Riding out on the open road is a freeing and exhilarating experience. Riding while wearing a leather motorcycle jacket is peace of mind. Leather is very abrasive resistant, therefore if a rider is thrown from their bike or has to lay their bike down, wearing leather creates a layer between them and the asphalt.

There are different parts to a leather motorcycle jacket, if each of these parts are good quality, this makes for a better riding experience. One part to a jacket is the snaps. Snaps on jackets typically come in silver, brass, antique brass, or brushed silver. They are decorative, as well as functional, keeping pockets closed, and the necks on euro motorcycle jackets snapped, and unsnapped on the collar of a classic motorcycle jacket to raise the collar on colder days . A good quality snap holds it's snap, as well as opens easily, and stays functional for the life of the jacket.

When did snaps become part of clothing and who invented them? Snaps first were patented by a German man named Heribert Bauer in 1885, and were called "Federknopf-Verschluss". This fastener was used for men's trousers. When did they start being called "snaps"? It was when Jack Weil patented a new kind of snap that that word came into being. It is good to know who it is we have to thank for the inventions that are part of our everyday life. Jack Weil was quite a character. He was the founder and CEO of the Denver based western clothing manufacturer Rockmount Ranch Wear. He is known for saying, "the West is not a place, it is a state of mind". Jack lived to be 107. He claimed to have quit smoking at age 60, drinking at age 90, and eating red meat at age 100. He did say though that he had a shot of Jack Daniels twice a week for medicinal purposes to keep his blood thin. Weil is believed to be the oldest working CEO in the United States.

Leather motorcycle jackets are an important part of the riding gear for a biker, really, top of the list a long with a helmet. So the next time you are out on the open road enjoying the freedom of riding, the beautiful scenery and the peace of mind that comes with wearing leather, think of Jack Weil when you snap your collar closed keeping out the chill of the morning ride.