The Best Motorcycle Rain Gear For Wet-Weather Riding

There are plenty of bikers that avoid riding in the rain, as wet-weather motorcycling opens riders up to an increased number of potential hazards — not to mention the discomfort from the cold and wet. The reality is, however, that thanks to advancements in textile technologies, tire compounds, and wet-weather-specific riding modes, piloting a bike in a downpour doesn’t have to be a dangerous, uncomfortable, or anxiety-ridden experience — so long as you have the right gear that is. With so many different pieces of moto rain kit on the market, it can be difficult even knowing where to start your search when shopping. Knowing this firsthand, we’ve opted to do the legwork for you, thoroughly scouring this broader segment to deliver this curated guide to the best pieces of motorcycle rain gear for wet-weather riding. 

Wet weather riding gear isn’t all that different from regular moto kit, however, there are a few key areas that are unique to moto rain gear that are important to factor into your equation when shopping. Below, we’ll briefly break down the half-dozen most pivotal areas to take into account when buying motorcycle rain gear. 

Materials & Build Quality: Just like with any piece of motorcycle riding gear, the materials that comprise an item play a monumental role in its overall quality and durability — as do the techniques that were used to piece said materials together. Certain construction techniques — such as seam-sealed configurations — also afford tremendous levels of waterproofing, making this another crucial area to consider. More specifically, when looking at most pieces of motorcycle rain gear, you’ll want to look at the exterior construction, any underlying liners or membranes, and if any exterior layers have been fortified with any type of hydrophobic treatment. 

Waterproofing: It’s important to point out that water-resistant, weatherproof, and waterproof all mean different things. As such, it’s crucial to pay close attention to the verbiage used when a piece of gear is being described, as this one single factor will have a monumental role on the overall experience offered.

Breathability: As briefly touched on above, the vast majority of modern pieces of motorcycle rain garments feature GORE-TEX style membranes that afford incredible weatherproofing while still allowing its wearer breathability to prevent sweat and heat buildup. The inclusion of these type of membranes do come at a financial premium, though are well worth it — as evidenced by the widespread use of these membranes in contemporary moto rain kit. 

Insulation: It’s not enough to simply stay dry, as low temperatures — which are often compounded by wind and the speed at which you’re riding — can be extremely unpleasant while in the saddle. As such, a lot of modern rain gear has been bestowed with insulation in order to increase warmth and comfort. What’s more, most modern moto gear manufacturers often opt for cutting-edge, often-synthetic materials that do an incredible job of insulating while barely adding any noticeable bulk or weight.  

Visibility: Cars on the road always present a threat to motorcyclists, though this hazard increases in the rain, as not only do drivers have longer stopping distances, but their visibility is also limited, making it harder for them to see bikers. For this reason, a lot of modern rain gear is sold in high-visibility colors — often bright highlighter yellows and neon greens — that have been selected for their ability to better catch the attention of drivers. There are also high-visibility vests that can be worn over regular riding gear in order to be more visible to drivers in inclement weather. 

Impact On Dexterity: A beefy set of membrane-lined, insulated gloves or boots can be a tremendous job keeping you comfortable and warm while riding, however, these same factors can also have a negative impact on rider’s tactile feedback and dexterity — making this a crucial area to consider when shopping. The good news is that even limited dexterity from a thick pair of riding gloves will almost always be a much better — and safer — bet compared to not wearing any gloves, as the cold will limit feel and dexterity far more than a set of gloves will. 

Versatility: Even if you’re buying gear for use in the rain, there’s nothing wrong with considering a piece of kit’s ability to be used in non-inclement weather, as this will massively bolster a product’s versatility — and therefor value. As such, we recommend thinking about second and even third possible uses for rain gear when shopping. 

Though it applies exclusively to riding garments, pieces of motorcycle rain gear typically come in one of two forms. Full pieces of kit include items such as all-weather motorcycle riding jackets or waterproof gloves or boots that are comprised of an entire piece of gear, from its chassis or frame to its mid-layers to its external structure. These items typically feature breathable yet waterproof membranes and often come lined with insulation to bolster warmth. 

On the other hand, you have veneer-style covers. Not unlike a rain slicker or poncho, this latter type of rain gear consists of only a waterproof cover that’s designed to fortify an underlying piece of non-waterproof gear — allowing you to protect your regular pieces of riding gear from the wet, and enabling you to use non-rain-specific gear in the rain. Obviously covers are markedly cheaper than buying pieces of full-on kit, though clearly aren’t anywhere near as robust, only providing protection from water and not from the cold, abrasions, or impacts. 

Between layers and products made specifically for riding in the rain and regular items that just happen to lend themselves to two-wheeling in a downpour, there’s no enormous number of different offerings to pick from when buying motorcycle rain gear. In order to narrow down our search and shine a light on the best gear currently on the market, we began our search by first making a list of all of the most important, must-have wet-weather riding kit essentials — such as the best rain jacket, the best over-boots, the best rain tires, and so on. Once we’d compiled this list, we then set about scouring the market for the best available products from each of the dozen main categories that we came up with. 

When we finally made a list of the top-three offerings from each rainy-day riding segment, we then scrutinized each item in each trio, paying close attention to materials, build quality, and performance — relative to the price and value of each offering. We also heavily relied on firsthand experience that HIC’s own staffers have with wet-weather riding kit, while also looking to experts for their opinions on the market’s latest and greatest moto rain gear. This criteria collectively enabled us to ultimately hone in on our final picks for the best motorcycle rain gear that money can currently buy. 

Aerostich Triple Digit Glove Covers

Best Glove Covers: Aerostich unequivocally produces some of the finest moto gear that money can buy, and the Minnesota outfit’s Aerostich Triple Digit Glove Covers are no exception. Also offered in a short-length version (as well as in a black color option), these gauntlet-style over gloves are crafted from a 3.5oz triple-layer breathable-waterproof ripstop nylon that features exterior Scotchlite reflective areas and hook & loop wrist cinches. Made in America, these triple-digit over gloves are extremely packable, as well. 

Klim Vantage Vest

Best Hi-Viz Vest: “SMIDSY” is a term used by motorcycle riders that stands for “Sorry mate, I didn’t see you.” The fact this is a common piece of verbiage should tell you how crucially important it is for drivers of cars to see you while riding, which is what makes the Klim Vantage Vest an absolute must-have for wet-weather riding. Fully adjustable, the vest seen here sports an eye-catching color scheme supplemented via strategically-placed patches of reflective 3M Scotchlite. Produced in three sizes, this hi-viz vest is specifically designed to fit over existing motorcycle jackets and suits — armor and all. 

Nelson Rigg Defender Extreme Motorcycle Cover

Best All-Weather Bike Cover: Backed by a lifetime warranty and is sold with an included compression sack, the Nelson Rigg Defender Extreme Motorcycle Cover is a weatherproof cover that features a rugged UltraMax fabric that’s been pieced together using heat-taped seams before being fitted with integrated heat-resistant panels for exhaust protection, a circulation-bolstering Perma-Venting system, full UV protection, metal grommets for locking, a soft windshield liner, a quick-release belly strap, and external reflective strips that allow the cover to more easily be seen in inclement weather. 

Dainese Rain Overboots

Best Boot Covers: While in theory, a pair of trash bags or plastic grocery bags can function as rain over boots, the Dainese Rain Overboots are a far superior option, with a zippered vertical rear entry, elasticized tops with Velcro-adjustable closures, reflective Dainese logos, and grippy rubberized fabric toe-shifter overlays so your boots won’t slip on the shifter as you bang through the gears. 

Aerostich Ultralight Rain Pants

Best Rain Pants: A new and improved take on an already outstanding design, the Aerostich Ultralight Rain Pants are a second-generation pair of motorcycle rain pants that are meticulously made in America using a waterproof three-layer nylon construction and fully-taped seams. Boasting the ability to pack into its own pocket, these moto riding pants also feature zippered pockets and an adjustable elasticized waist with a Velcro closure. 

Oxford Rainseal Pro Dry2Dry Over Jacket

Best Over-Jacket: Fully packable with the ability to stow into its own internal pocket, the Oxford Rainseal Pro Dry2Dry Over Jacket is a thoroughly high-end take on a motorcycle rain over jacket that features reflective printing, hand-warmer pockets, fully-taped seams, four-way stretch sections at the arms and shoulders, a breathable and waterproof Dry2Dry membrane, and a waterproof YKK AquaGuard front zipper — features that are typically reserved for high-end adventure motorcycle jackets. 

Alpinestars Hurricane Rain Suit

Best Rain Suit: Rain suits afford the unique ability to conveniently cover riders from ankles to neck — ensuring they arrive where they’re going nice and dry. Built to withstand extreme weather conditions as its name suggests, the Alpinestars Hurricane Rain Suit is single-piece garment that’s made from a PU-coated poly-nylon blend that’s been lined with a poly-mesh fabric and pieced together using taped seams. 

Revival Cycles Dirt Bag Rolltop Backpack

Best Weatherproof Backpack: In addition to churning out world-class custom motorcycles, Revival Cycles is also now responsible for making some of the best riding bags that money can buy. Case in point, the Austin outfit’s Dirt Bag rolltop backpacks and duffel bags. Cut from a TPU-coated 840-denier nylon that’s pieced together using sonic-welded seams, the Revival Cycles Dirt Bag Rolltop Backpack is a fully-waterproof 25-liter moto-specific carry solution that features a top-shelf build quality, EVA padding, an expandable 16” laptop compartment, and all aluminum hardware. 

Michelin Road 6 Tires

Best Rain Tires: Offering 15% better wet weather grip and a 10% longer lifespan than the brand’s already wildly-impressive fifth-gen moto tire model, the Michelin Road 6 Tires offer extreme levels of performance — as demonstrated by stunt riders using this exact rubber to perform stoppies on wet concrete — thanks to the use of Michelin’s 2CT+ dual compound front and rear tire composition, patented Silica tech tread compound, and Water Evergrip Tech tread pattern.

Held Cold Champ Gore-Tex Gloves

Best Rain Gloves: Benefitting from the brand’s signature use of top-shelf materials and build quality, the Held Cold Champ Gore-Tex Gloves have been crafted from a carefully-selected area of premium and name-brand constructions. Also benefitting from X-Trafit technology, these rain-ready riding gloves come loaded with a Thinsulate liner and a full GORE-TEX membrane underneath an outer shell made from Superfabric, goatskin, leather, and Taslan. The exterior of these gloves also feature Thermoplush fleece at the back of the hands, 3M Scotchlite reflectors, a visor wipe, and leather-covered hard plastic knuckle protection. 

Daytona TransTourMan GTX Boots

Best Rain Boots: Built around a set of full-length uppers cut from cowhide leather with a special hydrophobic treatment, the Daytona TransTourMan GTX Boots may look like a regular pair of premium riding boots, though despite their lack of visible bulk, these boots feature a full GORE-TEX membrane, a polyamide-poly lining, reinforced shin, ankle, and heel protection, and a plastic-reinforced inner sole with a hot-dip galvanized steel inlay. What’s more, the use of a non-slip rubber touring sole mated to a replaceable outer mid-sole together afford excellent traction and stability on or off the bike, while open-cell foam and an anatomically formed insole make for an incredibly comfortable piece of moto footwear. 

REV’IT! Stratum GTX Jacket

Best Rain Jacket: Inspired by the cut of modern technical jackets, the REV’IT! Stratum GTX is unquestionably one of the most advanced and cutting-edge riding garments ever developed. Extremely modular, this top-shelf jacket is reinforced with SEESOFT Air spine protector and SEEFLEX elbow and shoulder armor, plus can be fitted with an optional chest protector. Also compatible with hydration reservoirs, the jacket is made from a cutting-edge amalgamation of 3L GORE-TEX 400-denier nylon fabric, 3L GORE-TEX Pro Armacor fabric, 3L 200-denier GORE-TEX nylon, neoprene, and REV’IT!’s own PWR|Shell mesh, PWR|Shell ripstop stretch, and PWR|Shell stretch.

The Best Pieces Of Heated Motorcycle Gear

Whether you’re biking in the rain or snow, being cold is never fun when piloting a motorcycle, which is why we recommend checking out our guide to the best pieces of heated motorcycle gear for some added warmth when riding in the winter months.