for years through outstanding service.
Protecting The Community
We care deeply about the close-knit community of motorcycle riders we serve. Our team actively engages with riding events, clubs, rallies, and charities. We support initiatives that share tips on gear selection and safe riding practices. We band together with other industry brands to promote growth and advancement in the motorcycle market. Everything we do aims to educate and empower riders to pursue their passion safely.
For over 50 years, Milwaukee Leather has been committed to this community. We’ll continue innovating, testing, crafting and delivering the best motorcycle jackets, gloves, boots and gear for riders everywhere. Our team stands ready to serve all those looking to hit the open road feeling completely free yet totally secure. We’re thrilled and humbled to outfit your next adventure.
Our Product Lines
Milwaukee Leather offers an extensive range of premium motorcycle gear across multiple product categories. Our offerings include everything from durable outerwear to stylish casual apparel to rider-tested accessories. All of our products deliver exceptional protection, comfort, quality, and value.
Jackets
Our motorcycle jackets represent the core of the Milwaukee Leather line. We produce leather and textile jackets for both men and women engineered for performance riding. Temperature regulation, impact absorption, abrasion resistance, and custom fit features allow riders to push boundaries in confidence. Whether heading cross-country or cruising around town, we have the perfect jacket option.
Vests
For versatile lightweight protection, riders turn to our leather and denim vests. Full adjustability combines with interior lining and armor panels to provide security and mobility. Bold custom graphics and accent stitching deliver eye-catching biker style. Our vests slide effortlessly into any riding wardrobe.
Chaps
Hitting the open road starts with the protective coverage of motorcycle chaps. Milwaukee Leather designs men’s and women’s leather chaps reinforced with ballistic nylon for durability. An adjustable waist and side laces allow for the perfect fit over jeans or riding pants. Quick access pockets and reinforced knees enhance functionality.
Footwear
Durable, comfortable leather boots complete the riding ensemble. Our boots incorporate oil-resistant soles, steel shanks, and robust construction. We design options for sport, cruiser, and touring riders. Protective features like ankle support, toe reinforcement, and slip resistance empower confident riding.
Heated Gear
Cold weather riders need specialized heated gear to stay comfortable. We create industry-leading heated jackets, gloves, chaps, and other apparel packed with warming technology. Riders control adjustable heating elements with fingertip controls. Milwaukee Leather heated gear allows full-season riding freedom.
Casual Wear
Beyond riding gear, we craft a line of casual leather clothing for men and women. Our leather jackets, chaps, vests, hats, wallets, and other items capture authentic biker style. Unique handmade details and customization options deliver standout looks. Anyone looking to add rebel flair reaches for our casualwear.
Accessories
We offer all the accessories to complete your gear package. Our saddle bags, tool pouches, and luggage protect cargo on the move. Rain suit layering keeps riders dry in storms. Protective armor inserts add impact absorption. Helmet locks, straps, and more ensure convenient transport. Milwaukee Leather accessories meet every need on the road.
With extensive options across these product groups, every rider can build a complete collection of gear for any climate or riding style. We combine premium protective qualities with comfort, customization, and style across our product selection. The Milwaukee Leather name signifies gear designed to be worn with pride.
The Next Chapter
While Milwaukee Leather takes pride in our traditions, craftsmanship, and heritage, we always look ahead to the future advancement of our company and industry. We’re committed to continuous evolution to better serve riders in the years ahead.
Our expert team closely monitors trends in motorcycle technology, textiles, armor innovations, and consumer needs. We reinvest extensively in R&D and design capabilities. By anticipating the future of motorcycling, we’re able to expand our development of category-leading gear.
We also focus on refining our processes to increase efficiency without ever compromising quality. Our recent investments in automation, testing equipment, inventory systems, and production technologies boost output and consistency. Enhancing our operations ensures we deliver our benchmark standards as demand grows.
Most importantly, we constantly listen to feedback from our loyal customers. Their experiences and suggestions inform our product creation and business strategies. As long-time riders ourselves, we share their passion for the freedom of the open road. Milwaukee Leather looks forward to growing with our community to empower generations of riders to come.
Whether you’re new to riding or have logged thousands of miles in the saddle, we invite you to make Milwaukee Leather your trusted partner. Our team of passionate experts stands ready to provide exceptional service and gear that helps you get the most out of your next ride. Let’s hit the highway together.