Best Summer Motorcycle Pants: Say Goodbye to Sweaty Legs

These pants may be an investment, but Klim is known for making virtually indestructible gear. There are also many color options, which is a breath of fresh air from the typical black option. Sure, there are four-way stretch mesh panels, Cordura impact zones, and breathable Superfabric constructing the pants. But what makes them stand out are the adjustment straps all over, making it possible to have a truly custom fit from waist to ankle.

As expected at this price level, CE-approved armor is included at the hips and knees. A high-end feature is the goat leather inner leg lining for better grip and heat protection. There is also an antimicrobial lining, helping to improve airflow and prevent that funky smell from developing on a hot weather ride. If you do plan to wear these off-road, be aware that the road-friendly slimmer cut can make them incompatible with knee braces. The bottom of these pants will not fit over your boots. Those external adjustment straps can also be a safety hazard if you are off the trails.

Get the Rev’It! Eclipse 2s, and add a pair of perfectly capable summer pants to your wardrobe without breaking the bank. These pants were made with the same ethos as the Eclipse 2 jacket, whereby they’re great value, are extremely breathable, and offer adequate protection. Breathability comes in the form of huge polyester mesh panels spread throughout the pants, which channel plenty of airflow. The rest of the chassis is made from 600D polyester in the impact zones, which has already proven itself a worthy protectant on the Eclipse 2 jacket

There are pockets for knee and hip armor, and CE level 1 Seesmart knee armor is included in the sale. Unfortunately, if you want hip armor, you’ll have to pick that up separately. There are two large chino-inspired front pockets and two regular rear pockets. One thing to be aware of is that there’s no adjustability at the cuff, so make sure it fits over your boot comfortably before purchasing.

Rev’it!’s Airwave 3 pants are essentially a step up from the Eclipse 2s in just about every way, but with only a small price jump. This model uses PWR mesh, which is knitted in an open structure to provide even better breathability and flexibility. The rest of the chassis is made from high-density polyester 600D in high-impact areas, stretch ripstop, and PWR shell stretch. The PWR shell stretch is a great addition at this price, as it adds tons of flexibility to the rider via stretch points that are impact resistant.

You get armor all around in the Airwave 3s, as they come with Seesmart CE level 1 protection at the knees and hips. The pants have a wide touring fit, and there are adjustable straps at the waist, as well as adjustment tabs at the ankles. A short connection zipper at the rear allows you to join these pants to compatible jackets from Rev’it!. The only real complaint with this model is that the velcro adjuster tab faces inside the leg cuff, meaning you can catch it on your foot peg when you come to a stop.

If style is a top priority for you this summer, you might want to opt for the Bull-It Onyx Slim Jeans instead of their mesh counterparts. These jeans won’t offer as much airflow as mesh summer pants, but they’ll be better than heavy 3-season or leather pants. The styling, with the 5-pocket design, is as classically subtle as it gets. If you weren’t on a motorcycle, it’s unlikely that anyone would guess these jeans were intended for biking.

This model is made from cotton with about 10 percent Covec mixed in. Covec is a technical textile similar to Kevlar in that it’s engineered to be abrasion resistant and has low heat friction transfer. There’s also extra Covec around the knees for added impact resistance. These pants receive a AA abrasion resistance rating, but only when they’re paired with armor, which unfortunately isn’t included in the sale. But there are pockets for armor at the knees and hips.