In Gear: Vanson VE-94 Leather Suit Review

Ride around on racetracks long enough, especially those in the US, and you’ll eventually see that bold Vanson Leathers logo stitched on someone’s leather suit. Judging by the styling of the suit, there’s a chance it could have seen several seasons by this point. Regardless, it’s still doing its job. There’s a reason for that. Vanson has been handcrafting leather race suits in its Massachusetts workshop since 1974, and while they might not be flashy, they’re definitely built to last. 

Having seen other racers and track riders race, fall, and subsequently rave about their Vanson suits, I set out to get one for myself, and the VE-94 you see here is what happens when artisans and masters of their craft show off their work. Built from 1.4mm, U.S.-sourced cowhide, I thought the VE-94 was going to be stout and stiff, needing several laps of break-in time before it felt comfortable. But that wasn’t the case. Vanson has mastered the art of leather treatment and softening, and from the moment I put it on, it felt like second skin. It was surprisingly soft and supple straight away.

Each VE-94 is made to measure. If you’re lucky enough to make it to Vanson HQ or any of the events they attend, they can measure you on the spot. Otherwise, measurement guidelines are available on their website for a friend or loved one to help you. Once those numbers are sent in you pick the suit you want, your color choices, and any other custom touches, and let the crew in Fall River tailor a suit just for you. Naturally, this comes at a cost — roughly $2,600 for the single-color suit you see here. The price can fluctuate based on your preference for patches, colors, or designs. That’s not pocket change by any means, and while other companies also sell very nice suits at this price range, if you’re going to spend this much, you ought to get something custom made for you. 

As for protection, Vanson’s patented Floating Armor System (F.A.S.), covers the usual areas — shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees — while stretch panels and perforations help it breathe and move where its needed. It’s not chasing the latest lightweight composite trend, but the craftsmanship is rock-solid, with double-stitched seams, thick YKK brass zippers, and the backing of Vanson should you need any repairs. Vanson understands these suits aren’t cheap, so while other suits are tossed in the bin after a single crash, Vanson’s material choices allow them to offer repair services to bring damaged suits back to new (at a cost, of course). This is why you might still see old Vansons roaming around the paddock to this day.

There’s so much more to say about the VE-94, but instead of typing out the words, I actually say them out loud in the video above. Check it out and see why I’m a fan of this suit.

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