Best Adventure Motorcycle Jackets This Riding Season
We live for the thrill of the adventure. Make sure you’re fully prepared for your next ADV tour with one of the best adventure touring jackets on the market.
Before we get into the reviews, let’s take a moment to understand exactly what we’re looking for in an adventure bike jacket and the criteria we’ll make our judgments on.
Nothing quite beats getting out into the open on your adventure bike. Some of my favorite adventure riding has been done in the beautiful mountains of South Africa and the rocky valleys of its neighboring country Lesotho.
Local rides around the states have been just as exciting. What most of us love about adventure riding is the element of surprise. You never know what’s waiting around the next bush or what lies beyond the hill in the distance.
I’m a huge fan of adventure touring but something that often throws me off guard is the extremely dynamic terrain and having the right gear for the right ride. Riding in extremely hot conditions with a Gore-Tex liner can lead to extreme overheating and dehydration. Riding without a waterproof liner in the wet makes for an incredibly sh*tty ride.
With that in mind, we’ve set out to find the best motorcycle adventure jacket offering the versatility you need to enjoy any ride under any conditions. There are a few key brands that stand out among the rest. Klim, Alpinestars, KTM, and Dainese. We’ll be taking an in-depth look at all of their top adventure jackets and hopefully find the best adventure-style motorcycle jacket for your next wet and wild adventure ride.
Summary
Reviews
Klim Latitude Jacket
Value For Money: 4
Features: 5
Style: 4
Air Flow: 5
Protection & Durability: 5
Comfort: 5
The Klim Latitude Jacket is a top-performing mesh motorcycle jacket that delivers exceptional comfort, protection, and ventilation, making it an excellent choice for riders who prioritize safety and comfort on the road.
One of the standout features of the Klim Latitude Jacket is its Gore-Tex performance shell, which is both waterproof and breathable, making it ideal for all types of weather. The jacket's lightweight construction and mesh panels also provide excellent ventilation, ensuring riders stay cool and comfortable during warm-weather rides. This makes the jacket a great choice for riders who want to stay dry and comfortable during long rides.
In terms of protection, the Klim Latitude Jacket comes with custom-engineered D3O armor in the elbows, shoulders, and back, providing riders with excellent impact protection. The jacket's superior protection and durability make it a reliable choice for riders who want a quality jacket that is built to last. The armor is also removable, allowing for easy cleaning and maintenance.
While the Klim Latitude Jacket may be more expensive than other mesh motorcycle jackets on the market, its advanced features and superior protection make it a worthwhile investment for riders who prioritize safety and comfort. The jacket's sleek and streamlined design also makes it a stylish choice for riders.
In terms of comfort, the Klim Latitude Jacket's lightweight construction, mesh panels, and superior impact protection make it a comfortable and reliable choice for riders. The jacket also comes with adjustable cuffs, collar, and waist, allowing for a customized fit that ensures maximum comfort during rides.
REV'IT! Sand 4 H2O Jacket
Value For Money: 4
Features: 5
Style: 4
Air Flow: 4
Protection & Durability: 4
Comfort: 5
The REV'IT! Sand 4 H2O Jacket is a high-performance mesh motorcycle jacket that offers advanced features, superior protection, and comfortable design for riders.
The jacket is designed with a durable and abrasion-resistant outer shell made from a combination of polyester and polyamide, and features CE-level 2 armor in the shoulders and elbows, providing riders with exceptional impact protection. The jacket is also compatible with the REV'IT! Seesoft back protector, allowing riders to customize their level of protection.
In terms of comfort, the REV'IT! Sand 4 H2O Jacket features a 3D air mesh panel at the back, providing excellent ventilation during warm-weather rides. The jacket's lightweight construction and adjustable cuffs and waist ensure a comfortable fit for riders.
Compared to other mesh motorcycle jackets, the REV'IT! Sand 4 H2O Jacket stands out with its advanced features, superior protection, and comfortable design. The jacket is an updated version of the REV'IT! Sand 3 Jacket, with additional features and improved protection. Overall, the REV'IT! Sand 4 H2O Jacket is an excellent choice for riders looking for a high-quality mesh motorcycle jacket that is built to last.
Klim Dakar Jacket
Value For Money: 4
Features: 5
Style: 4
Air Flow: 5
Protection & Durability: 5
Comfort: 4
The Klim Dakar Jacket is a durable and high-performance mesh motorcycle jacket that offers exceptional protection, ventilation, and comfort for riders.
The jacket's outer shell is made from heavy-duty 840D Cordura, providing exceptional durability and abrasion resistance. The jacket also comes with D3O armor in the shoulders, elbows, and back, offering riders excellent impact protection. The jacket's compatibility with the Klim Tactical Shirt and D3O Viper Pro back protector also offers riders the ability to customize their level of protection based on their needs.
In terms of ventilation, the Klim Dakar Jacket is designed with multiple mesh panels and vents, providing riders with excellent airflow during warm-weather rides. The jacket's lightweight construction and adjustable cuffs and waist ensure a comfortable fit for riders.
Compared to other mesh motorcycle jackets, the Klim Dakar Jacket stands out with its heavy-duty construction, exceptional protection, and superior ventilation. The jacket is an updated version of the Klim Dakar Pro Jacket, with additional features and improved durability. The jacket's compatibility with the Klim Tactical Shirt and D3O Viper Pro back protector also offers riders the ability to customize their level of protection based on their needs.
Overall, the Klim Dakar Jacket is a top-performing mesh motorcycle jacket that delivers exceptional protection, comfort, and ventilation. The jacket's advanced features and durable construction make it a worthwhile investment for riders who prioritize safety and comfort on the road.
Sedici Avventura Waterproof Jacket
Value For Money: 4
Features: 4
Style: 4
Air Flow: 3
Protection & Durability: 5
Comfort: 4
The Sedici Avventura Waterproof Jacket is a reliable and waterproof mesh motorcycle jacket that offers adventure riders a balance of protection, comfort, and style.
Designed to withstand the rigors of adventure riding, the jacket's outer shell is made from tough 600D polyester, providing excellent durability and abrasion resistance. The jacket's waterproof and breathable membrane ensures riders stay dry during wet weather rides, while CE-level 2 armor in the shoulders and elbows offer additional impact protection.
Despite its heavy-duty construction, the Sedici Avventura Waterproof Jacket is designed with rider comfort in mind. The jacket's adjustable cuffs and waist ensure a comfortable fit, while zippered vents on the chest and back provide some airflow during warm-weather rides.
The Sedici Avventura Waterproof Jacket is best suited for adventure riders who want reliable protection and comfort on their long-distance journeys. The jacket's waterproof capabilities make it a must-have for riders who frequently tackle unpredictable weather conditions, while its CE-level 2 armor provides peace of mind on the road.
Compared to other mesh motorcycle jackets, the Sedici Avventura Waterproof Jacket stands out with its rugged construction and waterproofing capabilities. And with its affordable price point, adventure riders can invest in a reliable and high-performing mesh motorcycle jacket without breaking the bank.
Firstgear Kilimanjaro 2.0 Jacket
Value For Money: 5
Features: 5
Style: 4
Air Flow: 4
Protection & Durability: 5
Comfort: 5
The Firstgear Kilimanjaro 2.0 Jacket is a high-performance mesh motorcycle jacket that offers riders a balance of protection, comfort, and style.
The jacket's outer shell is made from rugged 420D nylon, providing excellent durability and abrasion resistance. The jacket's D3O armor in the shoulders, elbows, and back offers riders exceptional impact protection, while its compatibility with the Firstgear Heated Liner and TPG Basegear Base Layer allows riders to customize their level of protection and warmth based on their needs.
In terms of ventilation, the Firstgear Kilimanjaro 2.0 Jacket features adjustable vents on the chest, arms, and back, providing riders with excellent airflow during warm-weather rides. The jacket's adjustable cuffs and waist ensure a comfortable fit, while its waterproof and breathable membrane keeps riders dry during wet weather rides.
Compared to other mesh motorcycle jackets, the Firstgear Kilimanjaro 2.0 Jacket stands out with its advanced features and exceptional protection. The jacket is an updated version of the popular Kilimanjaro Jacket, with additional features and improved durability. The jacket's compatibility with the Firstgear Heated Liner and TPG Basegear Base Layer also offers riders the ability to customize their level of protection and warmth based on their needs.
Overall, the Firstgear Kilimanjaro 2.0 Jacket is a top-performing mesh motorcycle jacket that delivers exceptional protection, comfort, and ventilation. The jacket's advanced features and durable construction make it a worthwhile investment for riders who prioritize safety and comfort on the road, especially those who frequently ride in cold weather or unpredictable conditions.
Alpinestars Andes v3 Jacket
Value For Money: 4
Features: 5
Style: 4
Air Flow: 4
Protection & Durability: 5
Comfort: 5
The Alpinestars Andes v3 Jacket is an upgraded version of the popular Andes v2 model, offering riders an even more advanced and versatile mesh motorcycle jacket.
The jacket's outer shell is made from 600D polyester, providing excellent durability and abrasion resistance. The jacket's advanced CE-level 2 armor in the shoulders and elbows offers riders exceptional impact protection, while its compatibility with the Alpinestars Nucleon back protector allows riders to customize their level of protection based on their needs.
One of the standout features of the Andes v3 is its advanced ventilation system, with large zippered vents on the chest, back, and arms providing riders with excellent airflow during warm-weather rides. The jacket's adjustable cuffs and waist ensure a comfortable fit, while its waterproof and breathable membrane keeps riders dry during wet weather rides.
Compared to its previous model, the Andes v3 Jacket features an updated ventilation system, with larger and more strategically placed vents for improved airflow. The jacket also boasts additional features, including a removable thermal liner and an extended back profile for added coverage.
The jacket's durability, advanced ventilation system, and compatibility with additional protection options make it an excellent option for riders who prioritize safety and comfort on the road, especially those who frequently ride in cold weather or unpredictable conditions.
Scorpion EXO Yosemite Jacket
Value For Money: 5
Features: 5
Style: 4
Air Flow: 4
Protection & Durability: 5
Comfort: 5
The Scorpion EXO Yosemite Jacket is a versatile and durable mesh motorcycle jacket that offers riders a balance of protection, comfort, and style.
The jacket's outer shell is made from a combination of 500D nylon and 1680D polyester, providing excellent durability and abrasion resistance. The jacket's advanced Sas-Tec armor in the shoulders, elbows, and back offers riders exceptional impact protection, while its compatibility with the Scorpion EXO Barrier Vest allows riders to add additional protection based on their needs.
In terms of ventilation, the Scorpion EXO Yosemite Jacket features large zippered vents on the chest, back, and arms, providing riders with excellent airflow during warm-weather rides. The jacket's adjustable cuffs and waist ensure a comfortable fit, while its waterproof and breathable membrane keeps riders dry during wet weather rides.
Compared to other mesh motorcycle jackets, the Scorpion EXO Yosemite Jacket stands out with its advanced features and exceptional protection. The jacket is designed to withstand a range of weather conditions, making it an excellent option for riders who frequently tackle unpredictable weather conditions.
The Scorpion EXO Yosemite Jacket has a unique and rugged look, with a variety of color options to choose from. The jacket's adjustable collar, reflective trim, and subtle branding details also add to its overall aesthetic appeal.
Dainese D-Explorer 2 Gore-Tex Jacket
Value For Money: 4
Features: 5
Style: 5
Air Flow: 4
Protection & Durability: 5
Comfort: 5
The Dainese D-Explorer 2 Gore-Tex Jacket is a top-of-the-line mesh motorcycle jacket that offers riders the ultimate combination of protection, comfort, and style. Compared to other jackets on this list, the Dainese D-Explorer 2 Gore-Tex Jacket stands out in several key areas.
Firstly, the Dainese D-Explorer 2 Gore-Tex Jacket boasts an advanced Gore-Tex membrane that provides excellent waterproofing and breathability, ensuring riders stay dry and comfortable during even the wettest rides. This is a standout feature that sets the D-Explorer 2 apart from other jackets on this list.
In terms of protection, the jacket features Pro-Armor 2.0 armor in the shoulders and elbows, which offers riders superior impact protection. The jacket's compatibility with the Dainese Double Chest protector and Wave G2 back protector also allows riders to add additional protection as needed.
The Dainese D-Explorer 2 Gore-Tex Jacket also features large zippered vents on the chest, back, and arms, providing riders with excellent airflow during warm-weather rides. The jacket's adjustable cuffs and waist ensure a comfortable fit, while its high-resistance fabric construction ensures excellent durability and abrasion resistance.
In terms of style, the Dainese D-Explorer 2 Gore-Tex Jacket has a sleek and modern look, with a variety of color options to choose from. The jacket's reflective inserts, ergonomic design, and overall attention to detail also add to its overall aesthetic appeal.
Key Features To Look For
Waterproofing
While waterproofing is a very important feature for many riders. We won’t say that waterproofing is the most important feature of a jacket. When it comes to this sport/hobby/lifestyle or whatever you want to call it, safety is always our primary concern – we’ll get to that in a bit. Check out our reviews of the safest motorcycle jacket.
ADV riding is all about the unknown and being prepared for it. You don’t want to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere getting soaked in an intense downpour. The best waterproof adventure motorcycle jacket will keep you dry in the wet and cool when it’s hot.
It can be tricky to strike the balance between wet and overheating. Not all jackets are made with the same waterproofing materials and liners. Some of the jackets on our list are only partially waterproof, other jackets have a waterproof inner liner but are not waterproof on the outside.
Ventilation
Another super important aspect that should not be overlooked in your ADV jacket. Having the right ventilation in your jacket can save you in those times when you’ll be coming close to overheating and dehydrating. I’ve definitely reached that point more than once.
The feeling of having to climb off your bike to take a seat in the grass or on the side of the path because you can’t breathe properly while sweat uncontrollably runs down your face is not a feeling I enjoy. Having the right ventilation in your jacket can help prevent this, or at least delay the onset.
If you’re looking for both a waterproof and well-ventilated jacket make sure that the outer liner of your jacket is breathable with a removable waterproof inner liner that can be stored in one of the cargo pockets (More on that later). Removable inner liners are ideal as they allow you the option to convert from a hot, heavy, although very waterproof jacket – to something a lot lighter and more “airy”.
Ventilation really comes down to the amount of air that can pass through the rugged exterior shell of your ADV jacket. Usually, this means Zips and mesh liners. Lots of zipping in all different positions. Some of my favorite spots to look for ventilation on a motorcycle ADV jacket are around the neck area and the armpits. This is where I feel I get the maximum pleasure from the rushing cool air.
Protection
I know many riders that often overlook protection for style or aesthetics. While I’m also guilty of this crime every now and then, I never completely overlook protection. There are some jackets on this list like the Klim adventure jackets that offer more protection than a Sherman tank.
For many of us, this is overkill. Nearly as much of an overkill as the attached price tag. (Don’t look here) Weekend warriors probably don’t need a full Kevlar body armor suit, but you still want something strong enough to protect you from any unexpected slips and falls.
The key areas you want to identify for armor in an adventure jacket are the shoulders, back, and elbows. If you’re looking for the best motorcycle adventure bodysuit, make sure there is padding in the pants as well, specifically the knee area.
The best protective adventure jacket for motorcycle touring will come with a CE-certified rating which lets you know you’re in good hands, or rather in a good jacket. Be sure to look out for the CE logo which should be either EN1621-1 or EN1621-2 rated
We will also be looking at the level of abrasion resistance in each of the jackets. This feature may not be quite as important when riding off-road but if you plan to use your jacket for road riding to work or longer touring rides abrasion resistance is an important feature. You’ll also find that some of the cheaper options are lacking in this area but for those that are a bit more money conscious, we have taken it upon ourselves to find the best adv motorcycle jacket.
Inner Liner
A great place to start your search to narrow down your options is by looking at the inner liner. Motorcycle adventure jackets generally have two different types of liners that are all suited to different riding conditions. If you know where you’re riding, this feature can help to quickly identify the type of jacket you’ll need. The three types of lining are as follows;
Thermal Liner
Most of the best adventure touring motorcycle jackets come complete as an all-in-one solution. This basically means they are built with multiple liners which each serve a different purpose. First, look at the thermal inner layer which should preferably be removable.
In addition, you will have the outer shell which also serves different riding styles. Often, only one of these layers will be waterproof which is a good thing as it helps out with ventilation.
Only the best waterproof adventure motorcycle jackets will have fully waterproof outer and inner liners. In some regions where the rainy season is longer, riders may want to opt for a fully waterproof riding jacket.
We’ll be covering a few of these in our review in an attempt to find the best 3-season adventure motorcycle jacket and its close cousin, the best 4-season adventure motorcycle jacket. We’ve also covered the topics of the best winter motorcycle jackets if you’re interested.
Unlined adventure riding jackets
In hotter riding conditions, dual waterproof liners are overkill and will lead to overheating (Unless the liner is removable). The best summer adventure motorcycle jackets usually don’t come complete with a thermal liner. Although, they will still offer an armored exterior with waterproof protection and well-ventilated mesh liners for those hot summer rides.
We’ve already covered some of the best summer motorcycle jackets in another article which might be a good starting point if you’re in the market for a summer motorcycle jacket. For ladies reading this, we haven’t forgotten about you either, check out the best summer motorcycle jackets for ladies.
This guide will be tailored to the more adventurous rider in need of something a bit more feature-heavy. Summer ADV jackets generally do not have a thermal liner as you won’t be using the jacket in cold weather. The positive with this setup is that you can make the decision yourself to add a few extra layers underneath the jacket if you think it might get a little chilly.
The other positive is that many of the jackets on our list are somewhat in inbetweeners. Offering the high ventilation of a summer ADV jacket with a dual removable inner liner for colder, wetter riding conditions.
Material
The material used in the construction of an ADV jacket is quite important. The majority of jackets will be made out of a type of non-rip nylon fabric. Some are made out of extra durable Kevlar like the top-of-the-range Klim jackets. All one really needs to look out for in the fabric used is quality. You don’t want some cheap material that will rip or tear easily when riding through trees or leaning against a rock face.
From road riding, you definitely want to make sure the jacket is abrasion resistant and non-rip. For a more casual weekend riding a lightweight adventure motorcycle jacket would be best. In more recent years, leather has been widely replaced in the newer ADV jackets offering improvements in mobility, ventilation, and protection.
We won’t be covering any full leather jackets in this guide, but if that is something you’re interested in check out the leather jackets review.
Related Article: Women’s leather jackets
Zip Quality
Similarly to the jacket material, you want to make sure the zip quality is very good. There’s nothing worse than cheap zips getting caught on your liner or caving in under pressure, preventing you from zipping up your jacket. ADV jackets are incredibly versatile. There’s a good chance you’re doing a lot of zipping up and down so getting a jacket with good zip quality will save huge amounts of pain and frustration.
Cargo Storage Pockets
While storage pockets are really just nice to have, they can be extremely useful. Especially when riding under questionable weather conditions. Some jackets have storage pockets large enough to stow your whole inner liner should the weather turn hot.
I usually use storage pockets for quick access to my phone, GPS, a couple FUEL gels, wipes for my visor or goggles, and even some snacks.
The number of storage pockets found on some jackets are actually a little bit ridiculous. It’s highly likely to lose something and spend a few solid minutes searching all your pockets. This happened a few too many times while out in the mountains that I now designate specific pockets for specific items, I strongly suggest you come up with your own “filing system” as well.
Adjustable Fit
While the best adventure touring jackets are quite expensive, the positive is that one of these jackets is likely to last you a very, very long time which is why making the right choice is so important.
With the proper care, your jacket will probably outlast your current body condition. This means that having a jacket with customizable fit is something you should consider as a long-term investment.
Lookout for adjustable straps around the waist, chest, arms, and wrists. These straps not only help to provide a good fit but can also be used to adapt to weather conditions. Tighter fitting means more waterproofing and loosening the straps will allow for a bit more airflow and even allow you to wear your own underlayers without feeling claustrophobic.
Sizing
When it comes to sizing, it’s obvious that you want to buy something that fits right. For the rest of this guide, when I refer to sizing, I’m talking about the actually true fit of the sizes in relation to a person’s body. Shopping online can get a bit tricky when you don’t get to try on the items first. Luckily with fast shipping and free or low-cost returns, this has become a thing of the past.
Not all manufacturers use the same sizing chart so be sure to check that out so you know if sizing typically runs large, small, or is just right.
Price
Last up on our list of review criteria is the price. All of us are ultimately looking for the best adventure motorcycle jacket for the money, regardless of our budget. Some of the more hardcore adventure riders will be looking at the upper end of the price spectrum, other riders just getting into the sport may consider something a bit cheaper.
This criterion is up to you, but I hope this guide has helped you to identify all the best adventure motorcycle jackets worth considering.