Winter doesn’t necessarily mean you
need to pack in your bike.
Sure, if you’re facing snowstorms and icy roads it makes perfect sense
to hold off until conditions clear, but if it’s cold and rainy, there
are plenty of options that allow you to ride safely and comfortably. You
may want to brush up on some
wet-weather riding best practices, but the game changer for riding in winter is a solid set of riding gear. Insulation,
waterproofing,
even heating elements are all easily attainable and take a cold,
wet-weather ride from unbearable to enjoyable. We’ve combed through some
of our favorite items on the market and have chosen some of them in all
the major categories (
aside from helmets) to give you a solid starting point as you beef up your winter gear kit.
Rev’It Ridge GTX Jacket: $869.99
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| © Rev’It Motorcyclist |
Water and wind protection are vital in a good winter riding jacket, and the
Rev’It Ridge GTX
effectively provides both. The 3L Gore-Tex outer shell is complemented
by an Aquaseal YKK main zipper, plus it has a removable Gore-Tex storm
collar, neoprene-lined collar, adjustable cuffs and hem, and waterproof
pockets. There’s armor and reflective elements for added safety too. The
Ridge GTX doesn’t have much in terms of insulation, but layering
underneath is often preferred if you plan to spend time off the bike in
the cold. In our opinion, the lack of insulation is more than made up
for in the quality of wind and water protection offered by the Ridge
GTX.
Fieldsheer Tour Vented Jacket: $299.99
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| © Fieldsheer Motorcyclist |
If you need an all-in-one jacket option, at a dramatically more affordable price than the Ridge GTX, check out the
Fieldsheer Tour Vented Jacket.
The Tour is an all-season jacket, so there are lots of vents and
configurations to deal with changing conditions, but for full-on winter
riding the full-sleeve Thermo-Guard quilted liner, Rainguard waterproof
liner, and neck gaiter should all be installed for maximum protection
and comfort. The drop-back design is nice for keeping water from
creeping up the backside, and the variety of fit adjusters make it
possible to really refine the fit. Fieldsheer puts out high-quality
product for the price and offers sizing up to 3XL, making the Tour a
great choice for riders of all sizes.
Klim Forecast Pants: $199.99–$229.99
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| © Klim Motorcyclist |
Overpants are a convenient choice for riders who want maximum wind and water protection, and the
Klim Forecast Pants
are as reliable as they come. Made from Gore-Tex Paclite two-layer
material, these pants provide a robust outer shell that is guaranteed to
keep you dry. The 3M Scotchlite reflective material improves your
visibility in low-light conditions, and snap button adjusters at the
bottom of the hems make it possible to seal the pants up tightly around
your boot. They also have a built-in stuff sack to allow you to pack
them neatly away when you no longer need an outer waterproof barrier.
You will want to have a normal pair of abrasion/impact protective riding
pants on underneath the Forecast Pants for full protection, however.
Tourmaster Caliber 2.0 Pants: $199.99
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| © Tourmaster Motorcyclist |
The
Tourmaster Caliber 2.0 Pants
provide complete protection from the elements, impact, and abrasion.
The Rainguard barrier provides water protection, and the 600-denier
Carbolex shell is reinforced by 1,680-denier material in impact areas.
The Armadillo armor is adjustable, and there’s a removable insulated
liner inside to help keep you warm. It connects to jackets by way of an
8-inch zipper and has plenty of reflective material to improve your
visibility. This is a great way to go if you don’t want to mess with
base layers, plus tall and short sizes are available so you can find the
perfect fit regardless of body type.
Gerbing Gyde S7 Battery Heated Gloves: $249.99
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| © Gerbing Motorcyclist |
Heated gloves elevate winter riding so much that winter riders ought to consider them a necessity, and the
Gerbing Gyde S7 Battery Heated Gloves
are a great choice. Each full-length glove is powered by a rechargeable
lithium-ion battery, pumping out heat up to 135 degrees Fahrenheit on
the palm, back of the hand, and fingers. The Gyde gloves have an Aquatex
membrane for water resistance, and if you don’t need to switch on the
heating element, Primaloft insulation will provide decent cold
protection on its own. They’re also touchscreen compatible.
Dainese Universe Gore-Tex Gloves: $229.95
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| © Dainese Motorcyclist |
Another solid winter riding glove is the
Dainese Universe Gore-Tex with Gore grip technology.
The Universe gloves provide water protection with Gore-Tex, have
goatskin leather for abrasion resistance, knuckle and palm protectors,
along with a double retention cuff and flex zones for comfort. These are
also touchscreen compatible and come with a shield visor wiper on the
left thumb. Pair with some heated grips and you’ll be unstoppable even
in the coldest temps.
Alpinestars Belize Drystar Oiled Leather Boot: $259.95
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| © Alpinestars Motorcyclist |
Keeping your feet dry is almost as important as keeping your hands warm in the winter, and the
Alpinestars Belize Drystar Oiled Leather Boot
offers water protection and much more. The Drystar membrane keeps water
from fully penetrating the Belize boots, while numerous impact
protectors and reinforcements keep your feet safe in the event of a
crash. Buckle closures make it simple to put the boots on and take them
off, and the calf-high length helps to keep water from finding its way
in from the top.
TCX Baja Mid Waterproof Boots: $239.99
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| © TCX Motorcyclist |
TCX is a fantastic motorcycle footwear company that produces reliable, protective product, particularly for winter riders. The
Baja Mid Waterproof Boots
feature a T-Dry waterproof membrane and leather upper for maximum
weather and abrasion protection. TCX provides a high-performance sole
with special rubber compound designed to give you reliable grip in just
about any conditions. Stretch cuffs are complemented by a Velcro closure
strap at the top, so you can keep water from getting in at the top, and
PU inserts in key areas give you impact protection where you need it.
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