The Motorcycle Riding Gear I Wear and Recommend
Finding motorcycle gear that is comfortable, protective, and capable of handling changing weather can require a lot of trial and error. After years of riding, touring, and testing different products, I’ve narrowed my collection down to a few pieces I consistently trust.
This is the motorcycle riding gear I currently wear and recommend for everything from hot-weather rides to long-distance touring and light adventure riding.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend gear I personally use and trust.
MSR Cryomesh Jacket and Pants: My Hot-Weather Riding Gear
When temperatures start climbing, the MSR Cryomesh jacket and pants are some of the most comfortable motorcycle riding gear I’ve worn.
The Cryomesh gear provides excellent airflow, making it a great option for summer riding and other hot-weather conditions. Despite being designed for ventilation, it still provides the protection I want from motorcycle gear. The jacket and pants are CE rated and include D3O armor.
Both pieces also come with removable rain liners. That added versatility makes the Cryomesh set useful when the forecast is uncertain or temperatures change during a long day of riding.
What I like about the MSR Cryomesh gear:
Excellent airflow in hot weather
Comfortable on long rides
CE-rated protection
D3O armor included
Removable rain liners
Available as a matching jacket-and-pants system
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If your priority is staying cool without giving up protective features, the MSR Cryomesh jacket and pants are well worth considering.
MSR Xplorer Jacket and Pants: Adventure and Touring Gear
For adventure riding, touring, and unpredictable weather, I reach for the MSR Xplorer jacket and pants.
The Xplorer gear is comfortable, durable, and designed to handle long days on the motorcycle. The fit provides enough room to add insulating layers underneath when temperatures drop, which is especially valuable during multi-day trips where the weather can change dramatically.
The jacket and pants are waterproof, CE rated, and include D3O armor. This makes the Xplorer set a strong option for riders who want one versatile riding suit for touring, commuting, and light adventure use.
Why I recommend the MSR Xplorer gear:
Comfortable enough for long-distance touring
Durable construction
Waterproof protection
Room for additional layers
CE rated
D3O armor included
Suitable for adventure riding and general street touring
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The MSR Xplorer jacket and pants are particularly useful for riders who encounter a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions on the same trip.
Klim Induction Gloves: The Best Summer Motorcycle Gloves I’ve Worn
The Klim Induction gloves are the best summer motorcycle riding gloves I’ve ever worn.
They deliver the airflow I want during hot-weather riding while still feeling like proper protective motorcycle gloves. Some summer gloves sacrifice too much protection or durability in pursuit of ventilation, but the Klim Induction gloves strike an excellent balance.
They’re my go-to gloves for warm-weather street riding, adventure riding, and touring.
Why I like the Klim Induction gloves:
Excellent ventilation
Comfortable in hot weather
Protective without feeling overly bulky
Great for touring and everyday riding
High-quality construction
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If you regularly ride in warm or humid conditions, these gloves deserve a spot near the top of your list.
Shoei RF-1400: My Preferred Street and Touring Helmet
The Shoei RF-1400 is comfortable, quiet, and exceptionally well suited for touring. In my opinion, it is arguably one of the best street motorcycle helmets on the planet.
Comfort becomes increasingly important as the hours and miles add up. The RF-1400 performs especially well on longer rides, where excessive wind noise, poor ventilation, or pressure points can quickly become exhausting.
The helmet feels refined, offers an excellent fit for my head, and provides the quiet riding experience I want on the road.
Why I recommend the Shoei RF-1400:
Comfortable for long rides
Quiet at highway speeds
Excellent for street riding and touring
Premium fit and finish
Compatible with Shoei’s photochromic shield
Helmet fit is highly personal, so I recommend trying one on whenever possible before buying.
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Shoei Transitions Shield: Worth the Extra Cost
I pair my RF-1400 with a Shoei Transitions photochromic shield.
It’s expensive, but it is also one of my favorite helmet upgrades. The shield automatically changes tint based on surrounding light conditions, allowing me to ride during the day, at night, and through changing weather without carrying and swapping multiple shields.
It is also Pinlock compatible, which is especially helpful for reducing fogging during cold, wet, or humid rides.
Why the Shoei Transitions shield is worth considering:
Automatically adjusts to changing light
Useful during both daytime and nighttime riding
Eliminates the need to carry multiple shields
Excellent for long-distance touring
Pinlock compatible
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The cost may be difficult to justify initially, but the convenience makes it an upgrade I appreciate every time I ride.
Alpinestars Belize Boots: Proven Touring Boots
I’ve been wearing Alpinestars Belize boots for nearly a decade. That alone says a lot about how well they’ve worked for me.
These boots are waterproof, comfortable, and protective, making them an excellent choice for touring. They also provide enough versatility for some light adventure riding without feeling like a full motocross boot.
The Belize boots offer a useful middle ground between traditional street-touring footwear and heavier adventure boots.
Why I continue to wear Alpinestars Belize boots:
Comfortable during long riding days
Waterproof construction
Good protection
Proven durability
Excellent for motorcycle touring
Capable of handling light adventure riding
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Choosing the Right Motorcycle Riding Gear
No single motorcycle gear setup is perfect for every rider, motorcycle, or climate. My choices depend on the type of riding and conditions I expect to encounter.
For hot-weather riding, I prefer the MSR Cryomesh jacket and pants with Klim Induction gloves. For touring, adventure riding, or wet and changing weather, the MSR Xplorer gear provides greater versatility. The Shoei RF-1400, Transitions shield, and Alpinestars Belize boots work well across both setups.
The most important thing is to choose motorcycle gear that fits correctly, provides appropriate protection, and remains comfortable enough that you will wear it every time you ride.
My Motorcycle Gear List
Here is the complete list of my current recommended motorcycle riding gear:
I’ll continue updating this list as I test new motorcycle gear and find products that perform better than what I’m currently using.
