Best Adventure Motorcycle Jackets: Gear Up for Your Next Ride

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.

This is one of the most versatile and best-designed jackets within the category. You can choose a perfect model from four different color options and a wide range of sizes, from X-small to XXX-large. Even more important, you can enjoy your adventures with this jacket regardless of weather and road conditions.  

The jacket is made from 600 denier nylon and reinforced with a 1680 denier nylon on the elbows, which means it can keep drivers safe in case of impacts. There are also several vents to increase breathability and a lower-back panel to enhance comfort during long rides. Buyers also like the hidden hood that prevents water seepage around the collar and makes the jacket even more suitable for cold and rainy weather. 

You could still run into a few issues with this jacket, though. For example, the Velcro used for the construction can fail over time, especially after heavy, daily use. The sleeves are also somewhat skinny and might influence how the jacket fits.

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.

While ADV jackets can be a bit pricey, the Firstgear Kilimanjaro Jacket is one of the more affordable and popular options available. Designed for various terrain and weather conditions, it's made of 420D abrasion-resistant nylon, and the PTFE laminate is waterproof and breathable. It comes with D3O armor in the back, chest, elbows, and shoulders, which you can adjust for comfort. The shoulder vents include adjustable straps for increased airflow, and the jacket has five exterior pockets and three interior pockets, including a cell phone-specific compartment. 

Other features include a snap collar closure, YKK waterproof zippers, reflective patches, an adjustable waist strap, back panel vents, a helmet hood, and a drop tail for more coverage. Overall, the jacket is comfortable and keeps you dry on wet days. 

One downside is the zippers can be tough to open if you're wearing bulky gloves. It can also be tough to close the collar with one hand.

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.

HWK Motorsports offers an all-weather jacket for adventurers. Rugged and strong, this jacket offers excellent protection on the road. It features quality materials that are not only highly durable, but waterproof as well. It also has CE-approved armor on the back, elbows, and shoulders to keep your body safe from impacts in case of accidents. 

Although highly protective, the jacket is still soft and comfortable. Thick and protective materials don't come at the expense of overall comfort. This jacket is suitable for all seasons and proves to be very convenient for long-distance rides. The inner liner is removable and ensures warmth during the winter, while the breathable mesh provides coolness during the summer. Furthermore, you will get this jacket at a low price and with a five-year replacement warranty. 

There are only two major concerns regarding the design. Firstly, the zippers on the vents are not of the best quality. They might get stuck or break easily. Secondly, the Velcro strap on the neck tends to catch the chin strap on the helmet. This can be a safety issue during rides, and you'll probably have to pin the collar down to get it out of the way.