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If you're gonna ride in the cold, be smart about it. From cozy base layers to heated gloves, the right winter motorcycle gear keeps you riding year-round.
Some people ride in the cold for pleasure, while others do it out of necessity. A very select few do it because they'd rather freeze to death than be caught dead in that crusty 1994 Toyota Corolla their grandma left them, and we totally respect that.
These three purely hypothetical people clearly have their differences, but they also share one thing in common: They desperately need winter motorcycle gear to get from A to B.
"Bundled up Eric guiding on one of our Patagonia Tours"
Cold weather riding gear is a head-to-toe endeavor, and as such, it comes in many forms. In the article below we'll highlight a few of the pieces that have kept us safe and comfortable in the gnarliest conditions, but first, a word on winter gear in general...
Our Essential Winter Motorcycle Gear Quick list:
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Highway 21 Radiant Heated Gloves 
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100g of synthetic Thinsulate and waterproof/windproof liner. Recharcharble batteries with 4 hours on low setting and 2.5 hours on high setting. Perfect for those daily commuters. |
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Ultra-thin form factor with state of the art "Dryarn" tech. Garmet warms like wool, yet it's 30% lighter and retains 90% less moisture. |
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One size fits all with it's super stretchy lycra/fleece blend. Variable thickness to optimize heat retention with Neoprene nose panel to deflect breath from fogging your visor. |
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Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket Liner 
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Unlike less durable copper wire jacket variants Gerbing have their tougher stainless steel "microwire" heating elements giving it a major advantage in longevity. |
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Designed to eliminate that gap between your jacket and helmet keeping your neck dry and warm during winter weather. |
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Joe Rocket RS-2 Two-Peice Rainsuit 
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We've owned this suit for the past 5 years and it just works. 100% waterproof, PVC backing with thicker material making it last. |
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Installed easily and makes foggy visors a thing of the past. *Do note these are visor specific. |
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We love the Edge because they combine an over-the-calf style with a merino wool/nylon blend keeping odors at bay, underfoot cushning and comes with a lifetime guarantee. |
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Heidenau K60 Cold Climate Tires
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K60 Scouts are known for lasting 10k+ miles, but their harder compound was a downside. Heidenau now offers a softer, cold-weather compound that sacrifices only 10% of their longevity which we love for our routes in Patagonia. |
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Tourmaster Elite Motorcycle Cover
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Our favorite pick because it's waterproof, durable, vented, and lockable at an affordable price. |
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Compact and selectable dual mode system allowing you to safely charge both traditional lead based and lithium-ion cell batteries. |
What To Look For In Winter Motorcycle Gear
The name of the game for any piece of winter motorcycle gear is keeping you as warm, dry, and safe as possible.
That's a tall enough order three seasons of the year, but when you add in the 20-degree windchill that accompanies highway speeds on a two-wheeler, protection from the elements becomes more important than ever.
We chalk a good set of winter motorcycle gear up to three main factors: Waterproofing, windproofing, and insulation.
We also consider upgrades and creature comforts for your motorcycle itself as part of the bigger picture, but for now let's focus on what makes winter gear for your body worth buying.
Weatherproofing
If ever there were a time to make damn sure your jacket, pants, and gloves are fully waterproof and windproof, it's wintertime.
Being wet and miserable on a motorcycle is bad enough: Add near-freezing or below-freezing temps into the equation, and you start to risk much more than just a bad time.
As always, our preferred method of weatherproofing is a name-brand GoreTex liner of some kind, whether it's a simpler and more affordable two-layer system or the latest and greatest 3-layer Pro shell.
Cold weather riding also demands that your winter motorcycle gear be either completely wind-proof or highly wind-resistant, so either a three-season or four-season jacket is a must.
"Be prepared for high elevation when coming with us on our Bolivia routes"
If your jacket isn't GoreTex, it's not a deal breaker, but make sure it includes some form of waterproof/breathable layer in its construction if you're going to wear it in the cold.
We've had good results from Alpinestar's DryStar, Rev'It's Hydratex, and Dainese's D-Dry layers, but nothing can quite compete with GoreTex when it comes to breathability.
Layering and Insulation
Cold weather riding is an outdoor sport, and you should treat it as such when choosing winter motorcycle gear. We typically ride with the same water and windproof shell year-round, but what you wear underneath it makes all the difference in the cold.
You'll want to start with a full set of base layers (both a long-sleeve top and full-length bottom), and then go from there.
Personally we prefer base layers made from merino wool or a merino/synthetic blend, but full-synthetic layers can get the job done as well.
"Taking no chances in Patagonia, well other than this rickety looking bridge 😂"
What you wear between those base layers and your waterproof/windproof riding jacket will change with the weather, but we recommend the same "active outdoors" approach here as well.
Personally, we prefer a lightweight and packable "puffy" jacket of some kind, whether it's insulated with synthetic fibers or down feathers.
You can also opt for a good old-fashioned fleece mid-layer, or even bring both along if temps are going to drop particularly low. Just make sure you're leaving enough room inside your shell for any armor or padding you'll be wearing as well.
Heated Gear Isn't Cheating!
Some folks insist on turning their nose up at heated gear. More power to them if suffering in silence is their thing, but personally, we'll take all the help we can get to keep the cold at bay.
Heated gear comes in two main types nowadays: There's the "old school" 12V gear, which plugs directly into your motorcycle's wiring harness for unlimited power (so long as the bike is running), and then there's the "new school" gear that runs off rechargeable batteries.
Both have their pros and cons, so let's briefly touch on those while we're here
"Eric taking a moment at Torres del Paine down in Patagonia"
The main benefit of plug-in 12V heated gear is that it isn't limited by battery life. As long as your bike is running and your electrical system is properly sorted, your gear can pump as much heat as you need for as long as you need it.
This means plug-in gear also typically runs warmer and covers more overall surface area than battery-powered gear. Our main gripe with this type of heated gear is all the wires.
There's the connection to your bike, which we can all but guarantee you'll forget about every other time you stop for gas, and then there are all the extra wires to account for if you're running anything other than a typical heated jacket/jacket liner.
"Patagonia can have some pretty harsh weather so being prepared is critical to your successful arrival to Ushuaia"
Battery-powered gear, on the other hand, requires no connection to your motorcycle, and the only wire you have to worry about is the one connecting the jacket/glove/pants etc. to their integrated battery.
Even the most advanced battery systems typically only last about 8 hours between charges though (and that's on the lowest setting), so they aren't ideal for folks who want full-blast heat all day long.
Our Favorite Winter Motorcycle Gear
Taking all the above into consideration, we've got a few favorite pieces of winter motorcycle gear to recommend that we've picked up over the years.
The list that follows includes both gear for your body and gear for your bike, so whether you're a true all-year rider or just someone looking to extend the riding season a few extra weeks, you'll find something useful down below.
1. Highway 21 Radiant Heated Motorcycle Gloves
When it comes to winter motorcycle gear, nothing is quite as decadent as a pair of heated gloves. Our current favorite is Highway 21's Radiant model, which combine high quality construction with battery-powered heat for the coldest winter rides.
There are lots of options for heated motorcycle gloves out there, but these stand out because they offer serious protection as well as comfort.
With full-grain leather construction, armored knuckle protectors, and added reinforcement in the most slide-prone zones, it's clear these aren't just repurposed ski gloves.
The Highway 21 Radiant glovers are certainly toasty though, and it's not just because they're electrically heated.
Thanks to 100 grams of synthetic Thinsulate insulation and a waterproof/windproof liner, these gloves will keep you warm long after the rechargeable batteries run out of juice.
Speaking of batteries, we'll also note that these gloves deliver above-average run times on a full charge, with up to four hours of heat on the lowest setting and 2.5 hours at full blast.
Between the removable batteries and the extra insulation, they're a little on the bulky side, but we'll take warm hands over dexterity every time on a cold day.
CHECK PRICE:
Highway 21 Radiant Heated Gloves
2. Alpinestars Ride Tech Winter Pants
Staying comfortable in the winter is all about layering, and good base layers are the cornerstone of any winter riding kit. Alpinestars' Ride Tech layers are currently our weapon of choice thanks to their high-tech meets high-comfort design.
What makes these base layers special is a fabric called "Dryarn," which is made from extremely fine-spun polypropylene fibers. The resulting garment warms like wool, yet it's about 30% lighter and thinner while also retaining 90% less of the moisture it wicks from your body.
The ultra-thin form factor of the Ride Tech pants makes them incredibly easy to layer with any other gear in your quiver, which flatlock seams eliminate any potential discomfort or bulkiness.
We also love that because the Ride Tech winter pants are fully synthetic, they don't require the special treatment of wool baselayers, so you can just throw them in the washer/dryer with anything else.
We'll also note that while the Ride Tech pants cost a pretty penny, they're roughly on par with nice merino wool base layers price-wise, but will last a lot longer. They're an investment, but it's one that'll pay serious dividends in comfort for regular winter riders.
CHECK PRICE:
Alpinestars Ride Tech Winter Base Layer
3. Klim Arctic Balaclava
Most of us know Klim for their high-quality adventure gear, but the company actually cut its teeth making technical winter gear for ski patrol and competitive snowmobiling.
Their cold-weather prowess is clear to see in the Arctic Balaclava, a no-compromise piece of winter motorcycle gear that's designed for the most extreme climates on the planet.
This balaclava is built around heavy-duty Windstopper fleece, which Klim stitches together in variable-thickness sections for optimized heat retention and comfort under your helmet.
A super stretchy lycra/fleece blend is sewn into the side panels, which keeps your ears comfortable while also allowing the Arctic Balaclava to stretch to fit any head size.
We're also fans of the Arctic's neoprene nose panel, which maximizes facial coverage while also serving as a breath deflector to keep your helmet from fogging.
An extra long and wide skirt finishes out the design, giving you plenty of material to tuck under your jacket and insulating layers for an air-tight fit.
CHECK PRICE:
Klim Arctic Balaclava
4. Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket Liner
We like to think of heated jackets as the crown jewel of winter motorcycle gear.
Heated jackets on the market today are powered by either a direct connection to 12V power or by rechargeable batteries, and the Gerbing 12V jacket liner is our favorite of the plug-in variety.
We're fans of Gerbing's heated gear for two main reasons. First, Gerbing uses their own proprietary stainless steel "Microwire" heating implements instead of the copper wire found in most brands, which gives them a major advantage in durability.
Second, Gerbing includes seven separate heating zones in this liner which cover the chest, back, collar, and arms.
This 12V jacket liner is just the first step for many motorcyclists, who add additional plug-in accessories like heated pants from there.
The only drawback of the system is that Gerbing sells the required controller unit for the heat separately, but if you're interested in building a full set of heated gear, it's well worth the investment.
CHECK PRICE:
Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket Liner
5. Klim Torrent Storm Collar
Your waterproof shell is only as strong as its weakest link, and heavy rain loves to creep into your personal space between the gap in your helmet and jacket.
Klim's Torrent Storm Collar is designed to fill that very gap, and we've had excellent results using it to keep the cold rains of Patagonia at bay.
The Storm Collar is brilliant in its simplicity: Stretch it over the collar of your jacket, then tuck it into the opening of your helmet. Just like that, your jacket is a proverbial fortress against the cold and wet.
"Eric suits up with Klim's Storm Collar for a chilly winter ride."
The Storm Collar isn't limited to wet weather use though. Thanks to the windproof shell fabric and cozy brushed inner liner, the Storm Collar is also a great piece of winter motorcycle gear for folks who want to keep cold air off their necks but don't like the feeling of a full-face balaclava.
CHECK PRICE:
Klim Torrent Storm Collar
6. Joe Rocket RS-2 Two-Piece Rainsuit
Budget-friendly rainsuits are a dime a dozen, but the quality of these things can be hit-or-miss. They tear, they melt, they leak... the list goes on. Joe Rocket's RS-2, however, is built different.
We've owned this suit for the better part of five years now, and it just plain works. It's 100% waterproof thanks to a PVC backing, and it's also thicker and tougher than your average sub-100% rain gear.
If you're looking for cold weather gear on a budget, PVC suits like this are a great option because they keep wind and water out but also help to trap heat in. Think of it as an added layer you can throw up to add warmth to your kit rain or shine.
We're particularly fond of this suit because it goes on easily, even if you're already wearing boots, which means it makes for a gear just-in-case piece to keep on your bike year-round.
Joe Rocket also uses a heat-resistant layer on the lower legs of the suit, so you don't have to worry about it melting on your exhaust, unlike most alternatives at this price point.
CHECK PRICE:
Joe Rocket RS-2 Two-Piece Rainsuit
7. Pinlock Face Shields
Most helmets nowadays ship "Pinlock ready" but for whatever reason, most riders don't take advantage of the Pinlock system. That's a damn shame, because Pinlock inserts are the perfect solution to the persistent visor fogging we experience in the winter.
Installing a Pinlock insert takes all of five minutes: Pop off your visor, clean it, then clip the interior lens into place. Once your Pinlock visor is in place, fogging becomes an utter non-issue.
"Transitions visor + Pinlock lens = Match made in heaven."
We've been particularly fond of the Pinlock system on our Klim Krios Pro helmet's photochromatic visor.
These two are a match made in heaven, and together deliver a helmet that delivers a clear view with the perfect amount of brightness in any weather any time of day.
CHECK PRICE:
Pinlock Face Shield
*Pinlock Face Shields are visor-specific
8. Darn Tough Edge Ski Socks
Borrowing a few pieces from your ski and snowboard gear is a well-documented hack for winter motorcycling. When it comes to keeping your feet as warm and comfortable as possible, Darn Tough's Edge ski socks are the ones to have.
If you're into outdoor gear of any kind, chances are you recognize the Darn Tough brand.
Pound for point this Vermont-based manufacturer makes the best hiking, running, and ski socks in the industry, and backs every product they sell with a lifetime guarantee should you ever actually manage to wear them out.
We love the Edge because they combine an over-the-calf style (which works great with motocross-style boots, FYI) with a merino wool/nylon blend that delivers equal parts performance and durability.
They're warm, moisture-wicking, and naturally odor-resistant, which means a single pair is all you need for a long weekend on the bike.
Darn Tough makes a few different over-the-calf options, but these are our favorite due to their moderate level of underfoot cushioning, which maximizes warmth and comfort without adding a ton of uncomfortable bulk inside your boot.
They cost a pretty penny for a single pair, but we've never owned a pair of Darn Tough socks that we didn't get our money's worth out of either.
CHECK PRICE:
Darn Tough Edge OTC Socks
9. Heidenau K60 Cold Climate Tires
Heidenau's 50/50 K60 Scout tire has a well-deserved reputation for performance and longevity, but that long-wearing rubber compound has one major flaw: It struggles to grip when the temperature drops.
"The K60 Scout CC in action while on tour in Patagonia"
Lucky for us, Heidenau listens to their fanbase, and designed the K60 CC (that's short for cold climate, btw) with a softer compound for improved handling in the cold and wet.
The new weather compound delivers roughly 10% less mileage than the standard K60 Scout, but considering the original often lasted over 10,000 miles a set, we really can't complain here.
CHECK PRICE:
Heidenau K60 CC Tires
10. Tourmaster Elite Motorcycle Cover
While "not riding motorcycles" isn't anyone's favorite topic here at RideADV, it happens to the best of us in the winter. No judgment here, sometimes it's just too damn cold to get on the bike, and no amount of winter motorcycle gear is going to change that.
A good motorcycle cover is always a smart idea for bikes that'll be sitting for a few weeks (or more) at a time, and our favorite winter storage cover is currently the Tourmaster Elite.
We love the Tourmaster Elite because it's got all the essentials you want in a good cover (waterproof, durable, vented, and lockable), but delivers the goods at an affordable price.
We also appreciate that Tourmaster includes panels of soft non-scratch fabric at the windshield and tail section areas, so you've got one less thing to sit and worry about while you're busy not riding your motorcycle.
They also throw in heat-resistant panels along the interior of the cover, so you can throw it on most bikes right after a ride without burning anything.
CHECK PRICE:
Tourmaster Elite Motorcycle Cover
11. Battery Tender Junior Selectable Charger
You're probably familiar with Battery Tender's line of plug-and-play battery maintainers, but if you're still using one of those clunky big-box chargers for winter storage, we recommend giving Battery Tender's latest Junior 800 charger a look.
The Junior 800 stands out fror two reasons. First, as the name implies, this thing is impressively compact, yet houses a full suite of automatic monitoring systems including an automatic shut off and smart maintenance programming to prevent overcharging.
What really makes the Junior 800 stand out for us, however, is its selectable dual-mode system, which allows the unit to safely charge both traditional batteries and lightweight lithium-ion cells.
We'll also point out that you can pick up the Junior 800 for under $50 just about anywhere, so all that tech comes with serious value to boot.
CHECK PRICE:
Battery Tender Junior Selectable Charger
Closing Thoughts On Winter Motorcycle Gear
While riding in the winter certainly isn't for everyone, there's a special feeling that comes with being "that crazy guy/gal" who's out riding their motorcycle when there's snow in the forecast.
Speaking from experience, our rides through places like Patagonia and Ushuaia always feel a bit more "adventurous" when we spend some time "braving the elements" along the way, and the warm fire waiting for us at the end of the night feels that much sweeter.
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"Snow-filled views like these are worth every hard-earned mile."
All things considered, we think everyone should give cold weather riding a shot.
The right winter motorcycle gear can absolutely make or break the experience though, so prepare for the worst, dress in layers, and when in doubt, add some heated gear into the equation!
→Read More:
How to Winterize Your Motorcycle The Easy Way
5 Soft Luggage Bag Set Ups For Your Next Trip
4 Best Adventure Motorcycle 50/50 Tires
