The Best Motorcycle Jackets of 2024

If you ride, you’re aware that no motorcycle jacket is perfect for all weather conditions. The best moto jackets are ones that have optional integrated layers or allow you to layer beneath. We also like jackets with a bit of style in addition to their function.

For the guide, we leaned more toward adventure (a.k.a. ADV) styles, because those are so adaptable and user-friendly across various applications, locations, and trips. We rode through rain, shine, heat, and dust to find the designs that kept us comfortable in the widest variety of conditions.

Most of the jackets in this guide include armor, while some are intended as a layering piece for more demanding conditions. Most of our choices pass the minimum EU standards for slide and impact as stand-alone pieces and some go well beyond that.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Motorcycle Jackets buyer’s guide on December 20, 2024, with a fresh slate of field-tested picks including the KLIM Artemis and Mosko Moto Surveyor plus educational sections.

The Best Motorcycle Jackets of 2024

Motorcycle Jackets Comparison Chart

Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Materials, Protection, Best Use.

How We Tested Motorcycle Jackets

Our Expert Testers & Testing Grounds

GearJunkie contributor Sean Galaway leaned on his experience riding across continents to evaluate jackets in the off-road end of the spectrum. He focused on ADV and enduro-style jackets that work as a key part of a layering system for maximum versatility during multi-week off-road adventures.

Rider Hilary Arthur took a 1,100-mile trip through Southern Colorado, putting the KLIM Artemis to the ultimate touring test. The varied conditions of mountainous and highway riding allowed abundant time to assess the features and functionality of a riding jacket.

Tester Michael Frank pulled on these motorcycle jackets over the course of hundreds of miles of canyon carving, city crawls, and Interstate blasts. Throughout our testing, the weather ranged from chilly and freezing to muggy. Frank also rode at various paces and scored the usability of the pockets and zippers. He also checked the ventilation and insulation systems for each jacket, as well as the fit and adaptability across temperature ranges.

Our Testing Process

A top priority was finding motorcycle jackets that provide comfort and ease of use. We prefer to wear fabrics that provide freedom of movement. Our top choices usually carry Level 1 or Level 2 protection. Better versions of armor, such as on the D3O Ghost armor in the Aether Mulholland, felt more comfortable because the material is a bit softer, and the build is less restricting. 

Moto jackets were tested for versatility and adjustability, such as whether a liner was removable or a layer could be added beneath. We also paid attention to the strength of zippers and snaps and whether the rider could keep their gloves on to operate the jacket.  

For pockets, we tested each one with all the goods we typically carry on a ride: shades, wallet, keys, ear protection, phone, earbuds, and snacks.

Leaning into our field tests and personal experience, we determined the best jackets for ADV riders for both hot weather and rain. We also found a few single-quiver options that work for most ride days and moderate weather.

Some motorcycle jackets didn’t make the cut. The ones left off the list were too bulky, lacked adequate armor, or were simply uncomfortable.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Motorcycle Jacket

Types of Motorcycle Jackets

The type of motorcycle jacket you need greatly depends on the terrain you ride. If you’re commuting on the Interstate, your needs will differ from someone riding technical single track off-road. 

There are as many motorcycle jackets as there are motorcycles and riding styles. Our focus here is largely on jackets that can be the most versatile. Our guide comprises motorcycle jackets for everyday street/cruiser, sport, touring, and adventure/dual-sport rides. These jackets lean more into textiles than leather.

Adventure (ADV) Jackets

Adventure jackets are the most versatile motorcycle jackets on the market.

The best designs have a suite of features that can cover you on any type of terrain: from highway miles to technical offroad riding. ADV jackets have a ton of features: from waterproof exterirois, to ample vents, to separate integrated layers that either zip or snap into the exterior layer to help keep you warm. Those layers can be removed depending on the weather conditions and season. Adventure jackets allow for modification as the weather shifts, including ventilation ports. You will appreciate that versatility if you’re touring on a multiday trip. 

A couple of great examples of jackets in this category include the Alpinestars AMT-10R Drystar XF Jacket, KLIM Artemis, and the REV’IT! Tornado 4 H2O.

Cruiser/Street Jackets

Cruiser or street jackets tend to be lighter weight, like the Aether Mulholland, and we like using these on city rides.

These designs are still armored and include weather protection so you don’t get soaked on your commute. These jackets typically have a robust outer layer to protect against falls on tarmac. 

This type of jacket is also discreet and streamlined, so you can walk around town and not look like you’re in the middle of riding across a continent. You don’t really want a bulky ADV coat for this duty.

Use-Case Specific Motorcycle Jackets

There’s an argument for one jacket that can do it all — but the more we ride the more we believe that having a dialed layering system is the way to go, especially on multi-week adventure rides. 

The Mosko Moto Surveyor is a great example of a jacket that is less versatile on its own, but an excellent addition to a layering system when paired with base layer armor and a lightweight waterproof shell. We wish we had used a jacket like this on our rides across Africa or Europe as it provides a much more versatile system than relying on one jacket to do it all. It’s also a great layer for chilly and dry mornings in Baja. 

With that said, jackets like Dainese Sheffield D-Dry are waterproof for rainy weather and are a good choice if you live in a wet and cold climate like Portland, Oregon, or Boston. 

Alternatively, the Klim Marrakesh is a great option for riders who commute in Phoenix or Miami. You know where and how you ride, so pick a jacket that will meet your specific needs. 

Pockets

Pocket placement is key for easy access and overall functionality. The ergonomics and shape of the pockets also influence how easy it is to use them with moto gloves on.

Here are a few examples of common pocket placements: 

• Exterior chest pockets: these can be great for storing your phone for quick and easy access when riding. 
• Interior chest pockets: we typically keep our ID and/or credit cards stashed in interior pockets so we always have these essentials on hand and tucked away. 
• Exterior front pockets: These are found on any jackets, like the Aether Mulholland. We dump a beanie, hat, or snacks in these large style pockets for quick access when getting off the bike. A similar pattern is on the Dainese Sheffield D-Dry, so you can easily enter the pocket. 
• Lumbar pockets: Many jackets offer lumber pockets with a zip or snap closure (we like zips in the back). We’ve stashed gloves, rain layers, and hydration bladders in this style of pocket.
• Pockets on the arms: Some jackets even have zippered pockets in the arms — another great place to stash an ID or credit card. 

Zippers & Adjusters

The beefier the zippers, the better. The last thing you want is a broken zipper when you’re riding. The REV’IT! Tornado 4 H2O zips are oversized with big teeth, for instance. We found that these zippers engage well, stay put, and set a benchmark for durability. For single layer designs that provide integrated waterproof protection like the KLIM Artemis, the zippers themselves are waterproof. This allows for a reduction in flaps and closures, or separate waterproof layers, but the can more difficult to operate while riding.

On jackets like the REV’IT! Tornado 4 H2O and KLIM Artemis, you’ll find sliding adjusters on the forearm, which cinch down the sleeves. That integrated arm belt alters the volume. When you’re gripping the handlebars, a streamlined fit can help reduce fatigue, because the fabric isn’t shifting around. An athletic fit also holds the armor at the elbows and shoulders in place during a crash.

Lower on a sleeve, some jackets have zippers that tighten up the circumference of the cuff, too. That detail prevents wind from blowing up your sleeve or opens up to allow more in if you’re needing some airflow.

Integrated Layers & Waterproofing

If you need to wear a waterproof layer at all times, we prefer moto jackets with waterproof-breathable membranes to internal waterproof liners.

Often motorcycle apparel companies design jackets with internal rain protection. The idea is that you zip a waterproof liner inside your jacket, and it rests atop a base layer. During testing, we found this usually leads to a soaked exterior, which becomes heavy and the inside of the jacket becomes clammy. We suggest purchasing a motorcycle jacket with an external layer that is waterproof and not the other way around.

With that said, unless you are riding in consistently rainy or cold weather, employing a layering system will keep you more comfortable than running a waterproof shell 100% of the time. 

Two jackets with integrated and removable layers include the Alpinestars AMT-10R Drystar XF Jacket and the REV’IT! Tornado 4 H2O. The Tornado 4 H2O includes a rain layer that can be zipped inside the jacket for windproofing or on top of the exterior face fabric for waterproofness. We dig that type of versatility, but it’s unique in this apparel category.

Otherwise, we tend to pick a jacket that’s built to fit aftermarket layers beneath. You might want midlayers for warmth or to invest in an airbag vest.

When trying on the coat or buying one online, think about layering before selecting the size. 

Breathability & Ventilation

We also prefer fabrics with a waterproof-breathable membrane because they breathe while providing protection. Typically, zip-in liners do not breathe as well.

Jackets with zippered pits, chest vents, and back or exit vents behind the shoulder blades like on the Aether Mulholland are great choices for breathability. Some zippers have a mesh overlay inside, including the Alpinestars AMT-10R Drystar XF Jacket and KLIM Artemis.

We see it as a downside when a jacket doesn’t have venting, like the Dainese Sheffield D-Dry, but that style of jacket is also made to be a beast for rainy, cooler weather. You likely wouldn’t find that jacket comfortable in rainy and warmer weather like the monsoon season in Mumbai.

In contrast, the KLIM Marrakesh is like wearing a screen door: It’s all mesh. 

Ultimately, ventilation and breathability are crucial for hot-weather motorcycle rides, so we suggest making a purchase based on your most common use case versus buying the most expensive option with bells and whistles that aren’t applicable to your riding style and environment.

Safety Certifications

The European Union rates armoring and slide protection in motorcycle jackets via CE, which stands for Conformité Européene. For apparel, the CE includes three categories of classification for apparel that has protection against impact and abrasion: A, AA, and AAA.

• Class AAA: Highest level of protection for impact and abrasion; potential limitations regarding ergonomics, weight, and thermal power
• Class AA: Mid-tier protection from impact and abrasion; better ergonomic and weight than Class AAA garments
• Class A: Meet the minimum protection requirements for impact and abrasion; more malleable and lighter than other classes

Class B classifications offer protection against abrasion, while Class C includes exterior and interior impact protection.

The impact protectors are also rated at Level 1 or Level 2, with the latter being stronger.

The EU measures tear strength and abrasion resistance, as well as the impact force.

That testing also includes tear resistance and seam strength.

The elbows, shoulders, knees, and sections of the back need to be built to withstand a slide for up to four seconds without structural damage for Level 1 ratings and up to seven seconds for the Level 2 cert.

You’ll want certified slide and impact protection for a motorcycle jacket because that shield is critical to being as safe as possible on the road.

Pads & Armor 

Many jackets come with safety features that you hope you never use, but if you’ve ever crashed on your motorcycle – then you know how vital these features are when you need them. Abrasion-resistant outer materials are key to protecting you from road rash, regardless of if you’re actually riding on the road. 

Pads and armor have come a long way over the last decade. We are glad that the days of hard and uncomfortable armor are long gone. Current armor from leading companies like D30 and Seesmart provides an excellent solution that is integrated into many jackets in our guide. This type of armor is perforated for airflow which is welcomed on warm days and helps to cut down on weight. 

Our favorite part? This type of armor remains extremely flexible until you need it – when it stiffens under impact. With specific pads for your spine, shoulders, elbows, and chest – we recommend wearing all the gear all the time because if you haven’t crashed on your motorcycle yet, you will one day. 

Women’s Motorcycle Jackets

Lucky for the female rider the breadth of women’s specific riding gear is growing. Many companies are making men’s and women’s versions of the same models, and coming out with unique styles for women. In this guide the KLIM Artemis was tested in the women’s fit but the same model is also available in men’s sizing. The REV’IT! Tornado 4 H2O and KLIM Marrakesh are both available in women’s versions as well, while the other jackets on the list have comparable women’s models on the brand’s sites. 

Women’s jackets often incorporate more tailored sizing or an hourglass shape to accommodate wider hips and larger busts. We love the KLIM Artemis and its perfectly placed chest vents, designed to funnel air directly to the right place. For any rider with long hair, make sure you check for velcro closures and anything that might snag your mane near the collar. Our biggest gripe is that women’s sizing tends to run small, limiting the choices for a some riders.

Price & Value

Budget

Economic choices typically settle around the $200 zone. The Dainese Sheffield D-Dry ($215) is a less beefed-up build with Level 1 — not Level 2 — armor. But if that’s suitable for the riding and road risk you’re rolling on, this is a great jacket. Plus, this level of construction is typically lighter weight.

Mid-Tier

Hitting the halfway mark to a grand, the Aether Mulholland ($650) is nylon and has a waterproof-breathable membrane. This is the tier of jacket you’ll want to check out if you’ll be road-tripping through a myriad of weather conditions including precipitation.

Premium

All the way up there is the Alpinestars AMT-10R Drystar XF Jacket ($900). This build dishes out the higher level of protection and quality of materials: Kevlar slide protection, a laminated 2.5L DrystarXF waterproof-breathable membrane, and CE Level 2 armor certification plus an AA rating. If you ride your motorcycle often, it could be worth investing in a premium jacket like this one.

Frequently Asked Questions