Touring Gear
Motorcycle Touring Gear and Packing Essentials: What to Wear, What to Carry and How to Pack It
Motorcycle touring gear explained: what to check in jackets, pants and helmets, hard vs soft luggage, and how to pack it all. Types and criteria, no hype.
Motorcycle touring gear comes down to three jobs: riding gear that protects you and stays comfortable all day, luggage that carries the load low and secure, and a packing plan that keeps what you need within reach. Gear works best when your whole body is covered: jacket, pants, gloves, boots and a helmet. Luggage choice is mostly about the riding you'll do.
This hub links to every touring gear guide on margumi.com. It compares types and checks, not ranked products, because we haven't field-tested any gear yet.
Key takeaways- Check gear against independent tests where they exist. MotoCAP rates jackets, pants and gloves for crash protection and breathability.- In Europe, garments are tested to EN 17092. Classes AAA, AA and A include impact protectors; B and C don't give full protection on their own.- Waterproof gear should also breathe. PVC rain gear keeps water out but traps sweat.- Hard cases lock and protect; soft bags are lighter.
Touring gear at a glance
| Gear area | What it does on a tour | What to check | Read next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacket and pants | Abrasion and impact protection for hours a day | Protectors that stay put, multi-line seams, vents in chest or back | This page, below |
| Helmet | Head protection | DOT label on the back of US helmets | This page, below |
| Rain and cold layers | Keep you dry and alert | Breathable waterproofing; insulation | How to ride a motorcycle in the rain |
| Luggage | Carries the load | Hard vs soft, how it mounts, weight | How to choose motorcycle touring luggage |
| Packing method | Gets everything in, in the right order | What goes where, rolled or folded | How to pack for motorcycle touring |
| Off-bike clothes | Evenings and rest days | Fold or roll to save space | How to fold a jacket for travel packing |
| Camping kit | Tent, sleep system, stove | Packed size and weight | Motorcycle camping hub |
Riding gear for long days
On a tour you wear the same gear most of the day, through heat, rain and cold. So judge it on protection and comfort together.
Jacket and pants
MotoCAP, a gear rating program run by government and private groups in Australia and New Zealand, gives a useful checklist:
- Protectors: shoulder, elbow, hip and knee protectors should stay in place when you move. Foam fillers not labeled EN 1621-1 may not protect you.
- Seams: two or three lines of stitching on major seams, with at least one hidden line on exposed seams.
- Zips: none on the outer arms, and flaps over zips and fasteners.
- Vents: in the chest or back, not on the arms near elbows and shoulders.
- Fit: try it on over the clothes you ride in. It should be snug in your riding position; loose gear flaps and lets cold in.
MotoCAP says studies show up to 30 percent of motorcycle clothing fails in crashes. Its safety rating scores impact protection, seam burst strength and abrasion resistance. Look up a garment's rating on MotoCAP's site before you buy, if it has been tested.
Reading EN 17092 labels
Removable waterproof and thermal liners are taken out for the abrasion test. So the outer shell is what's rated, not the liner.
Helmet, gloves and boots
In the US, a helmet built to the federal standard carries a label on the back with "DOT", "FMVSS No. 218" and "CERTIFIED". Gloves and boots complete the set; MotoCAP's point is that protection works best when nothing is left uncovered.
| EN 17092 class | Impact protectors | What it means for touring |
|---|---|---|
| AAA, AA | Shoulder, elbow, knee and hip required | Full garments with armor |
| A | Shoulder, elbow and knee required; hip optional | Full garment, hips may need adding |
| B | None | Abrasion like class A, no impact protection |
| C | Impact only | Worn with or over a AAA to B garment |
Weather layers: rain, heat and cold
Good waterproof gear should breathe. PVC or plasticized nylon keeps rain out but doesn't let sweat escape, so you end up damp anyway. Riders who get cold may become less alert and react more slowly, and long cold rides can cause chill, dehydration and fatigue.
MotoCAP tests gear sold as water resistant with a twenty-minute high-pressure spray on a seated dummy. Its breathability score shows how well gear keeps you cool. Even in the heat, a jacket, long pants, boots and gloves help prevent dehydration and sun or wind burn.
Riding through a storm is its own skill: see how to ride a motorcycle in the rain and our riding conditions hub.
Luggage: hard cases or soft bags
Neither is better for everyone; it's mainly a matter of preference and the riding you'll do. Our full comparison is in how to choose motorcycle touring luggage.
| Column 1 | Hard panniers | Soft luggage |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Usually aluminum or plastic | Usually ballistic nylon |
| Security | Lockable; keeps valuables secure | Check the closures on the bag you choose |
| Protection and weather | Protects contents from being crushed in a fall | Often roll-top with built-in waterproofing |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Off-road fall | Higher risk of a leg trapped between case and bike | Lower risk of a trapped leg |
Packing: what goes where
Packing for a tour is a luggage strategy, not just a list. Heavy items go low and forward, the two sides stay balanced, and things you grab often ride on top or in the tank bag.
- What goes in which bag, and how to pack each one: how to pack for motorcycle touring.
- The item list for a weekend, a week or longer: motorcycle trip packing list.
- Loading, strapping and setting the bike up for the weight: how to pack a motorcycle for a trip.
Folding clothes to save space
Off-bike clothes take more room than you'd think. Rolling suits soft casual clothes; folding suits structured jackets and shirts. The step-by-step method, including a riding jacket and a leather jacket, is in how to fold a jacket for travel packing.
Camping gear
A tent, sleeping bag, pad and stove add a lot of bulk. Our motorcycle camping hub covers it, starting with the motorcycle camping checklist and how to choose a tent for motorcycle camping.
Where Leather Collection fits
Leather Collection makes leather riding gear, not luggage or camping kit. Its store has no saddlebags, tank bags, tail bags, panniers or tents. What it does sell for a tour is the riding gear itself: Leather Collection motorcycle riding gear covers cowhide jackets, pants, chaps, vests, gloves and boots, hand-stitched and made to order in custom sizes.
Check each product listing for its protectors and any certification; we don't claim a rating for any store product.
FAQ
What is the best motorcycle touring gear? There's no single best set. Pick a jacket and pants with protectors that stay in place, strong seams and vents in the chest or back, check independent ratings such as MotoCAP where the garment has been tested, and cover your whole body.
What are the best motorcycle touring accessories? The ones that solve problems on the road: luggage that suits your riding, a breathable rain layer, elastic cords with more than one attachment point per side, and a tire pressure gauge. The motorcycle road trip essentials checklist has the short list.
What gear do I need for a long motorcycle trip? Full riding gear for the worst weather on the route, luggage that carries the weight low and balanced, and a packing plan. Start with how to pack for motorcycle touring and the motorcycle trip planning hub.
margumi Editorial Team
margumi articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.