What to Look for in Motorcycle Gear to Keep You Warm and Safe This Winter
January 14, 2025
When winter rolls in and the temperatures drop, the roads become less forgiving and your motorcycle gear can make or break your ride. Not only can the cold air, snow and wind chill be physically uncomfortable, it can also cause you to mentally tune out. That’s an unsafe position to be in on the road.N
With the right winter motorcycle gear you’ll not only stay toasty warm, it’ll also help to keep your focus sharp and body protected. To help you make the best choice for your next riding gear purchase, let’s explore what to look for in winter riding gear to provide the best protection for your next cold weather adventure.
Why wearing winter riding gear matters
As anyone who’s done it knows, riding a motorcycle in winter is an entirely different beast. The roads can be wet or even icy, the conditions less comfortable, and it requires a more focus to stay safe when the visibility or surface traction start to deteriorate.
Without proper protection the effects of cold wind, rain, or even snow can cut straight through standard gear, leaving you feeling numb, distracted, and vulnerable. It’s here that quality winter riding gear acts as your first line of defense, keeping you warm, dry, and more focused.
Features to look for in winter motorcycle clothes
When buying winter riding gear there are some design features that help to enhance the safety and comfort of the rider.
Waterproofing
One unexpected downpour, a bit of morning mist or a dusting of snow can leave you soaked and miserable if your gear isn’t up to the task. As a result, choosing something that’s waterproof is often a basic requirement for riders searching for the best winter motorcycle gear.
To start, look for riding jackets and pants that have a high-quality waterproof membrane or waterproof liner incorporated into the design.
Thinking about motorcycling pants, the TRITON WP SLIM BLACK riding trousers use the waterproof membrane method to keep the wearer dry, combining stretchy CORDURA® Nylon with a transparent TPU membrane. This way of doing things makes perfect sense for riding pants as liners can be bulkier and more awkward to manage. For riding jackets though, the waterproof liners are great as they help create a more versatile product that’s good not just for winter, but all year round. The AIR TATE jacket for example, has the ventilation details to make it comfortable for riding in summer, but with a detachable waterproof inner jacket that can actually be worn inside or outside the main jacket, and is waterproof 10000.
Taking the waterproofing to the next level, quality designs will also have features like sealed or taped seams and waterproof zippers for an added level of protection against water.
Windproofing
The effects of wind chill can’t be underestimated, and even a slight breeze can feel like an arctic blast when you’re riding at highway speeds. Windproof design inclusions block those icy gusts so you stay protected no matter how fast you’re going.
To cut down on wind chill, look for motorcycle gear that has snug cuffs, an adjustable collar, and tight closures to seal out drafts. Rubberized hems as well as a jacket-trouser connection loop can help ensure your gear doesn’t ride up and expose you to the wind, while having the correct size can also ensure the gear stays fitted to your body. Finally, while ventilations details are great most of the time, look for options that have a zip or flap allowing you to seal it up when you don’t want the extra airflow.
Insulating liners
Insulating liners provide a crucial layer of removable warmth in four season riding jackets. Put it in when it’s cold and then if the sun unexpectedly peaks out or the seasons start their natural change, you can simply remove it, wash it and store it for another day.When looking at motorcycle jackets with insulating liners, check the quality of materials used and how it attaches inside. The new FALCON LEATHER AVIATOR is a stylish, well made example of this type of winter appropriate jacket. The exterior is natural leather while the inside has a comfortable, removable insulating quilted liner that looks and feels high quality. As a bonus, it also has an internal waterproof storage pocket, another smart, functional feature to consider when choosing new winter riding gear.
Moisture wicking fabrics
It’s no good staying warm if you’re drenched in sweat. Moisture wicking fabrics work to pull sweat away from your skin, keeping you dry and comfortable underneath the layers.
There are a range of moisture wicking fabrics used in the motorcycle apparel industry, with the best being materials that are also extremely strong and durable. Two used by PANDO MOTO are Cordura and Balistex. Each has its own benefits, with Cordura often being woven with Coolmax technology, while Balistex has high heat conductivity (as well as being 15x stronger than steel!).
Durable and warm materials
Leather might be a bit old-school when compared to some of the high-tech textiles available today, but it’s still a winter favorite for good reason. The natural insulating properties and durability make it a solid choice for motorcycle gloves and jackets, especially when combined with other features like insulting liners and touchscreen compatible fingers, so there’s no need to take a glove off to navigate the GPS or phone screen. Leather keeps your fingers and core warm and protected, while adding an element of style that is hard to beat when it comes to winter motorcycle clothing.
Base layers as the first line of defence against cold
As well as your motorcycle jacket, pants and a casual sweatshirt or t-shirt, you might consider wearing some extra layers underneath for added warmth. In this instance, don’t underestimate the power of a good base layer.
Worn directly against your skin, base layers provide that all important first line of insulation. You could try a general winter base layer made of merino wool or synthetics blends, or go for something a little more high-tech with the PANDO MOTO motorcycle base layers. These versatile designs made of moisture wicking Balsitex were created to be comfortable and functional, providing a high level protection that can be worn by itself when the temperature warms up, and with clothes or protective gear over it when it’s cold. As a bonus there’s styles for men and women, that take into account the different body shapes.
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Tips for choosing high-quality winter motorcycling gear
Selecting the right winter gear takes a little research but you’ll thank yourself once you’re out on the road. Here’s some tips to keep in mind when making your decision.
- Prioritise waterproofing, windproofing, and insulating layers to ensure the gear can meet the demands of winter motorcycle riding.
- Make sure it’s functional and comfortable, with reinforced stitching, sizing adjustments, moisture wicking features, and zippers and closures that are easy to use with gloves on.
- Assess what protection is built in, especially for high risk areas of the body like the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.
- Opt for CE-certified designs made by a trusted brand that specializes in motorcycle gear. Companies like PANDO MOTO focus on creating gear that blends safety, functionality, and style, so you never have to compromise.
Tackle your next winter adventure with the right riding gear
Hitting the road in winter doesn’t have to be a battle against the elements. By taking your time to buy the right gear, you can stay warm, dry, and protected, allowing for greater focus on the adventure ahead. From insulated jackets to waterproof pants and moisture wicking base layers, every piece plays a role in your comfort and safety. Be wise and invest in a set of high-quality winter motorcycle gear that meets your needs, you’ll thank yourself later!
