Motorcycle Rain Suits & Rain Gear: How to Stay Dry

In short: For everyday riding and short trips, waterproof motorcycle clothing with a membrane is sufficient. On long trips or in hours of heavy rain, a lightweight two-piece rain suit in the same size as your motorcycle clothing is also worth it. This includes waterproof gloves and trousers worn over your boots.

Anyone who rides a motorcycle in Europe also rides in the rain. A shower on an Alpine pass, drizzle on the North Sea coast, a summer thunderstorm on a country road. The question is not whether you will get wet, but whether your clothing can handle it. This guide explains how waterproof motorcycle clothing works, when a rain suit is worth it, and how to keep your hands and feet dry.

Waterproof or water-repellent?

• Water-repellent clothing, for example made of waxed cotton, repels light rain for a while. In prolonged continuous rain, water penetrates.
• Waterproof clothing uses a membrane that keeps water completely out while allowing moisture to escape from the body. This breathability prevents you from getting wet from the inside.

Two designs for waterproof motorcycle jackets

Z-Liner: The membrane is located between the outer fabric and the inner lining. The outer fabric can remain soft and classic, for example waxed Cordura®/cotton blend fabric. In heavy rain, the outer fabric can absorb water and become heavier, but the membrane still keeps you dry. Our Moto 65 Jacket and Moto 65 Pants use a Sympatex® Z-Liner.

3-layer laminate: The membrane is bonded directly to the outer fabric. The outer fabric cannot become fully saturated, so the clothing remains lighter and dries faster. This is why laminate is so popular on long trips. Our Endurance Jacket and Endurance Trousers are made of 3-layer Cordura® Ripstop.

You can find more about both designs in our Weather Guide.

Do you need a rain suit over waterproof clothing?

For everyday use, a waterproof jacket and trousers are sufficient. On long trips or in hours of heavy rain, many riders also carry a lightweight rain suit. Worn over motorcycle clothing, it forms a second barrier, prevents the outer fabric from becoming soaked, and protects against cooling by the wind.

Swamp Rain Jacket and Swamp Rain Pants are made exactly for this:

• Elastic 3-layer material that fits close to the body over motorcycle clothing and does not flap in the wind
• Waterproof and windproof, breathable against moisture from the inside
• Lightweight and with a small pack size, fits in a suitcase or tank bag
• Long side zips on the trousers so you can pull them over your boots
• Women's version in its own fit

Size tip: Choose the same size as your motorcycle jacket and trousers.

One-piece or two-piece?

A two-piece rain suit consisting of a jacket and trousers is easier to put on at the roadside and more flexible: On a cool, windy day, you only wear the jacket. A one-piece is tighter at the transitions, but more cumbersome to put on and take off.

Dry hands

A dry body is of little use if your hands are wet and cold. Wet gloves cost grip, feel, and concentration. Both the Stormrider Gloves and the Moto 65 Gloves have a waterproof, breathable Sympatex® membrane. The Moto 65 additionally has a visor wiper on the index finger. More about this in our Motorcycle Gloves Guide.

Tips for riding in the rain

• Put on the rain suit before you leave. Anyone who changes on the shoulder in a downpour is already wet.
• Close all vents and zips and wear the sleeves over or under the gloves so that water runs off and does not run in.
• Trousers over the boots, not into them, so that no water runs into the boots.
• More distance, gentle braking. Road markings, tar seams, manhole covers, and the first rain after a dry period are particularly slippery.
• Drying clothing correctly: hang it up at room temperature, never on a radiator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can motorcycle clothing really be waterproof?

Yes. Clothing with a waterproof membrane keeps the rain out. On very long rides in heavy rain, the outer fabric of non-laminated clothing can become saturated. This is why touring riders often take a rain suit with them.

What size should the rain suit be?

A well-cut rain suit is chosen in the same size as the motorcycle clothing it is worn under. This way, it fits close to the body and does not flap.

How does waterproof clothing remain functional?

Wash it according to the care label and keep it clean, because dirt and grease reduce breathability. You can re-treat waxed outer fabrics with a suitable spray wax. More in our Care Instructions.

Conclusion

Rain does not have to end the trip. Choose waterproof clothing that suits your style of riding, pack a rain suit for long trips, and do not forget your hands. Then the next shower is simply part of the journey.

Discover our Motorcycle Clothing for Rain.