See our concise review article covering the best motorcycle jackets based on user ratings and reviews in 3 categories. Also see our buyer’s guide, How To Choose The Best Motorcycle Jacket For You.

Best Motorcycle Jackets

	Best Sport Touring Jacket	Best Adventure Jacket	Best Waterproof Jacket
	Milano Sport Gamma	Pilot Motosport Adventure	Alpinestars Andes Drystar
Weight	4.4 lbs.	4.0 lbs.	4.9 lbs.
Sizes Available	S-M-L-XL-XXL-3XL	S-M-L-XL-XXL-3XL-4XL	S-M-L-XL-XXL-3XL-4XL
Special Features	Removable thermal liner & zippered vents on chest and back	Zip-out sleeve length Thermolite warmth liner	100% waterproof and breathable Drystar inner lining, plus removable thermal liner
Customer Ratings	4.0 / 5.0 Stars	4.3 / 5.0 Stars	4.5 / 5.0 Stars

Also see: Motorcycle Jacket Comparison Table

Quick Answer: The 6 Best-Rated Motorcycle Jackets

• Milano Sport Gamma Motorcycle Jacket
• Klim Induction Motorcycle Jacket
• Pilot Motosport Trans.Urban V2 Motorcycle Touring/Adventure Jacket
• Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 Riding Jacket
• Alpinestars Andes Drystar Motorcycle Jacket
• Tourmaster Transition Series 4 Motorcycle Touring Jacket

Best Sport Touring Motorcycle Jackets

#1: Milano Sport Gamma Motorcycle Jacket

The Milano Sport Gamma motorcycle jacket is a top choice with great features for sport touring riders. It is not only waterproof, but can adapt to all weather conditions and is suitable for all seasons, depending on how you layer up in winter.

A fixed liner achieves the waterproofing while maintaining breathability and a removable thermal quilted liner keeps you warm. On hot days, two zippered vents each on the chest and lower back provide ventilation and heat regulation.

The adjustable snap-to collar gives you comfort and you can reduce billowing with straps on cuffs, lower and upper arms. Stretch panels and twin waist belts enable a snug fit.

For your protection, the Milano Sport Gamma motorcycle jacket has padded panels on the front and back as well as CE approved armor on the shoulder and elbows.

A back plate is not included, but a fitted pouch is compatible with the D30 back protector insert. There are two external pockets and one internal pocket for storage. The reflective stripes on upper arms and back are a nice details and there a high visibility color options available.

The only downside to this jacket is that the sizes continue to run athletic instead of oversize, so that users tended to order one size up from XXL on. This jacket will keep you dry and comfortable and is a great daily driver at a very reasonable price.

#2: Klim Induction Motorcycle Jacket

The Klim Induction motorcycle jacket is a highly functional and lightweight mesh model with excellent protection. Its premium quality allows for full ventilation without compromising safety, making it a great pick for warmer to hot climates.

In colder weather, you’d need to layer up underneath. Despite the excellent breathability, Klim achieves a tough, rugged and durable jacket thanks to the combination of Cordura with their own Karbonite mesh material, which is many times stronger than regular nylon or polyester.

The abrasion resistance in the elbow and shoulder zones is outstanding and exceeds military specifications. D30 armor is integrated in the elbows, shoulders and back.

To maintain its visibility properties against fading, the mesh material has received UV-resistant treatment and there are reflective stripes on the upper and lower arms as well as the upper back.

For your comfort, the soft collar is fleece-lined and the mesh liner wicks moisture away. High quality zippers, straps to adjust arms and waist as well as internal belt loops are nice details to allow for the perfect fit. For storage, you have 3 external and 3 internal pockets.

If you want to be equipped for the wet season, you can get the same model with waterproofing thanks to an inner liner (and a higher price).

For a tighter budget, consider the Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion Mesh motorcycle jacket or the Joe Rocket Velocity Mesh Riding Jacket as an alternative.

Best Adventure Riding & Off-Road Motorcycle Jackets

#1: Pilot Motosport Trans.Urban V2 Motorcycle Touring/Adventure Jacket

The Pilot Motosport Trans.Urban V2 motorcycle jacket is an improvement on the manufacturer’s previous model and high quality adventure touring gear at an affordable price. Comfort on long rides, options for adjusting the fit and smart features let this jacket stand out.

The outer shell is made from Pilotex 600D NPF (a nylon/polyester mix) with overlay panels for shoulders and elbows for high abrasion resistance.

A permanent breathable liner proofed against water and wind is built into the shell, while the 2-way-stretch inner Thermolite liner offers warmth and is removable within moments.

Pilot Motorsport employs new CE approved microcellular PU armor for the elbows and shoulders. It’s soft and flexible, yet hardens upon impact and absorbs energy. A level 1 back pad is included and can be replaced with a level 2 pad.

Compared to a mesh jacket, the ventilation is limited, but you get sufficient airflow from arm zippers, a single vent at the top and exhaust at the bottom.

Thanks to two adjustable snap straps on each arm, velcro wrist closures, high-waist velcro straps and a neck closure for the neoprene collar, you can achieve a highly personal fit with this jacket.

It also excels in terms of functional pockets: there are two vertical chest pockets, two top-loading cargo pockets, two hand warmer pockets, one arm pocket and rear cargo pocket, and three interior pockets smartly duplicated in the liner.

This adventure touring motorcycle jacket won’t fail even the most ambitious rider and offers great value.

#2: Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 Riding Jacket

The Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 motorcycle jacket is a versatile adventure touring model in a sportive style. It’s technical enough and offers sufficient functionality and adjustability for a variety of situations and conditions.

With waterproofing, a removable insulated liner and a very clever ventilation system, you’re well suited for riding in three seasons. The outer shell is a mix of polyester and polyurethane and will take tearing and abrasion well.

The armor in the shoulders, elbows and for the spine offers protection and can be removed through outer zippers, a unique feature. Thanks to an athletic fit and adjustments in the waist, sleeves and cuffs, the armor stays close to your body where it should be.

The Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 jacket guarantees plenty of ventilation with waterproof zippers: two on the chest, two back ones and two bicep ones. The snap collar keeps water out and you have one liner pocket and one inside pocket for storage as well as two handwarmers.

Stripes on the shoulders and back ensure visibility. The downside: other adventure touring jackets offer more pockets, and this model only has four belt loops for connecting a pair of pants, not a zipper. Still, you get a highly functional and versatile jacket with ample protection at a fair price.

Joe Rocket also offers a women’s version of this jacket.

If you know you’ll be touring in mostly hot weather and are looking for a hybrid mesh-textile model, consider the Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 Mesh Motorcycle Jacket.

Best Waterproof Motorcycle Jackets

#1: Alpinestars Andes Drystar Motorcycle Jacket

With the Alpinestars Andes Drystar motorcycle jacket, you get an all weather and three-season touring model. The technical reinforced poly-fabric shell is combined with a permanent Drystar membrane for waterproofing.

It’s breathable enough so water stays out while respiration can leave through the vents in the shell. The long sleeve thermal liner keeps you warm in colder climate and is removable. For your protection, the jacket features shoulder and elbow Bio-armor with CE approval.

There are chest and back pockets for more armor, but only PE comfort padding is included, which can be upgraded to CE certified Bio-armor as well. The abrasion resistance in critical areas is excellent, and for your comfort, sleeves are pre-contoured and dynamic stretch panels improve the fit and feel.

Adjustments bands on the sleeves and waist enable a near-perfect fit. The tight collar comfortably keeps water out. Ventilation is a minor weak point: climate control comes from zippered air intake at the shoulders and back exhaust vents.

For more airflow, you can also open the two-way front zipper from the bottom. Storage options are excellent with large waterproof cargo front pockets, zipped chest pockets, a large external pocket on the lower back and waterproof inside pockets and a wallet insert.

All in all, the Alpinestars Andes Drystar jacket is a great waterproof touring jacket for three-season riding.

The Alpinestars Andes Drystar V2 jacket is an updated model with refined ventilation and suitability for all four seasons.

#2:Tourmaster Transition Series 4 Motorcycle Touring Jacket

The Tourmaster Transition Series 4 motorcycle jacket delivers a wide range of rider-friendly features that make it very versatile three-season gear. This great touring companion will definitely keep you dry and warm and reasonably cool in warmer weather.

The durable shell is constructed from Carbolex 600-denier with reinforced elbows and a riding posture cut. An integrated Rainguard membrane achieves the waterproofing while maintaining breathability.

A unique feature is the patented Aqua-Barrier hood: it can be worn under your helmet to prevent water seeping into your neck and stows away under the collar. The thermal liner can be zippered in or out and keeps you warm.

For your protection, CE certified armor is included for elbows and shoulders, while the back pouch features only an articulated triple-density pad. For hot days, the jacket features a pipeline ventilation system with six air intake vents and two exhaust vents in the back.

Their zippers are waterproof, of course. The shoulder ventilation vents can be locked open to ensure continuous airflow, a clever feature but difficult to operate while riding. A front flap seals the main zipper and the neck area, which uses comfortable microfiber same as the wrists.

Plenty of adjustment options allow for a comfortable and secure fit while keeping armor in place, and you can zipper pants to this motorcycle jacket.

For storage, there are waterproof front pockets, a zippered chest map pocket, fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, internal pouch pockets and a mobile media pocket as well as a dual-zippered fanny pack.

The verdict: the Tourmaster Transition Series 4 motorcycle jacket is feature-rich, functional and effective at keeping you dry while being reasonably priced.

Tourmaster also offers a women’s version of this jacket.

Motorcycle Jackets Comparison Table

How To Choose The Best Motorcycle Jacket For You

• Riding Style
• Material
• Fit & Adjustment
• Protection
• Ventilation
• Visibility
• More Features

Are you a serious motorcycle rider? An enthusiast? Maybe you’re a fanatic.  In any of these cases you know how important having the best motorcycle jacket is for your comfort, protection and safety.

From street cruising, to extended motorcycle tours, to serious off-road riding on challenging terrain, the different riding styles all have one thing in common: you are exposed and you need the best motorcycle jacket for your protection.

A proper motorcycle jacket is your shell against weather conditions, and it provides an abrasive-resistant shield in case of accidents.  Above, we reviewed the top motorcycle jackets to help you pick the right riding companion, best suited for your motorcycle activities.

Now we will review the factors to consider when choosing your jacket.  Some of these are pretty obvious to the seasoned rider, but there are some things here that you may have not considered.

You need a motorcycle jacket to keep you warm and dry, yet also cool and ventilated enough. There is protective gear suitable for all seasons as well as jackets for very specific motorcycle riders. A more versatile model adapts to your changing needs and allows you to layer up underneath.

Traditional jackets and pants use leather because of its great resistance to abrasion. However, because modern jackets feature composite fabric materials with excellent qualities that allow for a variety of applications, we’ve excluded leather jackets from our selection.

To match your needs with a top motorcycle jacket, we’ve divided our picks into sport touring jackets, adventure riding jackets, and waterproof jackets.

When choosing motorcycle gear, you try to prepare yourself for situations you will encounter, including climate, terrain, and accidents. Your motorcycle jacket is no exception and should fit your needs for protection from weather conditions, comfort and safety.

On what kind of rides will you be wearing your jacket: are you mostly commuting, going onto shorter, sportive tours or are you into adventure touring, which might include off-road stretches and harsh weather? Do you need to shield yourself from the sun, or from the cold and rainfall?

How versatile does the jacket have to be, or is there a limit to the seasons in which you’ll be riding? Below we’ll explain the key features to which you should pay attention to make the right choice for the best motorcycle jacket for you.

Riding Style

Sport touring jackets are for riders who stick to the roads and need protection from the elements as well as in case of an accident, but want sufficient ventilation on hot days.

These jackets can be worn for a commute or casual ride as well, but are not necessarily waterproof.

Adventure touring jackets aim to be functional and versatile with features for three or four seasons and sufficient protection even for off-road stretches. A waterproof motorcycle jacket is best for touring when you know you can expect wet conditions and heavy rainfall.

Material

Our selection features models made from composite fabric materials which favor versatility and breathability or ventilation. It’s possible to layer up underneath and they are easy to put on and take off.

For waterproofing, a membrane is worked into the jacket, while models for cold weather feature a thermal liner that can usually be removed for comfort.

Leather apparel has the best abrasion resistance, yet is less functional than synthetic materials, which is why we didn’t feature leather jackets in our selection. Speed racing gear and riding suits are made from leather.

Fit & Adjustment

Achieving the right fit is important with your motorcycle jacket so the armor is correctly placed over elbows and shoulders and you’re comfortable even on long trips.

The sleeves should therefore not be too long, yet you want a little bit of room under the jacket to move comfortable and be able to layer up in colder weather, if that’s what you need.

Most jackets favor a contoured fit and have plenty of adjustment options for the sleeves, the waist and the neck.

Protection

CE certified armor for elbows and shoulder is standard with slight variations of material between manufacturers.

Chest and back protection is generally not included, yet touring jackets usually include a pouch with minor armor that you can upgrade to fully CE approved protection.

If you intend to go off-road, consider wearing a protective vest underneath your adventure touring jacket.

Ventilation

Technical jackets for sport touring riders include a mesh material that protects you from the sun and lets in plenty of air to keep you cool.

Once you select a waterproof and more feature-rich touring jacket, ventilation becomes an issue because the membrane limits breathability of your jacket.

Manufacturers include zippers and vents to allow for airflow: usually you’ll have some sort of intake in the front and on the shoulders and an exhaust in the back. A two-way zipper can also be opened from the bottom to allow air in.

Visibility

For safety reasons, jackets include reflective stripes which are generally placed on the shoulders and on the back. Most manufacturers also have a high visibility color option available for nighttime riders.

More Features

The more time you spend wearing your motorcycle jacket, the more features you might want. Pockets are definitely great to have, so pay attention how accessible they are, if they’re waterproof and how conveniently they are located on the jacket.

A liner can prevent access to inside pockets, unless the maker has a solution like a zipper or doubled pocket. Media outlets are good for phone or headphone cables, while a large cargo pocket can stow a map.

An integrated hood can be worn under your helmet and will prevent water seeping into your collar. If you intend to fully suit up complete with riding pants, look for a model that connect jacket to pants – only a zipper can achieve full waterproofing here.

Conclusion

Riding your motorcycle while insufficiently dressed will not only result in discomfort, it also compromises your safety. Choose your jacket wisely: it serves to stop the wind so you can avoid hypothermia, and it protects you from the sun.

You can keep the cold out with a thermal liner and by layering up, and a waterproof jacket is obviously your best choice for rainy conditions.

Every rider should have at least one motorcycle jacket with good protection in their arsenal to be prepared for any obstacles the road or weather conditions might pose.

Remember to ride safely and comfortably and enjoy your motorcycle activities!

Thanks for reading The 6 Best Motorcycle Jackets.  We hope that this article gave you all the information you needed to select the brand and type of motorcycle jacket that is right for you.

If you’re a motorcycling enthusiast here’s our some more of our product review articles:

MOTORCYCLE GEAR  BLUETOOTH HELMETS | FULL-FACE HELMETS | MODULAR HELMETS | PHONE MOUNTS | GLOVES | GPS | MOTORCYCLE COVERS | MOTORCYCLE TENTS | WHEEL LOCKS | BACKPACKS | JACKETS | BOOTS | MOTORCYCLE JEANS | RAIN GEAR |  WINTER GLOVES | MOTORCYCLE BATTERIES | HARLEY BATTERIES | ATV BATTERIES | CHAIN LUBE | ENGINE OIL  

How We Researched

To come up with the top motorcycle jackets, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as Motorcycle News, REI, EVO along with our own personal experience.

We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.

With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options were for the price. The staff authors have a wide and varied background in motorcycle touring and offroading as well as motorcycle mechanics. They are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

To help narrow down the selection we used personal experiences along with recommendations from fellow motorcycle-enthusiasts and industry experts.

After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.

Sources