If you are one of those who like to ride their motorcycle during rainy days, you should definitely own at least one piece of motorcycle rain gear. It is not that expensive compared to most other types of motorcycle gear such as safety helmets and riding jackets, but it can be extremely beneficial or even life-saving.
Motorcycle rain gear can literally save your life if you are going to ride in heavy rain for more than one hour straight. Because, getting wet on a motorcycle can be really frustrating and you can even get sick after prolonged riding in soaked clothing. Not only will you get uncomfortably cold, but your riding gear will become way too heavy from all that water that has been building up for a long period of time. Furthermore, it will be almost impossible to dry out the gear and use it again the next day.
That’s why you should at least buy the cheapest one-piece rain suit that will protect your entire body against water and humidity, even if you think you will never use it in the future. Trust me, that time when you will actually need it will come and you will be very happy to own the gear.
In this article, I am going to show you the Best Motorcycle Rain Gear that is available on the market, so you don’t have to worry about doing the research and reading hundreds of reviews from around the internet. Apart from this, you will also learn about different types of rain gear, including their features and benefits.
List of the Top 6 Pieces of Motorcycle Rain Gear
Best Motorcycle Rain Gear Reviews
If you have been wondering about what rain gear is the absolute best for riding a motorcycle, then you have come to the right place. I have made a list of the top 6 best-selling and highest-rated pieces of gear that I wouldn’t be afraid of using in rainy weather. All products come from reputable brands that have been selling riding gear for decades. So, let’s not waste any more time and jump straight to the reviews.
Nelson Rigg Stormrider Motorcycle Rain Suit
Nelson Rigg is an American company and a well-known brand in the motorcycle accessories industry. They have been making excellent products such as motorcycle covers and saddlebags, which you can either buy on Amazon, or directly from their website.
Sizing & Color Options
The Nelson Rigg SR-6000 Stormrider is a 100% waterproof two-piece rain suit that is available in 7 sizes and 3 color options. It offers a universal fit that is suitable for both men and women. The sizing is spot on, so you don’t have to buy a bigger size than you usually wear. You can either buy black, orange, or hi-viz yellow version of the suit. All color versions come with the same price tag of around $70. It is a reasonably affordable kit, considering what you get for your money.
Features & Protection
The rain suit features a polyester outer shell with PVC backing that is extremely soft and flexible. The Jacket comes with a full-length zipper with a self-fastening storm flap. There are two large outer pockets on the jacket. Under each arm, you will find cooling vents specifically designed to allow fresh air into the jacket. Other than that, it is also equipped with a soft corduroy inner collar and a practical hood that will protect your head and neck area. The pants include an elasticized waist band and adjustable cuffs with self-fastening tabs. There is a reflective striping on both jacket and pants, so you can enjoy improved safety and the highest possible visibility at night.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Nelson Rigg SR-6000 Stormrider is an awesome two-piece rain suit that is comfortable enough for long distance riding in moderate to heavy rain. The only downside is the pants build quality, as some owners have reported the seams in the crotch area coming undone after a couple of rides.
Nelson Stormrider Rain Suit
️Pros: 100% Waterproof, Extremely Soft & Comfortable, Cooling Vents, Adjustable Cuffs, Good Nighttime Visibility
Cons: Pants Durability
Alpinestars Hurricane Motorcycle Rain Suit
The Alpinestars Hurricane motorcycle rain suit is available either as a one-piece suit, or as a standalone jacket. The suit costs around $130, while the jacket goes for $80. This is the most expensive rain gear on our list, but it is worth every single penny in my opinion.
Sizing & Color Options
The Alpinestars Hurricane suit comes in 6 shell sizes (SM – 3XL) and it is available in black, or yellow/black color variants. Sizing is a bit small, so I would recommend buying one size larger than you would usually wear. Apart from the wrong sizing, the suit fits properly and there is no excessive material flapping in the air.
Features & Protection
Feature-wise, the Alpinestars Hurricane rain suit has a lot of things to offer. It is constructed from an ultra-light, PU coated poly-nylon fabric that is 100% waterproof. Not only does it keep all the water out of your riding gear, but it also blocks wind really well, so you will remain warm and comfy during the ride. The fabric is specially treated to avoid sticking to leather and various textiles. The suit features tape-sealed seams, which ensures 100% waterproofing under all circumstances. For improved comfort and air circulation, Alpinestars have equipped their Hurricane suit with an internal poly-mesh lining. And, if the suit still doesn’t fit you properly, you can use the Velcro adjusters on the arms to customize the fit.
Final Verdict
In my opinion, the Alpinestars Hurricane rain suit could easily be the number one motorcycle rain gear on the list. It is lightweight, stylish and comfortable to wear. Unfortunately, it is relatively expensive and paying more than $100 for a piece of clothing you might rarely use will seem unreasonable for most riders. Therefore, I would only recommend buying this suit for those who often ride in rainy weather or for long-distance touring.
Alpinestars Hurricane Rain Suit
️Pros: 100% Waterproof, Tape-Sealed Seams, Internal Poly-Mesh Lining, Velcro Adjusters, Reflectivity, Storage Bag Included
Cons: Way Too Expensive
Joe Rocket RS-2 Motorcycle Rain Suit
The Joe Rocket RS-2 motorcycle rain suit costs around 80$ and you will get both jacket and pants included. Compared to the other rain gear I have previously mentioned, it doesn’t look that stylish in my opinion. But, if you don’t care about style that much, it is still a good all-around rain suit.
Sizing & Color Options
The suit comes in 7 different sizes ranging from SM to 4XL and there are many different color options available including black, red, orange, yellow and hi-viz. All of these sizes and color options make the Joe Rocket RS-2 suit one of the most customizable pieces of rain gear on the market. The jacket fits true to size, but the pants are a little too baggy.
Features & Protection
As most other high-quality motorcycle rain suits, the Joe Rocket RS-2 is made of a soft polyester outer shell with PVC backing designed to block wind and repel water. Other than that, it also comes with a nylon inner liner for improved comfort, and elastic waist/cuffs for better seal against water. The cuffs are equipped with Velcro closures and they are fully adjustable. In the back of the jacket, you will find the Variable Flow Ventilation, which is an air vent system that improves air flow. There are reflective stripes all over the jacket and pants, so riding at night shouldn’t be a problem with this suit.
Final Verdict
The Joe Rocket RS-2 is an affordable motorcycle rain suit that offers a lot of color variations and high adjustability. Unfortunately, is has a couple of issues that has prevented me from putting it higher on this list. It would be a perfect suit if the hood was included and if the pants weren’t so baggy.
Joe Rocket RS-2 Rain Suit
️Pros: 100% Waterproof, Lots of Color Options, Adjustable Cuffs, Variable Flow Ventilation, Reflective Stripes
Cons: No Hood, Pants Are Too Baggy
Frogg Toggs Road Toad Rain Jacket
When it comes to standalone rain jackets and pants, there is one famous brand that has been dominating the industry for a very long time. Frogg Toggs is a well-known name among fishers, hunters and outdoor sports lovers. They are a manufacturer of high-quality rain gear that is suitable for many different applications and various weather conditions. Apart from that, they also sell footwear and backpacks.
Sizing & Color Options
The jacket comes in multiple different sizes and color options. You can either choose the black version, or go for the hi-viz/green variants. There are 6 sizes available ranging from SM to 3XL.
Features & Protection
The Frogg Toggs Road Toad is a fully waterproof rain jacket that is perfect for motorcyclists. It features an innovative design that has been tested on the road, as well as off the road. The jacket offers phenomenal wind resistance and surprisingly good breathability. The inner and outer layer are both extremely flexible and soft to the touch. Thanks to Frogg Toggs’s exclusive non woven fabric blend with a Dripore Gen 2 middle layer, you will have a fantastic riding experience in any conditions. The jacket comes with an adjustable, tuck-away hood designed to protect the wearer’s head and hair. Other than that, it also has elastic wrist openings and a full front zip with snap down storm flap. There is a couple of reflective stripes on the jacket for improved safety during nighttime wear.
Final Verdict
In my opinion, Frogg Toggs have managed to make a good all-around rain jacket that can also be used on a motorcycle. It is lightweight, super-easy to wear and breathable enough for riding in warm weather. Unfortunately, the material in not that durable and it can tear easily in harsh conditions. Also, there are no pockets on the jacket, which is a huge disappointment.
Frogg Toggs Road Toad Rain Jacket
️Pros: Fully Waterproof, Highly Breathable, Adjustable Hood, Reflective Stripes
Cons: Durability Issues, No Pockets
Types of Motorcycle Rain Gear
One-Piece Motorcycle Rain Suits
One-piece motorcycle rain suits come with both jacket and pants connected to each other. They can be found for as cheap as $30, but some of them are much more expensive. The main advantage of a one-piece rain suit is their excellent seal. Because, there is no gap between the jacket and pants, so no water should ever get into the crotch area. Their only disadvantage is ease of use, as it can be a little difficult to get into the suit.
Motorcycle Rain Jackets & Pants
Motorcycle rain jackets and pants can either be bough separately, or as a two-piece suit. Because they are two separate pieces of garment, it is super easy to put them on. Another advantage is the fact that you have two separate products and if one of them gets lost or damaged, you can replace it and keep the other one. Also, there might be a case when you already own a waterproof jacket or pants and therefore you only need to buy one piece of gear.
Motorcycle Boot & Glove Covers
These are not that commonly used among riders, because it is much better to buy regular motorcycle boots and gloves with an inner waterproof membrane rather than using a rain cover. However, if you don’t want to spend $200 or more for Gore-Tex boots and you want to have dry feet on your bike, then a pair of motorcycle boot covers might become handy. These covers suit best for short commute and I wouldn’t recommend using them for multi-day trips.
Motorcycle Rain Gear for Women
Most of the motorcycle rain gear available on the market is suited for both men and women, but there are some exceptions. You should always read the product title and description to find out if it is designed specifically for men, or women. If it comes with a universal or unisex fit, it should be good for both genders.
Reasons to Wear Motorcycle Rain Gear
Waterproofing
This is the most obvious reason why you should wear motorcycle rain gear. If you are paying $50 or more for a piece of rain gear, it should definitely be fully waterproof. If the gear is only partly waterproof or water-resistant, you should never use it in heavy rain. It will only withstand a couple of raindrops and you will become soaking wet in a matter of minutes. A fully waterproof rain gear is designed for riding in heavy rain for long periods of time. You should be 100% dry after riding for hours in heavy rain or thunderstorm.
Wind Protection
Another cool feature of motorcycle rain gear is wind protection. Logically, if the material is fully waterproof and the suit is perfectly sealed around your body, then it should also block wind really well. Riding in rain at higher speeds can be really dangerous because you are risking hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature). And, if you are not protected enough, your riding gear will get really wet and the incoming wind will make you feel freezing cold. After a couple of minutes, your hands and feet will become numb and you will be risking a crash. That’s why it is so important to wear windproof and waterproof clothing while riding a motorcycle.
High Visibility
Apart from waterproofing and wind protection, a quality motorcycle rain suit should always come with high-viz color and some reflectivity. Manufacturers usually make one black version of the suit and at least one hi-viz color variant for those riders who prefer visibility over style. The suit then includes multiple reflective panels around the torso, so that other drivers can easily see you on the road in dark, cloudy days.
Conclusion
As you can see, a motorcycle rain suit offers a lot of benefits to the rider. And, the best thing about it is that you can wear it off the bike as well and still be protected against rain. The suit can be used for fishing, hiking, cycling and many other activities with high risk of rain. It is one of those types of motorcycle gear, that I would definitely recommend buying even if you don’t really need it at the current moment. Most of the rain suits offer very good value for money and they don’t take up a lot of storage space. Plus, if you have spent that much time reading this review and doing research, it would be a pity if you haven’t ended up buying one!
I mistakenly ordered a pair of Frogg Togg rain pants online. The seams were so badly sewn that they weren’t even closed. I returned them for an exchange but I have only worn them once. The feel like I’m wearing a crinkled plastic bag. So much for being highly rated!
True, it seems like there have been some quality control issues with the newer Frogg Togg models. Hopefully, they will improve their standards.