Cortech Marquee Jacket Review [Swiss Army Knife in Leather]

May 14, 2024

Cortech has a winner here in the Marquee leather jacket. I can probably shortcut this review by saying that this black leather jacket ticks all the boxes on my list of important features to include in a great item of apparel. The Cortech Marquee jacket is constructed of 1.0-1.2 mm drum-dyed cow leather that is soft to the touch and supple right off the rack. Putting a thousand miles on it, including some rain, has only improved the patina. The Marquee has a list price of $350, and you could spend a lot more for a lot less.

The overload of features initially attracted me, as it is like the Swiss Army knife of leather jackets. It has a cotton faux hoodie—mostly a hood, zipper, and a front/center strip. It is easily removed via one circumference zipper. There is also a sleeveless quilted removable liner independent of the hoodie, so riders can set up the jacket to taste.

Also, Cortech gave The Marquee an overload of pockets. There are the usual two zippered outside handwarmer pockets. On the top edge of the wearer’s left side is a six-inch vertical zippered pocket suitable for a smartphone. Below that, also vertical, is a seven-inch double-snap pocket that is six inches deep—perhaps suitable for a large wallet or compact .380. Rounding out the left side is a pocket five inches wide and eight inches deep, with a hook and loop closure that is also accessible through a strategic cut in the liner.

Inside the right side is a three-inch wide, six-inch deep snap-top pocket above an eight-by-eight-inch zippered pocket, both accessible through cuts in the liner. All zippers are YKK and metal except for the nylon inside pockets zips. All outside pockets have leather pulls.

All told, there are seven pockets for your storage pleasure.

To tailor the jacket to conditions, two 14-inch zippered vents are positioned forward of the shoulders and extending down the ribcage. In the rear, the Cortech Marquee has two 11-inch vertical zippered vents extending down from behind the shoulders. These vents are polyester mesh-lined and slightly smaller on sizes below medium.

Other appreciated details include accordion shoulder gussets for more room across the back, fabric-gusseted sleeve end zippers, tuck and roll stitching across the shoulders, elbows, and drop tail, and two-position snap waist gathers. There are even two small elastic loops, one on each internal edge of the jacket, to thread the wires from earbuds down to your smartphone or music player.

Protection is provided with the included SAS-TEC CE Level-2 shoulder and elbow armor. However, CE-rated back protection, which we consider essential, will have to be sourced, or you can go with an airbag system, such as the Alpinestars Tech 3.

I recently wore the Cortech Marquee jacket to the Triumph Rocket 3 Storm launch in the south of France. The weather was cold with some rain. I wore The Marquee on the bike and off while sightseeing (mostly barhopping) in the rain or almost shine. It kept me warm and cozy while offering freedom of movement and good looks. Highly recommended.

Cortech Marquee Jacket Fast Facts