Motorcycle Touring Gear……Okay, real talk.
When I first started getting into long-distance riding, I figured if I had a helmet and didn’t forget my wallet, I was good to go. Spoiler alert: I was not.
My first “big” ride was a 300-mile trip through Arizona in the middle of summer. You’d think I’d pack smart, right? Like, desert = hot. Obvious. And yet… I wore all black, non-vented gear that turned my insides into a boiled meat sack. My gloves were falling apart by hour two. And my boots? Let’s just say, soggy. Don’t ask.
Anyway—if you’re thinking about hitting the road and wondering what the best motorcycle touring gear is for actual safety and comfort, this post is for you. I’ve made the mistakes. I’ve learned the lessons. I’ve screamed at clouds in the rain while trying to zip up a $300 “waterproof” jacket. And now? Now I get by with gear I mostly trust.
Let’s talk about it.
🧠 Step One: Gear That Doesn’t Make You Miserable
You ever wear something all day and suddenly realize halfway through you hate your life a little more because of it? Multiply that by 60 mph and 6 hours on a bike. Yeah.
If the gear ain’t comfy, you’re not gonna last. Doesn’t matter how “advanced” the fabric is if it chafes like sandpaper or turns your armpits into armpools.
🧥 Jackets: Where Safety and Sweat Wrestle
The jacket is like your mobile turtle shell. Except, like, not as cozy.
I used to ride in a basic leather jacket. Looked cool. Smelled like freedom. Didn’t breathe at all. I got heat rash in places I didn’t know I had pores.
What I use now: A three-season textile jacket with removable liners and CE Level 2 armor. Mesh panels for the summer. Zippers that actually zip even when my hands are frozen. And a hidden inside pocket that somehow still surprises me every time I find it.
Stuff to look for:
- Ventilation that actually works (not just “vents” that are glorified stickers)
- Waterproof or water-resistant shell (because the forecast is a liar)
- Shoulder, elbow, and back armor (bonus if it’s upgradeable)
🧤 Gloves: Protect the Paws
One time I dropped my bike in a gravel parking lot going like, 2 mph. My hands weren’t protected. Got scraped up like an abandoned burrito on a sidewalk.
Gloves matter. A lot.
My current go-to:
- Short-cuff mesh gloves for summer
- Gauntlet waterproof gloves for winter and rain
- Both with knuckle armor and touchscreen fingers (because I’m addicted to Google Maps)
And get ones that actually fit. Loose gloves flap like sad chicken wings in the wind.
🪖 Helmets: The Non-Negotiable Noggin Bubble
Listen, you can ride without pants. (I mean… you shouldn’t, but you could.) But never without a good helmet.
I’m a full-face guy. Yeah, it gets warm, but so does a hospital bed. I like my face, my jaw. I’m keeping them.
What I wear:
- Shoei RF-series helmet with built-in pinlock visor
- Good ventilation
- Not too noisy (though wind noise is still a beast)
Modular helmets are great for touring if you want to flip it up at stoplights like you’re about to order coffee. And don’t forget to replace your helmet every 5 years or after a big impact. I once dropped mine off a tailgate and yeah—it was a big impact.
🥾 Boots: Not Just for Fashion (But Also, Kinda)
I used to wear regular hiking boots. They were fine until I rode through a thunderstorm and my toes felt like soup dumplings.
Now I’ve got legit touring boots—ankle protection, waterproof, and I can still walk in them without looking like I’m auditioning for Robocop: Sad Dad Edition.
Also, make sure they zip up easily. I had a pair once that required me to basically squat like a medieval peasant to tighten them. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
🦿Pants: Don’t Be the Jeans Guy
I know. You want to wear jeans because they’re comfy and you can go grab tacos without looking like you stepped off a Star Wars set.
But let me tell you what denim doesn’t do: save your butt in a slide.
My suggestion?
- Armored riding jeans if you’re short-tripping or want that casual look
- Textile touring pants with knee and hip armor for long-haul rides
- Bonus: Overpants. Slip ‘em on over your normal pants. Boom—double up on function and you can still stop for tacos.
🎒 Luggage & Storage: The Clown Car of Touring
I’m always amazed how I pack like I’m leaving society forever and still forget a toothbrush.
Hard panniers? Love ‘em. Waterproof, lockable, and they make me feel like I’m riding a spaceship.
Tank bag? Holds my snacks, phone, wallet, random receipts I’ll never look at again.
Tail bag? For when I give up and just want to toss everything else somewhere.
And yes—I still use bungees. They betray me often, but I can’t quit them.
🧰 Bonus Bits You Shouldn’t Forget about Motorcycle Touring Gear
These aren’t glamorous, but they’ve saved my butt more times than I’d like to admit:
- Earplugs. Wind noise is a silent killer of sanity.
- Hydration pack. Especially in summer. I ride like a cactus if I forget.
- Buff or neck gaiter. Dust shield, wind blocker, accidental sunburn prevention.
- Power bank. My phone has abandonment issues after 5 hours of GPS.
- Emergency tool kit. Tire plug kit. Zip ties. Duct tape. You are MacGyver now.
The One Thing You Can’t Buy: Motorcycle Touring Gear
Truth is, you’ll figure out what works for you. The jacket that’s perfect for me might feel like a trash bag to you. You’ll overpack, under-pack, forget things, invent new curse words, and eventually hit that perfect groove where everything just clicks.
And then? Then you’ll add something new to the gear list and start all over again. 😂
Useful (and Not Boring) Links to Check Out
- Common Tread’s Honest Gear Reviews — Written by people who’ve actually used the stuff
- ADVrider Forums — Where grizzled road warriors argue about zippers and spark plugs like philosophers
 on the road.){kind=link}