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best adventure motorcycle jackets

Entry-Level

Priced under $300.

Scorpion EXO Optima Jacket

Mid-Range

Priced $300 - $500.

Rev’It! Sand 4 H2O

High-End

Priced $500+.

Dainese D-Explorer 2 Jacket
REV'IT! Airwave 3 JAcket

Key Specs

• Outer Shell: high density polyester 600D, PWR|shell mesh, Lorica

• Visibility: laminated reflection at chest and back, reflective logo at upper arms

• Fit: tour fit, regular

• Adjustability: adjustment straps at hips, adjustment tabs at collar, upper arms and cuffs

• Ventilation: ventilation panels at chest, back and sleeves

• Features: short connection zipper, jeans loop

• Features: short connection zipper, jeans loop

Protection & Safety

• Seesoft CE level 1 protection at shoulders and elbows

divided chest protectors (sold separately)

• back protector (sold separately):

• Seesoft Back Protector -Type RV

Type RV / Size 04 fits SM-MD

Type RV / Size 05 fits LG-2XL

Type RV / Size 06 fits 3XL-4XL

Scorpion EXO Optima Jacket

Key Specs

• Fully seam-sealed waterproof and breathable laminate outer fabric

• Double zippered center front to prevent leaks

• Two waterproof zippered Direct Core Ventilation vents on upper torso

• Two rear exhaust vents on lower back

• Hook and loop closure tabs at wrists

• One waterproof Napoleon pocket in upper torso, two internal storage pockets and one internal media pocket

• Removable EverHeat thermal liner included

• Comfortable micro fleece lining at collar

•YKK zippers

• 8” jacket-to-pant zipper as well as belt loop fastener

Protection & Safety

• Exo-Tec CE rated armor

• PE foam backpad

• Ample use of NightViz reflective on torso and arms for increased nighttime visibility

Alpinestars Andes V3 Drystar Jacket

Key Specs

• Advanced reinforced poly-fabric textile and Drystar waterproof and breathable construction

• Direct Ventilation System (DVS) zippered chest air intakes and back exhaust ports

• Internal impact protection provided by removable CE-certified elbow and shoulder protectors

• Pockets for optional back protection (sold separately)

• Reinforced polymer-printed texture in critical elbow and lower arm areas for abrasion resistance

• Reflective graphic details and logos improve rider visibility in varying light conditions

• Upper chest zippered hand pockets

• Push-tab closures inside the vents hold them open for full airflow

• Front waterproof cargo pockets for convenience and peace-of-mind closure

• Large external utility pocket on lower back plus waterproof internal pockets and insert wallet pocket

• Integrated soft edge collar and 3D mesh construction for comfort over long distances

• Pre-contoured sleeves with accordion stretch panels on elbows

• Premium YKK zipper with double sliders for main front closure offer adaptable and secure convenience

• Removable long-sleeve thermal liner (100g body/80g sleeves) ensures comfort on hot or cold days

• VELCRO® brand waist adjustment fastener for highly customizable fit

• External zippered pockets for safe peace-of-mind storage

Protection & Safety

• Waterproof Drystar membrane allows for exchange of heat and moisture during the colder 3 seasons

• Highly efficient direct venting creates ideal conditions in the summer heat

• Insulated liner and durable textile chassis make the Alpinestars Andes Drystar Jacket a true 4 season garment for both adventure and touring riders

• Shoulder and elbow armor is included, but back and chest protection will need to be purchased separately

• Reflective panels help with the chances of being seen at night with other road users nearby

Key Specs

• 500 denier nylon main body material

• 1680 denier nylon abrasion zones

• Exo-Stitch Safety Seams at critical seams with heavy bar tacking at high stress areas

• Heavy duty mesh ventilation areas on chest and entire back panel

• Zip-down wind blocking panels, torso vents and full-length arm vents can be adjusted for optimal air flow

• Two large cargo pockets on lower front, two chest pockets, one large cargo pocket on rear and one internal waterproof pocket in liner

• Adjustment straps at waist, biceps and forearm for perfect fit

• YKK exterior urethane zippers coated with Black Oxide sliders

• VELCRO® brand adjustment tabs at wrists, and YKK Fold Lock zippers for easy on and off

• Removable full sleeve AirGuard waterproof / windproof liner

• Removable full sleeve EverHeat thermal liner

• Compatible with optional Kidney Belt (sold separately)

• Comfortable Neoprene collar

• Accordion stretch panels at elbows for easy range of motion

• 8” #5 YKK zipper and elastic panel for connecting jacket to pants

Protection & Safety

• CE Level 2 certified Sas-Tec armor with molded VELCRO® brand fastener at elbows for adjustability

• Sas-Tec CE Level 2 certified armor at shoulders

• PE Foam back pad in back protector pocket can be upgraded to Level 2 Sas-Tec protector (sold separately)

• Ample use of NightViz reflective on front and rear of torso, arms and elbows for increased nighttime visibility

Alpinestars Bogota Pro Drystar jacket

Key Specs

• Lightweight 600D main shell for enhanced durability

• Reinforced 2-L 450D hard outer shell construction for enhanced long-life durability

• Detachable 100g body, 60g full sleeve thermal liner allows the jacket to be configured to the conditions

• Constructed with 100% GRS certified recycled Nylon 6 materials

• DrystarXF membrane incorporates hydrophilic technology where water vapor is absorbed from the body and desorbed on the outside

• Extensive ventilation panels on the chest, full back and arms

• Direct ventilation panels on the chest and arms can be operated with one hand for fast and effective climate control on the go

• Pre-curved sleeves are engineered with a rotated design to follow the shape of the arm in riding position

• Unique sleeve vent construction and wide mesh panel for effective climate control

• Extensive stretch inserts around armpit for optimum freedom of movement and an enhanced fit

• Intuitive incorporation of zippers, connectors and ergonomic design on liner connection, closure systems, wrists, and collar for ease of use

• Innovative collar closure with adjustable self-centering snap closure for an optimized fit

• Collar has a hook and loop style closure on the inside to keep the collar in the open position in warm weather conditions

• Ergonomically designed adjustable cuffs for ease of use with gloved hands

• Two front zippered pockets, two chest pockets, an inner waterproof document pocket and two inner pockets on the liner

• Lower hem shock cord for an optimized fit

Protection & Safety

• CE Level 2 Nucleon Flex Pro shoulder and elbow armor included

• Pockets for optional back and chest armor (sold separately)

• Can accommodate the Tech-Air 5 or Tech-Air 3 Airbag System

• CE approved to pr-EN17092 as a Class AA garment

Firstgear Kilimanjaro 2.0 Jacket

Key Specs

• SAS-TEC CE Level 2 protection on the shoulders, elbow and back

• Two-way CNTB YKK zipper gauntlet closure with garage

• Removable waterproof liner

• Adjustable collar

• 2 Position magnetic collar closure

• 5 Intake and exhaust zip vents to regulate body temperature

• Adjustable hook-and-loop attachments on waist, forearm and biceps

• Two interior chest pockets and four exterior pockets

• Huge, vertical back panel vents

Protection & Safety

• SAS-TEC CE Level 2 protection all around

• SAS-TEC CE Level 2 protection on the shoulders, elbow and back

• Adjustable pockets allow fine tuning of armor placement

• Reflective patches front and back

Klim Carlsbad Jacket

Key Specs

• Gore-Tex performance shell

• FPL400 main chassis fabric

• 630D Cordora twisted yarn overlays in abrasion zones

• SCOTCHLITE™ C790 carbon black material in bioform

• YKK zippers

• Glove-friendly zipper pulls

• D3O CE Level 2 adjustable shoulder and elbow armor included

• D3O CE Level 2 back protector included

• Klimatek™ cooling mesh liners at armor pockets

• CE AA prEN 17092-3 garment certification

• 2 forearm vents and 2 chest intake vents

• 2 vertical back exhaust vents

• Cargo, Comfort and Support Systems:

• 8 external pockets (1 waterproof chest pocket)

• 6 internal pockets

• Emergency information card pocket

• Backpack compatible

• Forearm quick-adjust straps

• Collar back function

• Bottom hem cinch

• Jacket-to-pant zipper integration system

Protection & Safety

• Maintains Klim’s highest abrasion resistance and durability standards

• Specifically designed for both street and off-road riding

• Carries Klim’s Crash Protection Guarantee

• Main chassis is constructed of FPL400 fabric, with impact zones further reinforced with 500 Denier Karbonite Ripstop

• Can be worn as a standalone jacket or can be zipped directly to the Klim Carlsbad pants, assisting further with abrasion resistance

• A full suite of D3O CE Level 2 impact protection comes standard in the elbows, shoulders and back

• Also includes an advanced venting system, keeping riders cool in even the hottest temperatures

• Reflective panels help with the chances of being seen at night with other road users nearby

• Light weight and mobility help with decreasing rider fatigue

Klim Badlands Pro Jacket

Key Specs

• Ergonomics and Comfort:

Jacket-pants fastening system

Sleeves adjustment

Adjustable neck, waist and cuffs

Air vents on back

Air vents on sleeves

Breathable Nanofeel liner with Silver ion treatment

Air vents on chest

Removable thermal liner in Polartec Power Air that can be used separately

Separated collar fastening

• Other Features:

QuickDry fabric

Ripstop weaved fabric

ABSOLUTESHELL PRO 20K laminated membrane

1 large front pocket

1 outer pocket Reflective inserts

1 inner waterproof pocket

Magic Connection System

Fidlock waterproof pocket

Elastic mesh cargo pocket

Elastic mesh front pocket

Rear webbing to ease the air vents opening

Protection & Safety

• Pro-Armor protectors certified to EN 1621.1 Level 2 standard on shoulders

• Pro-Armor protectors certified to EN 1621.1 Level 2 standard on elbows

• Pockets for Pro-Armor Chest 2 protector

• Pocket for G1 and G2 back protector

REV'IT! Stratum GTX Jacket

Key Specs

• Construction:

3L GORE-TEX Nylon 400D fabric

3L GORE-TEX Pro Armacor fabric

3L Nylon 200D GORE-TEX fabric

Neoprene

Polyester mesh

PWR|Shell mesh

PWR|Shell ripstop stretch

PWR|Shell stretch

• Waterproofing:

3L GORE-TEX fabric

Waterproof front zipper

• Ventilation:

Ventilation zippers on upper arms, upper back and center front

Ventilation panels on back, behind center front zipper and inside arms

• Comfort:

Adjustable at the hem, waist, cuffs and lower arm

Elasticated waist and cuffs

Stretch at cuffs, back, elbows and shoulders

Sleeve pocket

Slit pockets at back, chest and front

Two inner pockets

Two waterproof inner pockets

Two waterproof slit pockets in the front

XL storage pocket

• Other Features:

Back pocket for optional hydration pack (sold separately)

Detachable hood that back be stored in back pocket

Short connection zipper

Protection & Safety

• SEEFLEX CE-level 2 elbow and shoulder protectors included

• SEESOFT Air CE Level 2 back protector included

• Detachable kidney belt

• Pocket for SEESOFT CE-Level 1 divided chest protector (sold separately)

• • CE certified Class AA garment

Thumb loops

• Protective print at elbows

What defines a jacket as “Adventure/ADV” versus something like a sport jacket?

In general, ADV jackets are designed to withstand the rougher conditions often faced by adventure riders. Almost always synthetic textile and 450D abrasion resistance or better, and many have a waterproof membrane layer, known by names such as Gore-Tex, HydraTex, DryStar, and such, built in. They are often very adjustable via clips or straps to fit all sizes and types of riders, around the waist, upper and lower arms, and across the hips.

What should I look for in a good ADV jacket?

Three major things that an ADV jacket needs to have are: 

1) High quality armor, with shoulder and elbow CE Level 1 rated armor the least. All ADV jackets also have a pocket in their liner for back armor, with some jackets including the armor, others requiring you to buy a separate piece of armor.

2) Easily accessed ventilation, as you will wear the jacket in all temperatures and weather, and as you are riding many hours on most adventure rides, regulating your body temperature is paramount;

3) An abundance of pockets, more often than not at least 2 large “glove pockets” at the waist and 2 accessory pockets at the chest on the front, a waterproof pocket inside, and any other pockets as needed, as you will want to carry everything you need if you’re going miles into the bush, nowhere near the next available corner store.

Can I use ADV gear for other types of riding that are not adventure oriented?

Of course! In fact, since ADV gear is designed with extra protection and long term rides in mind, ADV jackets are perfect for new riders, or those that want a looser fitting garment that will still protect them as well as any other gear. You will see riders on everything from cruisers to superbikes wearing ADV gear almost every day.

Some ADV jackets are rated AA, and some are rated AAA. What does this mean?

These letter grades on the label in the jacket come after the wording “EN17092,” which is a European standard for testing abrasion resistance, impact absorption, and general overall protection offered by motorcycle gear. The ratings range from C, meaning bare minimum and usually not recommended, all the way to AAA, which is applied to the best, most robust, most protective pieces of gear. AA is one step below, so an easy way to think of it is A = Good, AA = Better, AAA = Best

I’ve been told that an ADV jacket should fit “loose” on me. Is that true?

ADV jackets for more loosely on a rider by design, as they are designed for long-distance rides (adventures) across any terrain. The extra space in the fit is so you can layer up underneath the jacket for warmth or for extra weatherproofing. The looser fit also allows for you to have a good range of motion on your bike, so you can move around while on difficult terrain, or turn to look behind you if you need to at a stop, such as to see where your riding partner is, without feeling the jacket fight against you

Which are the best brands for ADV jackets in particular?

While there are a ton of brands out there, there are a few companies that have specialized departments for, or are entirely dedicated to, ADV gear. The most common recommendation is Klim, as they are the most respected brand in the ADV market as they make only ADV gear. Other excellent ADV gear comes from brands such as Rev’It!, First Gear, Alpinestars, and Scorpion. Many other manufacturers will also put out the occasional bit of ADV gear, so if you are brand loyal to, say, Dainese, they do make ADV gear as well.