When shopping for a leather jacket it’s important to think about where you’re planning to wear it. Motorcycle jackets are more rugged, while racer and trucker jackets are meant to be worn for date nights or the office.

“I look for two kinds of leather myself: One that will age well when worn for more rugged activities, and one that has soft and supple leather for more fashion-forward outfits,” says Ramell-Coreen.

Always go with a leather that’s full, durable, and supple. Traditional cowhide leather, which is more durable and thicker than other leathers, is typically found in old-school motorcycle jackets. Lambskin is a great option for those who want a leather that’s softer and lighter. And if you want to change things up, you can try a suede leather to give your outfits some added texture and dimension

Read more: Best Sweaters for Men

Your investment is less about what’s trending and more about your style and wearing patterns. If you write down what you like and stick to high quality leather, you should find yourself with a leather jacket you’ll love for years to come.

While an outdated adage said to buy a size up when shopping for leather jackets, we recommend sticking to your size.

“However, if you find yourself stuck between two sizes, the tighter option will stretch over time,” Ramell-Coreen says. “The only time I’d say to size up is if you’re working out and trying to gain weight. Also, when shopping for a leather jacket, wear the clothes you would wear with the jacket. Trying on a jacket with a sweater on feels different than without it.”

Oversized jackets may feel cozier, but they’re not as flattering. It’s important to understand how leather jackets are traditionally cut. The torso of the jacket should closely skim your body with a hem that hits right at your waist or belt. It might feel shorter than other jackets in your closet, but this is a correct fit for a traditional leather bomber or motorcycle jacket.

For starters, never throw your leather jacket into a washer or dryer. That will pull all the moisture out of the leather, causing it to shrink and crack, as well as damaging the metal hardware (i.e. zippers).

“A gentle wipe down with a semi damp cloth and spray mink oil works wonders for longevity of items worn more often,” says Ramell-Coreen. “Consider a leather conditioner works for jackets that may sit around in your closer longer without wear, as the formula will penetrate deeper into the leather to help preserve it longer.”

If your leather jacket gets wet from being caught in the rain, hang it up or lay it on a towel and dab up any moisture with a dry cloth before letting air dry. You can also add a tiny amount of leather conditioner to help keep the water from pulling our all of the leather’s moisture.

And if your leather jacket gets absolutely soaked—to the point of there being potential mildew growth—roll up some dry towels and stuff them in the arms of your jacket. You can then dab off some of the moisture and hang your jacket or lay it on your dryer with a towel in between. We don’t, however, recommend taking a blow dryer to your leather jacket.

For the past two years, Men’s Health fashion editors and writers have been trying and testing tons of different men’s leather jackets. To narrow down our favorites, we evaluated leather jackets based on their durability, style, comfort, and price point. We also considered leather jackets that had at least 1,000 five-star ratings on e-commerce sites we trust.