Riding Jackets, Vests & Protective Layers

A motorcycle jacket does several jobs at once. It provides abrasion protection if you go down, can carry impact armor at the shoulders, elbows and back, protects you from wind and flying debris, and may also be one of the most recognizable parts of a rider's personal style. Modern motorcycle apparel ranges from traditional leather to clothing that barely looks like riding gear at all, so there is considerably more choice than there once was.

• Leather Jackets — The traditional motorcycle jacket remains popular for good reason. Quality motorcycle-grade leather offers excellent abrasion resistance, blocks wind well and can last for many years. Styles range from classic cruiser jackets to fitted sport and racing designs with built-in armor. Leather's disadvantages are weight, limited ventilation and poor performance once thoroughly soaked unless it has been specifically treated or designed for wet weather.

• Textile Jackets — Modern textile jackets are extremely versatile and particularly well suited to Washington riding. Depending on the design, they can include waterproof membranes, removable thermal liners, large ventilation panels and CE-rated shoulder, elbow and back armor. Touring and ADV riders especially favor textile because one jacket can handle a remarkably wide range of weather. They generally don't have the traditional look or feel of leather, however, and quality varies considerably.

• Mesh Jackets — Designed for hot-weather riding, mesh jackets allow large amounts of air to pass through while still providing abrasion-resistant material and armor in important areas. They're a much better alternative to giving up your protection when temperatures climb, although obviously they provide little insulation when the temperature drops.

• Armored Riding Shirts & Hoodies — One of the fastest-growing alternatives to the conventional motorcycle jacket. These can resemble a flannel shirt, work shirt or hoodie while incorporating abrasion-resistant fabrics and removable armor at the shoulders, elbows and back. They're especially attractive to younger riders and people who don't want to look like they're wearing technical motorcycle equipment everywhere they go. Just remember that looking protective and actually being motorcycle-rated are two different things—check what materials and armor are actually used.

• Sport & Racing Jackets — Usually constructed from heavy leather or advanced abrasion-resistant textiles and designed to fit closely to the body so the armor stays where it belongs. They commonly have substantial shoulder and elbow protection and may connect to matching riding pants. They're designed around aggressive riding positions and maximum protection rather than casual comfort once you're off the motorcycle.

• Touring & ADV Jackets — Built for riders who may spend hours or days on the road. They typically emphasize weather resistance, ventilation, multiple adjustment points, substantial armor and lots of usable pockets. Some include removable waterproof and insulating layers, while others use permanently waterproof outer shells. They're bulkier than many street jackets, but versatility is the whole point.

• Motorcycle Vests — Leather and textile vests are deeply established in motorcycle culture, particularly among cruiser, club and touring riders. They provide useful pockets, an additional layer and a place for patches, pins or club identification without restricting the arms. Some modern vests also incorporate back armor or abrasion-resistant construction. A vest alone, however, leaves the arms and shoulders exposed, so it doesn't provide the same protection as a proper riding jacket.

Whatever style fits you, look beyond appearance. Abrasion resistance, securely positioned armor, fit, ventilation, weather protection and construction quality all matter. A jacket that is uncomfortable, impossibly hot or doesn't fit properly is eventually going to stay home.

And don't underestimate the pockets. On a motorcycle without luggage, your jacket may become your trunk. Phone, wallet, keys, registration, earplugs, glasses and whatever else you're carrying have to go somewhere. Zippered pockets that you can actually reach while geared up can become surprisingly important.

You don't have to dress like anybody else's idea of a biker. Choose the armor that protects you, works for the way you ride, and still feels like you when you put it on.

Motorcycle Riding Pants

Your legs deserve the same consideration as your upper body. Ordinary denim may feel substantial, but it isn't designed for sliding down pavement, and motorcycle-specific pants can add abrasion resistance, impact protection at the knees and hips, weather protection and greater comfort on the bike. Today's choices range from traditional leather to riding jeans that look almost indistinguishable from everyday clothing.

• Leather Riding Pants — Still one of the standards for serious abrasion protection. Leather pants are especially common among sport and performance riders and can often zip directly to a matching jacket. They're durable and protective, but they're heavier, hotter, less convenient off the motorcycle and not particularly pleasant when thoroughly wet.

• Textile Riding Pants — Probably the most versatile category. Textile pants can combine abrasion-resistant materials with knee and hip armor, ventilation, waterproofing and removable thermal liners. They're particularly useful for touring, commuting and Washington's wildly changing weather. The tradeoff is additional bulk, and construction and protection levels vary considerably between products.

• Armored Riding Jeans — One of the biggest improvements in modern motorcycle apparel. Riding jeans can look and feel surprisingly close to normal denim while using abrasion-resistant fibers, reinforced construction and low-profile knee and hip armor. Newer single-layer designs eliminate much of the bulk and heat associated with older Kevlar-lined jeans, and they're now available in relaxed, straight, tapered and slim fits for both men and women. Some modern riding jeans achieve very high CE garment ratings, so don't assume that something has to look like racing equipment to offer serious protection.

• Mesh & Summer Riding Pants — Designed for hot weather with large ventilated or mesh areas while retaining protective material and armor in vulnerable locations. They're useful when temperatures east of the Cascades make heavy riding gear miserable, although the amount of abrasion and weather protection varies substantially by design.

• Waterproof / Touring Pants — Built for long days and changing conditions. These may use a waterproof outer shell or membrane and often include vents, removable liners, adjustable cuffs and substantial pockets. They're bulkier than riding jeans but can carry a rider from a cold, wet mountain pass into considerably warmer conditions without changing clothes.

• Overpants — Designed to be worn over ordinary street clothes. They're especially useful for commuters or riders who want to arrive somewhere and simply remove their protective outer layer. Waterproof versions can also double as rain gear. The downside is additional bulk, and sizing needs to account for whatever you're wearing underneath. Current designs range from inexpensive waterproof shells to heavily reinforced armored overpants.

• Sport & Racing Pants — Usually leather or highly abrasion-resistant technical material with substantial knee and hip protection. Many include knee sliders and are designed to attach to a matching jacket or form part of a two-piece racing suit. They offer excellent protection but make considerably less sense for someone walking around a bike night than they do for aggressive street or track riding.

• ADV / Off-Road Pants — Built around movement, ventilation and durability. ADV versions typically combine abrasion protection, armor, weather resistance and numerous vents and pockets for mixed pavement and dirt riding. Pure motocross pants emphasize mobility, ventilation and compatibility with separate knee braces or armor and motocross boots rather than pavement slide protection.

• Chaps — A longstanding part of cruiser and touring culture. Leather chaps provide excellent wind protection, warmth and abrasion resistance over much of the legs, and they're easy to put on over jeans. Their obvious limitation is equally important: they don't protect the seat, hips or crotch, so they aren't a substitute for full-coverage protective riding pants.

• Airbag Pants & Jeans — This is the genuinely new frontier. Lower-body airbag systems are now being incorporated into riding pants and even jeans, designed to inflate during a crash to add protection around areas such as the hips, pelvis and legs. The technology is still relatively uncommon and expensive compared with conventional armor, but several systems are already on the market, with additional ADV pants, women's airbag jeans and lighter hot-weather designs arriving in 2026.

Motorcycle Glove Styles

Your hands are exposed every second you're riding. Gloves protect them from wind, cold, rain, bugs and road debris, but their most important job is protecting your palms, knuckles, fingers and wrists if you go down. Modern motorcycle gloves range from thin summer gloves to heavily armored race gauntlets and electrically heated winter gloves, so the right pair depends on how and where you ride.

• Short-Cuff Street Gloves — These stop around the wrist and are probably the most common everyday riding glove. They're easy to put on, comfortable in warm weather and usually offer good feel at the controls. Better examples combine leather or abrasion-resistant textile with knuckle protection and reinforced palms. The compromise is less wrist coverage than a gauntlet glove.

• Gauntlet Gloves — The cuff extends beyond the wrist and overlaps the sleeve of the jacket, adding abrasion protection and helping seal out wind and rain. They're common with touring and sport riders and are especially useful in poor weather. Many track-oriented gauntlets add substantial knuckle, finger, wrist and palm protection. The tradeoff is more bulk and somewhat less convenience.

• Sport & Racing Gloves — Usually leather gauntlets with hard knuckle protection, reinforced fingers, wrist retention and palm sliders designed to help the hand slide instead of grabbing the pavement during a fall. Some higher-end designs use multiple leather types, aramid reinforcement and finger bridges. They're among the most protective gloves available, but they can be expensive and more glove than a casual street rider wants for everyday use.

• Summer / Mesh Gloves — Designed to move as much air as possible while preserving protection in important areas. Many use mesh or perforated textile on the back of the hand with leather or reinforced material on the palm and outside of the hand. Short cuffs are especially popular in hot weather because they allow more airflow into the jacket sleeve.

• Waterproof / Touring Gloves — Usually textile or leather-and-textile gloves with waterproof breathable membranes, longer cuffs and enough insulation for cool or wet conditions. They're a strong choice for Washington riders because they can handle rain, wind and colder mountain temperatures without requiring a completely different setup every time the weather changes.

• Winter Gloves — Heavier insulation and windproof construction keep your hands warmer, but that extra material can reduce feel at the throttle, clutch and brake controls. Good winter gloves are shaped specifically for a riding grip so the insulation doesn't bunch excessively in the palm.

• Heated Gloves — Rather than simply trapping body heat, heated gloves actively generate warmth through electrical heating elements. Some connect to the motorcycle's electrical system while others use rechargeable batteries. For genuinely cold-weather riding, they can make a dramatic difference, particularly because fingers are one of the first places riders lose comfort and dexterity. The tradeoffs are cost, wiring or batteries, and the need to make sure your motorcycle's charging system can support powered gear.

• ADV / Dual-Sport Gloves — Generally balance impact protection, abrasion resistance, ventilation and dexterity. They're often less bulky than touring gloves because riders need good control feel when standing on the pegs or riding loose surfaces, but street-oriented ADV gloves still provide considerably more protection than pure motocross gloves.

• Motocross / Off-Road Gloves — Usually thin, flexible and extremely well ventilated to maximize grip and control. They're designed around dirt riding, where mobility and feel are critical. Their lightweight construction generally offers less pavement abrasion protection than a proper street glove.

• Cruiser / Classic Leather Gloves — Traditional leather gloves remain popular because they're comfortable, durable and fit the look of cruiser riding. They range from simple unlined leather gloves to reinforced short-cuff designs with concealed knuckle and palm protection. The important distinction is whether they're actual motorcycle gloves or simply leather fashion/work gloves.

When comparing gloves, I'd pay particular attention to fit, wrist retention, palm reinforcement, knuckle protection and a palm slider where available. Gloves should fit close enough that material doesn't bunch under your palm, but they shouldn't pull tight across the back of your hand when you grip the bars.

And modern convenience features are worth considering too. Touchscreen-compatible fingertips are increasingly common, which matters when your phone is also your GPS. Waterproofing, visor-wipe material on a finger, adjustable cuffs and the ability to operate switches without removing the gloves can matter a lot more after an hour on the road than they did while you were trying them on in the store.

Motorcycle Boots & Riding Footwear

Your feet and ankles are easy to overlook until something goes wrong. Motorcycle-specific footwear is designed not only to protect against abrasion, but also to help resist crushing, twisting and impact injuries around the ankle, heel and toes. A regular work boot or sneaker may feel sturdy, but it is not designed around the forces involved in a motorcycle crash.

• Cruiser / Classic Leather Boots — Traditional leather motorcycle boots remain popular with cruiser and touring riders because they're durable, wind resistant, protective and fit naturally with that style of riding. Some resemble engineer boots, harness boots or traditional lace-up work boots. Look for motorcycle-specific ankle, heel and toe reinforcement rather than assuming any heavy leather boot provides the same protection.

• Urban Riding Shoes / Motorcycle Sneakers — One of the biggest growth areas in modern gear. These can look almost exactly like high-top sneakers, casual shoes or street boots while hiding reinforced toe boxes, heel protection, ankle armor and abrasion-resistant construction. They're especially attractive to commuters and younger riders because they're comfortable to walk around in once you're off the motorcycle. The tradeoff is usually less shin and lower-leg protection than a full-height boot.

• Touring Boots — Designed for long hours in the saddle and changing weather. Touring boots generally combine substantial ankle and foot protection with walking comfort, waterproofing and relatively simple closures that are easy to operate while geared up. They're less rigid than race or serious off-road boots, but far more comfortable for spending an entire day traveling.

• Waterproof / All-Weather Boots — Often closely related to touring footwear, these use waterproof membranes and sealed construction to keep rain from turning your socks into sponges. For Washington riders, this is a particularly useful feature. Remember that waterproofing still has to coexist with comfort and breathability, especially when temperatures climb.

• Sport / Racing Boots — Built around maximum protection rather than walking comfort. Full-height sport boots commonly use rigid ankle support, reinforced shin plates, hard heel and toe protection, sliders and systems designed to limit unwanted ankle movement. They're excellent for aggressive riding and track use, but they're considerably stiffer and more cumbersome off the motorcycle.

• ADV / Adventure Boots — Somewhere between a touring boot and an off-road boot. ADV footwear usually adds substantial shin, ankle and impact protection while retaining enough flexibility and sole traction for walking around off the motorcycle. Waterproof versions are especially popular for riders who may encounter pavement, gravel, mud and rain on the same trip.

• Motocross / Off-Road Boots — Tall, heavily armored and designed to protect the shin, ankle and foot from impacts, twisting and terrain hazards. They typically use multiple buckles and very rigid construction. That makes them excellent in the dirt but bulky, stiff and awkward for casual street use.

• Short Motorcycle Boots — These sit between a riding shoe and a full-height touring boot. They provide more ankle structure and protection than casual riding footwear without the bulk of a tall boot. They're a practical choice for everyday street riding and commuting.

• Women's Motorcycle Boots — Modern women's riding footwear is no longer limited to scaled-down men's boots. There are now motorcycle-specific designs ranging from ADV and sport footwear to waterproof urban boots that resemble combat or fashion boots while incorporating reinforced toes, heels and layered ankle protection.

Whatever style you choose, fit is critical. Your heel should stay securely in place, your ankle protection should sit where it belongs, your toes need enough room to move, and the boot must still allow you to comfortably operate the shifter and rear brake. Taller and more protective boots generally give up some walking comfort, while shorter and more casual footwear gives up some coverage—that is the basic tradeoff.

And one small detail new riders often discover the hard way: check how the boot actually works with your motorcycle. A thick ADV toe box may make it difficult to get under a low shifter, while an extremely smooth or bulky sole can change how secure your footing feels at a stop. The right boot has to protect you and let you control the bike naturally.

Motorcycle Accessories — The Little Things That Make Riding Easier

Once you've covered the essential protective gear, there is an enormous world of accessories that can make riding more comfortable, convenient and enjoyable. Some solve problems you won't even realize you have until you've spent some time on a motorcycle. You certainly don't need all of them, but these are some of the accessories you're likely to encounter as you begin riding.

• Helmet Communication Systems — Modern helmet communication systems install speakers and a microphone inside your helmet and can provide music, GPS directions, phone connectivity and rider-to-rider communication. Systems range from simple Bluetooth units for a rider and passenger to mesh systems capable of keeping larger groups connected while riding.

• Cell Phone & GPS Mounts — A secure handlebar or motorcycle-specific phone mount can put navigation where it's easy to see without digging through your pockets. Look for a strong retention system and consider vibration isolation, since sustained motorcycle vibration can be hard on the delicate camera systems inside modern smartphones. Dedicated motorcycle navigation and CarPlay/Android Auto displays are another increasingly popular option that allows your phone to remain safely tucked away.

• Hair Wraps, Braid Holders & Hair Gloves — For riders with long hair, these solve a very real problem. At highway speeds, loose hair can become badly tangled, whipped around and damaged. Leather hair gloves, wraps, tubes, braid holders and ponytail covers keep longer hair contained below the helmet while riding.

• Vest Extenders — Particularly popular among cruiser riders and traditional biker culture, vest extenders attach between the front snaps of a leather vest. They allow the vest to remain partially open while helping keep it from flapping around in the wind. They range from simple chains and leather straps to decorative pieces that become part of a rider's individual style.

• Earplugs & Hearing Protection — Wind noise at highway speeds can be substantial even with a good helmet and a relatively quiet motorcycle. Reusable or filtered motorcycle earplugs can reduce damaging wind noise while still allowing you to hear important sounds around you and, depending on the design, your helmet communication system.

• Helmet & Visor Accessories — Anti-fog inserts, breath guards, replacement shields, sun visors, chin curtains and other accessories can dramatically improve helmet comfort in changing weather. Fogging is particularly worth thinking about in Washington's cool and wet conditions.

• Anti-Fog Treatments & Cat Crap — There are numerous anti-fog treatments available for helmet shields, goggles and riding glasses, but one product we personally recommend is Cat Crap Anti-Fog Lens Cleaner. Despite the ridiculous name, it has been around for years and can help reduce fogging on many types of eyewear and lenses. A small container takes up almost no room in your riding gear. As with any lens treatment, follow the manufacturer's directions and make sure it is compatible with your particular shield or lens.

• Neck Gaiters, Balaclavas & Face Covers — These can protect exposed skin from wind, cold, sun and bugs while helping seal the gap between your helmet and jacket. Lightweight summer versions and insulated cold-weather versions serve very different purposes.

• Hydration Packs — Particularly popular with ADV and off-road riders, hydration packs are also useful for anyone spending a long day on the motorcycle. They provide convenient access to water without taking up valuable motorcycle luggage space.

• Tank Bags, Waist Packs & Small Rider Bags — If your motorcycle doesn't have saddlebags, carrying even the basics can become surprisingly challenging. Small tank bags and rider packs provide somewhere to keep your phone, wallet, keys, clear glasses, sunscreen, charging cables and the other little things that eventually overwhelm your pockets.

• USB / USB-C Power & Charging — Phones, GPS units and helmet communicators all require power. Motorcycle-mounted USB outlets, charging leads and portable battery packs can keep electronics working during a long day on the road.

There are countless other little accessories riders discover along the way—helmet locks, kickstand pads, glove clips, key keepers, cargo nets, tie-down straps, throttle-assist paddles, rain covers and reflective accessories, among many others. Some will eventually become things you never leave home without; others may spend the rest of their lives forgotten at the bottom of a saddlebag.

The important thing is not to treat accessories as another enormous shopping list. Ride your motorcycle first. You'll quickly discover what annoys you, what you're constantly reaching for, what you wish you could carry and what would make the next hundred miles a little easier. Buy the things that solve those problems.

Keep Exploring the GMRW Rider Resource Center

Choosing the right gear is only part of becoming a prepared rider. The GMRW Motorcycle Rider Resource Center brings together practical information for riding in Washington, including weather and mountain pass conditions, ferry information, hand signals, GPX route help, trip-planning tools and more. Whether you're planning tomorrow's ride or your first trip across the state, it's a good place to find the information you need before you put the kickstand up.