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The best motorcycle jacket for most riders is a textile jacket with CE armor and a waterproof liner, and the Alpinestars Andes V4 Drystar is the best all-rounder for the money. Want the best regardless of price? Get the Klim Badlands Pro A3. For hot weather, the REV’IT! Eclipse 2 is the mesh jacket to beat.
This guide covers textile and mesh jackets for street, touring and adventure riding. If you want leather, see our separate guide to the best leather motorcycle jackets. We picked current 2026 models using manufacturer specs, CE certification and long-term owner feedback, and replaced the discontinued jackets from our older list.
Quick picks
- Alpinestars Andes V4 Drystar: best overall value
- Klim Badlands Pro A3: best premium adventure jacket
- REV’IT! Sand 5 H2O: best mid-range adventure jacket
- REV’IT! Eclipse 2: best budget mesh jacket
- Klim Induction Pro: best premium mesh jacket
- Alpinestars T-GP Plus R V4 Airflow: best sport mesh jacket
- Tourmaster Transition: best budget all-weather jacket
Best motorcycle jackets compared
| Jacket | Type | Waterproof | Best season | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpinestars Andes V4 Drystar | Touring textile | Yes, Drystar liner | 3-season | $$ |
| Klim Badlands Pro A3 | Adventure textile | Yes, Gore-Tex Pro shell | All year | $$$$ |
| REV’IT! Sand 5 H2O | Adventure textile | Yes, removable liner | 3-season | $$$ |
| REV’IT! Eclipse 2 | Mesh | No | Summer | $ |
| Klim Induction Pro | Mesh | No | Summer | $$$ |
| Alpinestars T-GP Plus R V4 Airflow | Sport mesh | No | Summer | $$ |
| Tourmaster Transition | Touring textile | Yes | 3-season | $$ |
The best motorcycle jackets for 2026
1. Alpinestars Andes V4 Drystar: best overall value
The Andes has been Alpinestars’ best-selling touring jacket for years, and the V4 keeps the formula: a tough textile shell, a Drystar waterproof membrane, a removable thermal liner and CE armor at the shoulders and elbows, with a pocket for a back protector.
It works for commuting, weekend rides and touring in most weather, which is why it is our first pick for riders who want one jacket that does most things. Add a back protector to complete it.
Pros
- Waterproof and warm enough for three seasons
- CE armor at shoulders and elbows
- Strong value for the features
Cons
- Back protector sold separately
- Warm in high summer
The Badlands Pro is the benchmark adventure-touring jacket. The shell is Gore-Tex Pro, so it stays waterproof without a soggy inner liner, and the A3 version is CE-certified to the top AAA class with D3O armor.
Large vents open it up on hot days, and it is built to last many seasons. It is expensive, but riders who cover big miles in all weather say it pays for itself.
Pros
- Gore-Tex Pro shell, waterproof from the outside
- Top AAA CE rating with D3O armor
- Excellent venting and long life
Cons
- Very expensive
- Bulky for short commutes
3. REV’IT! Sand 5 H2O: best mid-range adventure jacket
The Sand 5 H2O brings REV’IT!’s adventure design to a mid-range price. It has a removable waterproof liner and thermal liner, big vents for hot days and CE armor, plus a pocket for a back protector.
It is a good choice if you ride adventure or sport-touring bikes and want most of the Badlands’ versatility for much less.
Pros
- Versatile layering for hot and cold days
- Good ventilation
- Well-made for the price
Cons
- Removable liner means stopping to swap layers
- Back protector extra
4. REV’IT! Eclipse 2: best budget mesh jacket
The Eclipse 2 is a light, mostly mesh jacket for summer riding. It flows a lot of air, has CE armor at the shoulders and elbows, and comes with a light windproof liner for cooler mornings.
For the price, it is one of the best ways to stay protected on hot days. Pair it with riding pants for full coverage.
Pros
- Lots of airflow
- CE armor included
- Low price
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Less abrasion resistance than solid textile
The Induction Pro is Klim’s premium hot-weather jacket. It combines mesh panels for airflow with tougher material in the crash zones and uses D3O armor, so it protects better than most mesh jackets.
It is a good match for riders in hot climates who still want serious protection.
Pros
- Excellent airflow
- Tough fabric in slide zones
- D3O armor
Cons
- Expensive for a summer jacket
- No waterproofing
6. Alpinestars T-GP Plus R V4 Airflow: best sport mesh jacket
The T-GP Plus R V4 Airflow has a sportier cut than the touring jackets here, with large mesh panels, CE armor and a pocket for a back protector. It suits riders on sport and naked bikes who want a jacket that fits closely in a riding position.
It is a summer jacket: the mesh is great in heat but cold below about 15 °C.
Pros
- Sporty fit that stays put at speed
- Lots of airflow
- Back protector ready
Cons
- Cold on cool mornings
- Fit is tight for bigger riders
7. Tourmaster Transition: best budget all-weather jacket
The Transition has been one of the best value touring jackets for years. It has a waterproof shell, a removable thermal liner, armor and plenty of vents and pockets. This long-cut version gives extra coverage at the hips and lower back.
If you want a waterproof jacket for commuting and touring on a tight budget, it is hard to beat. Riding in winter? See our winter motorcycle jackets.
Pros
- Waterproof at a budget price
- Removable thermal liner
- Long cut for extra coverage
Cons
- Heavier than premium jackets
- Basic armor; worth upgrading
How to choose a motorcycle jacket
Protection and CE ratings
Look for a jacket certified to EN 17092 (rated AAA, AA, A, B or C, with AAA the highest) and CE armor at the shoulders and elbows. Level 2 armor absorbs more energy than Level 1. Our guide to motorcycle armor explains the differences.
Textile, mesh or leather
Textile jackets are the most versatile: they can be waterproof, warm and well vented. Mesh jackets are for hot weather. Leather gives the best abrasion resistance for sport riding but is hot and not waterproof. If you’re new, our beginner gear guide covers the full kit.
Waterproofing
A removable waterproof liner is cheaper, but the outer shell still gets wet and heavy. A laminated shell like Gore-Tex keeps water out on the outside. Read our tips on riding in the rain.
Fit
A jacket should be snug enough that the armor stays over your joints in a crash, with sleeves long enough in the riding position. Try it on with the layers you’ll wear underneath.
FAQ
What is the best type of motorcycle jacket?
For most riders, a textile jacket with CE armor and a waterproof liner. It handles the widest range of weather and riding.
Are mesh motorcycle jackets safe?
Good mesh jackets with CE armor and tougher panels in the slide zones protect well, but they are less abrasion resistant than solid textile or leather.
Do motorcycle jackets need a back protector?
Most jackets include shoulder and elbow armor but only a pocket for a back protector. Adding one is cheap and worth it.
How should a motorcycle jacket fit?
Snug but not tight, with the armor sitting over your shoulders and elbows when you’re in your riding position.
Should I get an airbag vest too?
Airbags add a lot of protection for the chest and spine. See our guide to motorcycle airbag vests and jackets.
Related reading: our Firstgear jacket review.
Verdict
The Alpinestars Andes V4 Drystar is the jacket most riders should buy first. Spend up for the Klim Badlands Pro A3 if you ride big miles in all weather, and add a mesh jacket like the REV’IT! Eclipse 2 for summer. Finish your kit with our picks for the best motorcycle gloves and best motorcycle boots.
Browse all our riding gear guides.
