What Motorcycle Gear to Wear on Warm Summer Days

For many motorcycling enthusiasts there is great joy to be found in getting out on the open road and going for a ride in the sunshine and warmth of summery weather. However, while the allure of the open road is irresistible, it’s crucial to balance comfort with safety. 

Riding in the heat presents unique challenges, from managing your body temperature and hydration levels to ensuring you have adequate protection from the sun and road. This article will guide you through selecting warm weather motorcycle riding gear that combines breathability, protection, and style, helping you stay safe and comfortable during your summer adventures.

Dress for the heat

When choosing what motorcycle gear to wear in summer there are a few factors to consider. Opting for cooling fabrics, lightweight layers, and checking for functional design inclusions like mesh and perforations can make a significant difference in regulating your body temperature in hot weather. 

Choose cooling materials

By the very nature of the activity, clothing for motorcycle riding must be strong, durable and abrasion resistant, able to protect the rider in the event of an accident. Thanks to advancements in textile technology, fabrics have been developed that meet all of these criteria and keep riders cool in the heat.

A key example of this is the Cordura used in many PANDO MOTO designs. This innovative material is a blend of military-grade INVISTA T420 nylon 6,6 staple fiber and cotton, with Coolmax technology woven into the fabric. A type of polyester, Coolmax is made of fibers with a larger surface area than normal, which helps it carry moisture away from the skin. This moisture wicking effect helps keep the wearer cool and dry, while the Cordura provides protection and strength.

Try lightweight layers

When choosing what to wear on a motorcycle in the summer some people make the mistake of thinking that thin, lightweight clothing isn’t an option. But, by selecting the right materials this can be done without compromising safety or style.

High quality protective base layers are usually made of  a lightweight yet strong material that can protect your body while maximizing airflow. At PANDO MOTO BALISTEX® is one of the core materials used for these garments. Despite being so lightweight that it floats on water, BALISTEX® is 15x stronger than steel and is highly resistant to abrasion and wear. As a bonus, it also has high heat conductivity, making it one of the best motorcycle base layer materials for hot weather.

Motorcycling jeans tend to be single layer or double layer, with double layer simply meaning they have a separate protective fabric layer. Since single layer jeans are a little thinner they’re more suitable for hot days, and once again thanks to technological advancements you don’t have to sacrifice style or safety for comfort. Aside from CORDURA®, PANDO MOTO also uses ARMALITH® for single layer jeans, which is a strong yet highly heat-conducting and reflecting fabric that was previously reserved for space, military and offshore applications.

Check for functional design inclusions

The best motorcycle gear for hot weather will have functional inclusions that are purposefully added to the design to help maximize airflow and keep you cool. Here’s an idea of what to look for.

Riding pants

When choosing a pair of summer motorcycle riding pants the ideal base would be a single layer design made of a strong, breathable and heat conductive fabric. Taking the outfit to the next level is finding a design that has ventilation pockets or mesh details, such as the Karldo Slim Black, which allow air to flow through and maximize cooling as you ride. 

If you live in a tropical climate where it’s hot and humid, you may want a pair of waterproof pants to keep you dry if there’s a sudden downpour. In that case, something like the Triton WP Slim Black might be suitable as it has zippered ventilation pockets on the thighs and back.

Motorcycle jackets and shirts

Finding a good motorcycle jacket for hot weather is a case of analyzing the fabric, insulation and ventilation. If you live in a four season climate then getting a jacket with removable insulation so that you can wear it all year round makes sense, whereas for somewhere with more topical weather the Air Tate Jacket Black might be better due to its detachable waterproof lining and mesh details on the chest and inner sleeves. 

When riding in hot weather airflow is key to keeping your body temperature down. Perforated materials under the armpits, COOLMAX® mesh linings and ventilation zippers are functional inclusions to look for that help achieve this. With the ventilation zippers, look for something like the Phantom Moto Hoodie Black, which can be zipped up in two ways. One of the zippered closures on this innovative design has a mesh strip with ventilation for hot weather, while the other closure is solid fabric for when the temperatures start to drop.

Gloves

The inclusion of perforated fabric is a key feature for hot weather motorcycle gloves. In terms of cooling rather than aesthetics, the perforations don’t really need to be present in high impact areas like the knuckles which should be armored. Instead look for perforations on places like the palm of the hand as seen on the Ivy Black gloves, which are made of premium goat leather.

Armored jackets and pants

When buying new motorcycle riding jackets or pants have a quick look at the armor it comes with to see if it is designed in a way that allows for airflow. An example of this is the D30 armor that comes with many PANDO MOTO jackets, which has a highly ventilated geometric shape.

Add a hydration pack

When riding in the heat there’s a very real risk of becoming dehydrated. Not only can this increase the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, it can also lead to a reduction in your physical strength and endurance, as well as your cognitive function. Given you’re out on the motorcycle to enjoy yourself, it’s best to stay hydrated.

A hydration pack provides a convenient way to drink water without needing to remove your helmet or fiddle with a backpack. Just by having it, riders tend to drink more frequently, maintaining optimal hydration levels, improving temperature regulation and reducing the risk of an accident, even in extremely hot weather.

Limit your UV exposure

In weather that’s so hot you might be reconsidering your desire to ride, there may be a bit of temptation to wear short sleeves. Aside from creating greater risk of injury if you were to crash, this would also increase your UV exposure and the chance of heat stroke or sun burn. Wearing a long sleeve riding shirt or solid base layer, and putting sunscreen on exposed areas can help limit your UV exposure while riding.

Summing it up

Riding a motorcycle in warm weather can be an enjoyable and exhilarating experience, but it requires careful consideration of what the right gear is to ensure your comfort and safety. By opting for designs that are lightweight and have clearly addressed ventilation and cooling, you can stay protected without overheating. Additionally, incorporating a hydration pack while limiting UV exposure with appropriate clothing and sunscreen further protects your health. With the right gear, you can fully enjoy the freedom of warm weather riding while staying comfortable, safe, and stylish.