The best summer motorcycle gear rated by MCN for adventure, cruising, racing and touring

One of the best times to go riding is in the summer; bright sunshine, warm weather and long hours of daylight make any ride even more fun. And the prospect of a ride to the seaside for fish and chips is, frankly, one that few can resist. However, just like riding in winter, choosing the right summer motorcycle gear can make the difference between enjoying every moment and it feeling like a chore.

While your year-round textile kit will work well into the summer, you may find that however breathable the membrane, however large the vents, and however removable the thermal liner, they are still a little cumbersome and restrictive for a ride in the height of summer. So you may want to consider something a bit more lightweight, a bit cooler, a bit more appropriate to the conditions.

So, here’s our picks of the best summer motorcycle gear:

Helmets

The best summer helmets will let you feel the refreshing cool breeze, while still keeping you safe should anything happen on the road. Open-face helmets are unmatched for ventilation, but leave your chin and face completely exposed. Flip-fronts offer the best of both, and are often packed with extra features that make them incredibly versatile. Some full-face helmets offer great ventilation too, so the amount of choice starts to become overwhelming. But we’ve chosen some of the best for you; here’s our top picks:

Jackets

The best summer jackets should be comfortable, keep you cool, and make you look good. Nothing can top a good leather jacket for looks or protection, but they can get pretty hot and stuffy. Textile jackets often have lots of ventilation, and that can make them more comfortable in really hot weather. You might want a jacket that can give you more versatility, if you plan on going touring or adventure riding, and there’s plenty of options on the market for that too. With all that in mind, here’s our top picks of the best summer jackets:

Trousers

The best summer trousers will keep you cool and protected, while being comfortable and light enough that you can make the most of the weather. That makes riding jeans the go-to choice for many riders, but some textile trousers may offer more versatility should you need it on tour, or adventuring. Of course, leather trousers will offer the best protection for high-speed riding too, so they’re worth considering for sports riding, and especially for track day racing. With that in mind, here’s our top picks for the best summer trousers:

Gloves

The best summer gloves should offer lots of ventilation to keep your hands cool, while still protecting you as much as possible. This can be a difficult balance to find, but that comes with one big advantage – summer gloves often give you great feel for the bike’s controls, making your ride that much more enjoyable. Of course, there are some options on the market that offer great armour and reinforcement in a summer glove too, and you may prefer peace of mind over tactility. With that in mind, here’s our picks for the best summer gloves:

Boots

The best summer boots should offer protection, and good feel for the bike’s controls, without creating a sauna around your feet. That means breathable, comfortable boots with good CE ratings. High topped boots will offer more protection, but at the cost of some freedom of movement. Some manufacturers offer riding boots that look just like trainers, which are an excellent choice for tackling the urban sprawl. With that in mind, here’s our picks for the best summer boots:

Other options to consider

While you’re here: How MCN tests products 

At MCN we pride ourselves on our rigorous product testing, putting thousands of miles and/or hours on the kit we review to give you our definitive verdict.  

Our team of expert journalists have decades of experience to call upon, and cover serious mileage to delivery impartial buying advice you can rely on.  

We’ll never suggest you buy something we haven’t tested, and if we don’t like what we’re testing we’ll tell you that too.  

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products. 

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