Got $500 burning a hole in your pocket, and you need a motorcycle jacket? Here are a few motorcycle jackets that we think you should look at for adventure riding duties.

1. Olympia Ranger

Olympia Ranger

Olympia’s AST and AST 2 were fantastic all-weather jackets that were comfortable in hot weather, cold weather and wet weather, thanks to a waterproof shell combined with a top-notch optional thermal liner and well-designed vents.

The Ranger continues that trend, combining a waterproof outer shell with huge vents to flow plenty of air when you need it most. They’ve even included a waterproof hood that tucks away inside the collar, and there are six waterproof pockets, including a map pocket on the rear of the jacket.

It’s available in a wide variety of colors, including hi-viz yellow, and the shell is constructed of 500D and 2000D Cordura. Combine that fabric with CE-approved armor for elbows, shoulders and back, and you’ve got a jacket that should provide plenty of protection in a crash.

The Ranger isn’t as easy to find as other jackets at local retailers, but will cost you about $370 online. OlympiaMotoSports.com

Where to Buy: 

2. Scott Dual Raid TP

Scott Dual Raid TP

Scott’s well-known for motocross gear, but they also make dual sport equipment as well. In many ways, the Dual Raid jacket has typical two-layer jacket construction; the jacket gets its waterproofing from a zip-in internal liner. There is no thermal liner; Scott likely reckons most users can figure out how to stay warm on their own, and a thermal liner isn’t usually necessary when you’re bombing around the trails.

There are no hand warmer pockets on the Dual Raid (but there are two waterproof outer pockets), and the jacket is missing the adjustment straps some pricier jackets have for customizing fit.

However, you’re still getting lots for your money - the Dual Raid jacket has space for a CamelBak-style drinking system, and the sleeves zip off as well, if you want to use it simply to hold a back protector and water.

It also has EN1621-1 approved SAS-Tec armor in shoulders and elbows (the back pad will cost you extra). A handy pocket on the left arm allows you to carry a map or small GPS device for navigation.

Snaps and zippers on the Dual Raid are high-quality, and the zipper attaching the jacket to the matching pants is long and strong, unlike the units seen in some much more expensive jackets from the competition. The jacket feels very light for its size (it’s constructed of 500D Cordura and schoeller-dynatec fabric), and vents well, thanks to large openings on the front and full-length vents on the sleeves. It’ll cost you around $320 to find one online. Scott-Sports.com

3. Claymore International

Claymore International

British marques like Belstaff and Barbour used to be the go-to brands if you wanted a waxed cotton jacket for riding off-road; back in the day before fabrics like Cordura came along, those jackets were often the best choice for traveling in the wet. Hey, even Steve McQueen bought one for racing in the ISDE.

Flash forward a few decades, and those brands are now worn by celebrities looking to scam themselves some bad-boy motorcycle street cred, and the jackets aren’t terribly affordable. There are better-venting, lighter options out there, but if you want to travel in old-school style, check out the jackets from Claymore.

Their International looks just like the models favored by adventure riders of old, and they’re affordable. You can add armor if you please (at extra cost, of course), and there is a Deluxe version of the jacket that costs extra, but the base International costs around $420 US - not bad for a motorcycle jacket that’s hand-made specifically for the purchaser. ClaymoreJackets.co.uk

 4. REV'IT! Sand 2

REV'IT! Sand 2

The Sand 2 is a popular dual sport jacket packed with features. It has great venting, plenty of adjustability for a good fit, it looks good, and it’s tough. 

It’s also compatible with Leatt and MOVEO neck braces, and for hot days in the saddle, you can remove the waterproof inner liner (there’s also a thermal inner liner) and replace it with a cooling vest that zips into the jacket. Even without that cooling vest, the Sand 2 moves so much air through the vents that it’s a great choice for warm climates.

There’s CE-approved protection in the shoulders and elbows, but the jacket doesn’t come with a back protector (you can buy one from REV’IT! or purchase a compatible unit from another manufacturer).

The waterproof liner is proprietary Hydratex, not Gore-Tex, but still sheds water well, as long as you zip the jacket into the matching pants.

It’s also a pretty sharp-looking jacket, and available in several different colors. Prices vary by retailer, but you should be able to find the Sand 2 for sale just under the $500 mark. RevItUSA.com

Where to Buy:

5. Klim Induction

Klim Induction

Klim gear is expensive, but people still buy it because of its great reputation. The Induction is one of their more affordable pieces of gear; it’s a mesh jacket, best suited for hot-weather riding, but if you’re planning on spending a lot of time sweating through tight trails, it’s worth consideration. You might want to consider other options for trips to Alaska or Labrador, but for the Darien Gap, it should do the trick.

Despite its mesh construction, the impact zones are highly resistant to abrasion, with 840D fabric to protect you in a slide. Klim also included D30 EVO protectors in the shoulders and elbows, and a D30 Level 1 backpad.

There is a waterproof liner, just in case, and plenty of pockets. It has a shorter hip-length cut; most riders prefer a ¾ length cut for adventure jackets, but that’s less important if you’re not worried about protection from rain.

The Induction is available for about $400; that’s more expensive than many other mesh jackets, but with Klim, you know you’re getting quality that should be able to see you through tough use. Klim.com

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