Gear Up for Your Next Off-Road Ride With These Adventure Motorcycle Jackets

Dainese is one of the most well-known motorcycle gear manufacturers and that comes down to one reason: The company's products are some of the best in the business. And its D-Explorer 2 Gore-Tex jacket is fabulous. 

With CE-armor throughout, as well as Gore-Tex's legendary weather protection, and enough pockets to store all your necessary gear and EDC, the D-Explorer 2 is excellent. It fits as expected and is warm when you need it, while cool when it's blazing hot. 

The author's personally used this jacket for a while now, and it's one of his favorites. You cannot go wrong with it. That said, it's expensive. One of the most expensive on this list. You get what you pay for, though. 

Designed specifically for ADV riders, the Klim Carlsbad Jacket is for those who seek durable, breathable, abrasion-resistant, and streamlined outerwear. One of its best features is the venting system, which includes two forearm vents, two chest intake vents, and two vertical back exhaust vents, so you feel comfortable no matter the temperature. It comes with CE-certified shoulder, elbow, and back protector armor and Klimatek cooling mesh liners in the armor pockets. The rugged textile material contains 500D Karbonite RipStop for durability. 

Other features include a Gore-Tex shell, glove-friendly zipper pulls, six internal pockets, eight external pockets including a waterproof chest pocket, and a jacket-to-pants integration system. You can also wear a backpack with this jacket. Users report that it's true to size, blocks out the wind and cold temperatures, and overall provides excellent protection in various weather conditions. 

One downside is that it's a little heavy. Also, the material feels a little stiff.

If you're looking for a heavy-duty touring jacket, Scorpion Exo has just the perfect one for you. This model is made of 500 denier nylon and reinforced with 1680 denier nylon at the abrasion zones. It even features high-stress seams with heavy bar tacking for ultimate security and protection. Overall, the jacket is ideal for extreme weather and challenging road conditions. We recommend it to everyone who is setting up for a challenging ride. When it comes to design benefits, this jacket has several of them. 

The CE-certified armor on the shoulder and elbows, and the removable waterproof and thermal liners, make the jacket perfect for different seasons. There's also a reflective strap to enhance visibility, as well as several zippers for venting to create optimal airflow. Another thing most motorcycle riders love is the extra storage space. With two large cargo pockets on the lower front, two on the chest, and an internal one, it's not likely you will run out of space for storing your essentials. 

Still, the jacket might be a little too much for those who are not planning on riding through extreme weather. For casual and short-distance rides, we recommend some of the other and lighter options on our list. This one is also quite expensive and comes in only one color.

If you ride a BMW, the BMW Rallye Jacket is great for your on and off-road adventures. It features ProTechWool, which provides airflow and dries quickly. The elbows are reinforced for additional abrasion protection, and the waterproof liner can be worn on top of the jacket as well as inside of it. Warmer temperatures are not an issue because it has vents on the chest and arms, making it very breathable. CE-certified armor is included in the back, elbows, and shoulders. It also has 10 pockets — two of which are waterproof — to hold your keys, smartphone, and other gear. 

Additional features include reflective elements for more visibility and snap buttons/hook and loop fasteners for a more customized fit. Its adjustability is one of its most beneficial features. In addition, it's true to size and comfortable even if you're a larger individual. 

However, it's a little warm in high temperatures, and the white patches of fabric will show dirt over time. The shoulder pads may also restrict your head movement when you're wearing a helmet.

The REV'IT! Sand 3 Jacket is also a lower-priced ADV jacket, but it's a good four-season option. It features more ventilation and 3D mesh than the brand's previous model, so it's tolerable to wear in summer months. The thermal liner and waterproof layer are also removable, so you have even less bulk and more versatility compared to brands that feature a single, laminated membrane. 

The jacket is made of polyester ripstop with a seamless armpit area for optimum comfort and movement. It comes with CE-certified shoulder and elbow armor and accommodates a back protector. Other features include reflective elements in several areas as well as adjustable waist strap, under arm straps, arm straps, cuff straps, and a drawcord at the hip. It also has several pockets inside and out. This is the jacket you need if you want comfortable gear for winter riding and excellent ventilation for warmer months. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't come with back armor. It can also feel a little tight if you wear it with both liners.

The Alpinestars Andes v3 Jacket is one of the most affordable jackets on our list. Designed for on and off-road riding, it has breathable Drystar waterproofing technology that repels moisture. The polyfabric textile is abrasion-resistant, and it includes removable elbow and shoulder armor. The thermal liner is also removable, and it features a zippered system. The jacket has waterproof cargo pockets, reflective elements, a soft edge collar, YKK zippers, pre-contoured sleeves, and a jacket-to-pants connection zipper. 

You can purchase chest and back protectors separately, and it's compatible with the brand's Tech-Air 5 airbag system for even more protection. It's comfortable in most riding positions and provides good wind protection. It's also not as heavy as some rival brands. 

One downside is that it may run a little small and restrict movement for some riders, requiring you to size up. Also, should you choose to buy the additional armor, it drives up the cost.

The Klim Artemis Women's Jacket is designed to fit the female body. It includes CE armor in the back, elbows, and shoulders, and the latter two areas are reinforced with Karbonite Ripstop. It features a Gore-Tex shell, adjustable cuffs, cooling mesh in the pad pockets, 10 vents for airflow, numerous pockets, a soft collar liner, bicep straps, forearm straps, waist adjusters, and zippered hip gussets.

The chest vents are particularly cooling, and the Velcro on the collar is covered, so it doesn't get stuck in long hair. Plus, it's available in sizes that can accommodate small women, which is very helpful. Overall, it provides excellent wind protection and ventilation, and it connects with compatible pants very nicely. 

It can, however, feel a little warm in hotter temperatures. Also, it may be a little long if you have a short waist.

The Sedici Avventura Waterproof Jacket is another low-priced ADV jacket designed for year-round use. This waterproof option has three-layer construction and is made of abrasion-resistant 450D Oxford fabric. The waterproof liner and quilted thermal liner are both removable. 

It includes an air control ventilation system, two-way zippers with flow vents, an adjustable inner waist belt, reflective elements, a large cargo pocket on the back, a memory foam back panel, and CE Level 2 armor in the elbow and shoulder areas. In hot weather, the air vents work well, and they are easy to open and close. It provides a lot of features at a lower cost overall. 

Unfortunately, there have been some complaints that the material gets stuck in the zippers. It may also fit a bit on the smaller side, so you may need to order a size up. The liner system is also a little bulky.