Go exploring: Best adventure motorcycle jackets

Adventure motorcycle jackets tend to have several traits in common; they usually have a textile construction, plenty of ventilation, a waterproof layer of some kind and lots of handy pockets.

Adventure motorcycle jackets can also be one of the more technical garments on the market, aimed at riders who demand rugged protection and all-day comfort across a huge range of environments and riding surfaces.

While the on-road part of the journey poses the same challenges for an adventure jacket as it does for any other form – protection from the elements as well as potential offs, comfort, breathability and so on – leaving the tarmac behind can create a whole new set of circumstances for the clothing to deal with.

Breathability

The first to consider when looking at adventure motorcycle jackets is breathability. Unless heading across country quickly, riding on the road tends to be a relatively relaxed affair but off-road, it’s much harder work. A lot of the time, you’re standing up and using your legs to absorb the surface irregularities. Handling an adventure bike off road is much more physically demanding and you need a jacket that has decent vents you can open to get as much cooling airflow in as possible.

Removable liner

You also want to be able to warm up a little if you have an early start to get to your off-road excursion, so a removable thermal liner is pretty much essential in an adventure motorcycle jacket. And of course, it can – and probably will – rain on you at some point, so some form of waterproofing is also necessary. This can either be built into the outer layer – a treatment or a membrane but these can get damaged by vegetation, for example, so many use a removable waterproof and breathable lining as well to allow maximum airflow in when it is removed.

Related: Best adventure motorcycle helmets

Armour

Low-speed tumbles are a lot more common off-road than on as well, so you need to know that the armour is well located and so, fit and adjustability is key, so that you can tighten the jacket up if you remove the thermal and waterproof linings, for example. And, of course, as you will be falling off more often, then good armour that is not only well-located and comfortable but is also effective, is crucial.

CE Rating

As with any clothing, if you’re going to be using it on the road, then look for CE ratings, for the garment overall (B, A, AA and AAA, the latter the best) and armour ratings (CE Level-2 is better than Level-1). Some adventure jackets are available with built-in airbag technology and the In&motion system now includes an ‘Adventure’ profile that will allow the knocks and jolts that accompany an off-road ride without triggering the airbag deployment.

Read our guide to motorcycle clothing CE ratings here.

The best adventure motorcycle jackets

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