Motorcycle Rain Gear: How to Stay Dry from Seattle to Florida
In short: For commuting and short rides, a waterproof motorcycle jacket and pants with a membrane are enough. For long trips, all-day rain or riding season in the Pacific Northwest, add a lightweight two-piece rain suit in the same size as your riding gear, plus waterproof gloves and pants worn over your boots.
Rain is part of riding in America, whether it's months of drizzle in Seattle and Portland, a Florida afternoon thunderstorm or a cold front rolling across the Midwest. The question isn't whether you'll get wet, it's whether your gear keeps up. Here's how motorcycle rain gear works and what you actually need.
Waterproof vs. water-resistant
- Water-resistant gear, such as waxed cotton, sheds light rain for a while. In a long downpour, water eventually gets through.
- Waterproof gear uses a membrane that keeps water out completely while letting body moisture escape. That breathability is what keeps you from getting wet from the inside.
Z-Liner or 3-layer laminate?
| Z-Liner | 3-layer laminate | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the membrane sits | Between outer fabric and lining | Bonded directly to the outer fabric |
| In heavy rain | Outer fabric can soak up water, you stay dry | Outer fabric can't soak up water |
| Drying time | Longer | Faster |
| Look and feel | Softer, classic outer fabric | Technical, lighter when wet |
| Our gear | Moto 65 Jacket & Pants | Endurance Jacket & Pants |
The Moto 65 uses a Sympatex® Z-Liner under a waxed Cordura®/cotton outer and is certified to EN 17092, class AA. The Endurance uses a 3-layer Cordura® ripstop laminate built for long-distance touring.
Do you need a rain suit over waterproof gear?
For everyday riding, no. For long days in steady rain, many riders carry one anyway. Worn over your riding gear, a rain suit adds a second barrier, keeps the outer fabric from getting soaked and blocks wind chill.
The Swamp Rain Jacket and Swamp Rain Pants are made for exactly that: elastic 3-layer fabric that fits close and doesn't flap at highway speed, fully waterproof and windproof, compact enough for a saddlebag or tank bag, and full-length side zippers so you can pull the pants on over boots. Choose the same size as your riding gear.
Keep your hands dry
Wet, cold hands cost grip, feel and focus. The Stormrider and Moto 65 gloves both use a waterproof, breathable Sympatex® membrane, and the Moto 65 has a visor wiper on the index finger. More in our motorcycle gloves guide.
Riding in the rain: 5 tips
- Suit up before it starts. Changing on the shoulder in a downpour means you're already wet.
- Close every vent and zipper and tuck cuffs so water runs off, not in.
- Pants over boots, never tucked in.
- Add following distance and brake smoothly. Painted lines, tar snakes, metal plates and the first rain after a dry spell are slick.
- Dry gear at room temperature, never on a heater.
Frequently asked questions
Can motorcycle gear really be waterproof?
Yes. Gear with a waterproof membrane keeps rain out. On very long rides in heavy rain, the outer fabric of non-laminated gear can get saturated, which is why touring riders often add a rain suit.
One-piece or two-piece rain suit?
A two-piece is easier to put on at the roadside and more flexible: on a cool, windy day you can wear just the jacket.
How do I keep waterproof gear working?
Wash it according to the care label and keep it clean, because dirt and oils reduce breathability. Waxed outer fabrics can be re-treated with wax spray. See our care guide.
The bottom line
Pick waterproof gear that fits how and where you ride, pack a rain suit for long trips and don't forget your hands. Explore all motorcycle rain gear.
