BEST TOURING GEAR OF 2024
REVZILLA’S TOP PICKSThe touring rider spends more miles in the saddle than anyone — and that means long hours in their gear, too.
The long-haul touring rider takes rides that last for multiple days, or even multiple weeks. They consider long tours to be their vacations, and they’re ready for anything with fully loaded machines. Weather and riding conditions will probably change several times over the course of a tour. This means the gear must be sturdy, adaptable, and completely comfortable.
The C5 is an all-new design from the modular masters at Schuberth. It resolves shortcomings from the C4 line and puts Schuberth back in the lead in this category. Touring riders have trusted Schuberth’s premium lids for many years and miles, and we chose this helmet as our top choice for a tour. The C5 weighs just under four pounds for long-distance comfort. The shell uses a variety of high-tech materials and aerodynamic elements to minimize buffeting. The chinbar locking mechanism is precise, secure, and crafted with quality materials. Inside, there are interior panels that can be swapped around to tune the fit to your head. The fit is more of an intermediate oval compared to other Schuberth models, so this helmet should fit a wider range of riders. No other modular performs at this level for the hardcore touring rider.
This is the fourth generation of the REV'IT! Sand series, meaning it stands on the shoulders of many years of product development and customer feedback and it shows. Engineered with weight savings in mind and featuring a curated series of liners, the Sand 4 H2O Jacket wears easy without the fatigue of typically heavy ADV jackets. The REV'IT! Sand 4 pants are an abrasion resistant, ripstop polyester shell which is paired with strategically placed armor and tons of ventilation to offer you the protection, comfort, and breathability you need for the long-haul.
For as long as motorcyclists have needed gloves, there’s been a slight issue. A glove can either be waterproof, or it can have airflow, but it’s hard to have both. Held introduced the best solution to this problem with the legendary Air N Dry gloves, and they’re our top pick for serious touring riders who need protection in any kind of weather. Held’s secret is a two-chamber design that separates breathability and waterproofing. Air can reach the hand through the palm side, while the back of the hand shrugs off soggy weather. Gore-Tex makes sure moisture can leave, but water can’t enter. Kangaroo leather and DuPont Cordura bring slide resistance and excellent dexterity.
If you're laying down big miles on your next tour, there's no question a good pair of boots will make the trip more enjoyable. The Daytona Road Star Gore-Tex Boots feature premium performance, protection and style, all backed with a GORE-TEX membrane, guaranteed to keep you dry.
Our second rider is slightly more casual while touring. Trips are briefer than our long-haul rider’s, and those trips are in fairer weather. These are daytrippers, weekenders, and sightseers. This gear, which tends to be lighter and more athletic than the long haul rider’s astronaut suit, would also work for sport-tourers seeking the fun roads.
This is Simpson's modular version of their popular Bandit helmet. That means you get the distinctive style of Simpson along with their legendary build quality in addition to all the comforts and conveniences of a modular lid.
We love the Andes Air Drystar from Alpinestars for backcountry rides. The rugged construction will hold up to abuse, and the combination of a waterproof liner and extensive mesh panels provides the perfect combination of breathability and water resistance. Well-placed armor and reinforced construction at the elbows, shoulders, and forearms provides excellent protection without sacrificing comfort. We especially love that this jacket is built with the Alpinestars Tech Air 3 and Tech Air 5 airbag systems in mind, so you can integrate those remarkable safety systems seamlessly and ond comfortably for added protection.
The REV-IT! Airwave 4 Pants feature solid protection, robust ventilation, and even incorporate some pretty rad style. It's an awesome example of gear that looks great without compromising on comfort or functionality.
The Klim Badlands Aero Pro gloves will give you the dexterity and breathability you need while tackling tougher, more technical terrain, while also providing protection and comfort over long stretched on the tarmac.
The Forma Adventure Low boots offer a vintage style that delivers on performance and functionality. A Drytex waterproof/breathable lining, keeps your feet dry without limiting range of motion, while integrated TPU inserts and reinforcements provide protection from impact injuries
Maybe these riders are just starting their motorcycle touring careers, or they’re getting back into the game after some time away. Budget gear might also be of interest to anyone who’s crunched the numbers on what a long tour can actually cost, especially if you’ve got luggage, wind protection, and other essentials to buy. No matter what, this guide wouldn’t be complete without a look at the best budget motorcycle touring gear on the market today.
Sedici recently updated the Sistema II with Mips rotational impact protection technology. As a DOT/ECE-approved modular in fiberglass in Kevlar, the Sistema II Mips was impossible to ignore when choosing the best budget helmet for fairweather touring. We liked its stable shell shape and simple pushbutton release for the chinbar. Its comfort rivaled helmets priced significantly higher, yet it still included desirable features like a drop-down sun shield, adjustable padding (forehead and temples, 5mm), and a removable chin skirt. The helmet can accept a Pinlock insert; be sure to get one. The Sistema II Mips proves that you don’t need to break the bank to get a fiberglass/Kevlar modular that’s up for a tour. There’s not much weight penalty over those helmets, either, as the Sistema II weighs in at 3.7 pounds! Not long ago, a helmet like this was impossible. Top marks to Sedici for bringing modular performance to the masses.
The Federico 2 jacket and pants, a recent update to the popular Federico, earned our top pick this year for the budget tourer. The Federico 2 suit walks the line between sport and touring with its waterproof 600D laminate construction. The styling is muted and pretty purposeful, just the way we like it while keeping a tourer’s odometer spinning. The Federico 2 suit includes CE Level 2 armor at the shoulders, elbows, and knees. Hip and back armor can be added for complete protection. We appreciated the adjustability and ventilation of the Federico 2, along with the mesh panels that keep air flowing. Pockets are easy to access with large zipper pulls for access with gloves. Pull on the included thermal liner when temps drop, and ride on.
Touring in warm weather on a budget? We recommend the REAX Tasker Perf gloves. They mix sport glove DNA, short cuff convenience, and the breathable protection of perforated leather at a price that’s hard to ignore. You get protective knuckles, TPR finger inserts, and reinforced outseams to handle the curviest roads on your ride. Creature comforts like touchscreen fingertips, palm pads, wicking liners, and a pre-curved fit push the Tasker Perf back into touring territory.
Good boots can make or break a ride. The BILT Pro Tourer Waterproof Boots are an excellent choice for all-season touring that won't break the bank. These boots will keep you comfortable over long stretches on the street while also keeping you dry, mobile, and protected when the pavement ends and the ride gets rough.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Adventure" bikes, these are not. Nor are they American V-Twins (not usually, at least) or hunched-over sportbikes. Touring motorcycles, including sport-touring bikes, are strictly for the pavement. They are meant to cross state lines over and over and soak up major highway miles to cover vast distances. Honda's Goldwing set the stage and continues to serve as a good example of what a big bike can do. If the destination is only part of the vacation — with the two-wheel travel time to and fro being part of the fun — then these are the bikes for you.
Without playing favorites, let's consider the needs of long-distance rides. You need something comfortable in the saddle and at the bars to combat fatigue and mild pain. These are generally big bikes and they'll stay firmly planted on the road at highway speed, which you'll be doing plenty of. Storage capacity is another common need, as you're likely doing days away from home at a time. Saddlebags and storage boxes come in handy here.
Not every meteorologist can predict with total accuracy what the weather will be a few days out. Hope for the best and plan for the worst with our picks of the best touring motorcycle gear on this page. If you're going to push ahead in the face of wet weather, we've got you covered with waterproof and windproof apparel. If you're going to roll with punches and do your best despite rough weather, we've got middle-of-the-road touring motorcycle gear for that, too. If you're just getting into the long-distance riding segment and need something warm, safe and comfortable without breaking the bank, you're also in the right place.