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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
