Best waterproof motorcycle jackets | MCN's top tested wet weather jackets

Coping with changeable weather is a conundrum that faces all riders, but arm yourself with a waterproof motorcycle jacket and you’ll always be ready to face the worst of it.

Textiles lend themselves more easily to this as waterproofing can either be attached to the outer layer during construction in the form of a laminate material, or attached directly beneath as a drop liner. Some textiles come with a re-treatable coating to prevent water ingress, much like the traditional wax cotton jacket.

Why you need a waterproof jacket

There is always the option of a set over waterproofs that can be worn over the top of your motorcycle gear, these can be stowed away for when you get caught out. The biggest advantage of choosing a waterproof motorcycle jacket instead of an oversuit is that the waterproof layer will be breathable too. This will prevent you getting wet from condensation build up, which can be very unpleasant, especially in winter. There is also the benefit that you don’t have to stop to get changed should the weather take a turn for the worst, because the jacket is already waterproof, which is especially great here in the UK, because as we all know the weather can change several times in one day.

What to look for in a waterproof jacket

Whichever you choose, it will likely come down to price and personal choice, however consideration should always be given to protection, as with all bike kit. The CE rating will give a good indication as to how it will perform should the unexpected happen, as well as to how durable it’s likely to be in general use. Ratings range from B at the bottom end to AAA offering the highest level of protection.

Armour at the shoulder and elbow should feature as a minimum, and most manufacturers will include provision for a back protector, if not the actual item itself. This will also be CE rated, to either level 1 (good) or 2 (better).

Another consideration is whether the pockets are also waterproof, as you don’t want to stash your phone in your pocket, only to find that it’s soggy when you get it out. You also want to ensure that the cuffs and collar are snug enough to not let water seep in.

We understand that it can be hard to know if when a manufacturer claims that a jacket is waterproof, is it actually waterproof enough when we need it in a downpour? We’ve gathered a selection of the best waterproof motorcycle jackets that we have tested below.

MCN’s best waterproof jackets

Frequently asked questions

Can I waterproof my kit myself?

There are sprays and wash in treatments available for waterproofing fabrics, however these will only go so far in actually keeping rain out. They will help the water to bead on the surface but at speed it is likely to not provide enough protection. Water will still likely work it’s way in through untaped seams and zips, so buying a quality waterproof is usually a better more reliable option.

Will I get sweaty in a waterproof?

Many waterproof garments these day will have breathable linings to allow air to move in and out of the fabric without allowing the water in. These will help hugely with not becoming hot and sweaty inside your waterproofs.

Do I need to re treat my waterproof jacket to keep it effective?

Over time the waterproofing may fade with some types of proofing, you can use a treatment spray or wash in proofer to refresh the waterproof properties of your jacket and trousers. How regularly this needs to be done will be determined by how often you use them and what the manufacturer’s instructions recommend.

How MCN tests waterproof jackets

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles in order to provide you with opinions and evaluations you can trust, alongside news of the most significant developments in motorcycling safety gear. We want you to stay safe, enjoy your riding and hopefully look great while doing so! 

We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions.

That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on. To make it onto this list, these waterproof jackets must have been worn for hundreds of miles by our team of experienced testers, show no major flaws, keep water out as well as offering decent value for money. 

Each of our expert reviewers tests their products for a variety of things, both subjective and objective, and these waterproof jackets are no exception. Factors assessed include their ability to keep the rain out, what level of protection they offer, how comfortable they are to wear, how they look, how easy they are to put on, if the pockets are waterproof and anything other features they may have.

We cover thousands of miles in these waterproof jackets and regularly compare them with one another in the office, so collectively we’ve built the sort of knowledge base you can trust.

If you can’t see a review against a waterproof jacket on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested them yet. These will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given waterproof jacket, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. We test against criteria like how comfortable it is, how protective is it, does it look good and if it is good value for it’s price tag. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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