Nothing ruins a relaxing, scenic motorcycle ride than rainy weather.
Whether it is a sudden cloudburst or more persistent rain, there is nothing worse than the feeling of dampness inside and outside of your biking gear.
Not only does it feel incredibly uncomfortable and distracting, but it can also make us feel very cold and has the potential to trigger skin rashes.
All in all, it is not a nice experience to have as a rider.
However, there is special gear that we can purchase to make even the wettest of rides feel much more comfortable and enjoyable.
In this article, we will look at the best motorcycle rain gear available and include a handy buyer’s guide to help you make the best purchase for your needs and budget.
Why You Need Motorcycle Rain Gear
There will be some motorcyclists that prefer to grin and bear their way through wet weather rides, trying in vain to prove that they are made of better mettle than the rest of us.
However, they tend to end up just looking miserable and damp.
There is no need to suffer like this to earn martyr status, in fact, there can be many benefits to investing in quality rain gear.
Firstly, wearing a rain suit over your usual bike leathers can help to protect them and improve their lifespan.
When we look after our leather jackets and pants, we can extend their usage and make the investment even more worthwhile.
Nobody wants to spend a lot of money on biking equipment and clothing to then not look after it when we can.
Similarly, by keeping your leather motorcycle clothing dry, you can minimize the amount of time between rides by eliminating the need to dry your thick riding suit.
A thin rain suit that is worn over your leather gear can dry out in a much shorter time than the leather jacket and pants, therefore you can get back out on your bike much sooner.
A final reason why purchasing motorcycle rain gear is a good idea is for comfort and health.
When we get wet, we get cold, and when we stay wet, we stay cold.
Lowering our body temperature for an extended period of time, particularly when we are on long rides, increases our risk of catching viruses such as colds.
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This can affect our work and our ability or desire to take our bike out for a spin in the short term.
Also, being cold and wet with no other option than to just keep going can be very uncomfortable and miserable, especially if it soaks through to our underwear.
What To Look For In Motorcycle Rain Gear
There are a few important things to consider before taking the plunge and purchasing a motorcycle rain suit or rain gear.
If you have never purchased rain gear before it is better to try some different ones on in a store if possible to help you get a feel for what works for you.
If not, make sure that the place you purchase them from has a good returns policy.
Suit Or Two-Piece?
As with any motorcycle gear, there are various options surrounding the style of rain gear.
There are two main options when it comes to rain gear styles, they are an all-in-one suit or two-piece sets.
The first option is great if you want something that you can just slip over your leather or kevlar suit and not have to worry about keeping track of more than one piece of fabric.
All-in-one suits are also good for ensuring that your lower back area remains protected from the rain and spray throughout your ride.
A two-piece rain gear set can be a good choice if you prefer to have a bit more freedom of movement while in your gear, or already wear two-piece leathers.
This style of rain gear can be easier to get into than a one-piece and it offers up the option of only wearing one of the pieces if the weather is not too adverse.
Lightweight Or Durable?
Much like the style of the rain gear, the material that is best is a very personal choice.
For some riders, lightweight material is the most important factor so as to not add too much weight to the bike.
This can be a particularly important factor for riders who like to maintain the balance and aerodynamics of their bikes.
However, a more durable, thicker material may be desirable if you often ride in very wet weather.
While the thicker rain gear may weigh more, it is also more likely to keep you completely dry even during the heaviest of downpours.
Sometimes it can be worth sacrificing a couple of miles an hour top speed for comfort.
Best Motorcycle Rain Gear
Below we will look at the best motorcycle rain gear that is available on the market.
We have included both one and two-piece items, as well as a variety of materials and thicknesses to provide you with a range of options to help you make the right decision for your needs.
Milwaukee Rain Suit
The Milwaukee rain suit is a two-piece suit that can keep you dry in even the most intense rainstorms.
The nylon construction is incredibly durable and weather resistant, however, it is the presence of the full lining that really gives you peace of mind when embarking on a rainy ride.
The Milwaukee features an extensive amount of elasticated cuffs that help to keep the suit firmly in place and prevents the rain from breaching the suit.
The elastic keeps the sleeves, waistband, and pant leg holes in place and snug to the skin.
Both the jacket and the pants are secured by zippers which makes them easy to remove, even when they are soaked after a ride.
This rain gear also comes in a wide variety of sizes ranging from small to XXX large, allowing you to find a size that comfortably fits over your protective suit.
Pros
- Elasticated hems
- Fully lined
- Wide range of sizes available
Cons
- Two-piece design risks gaps
Alpha Cycle Gear Rain Suit
The Alpha cycle gear rain suit is a two-piece suit that can be used for a variety of two-wheeled sports.
One of the main features of this suit is its all-weather wind resistance.
While this does not indicate its level of water resistance, it does mean that the suit will keep you warm while you are on your ride, remaining breathable throughout.
The pants of this suit are adjustable at the waistband and the ankles while the jacket features a wind flap to reduce the amount of wind that can penetrate the suit during a ride.
The jacket also has adjustable sleeve cuffs which are secured by velcro straps and heat shields to keep you warm.
One of the most impressive features of this suit jacket is the hood that can be tucked away.
While the hood won’t stretch over your helmet, it can be useful for times when you are dismounted from your bike in the rain.
A great safety feature of this suit is the high visibility patches and piping that make it easier for other motorists to see you in low visibility conditions.
Pros
- Fold-away hood
- High visibility safety features
- Elasticated cuffs
- High level of wind resistance
Cons
- Sizing can be inaccurate
Frogg Toggs Men’s All-Sport Rain Suit
The Frogg Toggs All-Sport rain suit is one of the most stylish and comfortable suits on this list.
It is made from 100% polypropylene material which provides you with an excellent level of water resistance even in the wettest of conditions.
The material that it is made from also allows it to remain breathable and comfortable without sacrificing any of the waterproofing.
The pull-on style of the Frogg Toggs rain suit makes it convenient to put on and take off no matter how soaked it becomes.
The seams of the pants are fully taped to ensure complete water tightness and a comfortable, dry ride in any weather conditions.
The jacket also features a removable hood and an extended hem that adequately covers the pant’s waistband to avoid any runoff water breaching the suit.
Pros
- Taped seams
- Breathable material
- Extended jacket hem
- Elasticated cuffs
Cons
- Sizing can run large
Tourmaster Defender 2.0 Rain Suit
The Tourmaster Defender 2.0 rain suit is made from a polyurethane-backed nylon outer shell that provides you with a high level of protection from adverse weather while the underarm vents help to increase the breathability.
This protection is increased further by the taped seams that feature on this suit.
There is a built-in hood in the jacket that is designed to be worn underneath your helmet to help maximize the level of protection you have.
Unlike the other suits on this list, the Defender 2.0 features suspenders on the pants to help keep them securely in place no matter how rough your ride gets.
There is also a high-density nylon seat pad to help reduce the risk of slipping on your seat in extremely wet conditions.
There is a reflective stripe on the jacket in this suit that helps you remain visible in even the lowest visibility conditions and the suit is capable of keeping you dry for several hours in heavy rain.
The lightweight nature of the material means that it can be packed in a small space too, great for peace of mind on extended trips.
Pros
- Underarm vents
- Suspenders on pants
- Built-in hood
- Anti-slip seat pad
Cons
- The lightweight material can be cold
Nelson Rigg WeatherPro Rain Suit
The Nelson Rigg WeatherPro rain suit is a two-piece suit that effectively keeps the rain at bay on your ride.
The jacket features a full-length zipper that makes putting the jacket on and taking it off easy and simple, even when it is soaking wet.
There is adequate reflective detailing on this suit that allows you to remain visible to other motorists no matter how low the visibility gets.
This is a great safety feature that can help give you peace of mind when riding in adverse weather conditions.
Because of the durability of the materials used in this suit, it is able to withstand the treatment that comes with various types of terrain such as off-roading, cross-country riding, and street cruising.
Pros
- Durable materials
- Full-length zipper design
- High level of visibility
- Suitable for multiple terrains
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other suits
Joe Rocket RS-2 Rain Suit
The Joe Rocket RS-2 rain suit is a two-piece suit that is made with a 100% soft polyester outer shell and PVC backing to keep you dry for an extended period of time.
It is the thickness of the multiple layers of material that provide the high level of water resistance that makes this suit such a good investment.
The outer layer of the suit is treated to ensure that it remains waterproof throughout many years of use.
As with many of the suits on this list, the Joe Rocket suit comes with reflective white stripes that help keep you visible to other motorists even during the heaviest of downpours.
This is an important feature of rain suits that should be considered carefully.
Pros
- Durable, warm fabric
- Reflective stripes
- Treated to remain waterproof
Cons
- No hood
Best Motorcycle Rain Gear Buyer’s Guide
There are a few important factors to consider when you are looking to purchase a new rain suit for your biking equipment.
This handy buyer’s guide will help you find the best motorcycle rain gear and make the best choice to suit your needs.
Visibility
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a rain suit for your motorcycle is how visible it makes you, it might even be more important than how waterproof a suit is.
This is because it can be the main thing keeping you safe while you are riding in adverse weather conditions.
When there are high levels of precipitation, visibility on the road or track can be significantly reduced.
When this happens, it is particularly important for motorcyclists to do what they can to remain visible.
The more reflective stripes, piping, and panels a rain suit has, the better.
This can be the difference between riding safely in wet conditions and having near misses on the road with other road users.
Reflectivity and visibility should be a priority when purchasing rain gear.
Style
The style of your rain gear is also an important factor that you should consider before making a purchase.
For some, a two-piece suit will be the preferred choice because of how easy they can be to put on and take off, no matter how wet they get.
However, others may prefer an all-in-one style to give added protection from the possibility of rain getting between the jacket and pants.
Both styles of rain gear are most commonly secured by a zipper or elastic.
A high level of elasticity in the cuffs and hems is desirable in rain suits as it helps to keep the rain out of the sleeves, pant legs, and waistband of the suit.
If you find a suit that does not feature elastic detailing in these areas, it is likely to allow rain and moisture to permeate the suit and make your ride more uncomfortable.
Durability
The durability of a motorcycle rain suit is an important part of ensuring you are getting the best value for your money.
If a suit has a cheaper price tag but is made of thinner or less durable material, it will likely not last for a long time and you will find yourself replacing it sooner than you would have liked and spending more money in the long run.
If you opt for a slightly more expensive rain suit that is made from more durable material with more durable stitching, you will probably end up saving money long-term as the suit will last longer and you will not have to replace it as often as a cheaper suit.
Ease Of Use
This pertains to how easy the suit is to put on over your leather or kevlar suit, and how easy it is to remove when it is wet.
The motorcycle rain gear designs that are easiest to remove are zipper style or elasticated style.
Suits that feature a zipper closure are easy to put on over your main suit and will fasten quickly.
They are also simple to remove when wet as the zipper should not be affected by the moisture.
It is important to remember that the cheaper your rain suit is, the less reliable the zipper will be.
Suits that feature a pull-on or elasticated design are one of the easiest rain suits to put on and remove.
The elasticated waistbands and cuffs can be stretched over your boots and regular suit easily and form a tight seal.
When they are wet they can still be stretched adequately over your clothes or suit to remove them with ease.
Final Thoughts
There are many different motorcycle rain gear suits that can be purchased online or in stores.
Finding the right suit to fit your regular suit and your needs in wet weather may take some trial and error.
However, with such an extensive range available, it will be possible to find the perfect rain suit to keep you dry on those rainy days.
Also, make sure not to forget your bike! Buy the best motorcycle shed to keep your bike safe from the rain and other harsh environmental conditions.
