If you want a leather jacket for cool weather that you can wear almost every day, San Francisco is the perfect test. The city is known for its mild winters and its cool, foggy summers. According to the NOAA climate normals for downtown San Francisco, covering 1991 to 2020, the average July high is only about 66 degrees Fahrenheit, with a low near 54. January is not much colder, with an average high of about 58 and a low of about 47. That is cool all year round, and it is exactly the kind of weather leather handles well.
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San Francisco Weather by the Numbers
The same NOAA data has some surprises. The warmest month is not July or August but September, with an average high of about 70 degrees. January brings about 4.4 inches of rain over roughly 11 days, while July has almost none, about 0.01 inches. Total rainfall for a year is only about 23 inches. Average July humidity is about 75 percent, which is part of why summer afternoons can feel damp and cool at the same time.
The cause is fog, which rolls in from the Pacific and cools the city in summer, especially in the evening and morning. Many visitors arrive in shorts in July and end up buying a jacket within a day. Locals know to carry a layer everywhere.
Why Leather Is a Good Fit for Cool Weather
Leather blocks wind very well, and wind off the bay is a big part of how San Francisco feels. A leather jacket also holds body heat without being bulky, and it gets better as it ages. The Leather jacket page on Wikipedia gives a short history of the style. For a leather jacket for cool weather, the main benefits are simple. You get wind protection, a light layer of warmth and a look that suits the city, from a hillside walk to a late dinner.
What to Look For in a Leather Jacket for Cool Weather
A jacket you can layer
The key to dressing in San Francisco is layers. A t shirt may be enough at noon, while a sweater or a hoodie under the jacket helps after sunset. Choose a size that fits over a light knit. Our guide to choosing leather jacket size shows how to measure, and standard sizes run from XS to 3XL.
Light to medium leather
Because the weather is cool and not very cold, you do not need thick, heavy leather. Soft lambskin is comfortable for daily wear. Our lambskin vs cowhide guide explains how the two compare. The new men’s quilted lambskin motorcycle biker black leather jacket and the men’s quilted black diamond real lamb skin slim fit black leather jacket are two lambskin styles to look at.
A classic cut
For a jacket you will wear for years, a classic biker or trucker shape is a safe choice. See our guide to biker jackets vs cafe racer jackets. For something with a vintage feel, the men’s Brando biker white and black vintage motorcycle real leather jacket is worth a look. Women can browse our women’s leather jacket styles.
A color that works with everything
Black is the easiest choice, and brown and tan have a warmer, more relaxed look. Our leather jacket colors guide goes through them.
Dressing for Fog, Wind and Hills
San Francisco is built on hills, and a walk can leave you warm on the climb and cold at the top. A leather jacket that you can open or close easily is useful here. Wear a t shirt or thin knit underneath and zip up when the wind picks up. On damp, foggy mornings the jacket may feel cool to the touch for the first few minutes, then warm up as you move. If you want ideas for outfits, read our guide on how to wear a leather jacket.
Winter Rain and Foggy Damp
January has about eleven wet days, and the summer fog leaves a fine damp on everything. Leather can handle light moisture, but it should not be soaked. If your jacket gets damp, hang it on a wide hanger and let it dry slowly at room temperature, away from heaters. Our guide to a leather jacket in the rain covers the details, and our care guide explains cleaning and conditioning.
A Day in San Francisco
A typical day shows why a leather jacket for cool weather works here. Morning brings fog and a cool chill, so you put on the jacket over a t shirt. By noon the sun may break through, and you open the front. In the late afternoon the wind picks up near the water, and you zip up again. In the evening the temperature drops, and the jacket is still doing its job. A single jacket covers the whole day without any fuss, which is why many locals wear leather for most of the year.
Leather and Layers
Leather is a good partner for layers. In cool weather you can wear a thin knit under it for warmth, or a light hoodie for a casual look. Because leather blocks wind, even a thin layer underneath feels warmer. If you want to keep the jacket slim, choose thin, fitted knitwear. If you like a relaxed look, go one size up with a thicker sweater in mind. Our guide to how to break in a leather jacket helps if your new jacket feels stiff at first.
Wearing It Through the Seasons
Because the city stays cool, a leather jacket for cool weather can be worn in every season. In summer, the fog makes mornings and evenings cool, and a light lambskin jacket is perfect. In September, when the city is at its warmest, you may want to wear it only in the evening. In winter, the rain arrives, so keep an umbrella handy and use a hanger that lets the jacket air out. Leather ages well with regular wear, and a jacket worn through a San Francisco year will soon develop its own character.
Ordering From Us
We ship worldwide for free, with standard sizes from XS to 3XL arriving about 7 to 14 days after your order is confirmed. If you have a question about sizing, send it through the enquiry form on our site or on WhatsApp. Browse the shop or read the FAQ page.
A Cool Weather Checklist
- A leather jacket for cool weather that fits over a light sweater.
- A scarf for foggy evenings.
- Comfortable shoes for hills.
- A soft cloth to wipe off damp.
- A wide hanger for storage between wears.
Mistakes to Avoid
Do not buy a jacket so slim that you cannot wear a layer under it. Do not leave a damp jacket in a closet without airing it first. And do not choose only by price. Real leather takes skill to make, so a very low price for a leather jacket for cool weather is a reason to check the details. Our guide on how to tell if a leather jacket is genuine helps.
If you like this climate guide, you may also enjoy our guides on a leather jacket in humid weather in Miami and a leather jacket in warm weather in Los Angeles.
Browse our biker leather jackets to compare styles before you choose.
The Short Version
A leather jacket for cool weather is one of the most useful pieces you can own, and San Francisco shows why. Fog, wind and mild temperatures all year make leather a natural choice. Choose soft lambskin or a classic cowhide, a size that fits over a light layer and a color you will wear often. Keep it dry and let it breathe. A leather jacket for cool weather will repay you every season.
If you are still deciding, think about how many cool days you have in a year. A leather jacket for cool weather works on most of them, from a foggy morning to a windy evening, and it only gets better with age. That is why a leather jacket for cool weather is such a good everyday choice.
Whatever the season, a leather jacket for cool weather is worth choosing with care. Take your time over the size and the leather, and a leather jacket for cool weather will feel like part of your daily routine. A leather jacket for cool weather that is looked after will keep its character for years.
Quick Questions
Is a leather jacket for cool weather good in San Francisco summers?
Yes. Summer days are often cool and foggy, so a leather jacket is useful for most of the year.
Which leather is best?
Soft lambskin is comfortable for everyday wear, and cowhide is tougher and heavier. Pick the one that suits how you will wear it.
Can I wear it in fog?
Yes. Light damp is fine. If it gets wet, dry it slowly at room temperature and keep it away from direct heat.
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