The Greatest Bike Jackets

If you ride, you’re aware that no motorcycle jacket is perfect for all weather conditions. The best moto jackets, in our experience, 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 high 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.

Properly armored motorcycle jackets have padding along the spine, elbows, and shoulders. Our top choices also pass the minimum EU standards for slide and impact, and some go well beyond that.

To learn more about moto jacket details, check out our comprehensive buyers guide, FAQ, and comparison chart below. Otherwise, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys for 2024.

The Best Motorcycle Jackets of 2024

Motorcycle Jackets Comparison Chart

How We Tested Motorcycle Jackets

Our lead GearJunkie 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.

A top priority was finding motorcycle jackets that provide comfort and ease of use. We prefer to wear fabrics that provide freedom of movement. We also opt for more heavily armored and protective pieces. 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

Adventure (ADV) Jackets

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

The best designs have 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 multi-day trip. 

A couple of great examples of jackets in this category include the Alpinestars AMT-10R Drystar XF Jacket 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.

This type of jacket is also discreet and streamlined, so you can walk around town between being on your bike. You don’t really want a bulky ADV coat for this duty.

Weather-specific Jackets

Versatility is king. But weather-specific jackets might be your priority based on where you ride.

For instance, the Dainese Sheffield D-Dry is waterproof for rainy weather and might be a top pick if you live in a wet climate like Portland, Oregon, or Boston.

Alternatively, the Klim Marrakesh is a great option for riders who commute in Phoenix or Miami.

Regardless, these models have armor, versatile pockets, and a sharp aesthetic.

Pockets

Pocket placement is key for convenience and quick, easy access and overall functionality. The ergonomics and shape of the pocket also influence how easy it is to enter a pocket with moto gloves on.

The Aether Mulholland has extra-large flaps with burly snaps on the front pockets. The pockets are ideally located. A similar pattern is on the Dainese Sheffield D-Dry, so you can easily enter the pocket.

The best riding garb has plenty of pockets, and the pockets are in convenient locations. We like pockets integrated into the exterior of the sleeve on the upper or lower arm. We use those pockets to stash a credit card or phone.

Zippers and 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.

On jackets like the REV’IT! Tornado 4 H2O, 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.

Integrated Layers and Waterproofing

We prefer moto jackets with waterproof-breathable membranes. That dual-action layer prevents moisture from soaking your jacket while still allowing perspiration to escape. Jacket materials also typically have a level of windproofness.

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.

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 and Ventilation

We also prefer fabrics with a waterproof-breathable membranes because they breathe in addition to 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. 

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.

Safety and Armoring

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.

FAQ

Motorcycle jackets needs to be made specifically for riding. We advise finding a jacket with a CE Level 1 or 2 certification for armor plus an A or AA overall safety rating, at a minimum.

We suggest looking for a design that offers a range of weather protection. You should be able to fit layers of insulation on beneath the jacket, or those layers should be integrated and included in the jacket design.

Look for jackets with a waterproof-breathable membrane to prevent you from getting soaked in a downpour without causing overheating on warmer days. Find jackets with ventilation, as well as enlarged zipper pulls for easier use and oversized pocket openings, so you can grab items while still wearing motorcycle gloves.

Leather is a popular choice for racing jackets. Often, Kevlar or other hard composites are integrated into a moto jacket for slide resistance. Other highly resistant materials include Cordura and Dyneema, which are developed to not reach a melting point during a motorcycle slide.

Your motorcycle jacket’s fit should be roomy enough for you to put layers on underneath. Some designs include arm adjusters.

Jackets with tons of arms can feel stiffer, which is why racers tend to wear those built-out designs, and more casual riders opt for a more flexible jacket.

Motorcycle airbags are becoming more common. If you intend to wear one beneath an armored jacket, look for a roomy coat to accommodate that extra layer and safety system.