Motorcycle Rain Gear: What You Need To Stay Dry In The Wet

Evans Brasfield
by Evans Brasfield

Motorcycling fun doesn't have to stop for bad weather

Updated March 2021

Non-riders will never understand that riding in the rain can be quite fun, provided you have a properly maintained bike and motorcycle rain gear. However, what constitutes proper rain gear covers many more items than just a slicker over your regular riding gear. You need to prevent more than just your body from getting wet. You’ve got both your feet and hands to consider if all-day, wet-weather riding is part of your plan. Finally, your ability to see in the rain needs to be considered.

Cover all of these areas, and you’ve got a prescription for a fun day – or days – riding in the rain, and you can smile inside your helmet as car occupants look on with pity as you cruise down the highway.

Motorcycle rain gear fits into a two different categories. First, there are items that augment your existing gear by simply providing them with a waterproof covering. The others have the waterproofing baked in for maximum versatility, making them ideal for long-distance tourers or riders who live in wet climates.

Finally, these items represent a sampling of what is available out there for wet weather riding. They provide guidelines as to what to look for in quality rainy day riding gear. So, if you don’t find what you want here, take heart; find gear with similar features, and you’ll be set.

Best Motorcycle Rain Suits

Best Waterproof Motorcycle Gloves

Best Motorcycle Touring Boots

Table of Contents

Alpinestars Men’s Hurricane Rain Suit – $120

Since you’d be wearing this over your existing riding gear, the Alpinestars Men’s Hurricane Rain Suit is constructed from 100% waterproof polyurethane poly-nylon fabric, which according to the Alpinestars, won’t stick to the motorcycle gear the rider is already wearing, as does the zippered lower leg gusset. A poly-mesh lining improves air circulation assisting in rider comfort. Heat-sealed seams assure waterproofness. A twin slider main zip runs from thigh to chest for easy donning and doffing the suit, while hook-and-loop fasteners help to seal the wrists, and ankle openings benefit from an elastic hem securing the legs to the boots. The collar is also elasticized for a comfortable seal.

Available in all Black and the highly-visible Fluo Yellow/Black. Reflective detailing assists visibility of rider in inclement weather. A storage bag is included.

Bottom Line

  • One-piece rain suits offer the best waterproofing in torrential rains

Nelson-Rigg SR-6000 Stormrider Rain Suit – $68

The Nelson-Rigg SR-6000 Stormrider Rain Suit is a two-piece suit that comes in all Black or Hi-Viz Yellow/Black or Hi-Viz Orange/Black options. The soft polyester outer shell has a PVC backing for waterproofness and a corduroy inner collar for rider comfort. The collar also has a built-in hood. The jacket uses a full-length zipper with a self-fastening storm flap. Additionally, there are two outer pockets. The elasticized waist and self-fastening tabs on the cuffs to help keep the moisture out. The pants feature an elasticized waist and band and cuffs. The legs have oversized zipper gussets and elasticized boot stirrups. Reflective striping on both jacket and pants add night visibility. Comes with a two-year warranty.

Bottom Line

  • Two-piece rain suits offer easier donning of the gear when you're in a hurry

Spidi Allroad H2Out Jacket – $600

The Spidi Allroad H2Out Jacket combines a rugged adventure-touring main shell with two independent liners to allow riding in a variety of combinations. The exterior uses Extra Tenax 6.6 three-layer nylon for abrasion and puncture resistance. The Allroad Jacket features roll down ventilation panels – including the entire back panel – for free-flowing air.

Beneath this shell, CE Level 2 certified Force Tech shoulder and elbow armor protects from impacts. The next layer is Spidi’s unique InsideOut liner system, consisting of the proprietary H2Out membrane which can be worn inside the jacket during a light rain or outside the shell to prevent shell saturation. For cold weather a removable 100g full sleeve thermal liner keeps out the cold.

The Allroad Jacket employs the Ergofit System: a generous number of slide and snap adjusters at the waist and arms to keep back and elbow protection securely in place. The main zipper and handwarmer pockets feature waterproof zippers, and an additional waist zipper allows the jacket to connect to the Allroad H2Out Pants or other Spidi touring trousers.

Bottom Line

  • Riders who frequent rainy areas should consider waterproof riding suits instead of pull-over rain gear

Dainese Unisex-Adult Tempest D-Dry Long Glove – $115

If you have the ability to carry more than one set of gloves on a ride, having a waterproof pair is always a good idea in wetter climates. The Tempest Unisex D-Dry Long is an extremely versatile glove. Innovative features include: a Visor Wiper on the left thumb to Smart Touch fingertips for use with touch screens, and Dainese’s D-Dry® membrane. These gloves do run a little warm, thanks to their thermal padding. Impact protection is provided by a reinforced palm and Comfortech CE-certified Level-1 armor across the knuckles. The gauntlet gloves are held in place by an adjustable wrist strap and an additional gauntlet closure.

Bottom Line

  • Riding with cold, wet hands compromises your safety. Carry waterproof gloves with you when you ride.

Aerostich Triple Digit Covers – $47

The great thing about glove covers is that they pack very small and can easily fit in a jacket pocket or tank bag. The Aerostich Triple Digit Covers get their name, not from the speeds you’ll be riding in the rain, but from the number of fingers each glove has. Constructed out of 3.5 oz/sq yd 40d 3 layer breathable-waterproof ripstop nylon, the thin fabric breathes enough during rain conditions to prevent clammy hands. The oversize gauntlets slide on easily and allow a secure grip when used over your everyday (crash protective) gloves. An elastic drawcord with a tethered cordlock keeps them in place. Hook & loop wrist cinches are ergonomically reversed and easier to use. There’s Scotchlite reflective for nighttime hand signaling, and a left thumb visor squeegee.

Bottom Line

  • These covers pack small for ease in carrying with you every ride

Pinlock Visor Insert – $25-$35

The problem with rainy weather is that it is humid, which, in turn, makes the inside of your helmet’s visor fog up easily. Cracking the visor a bit, lets in more airflow – and more moisture. The Pinlock Visor Insert prevents the inside of your visor from fogging up in wet, cold, or wet/cold weather and is worth its weight in gold. You will, however, need a visor that has a pin for the insert to lock onto. After that, it works its magic in all but the most extreme situations.

Bottom Line

  • Clear vision is essential to riding safely

Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex Motorcycle Boots – $325

The Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex Boots are perfect for daily commuting or touring in its many forms. The waterproof yet breathable Gore-Tex membrane is guaranteed to keep you dry and the top grain leather construction will certainly keep these boots in your stable for many years to come. The ratcheting instep buckle adjusts the fit to keep your heel firmly planted, and the thick soles provide comfort by damping road and engine vibrations. Protection is provided by a nylon plate and internally padded shin plate plus internal heel, ankle, and toe armor. The boot is double stitched in all high stress areas, while the non-slip lug type sole is bonded to the upper. A Velcro closure system above the ankle customizes the fit to a variety of leg sizes. The full-length inner gaiter assures dryness. Reflective panels provide nighttime conspicuity.

Bottom Line

  • Riders who live in rainy climates understand the benefits of waterproof boots

Aerostich Boot Rain Covers – $67

So, the weather report called for warm and sunny. Too bad the environment didn’t oblige, and you’re out on a ride with your favorite pair of vented boots. The Aerostich Boot Raincovers have you covered, literally. Constructed of seam-sealed, three-layer ripstop nylon, these rain covers are strong enough to stop rain and road spray all day and still pack small enough to carry along on every ride. A reversed waterproof zipper makes them fast and easy to put on and remove. Each cover neatly stores into a built-in hook & loop closed pouch.

Bottom Line

  • Like Aerostich's glove covers, these pack away easily for use on any ride

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Evans Brasfield
Evans Brasfield

Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.

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