These waterproof suits are the best way to stay dry on your motorcycle. Here are five we've tested

Motorcycle waterproofs can be a real life-saver – especially in the UK where even the sunniest of mornings can become torrential afternoons. There’s plenty of purpose-made waterproof kit on the market from laminated textiles through to treated denim riding jeans, but the products listed here are designed to be worn over the top of non-waterproof kit.

Why do I need motorcycle waterproofs?

If you’re heading out in your motorcycle leathers or a bike jacket and jeans but you think it might rain later, or if the shower you’re leaving in isn’t going to last, then a waterproof set or over suit could be just the job for you. They are lightweight and pack away into small bags so that you can keep them with you just in case, this is Britain after all.

Some people suggest buying cheaper walking waterproof overalls, but in my experience, these do not hold up well when travelling at motorcycle speeds and tend to become damp through after a short time, so it’s worth investing in some motorcycle specific waterproofs.

What to look for when buying waterproofs

There are two options to choose from, a one-piece, which is generally more watertight and a two-piece, which is more flexible and gives you the option of just sticking the top half on if you don’t expect a downpour to last long. Some two piece waterproofs will have connection zips to allow you to join the jacket and trousers together, this helps to keep the water from running down the back of the jacket and into the trousers.

Most waterproof over suits and sets will not have any safety protection or armour as they are intended to be packed away and worn over armoured protective gear. Some however will have protection integrated so that they can be worn over regular clothes, if this is the case, be sure to check that the CE safety ratings are up to what you require.

It’s advisable to check that the waterproof membrane is breathable if you are intending to be wearing them for any extended length of time, to avoid arriving at your destination a little sweaty. Adjustable fitting features like hook and loop straps and elasticated section are also really helpful so that you don’t catch the wind while riding and become a mobile wind sock.

We know it can be tricky to know which ones actually hold up to wet weather conditions on a motorbike so we’ve reviewed a number of options to help you decide.

Our best motorcycle waterproofs

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 waterproofs to keep them effective?

Over time the waterproofing will fade and 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 motorcycle waterproofs

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 motorcycle waterproofs 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 waterproofs 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 and anything other features they may have.

We cover thousands of miles in these waterproofs 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 pair of waterproofs 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 pair of motorcycle waterproofs, 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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