Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket – Men’s, Dried Herb

This Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket in Dried Herb was designed with commuting, touring and everyday riding in mind, combining practical storage pockets and signature Harley-Davidson graphics in one well-finished jacket. It is made from cotton, polyester and nylon, which gives it a solid feel and holds its shape over time.

Why Choose This Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket

• Style number: 97419-22VM
• Brand: Harley-Davidson, supplied by an authorised reseller
• Main materials: cotton, polyester and nylon
• Colour: Dried Herb
• Features: practical storage pockets, signature Harley-Davidson graphics
• Sizes: 2XS to 5XL, plus 1W–3W (13 options); see the size guide on this page

A Fabric Born From a Wartime Silk Shortage

The tear-resistant cotton ripstop used on the Harley-Davidson First-Class Jacket in Dried Herb (97419-22VM), available now through Flick Leathers, exists because of a supply problem that had nothing to do with fashion. Ripstop fabric was developed during World War II when the U.S. military needed a substitute for silk parachutes, and according to a detailed history from Fabriclore, the reinforced grid weave quickly spread from parachutes into military uniforms and equipment covers once its durability became clear.

That reinforced weave works on a simple principle: stronger threads are woven at regular intervals in a crosshatch pattern, so if the surrounding fabric tears, the reinforcement threads stop the rip from spreading further.

Why the Military Look Isn’t Just for Show

Harley-Davidson describes this Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket’s design as “understated armed services style,” and that description holds up under scrutiny. The bellowed patch pockets on the front directly reference a design element with real military lineage: bellows pockets were built with folds of excess fabric along the sides specifically to expand and hold larger items without needing a separate bag, a feature popularized on field jackets designed for soldiers carrying gear.

That same multi-pocket, utility-first approach defined the classic military field jacket silhouette. The U.S. Army’s M-1943 field jacket, for example, introduced the now-iconic four-pocket layout that shaped the multi-pocketed, functional military look still referenced in outerwear design today, including on jackets like this one. Later versions like the M-1965 field jacket refined that layout further, described in detail as having two large hip pockets and two medium-sized breast pockets that stayed in U.S. military service for decades. That practical, gear-carrying design logic is exactly what this Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket’s bellowed pockets borrow from, even in a civilian, non-tactical context.

Ripstop Cotton vs Ripstop Nylon

Not all ripstop fabric is the same. While nylon ripstop is prized for lightweight strength, cotton ripstop, like the material used in this Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket, offers more breathability and comfort, since the base fiber can be cotton, nylon, polyester, or blends depending on what the finished product needs to do.

Cotton ripstop specifically became popular with military personnel in hot climates during the Cold War era, valued for its breathability and lightweight feel compared to heavier nylon variants. That’s the same trade-off at play here: this Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket prioritizes everyday comfort over the maximum tear resistance a nylon ripstop shell would offer. The reinforcement principle itself hasn’t changed much since its invention, described by outdoor gear writers as engineering how damage fails rather than preventing it outright, which is exactly why the weave has stayed relevant across nearly a century of military and civilian use.

Why the Branding Stays Quiet

That restraint fits the broader military-inspired aesthetic, since original field jackets prioritized function over decoration, relying on utilitarian color choices like olive drab rather than branding to make their statement.

The Dried Herb colorway follows that same logic, landing in a muted, earthy tone that echoes classic military coloring without leaning on a literal olive drab shade. Olive drab itself has a documented military origin, adopted by the U.S. Army in 1902 specifically because it provided better battlefield concealment than the brightly colored uniforms armies had relied on for centuries before.

By World War II, the standardized shade known as Olive Drab Shade 7 became one of the most recognized military colors of the 20th century, and that earthy color family later crossed over into rebellious youth fashion once military surplus stores made olive drab clothing widely available to civilians. That earthy color family has stayed tied to military identity ever since, and jackets like this one borrow from that same understated color logic rather than choosing green or brown at random.

Building a matching kit? Take a look at the men’s Amalgam jacket, and riders who like this style often pick the men’s Copperblock jacket too.

Caring for Your Jacket

Choose from 13 sizes, 2XS to 5XL, plus 1W–3W. Measure your chest and compare it with the size guide on this page before ordering. Wash the shell gently with a mild detergent and let it air-dry; remove armor first. If you want to dig deeper, see Textile on Wikipedia. That is what makes this Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket such an easy recommendation.

If you are still deciding on the Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket, the Harley Davidson Essential Jacket – Men’s Colorblocked Anorak, Black Beauty is worth a look, and our men’s riding jackets and men’s riding gear pages show the full range.

Order your Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket in Dried Herb now and enjoy free worldwide shipping, with orders processed within 3–4 business days. Questions about the Harley Davidson First-Class Jacket? Our team is happy to help with sizing before you order.