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It’s unbelievable how overlooked a good pair of summer motorcycle pants is amongst some riders. Often it is the case that motorcyclists realize the importance of said pants when they’re halfway into a multi-hundred-mile summer trip and find it hard to move freely because of how disgustingly sweaty and sticky their pants have become. And without going into too much detail, spending hours in the saddle in sweltering heat with no way for moisture to escape presents hygiene problems. Don’t let this be you. Pick up a good pair of summer motorcycle pants before you need them, and finish your first big adventure of the summer as fresh as when you threw a leg over.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Klim Baja S4 Pants
- Best Value: Rev’it! Eclipse 2 Pants
- Honorable Mention: Rev’it! Airwave 3 Pants
- Best Jeans: Bull-It Onyx Slim Jeans
Our Methodology
To choose the best motorcycle summer pants, I employed The Drive’s comprehensive research methodology and evaluated dozens of gloves before choosing the top contenders. Although I haven’t personally tested these products, my selection is informed by consumer testimonials, expert reviews, discussions on relevant online forums, and my institutional knowledge of the motorcycle industry.
Best Summer Motorcycle Pants Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Klim Baja S4 Pants
Pros
- Karbonite Micromesh four-way stretch zones
- Goat leather inner lining
- Mesh antimicrobial lining
- Superfabric reinforcement
- D30 CE level 1 armor at knee and hip
Cons
- Won’t fit over large boots
Best Value
Rev'it! Eclipse 2 Pants
Pros
- CE level 1 Seesmart knee armor
- Huge mesh panels
- Deep front pockets
- Hip armor pockets
- 600D polyester in impact zones
Cons
- Hip armor not included
- No cuff adjustability
Honorable Mention
Rev'it! Airwave 3 Pants
Pros
- PWR Mesh
- Seesmart CE level 1 knee and hip armor
- Stretch ripstop
- PWR shell stretch
- Adjustable waist and ankle straps
Cons
- Ankle adjuster faces inward
Best Jeans
Bull-It Onyx Slim Jeans
Pros
- Classic Style
- AA abrasion resistance rating
- Knee and hip armor pockets
- Covec mixed throughout
- Extra Covec at knees
Cons
- Not as breathable as mesh pants
- Armor not included
Our Verdict on the Best Summer Motorcycle Pants
the Klim Baja S4 pants take my top pick thanks to their durability, protection, and how much adjustability is on offer. If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, you can’t go wrong with the Rev’it! Eclipse 2 pants.
Things to Consider Before Buying Summer Motorcycle Pants
Ride Style Fit
There are two basic categories for motorcycle pant fit: relaxed touring and sport. A relaxed touring fit is looser with a straight leg cut through the hips, thighs, and down to your feet. The wider leg opening at the bottom is designed to fit over your boots. A sport fit is slimmer, so the pants sit close to your body. The bottom of the pants are fitted to the ankle so that they fit inside your boots.
Protective Features
Armor and crash protection are what sets motorcycle pants apart from regular fashion pants. For the most protection, look for CE-certified armor over the knees and hips. Some manufacturers cut costs by using a foam alternative or skipping the armor entirely and only adding the pockets for it. Additionally, the textiles should be reinforced and stitched at stress and impact points. This makes the pants more durable and abrasion resistant. Finally, consider the textile used for the pants’ construction. Kevlar and aramid are traditional reinforcement materials. However, both are not very breathable. Modern textiles have reinforced fibers like Karbonite, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and Cordura.
Material
Leather is simply too hot for summer riding when there are other more breathable options. Consider riding jeans, mesh, and textile. While riding jeans are the least breathable, they are suitable for short in-town riding. Textiles are more breathable than riding jeans and offer more protective features. Finally, mesh pants are the most breathable and are ideal for riding in the hottest summer months.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: Typically, motorcycle pants are longer than regular pants when in a standing position. This is because pants get shorter when you bend your knee. So motorcycle pants are longer to ensure they are not too short when you are in a riding position.
A: Over pants are meant to be worn over your pants. Summer motorcycle pants are to be worn as pants. You can wear compression leggings for an extra layer of support, cooling, and protection. Just don’t go commando; you will end up chafed in places that are too sensitive to experience high friction levels.
A: Don’t machine wash your motorcycle pants, as this destroys the specialty fabric and any coatings it has. Ideally, you should remove the armor and wash your pants by hand. Use a pH neutral soap and never use fabric softener, as it gums up the fibers. Then, hang the pants up to dry in a cool, dry place that is out of direct sunlight.
A: Regular jeans aren’t a good choice for riding in general. They are not cut for a riding body position and lack the abrasion resistance necessary to protect you in the event of a fall. In addition, during summer, traditional jean material is not breathable and is slow to dry, making them hot and stifling.
