Best Summer Motorcycle Pants: Say Goodbye to Sweaty Legs
Enjoy hot weather riding without sacrificing protection.
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Wearing summer motorcycle pants is a must in Florida, where I ride. Take even a short ride, and you end up with a seat-shaped sweat mark on your pants. Wear jeans, and you’re walking around feeling damp for the rest of the day. This is not a good look or feeling to have. Some riders resort to wearing cooler clothing, but this is a problem because summer clothes aren’t designed to be motorcycle protective. This is where summer motorcycle pants come in. They combine breathability with protection to keep you feeling cool and dry on even the hottest of summer days. While they may seem like an investment, they’re well worth it for their benefits. You don’t have to live in or ride in Florida to appreciate how cool and comfortable these summer motorcycle pants will keep you.

Klim Baja S4 Pants
- Karbonite Micromesh
- Superfabric reinforcement
- Not a true offroad pant
- Won’t fit over your boots
Scorpion EXO Drafter II Pants
- Perforated polyester mesh lining
- Stretch panels on the upper knee
- No belt loops
- Waist runs small
RokkerTech Tapered Slim Jeans
- Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
- Adjustable height armor pockets
- Could have a more tapered design through the ankle
- Stretch in the fabric can make it loose

Summary List
- Best Overall: Klim Baja S4 Pants
- Best Budget: Scorpion EXO Drafter II Pants
- Honorable Mention: RokkerTech Tapered Slim Jeans
- Best for Women: REV'IT! Airwave 3 Women's Pants
- Best for Men: REAX Men's Alta Black Mesh Pants
- Best Textile: Alpinestars Ramjet Air Pants
- Best for Protection: Rukka StretchAir Pants
Our Methodology

Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Learn moreHere at The Drive, we want everyone to enjoy their motorcycles as much as we enjoy riding ours. This means taking pride in finding the best quality gear, motorcycle parts, and accessories. As someone who rides in a hot climate for most of the year, I focused on pants with the greatest breathability, moisture wicking, and fast drying ability. These are the pants that will keep you cool and dry, increasing your comfort. In addition, I focused on brands that have a strong history of research and development because these are the companies that make innovative gear designed for more extreme riding conditions. I also compared protective features and armor because these are the qualities that keep you safe and differentiate motorcycle pants from regular pants.
Best Summer Motorcycle Pants Reviews & Recommendations
Specs
- Material: Schoeller-Dynatec nylon mesh
- Armor: D3O CE Level 1 hip and knee armor
- Size: 30-40, short, regular, and tall
Pros
- Karbonite Micromesh four-way stretch zones
- Goat leather lining at inner leg
- Mesh antimicrobial lining
- Superfabric reinforcement
Cons
- Not a true offroad pant
- Won’t fit over your boots
Specs
- Material: 600 denier nylon
- Armor: Exo-Tec CE on knees
- Size: Small to 3XL
Pros
- Perforated polyester mesh lining
- Stretch panels on the upper knee
- Dual-adjustment waist belts
- Removable AirGuard liner
Cons
- No belt loops
- Waist runs small
Specs
- Material: 12 ounce denim indigo-dyed cotton
- Armor: D3O Ghost knee and hip impact armor
- Size: 29 x 32 to 40 x 34
Pros
- Tapered slim fit
- Adjustable height armor pockets
- Rivet free design
- Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
Cons
- It could have a more tapered design through the ankle
- Stretch in the fabric can make it loose
Specs
- Material: Polyester 600D
- Armor: SEESMART CE-level 1 protection at hips and knees
- Size: 36 short to 42 tall
Pros
- Adjustment straps at waist and ankles
- Ventilation panels at legs
- Grip panel at seat
Cons
- Not designed for women with curves
- Can’t adjust knee armor position
Specs
- Material: Poly 600D and 980D ballistic
- Armor: SAS-TEC CE Level 2 knee armor
- Size: Small to 3XL
Pros
- Multi-position knee armor pockets
- Pocket for optional hip armor
- Stretch mesh moisture-wicking lining
- Reinforcement on seat and knee
Cons
- Doesn’t hold knee armor in place
- Better for bikes with narrow seats
Specs
- Material: 450/600 denier panels
- Armor: CE-approved knee and shin protectors
- Size: Small to 4XL
Pros
- Accordion textile stretch inserts
- Full mesh lining
- Jet Ventilation System (JVS)
- Pre-curved shaping
Cons
- Foam armor on the hips
- Run small
Specs
- Material: Knitted mesh Cordura AFT
- Armor: Knee, shin, and hip protectors
- Size: 46 to 60
Pros
- Elastic Cordura panels for extra fit flexibility
- Fits inside boots
- Rukka AirCushion
- Rukka warranty is valid for five years
Cons
- No waist adjustment
- Slim fit through the leg, so size up
Our Verdict
My top pick for the best summer motorcycle pants is the Klim Baja S4 Pants because they are completely adjustable and constructed from the toughest textiles.
The Scorpion EXO Drafter II Pants are a more affordable option that comes with some nice features you do not typically find on motorcycle pants at this price point.
Consider Secondhand
When we start shopping for tools and products, we never overlook the secondhand market. In fact, it’s usually the first place I look. Whether you’re scrolling through Amazon’s Renewed section, eBay for car parts or tools, or flipping through the pages of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, you have hundreds of thousands of used tools, parts, and gear ready to be shipped to your doorstep. Refurbished to like-new status, they’ll be willing to give you many more years of faithful service all while saving you money.
If those options do not have what you need, your local salvage yard is great for car parts, while swap meets are a great resource you should tap. Just Google either and head on down.
Secondhand Tips
To make your secondhand search easier, here are two tips to finding the best deals and making sure your new-to-you stuff wasn’t destroyed by the previous owner.
- Look at the stitching for loose threads and the fabric for signs of abrasion.
- Ask how old the pants are, as this will tell you how old the armor is and if it needs replacing.
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.
Summer Motorcycle Pants Pricing
If you want to buy a quality pair of summer motorcycle pants from a reputable brand, expect to spend at least $200. While there are pants for under the $100 mark, they tend to lack features that make them worth purchasing. These low-cost pants cut corners when it comes to fitment comfort, armor construction quality, and breathability. Some summer motorcycle pants are in the $300 to $400 range, but these are best for those who rack up the miles or put their gear through abuse. They have a ton of features and use innovative technology that tends to be overkill for the casual occasional weekend rider.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: Should motorcycle pants be longer?
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.
Q: Do I need to wear something under motorcycle pants?
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.
Q: How do I wash my motorcycle pants?
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.
Q: Are regular jeans good for motorcycle riding in summer?
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.

