The best rain gear for motorcycle riding is a two-piece rain suit sized to go over your armored jacket and pants: a budget PVC-backed suit such as the Nelson-Rigg Stormrider if you ride in rain only now and then, a lined mid-range suit like the Tour Master Elite series for commuters and tourers, and a Gore-Tex shell such as the Klim Forecast jacket if you spend whole days riding wet and want something that breathes. The right pick depends less on brand than on how long you sit in rain, how fast you ride, and whether you need to see and be seen in low light.
Our top picks
Nelson-Rigg unisex adult Motorcross-motorcycles Nelson Rigg SR- Includes 2-Piece Black/Orange 100-Percent Waterproof Motorcycle Rain Suit
- Jacket Features Full-Length Zipper, Self-Fastening Storm Flap, Two…
- Jacket Offers Soft Corduroy Inner Collar with Hood,…
KEMIMOTO Motorcycle Rain Suits for Men with- 【Fully Waterproof】:KEMIMOTO men's raincoat boasts a waterproof performance…
- 【No Sweat & Cool Wear】：Motorcycle rain suit features…
- 【No Sweat & Cool Wear】：Motorcycle rain suit features…
BYKR Waterproof Outdoors Motorcycle Rain Suits for- Our anti-slip rain pants and rain jacket is…
- With BYKR Motorcycle Rain Suit experience versatility and…
- Designed to seamlessly integrate into your active lifestyle,…
| Product | Key specs | |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson-Rigg unisex adult Motorcross-motorcycles Nelson Rigg SR | Includes 2-Piece Black/Orange 100-Percent Waterproof Motorcycle Rain Suit Jacket Features Full-Length Zipper, Self-Fastening Storm Flap, Two… Jacket Offers Soft Corduroy Inner Collar with Hood,… | Check price |
| KEMIMOTO Motorcycle Rain Suits for Men with | 【Fully Waterproof】:KEMIMOTO men's raincoat boasts a waterproof performance… 【No Sweat & Cool Wear】：Motorcycle rain suit features… 【No Sweat & Cool Wear】：Motorcycle rain suit features… | Check price |
| BYKR Waterproof Outdoors Motorcycle Rain Suits for | Our anti-slip rain pants and rain jacket is… With BYKR Motorcycle Rain Suit experience versatility and… Designed to seamlessly integrate into your active lifestyle,… | Check price |
 JDC Motorcycle Waterproof Rain Over Jacket Hi-Vis | This is designed to be worn over a… Advanced Waterproofing Technology Mesh lining to the top section | Check price |
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Why motorcycle wet weather gear is different from a hiking shell
A hiking rain jacket is built for rain falling at walking speed. On a bike at 65 mph, rain hits you almost horizontally and with real force, wind pressure finds every gap at the collar and cuffs, and water pools in your lap and runs down the tank toward your crotch. Good motorcycle wet weather gear handles that with features a trail shell does not have:
- Cut for the riding position. Longer back panel, pre-bent arms and knees, and room to fit over body armor.
- Collar that seals under the helmet. Most suits fail first at the neck, where water runs in under the chin bar.
- Heat-resistant inner leg panels. Nylon touching a hot exhaust pipe or engine case melts; dedicated rain suits add heat shields at the calves.
- Long leg zips and boot stirrups. So the pants go on over boots at a gas station without sitting on the wet ground, and stay down at speed.
- High-visibility color and reflective trim. Rain cuts drivers’ visibility as much as yours.
Picks compared
| Rain gear | Type | Shell / waterproofing | Breathes? | Typical price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson-Rigg Stormrider | 2-piece suit | Polyester with PVC backing, fully waterproof | No | $70–$100 | Occasional rain, tight budget |
| Tour Master Elite series rain suit | 2-piece suit | Coated polyester, about 10,000 mm, removable liner | Limited | $130–$200 | Commuting, cool-weather touring |
| Tour Master Defender | Rain jacket + pants | Heavier coated shell with taped seams | Limited | $150–$250 | Frequent heavy rain, long distances |
| REV’IT! Acid 4 H2O pants + Cyclone 4 H2O jacket | Mix-and-match | Waterproof over-layer with taped seams | Some | $50–$70 pants; jacket sold separately | Riders who only need one half, or want a slimmer fit |
| Klim Forecast jacket (pants sold separately) | Packable shell | Gore-Tex Paclite 2-layer | Yes | $250–$330 jacket | Adventure and touring riders in mixed weather |
Picks by situation
You ride in rain a few times a season: Nelson-Rigg Stormrider
The Stormrider is the classic answer to “what rain suit for motorcycle trips should I keep under the seat?” The PVC backing is simply waterproof; there is no membrane to wet out. The trade-off is that it does not breathe, so on a warm, humid day you will be damp from sweat after an hour. It is also bulkier when rolled. For a suit that comes out a handful of times a year and costs under $100, that is an easy compromise.
You commute or tour in cool, wet regions: Tour Master Elite
The Elite line adds the things daily riders notice: a better collar design, a removable liner for cold rain, wide reflective piping, and reinforced seams. Its coated fabric is rated around 10,000 mm, which handles steady rain well but can struggle in hours of sustained highway downpour. Riders who are out in heavy rain week after week often step up to the tougher Tour Master Defender.
You already own a waterproof jacket and only need pants
Many textile riding jackets are waterproof but their matching pants are not, or the reverse. Buying just the half you need, such as REV’IT!’s Acid 4 H2O over-pants, saves money and avoids wearing two jackets. If you want a matched set later, the brand’s Cyclone 4 H2O jacket pairs with them.
You ride all day in changing weather: a breathable Gore-Tex shell
The best raincoat for motorcycle adventure riding is one you can leave on when the rain stops. The Klim Forecast uses Gore-Tex Paclite, stuffs into its own pocket, and lets sweat escape, so you are not steaming inside between showers. It costs three to four times as much as a budget suit, and you buy the matching pants separately. It makes sense if you ride 5,000+ miles a year in mixed weather.
One-piece or two-piece?
One-piece suits have no waist gap, so they are the driest option for upright touring bikes where rain pools in the lap. They are harder to put on at the roadside and you cannot use just the jacket on a cold dry morning. Two-piece rain jacket for bikers setups are more versatile; look for a jacket long enough to overlap the pants by at least 4 inches when seated in the riding position.
Sizing: the step most riders get wrong
Size the rain suit over the gear you actually ride in. Put on your armored jacket and pants, then measure chest and hips and add the gap you need to pull the suit on without fighting it. As a rule of thumb, most riders go one size up from their street size. Check three things in the store or at home:
- Sit on the bike or a chair and reach forward as if holding bars: sleeves should still cover your glove cuffs.
- Bend your knees to riding angle: pants should still reach the top of your boots.
- Turn your head fully left and right with the collar closed: if it chokes you, you will leave it open and water gets in.
Ownership realities
- What wears first: inner leg panels near the pipes, seat-area fabric from sliding on and off, and Velcro at the cuffs, which also snags gloves.
- Dry it open. Rolling a wet suit and leaving it under the seat for a week leads to mildew and delaminated seam tape. Hang it inside out at the next stop.
- Re-proof breathable shells. Gore-Tex and similar shells need a wash and a fresh DWR treatment once or twice a season, or the face fabric soaks through and the shell stops breathing.
- Cover the gaps the suit cannot: waterproof gloves or over-mitts and boot covers matter as much as the suit. Wet hands are the main reason riders cut a rainy ride short.
Quick decision guide
| Your riding | Rain hours per year | Choose |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend rides, avoid bad forecasts | Under 10 | Budget PVC suit like the Stormrider |
| Year-round commuting | 30–100 | Lined mid-range suit (Elite) or heavier Defender |
| Multi-day touring and adventure riding | 50+ in mixed weather | Breathable Gore-Tex shell jacket plus matching pants |
| Already waterproof on top | Any | Over-pants only |
FAQ
Can I use a regular hiking rain suit on a motorcycle?
For a short ride in light rain, yes. At highway speed, though, hiking shells flap, let water in at the neck and hem, and can melt against hot engine parts. Purpose-built motorcycle rain gear is cut and reinforced for the job.
Is a rain suit a substitute for protective riding gear?
No. A rain suit offers no abrasion or impact protection. Wear it over armored riding gear, never instead of it.
