10 Best Cold Weather Motorcycle Riding Gear 2025 in the United States

The BYKR Motorcycle Pants are a solid option for both men and women looking for protective gear for cold-weather motorcycle riding. One of the standout features is their high level of protection, thanks to the abrasion-resistant Cordura fabric and removable armor at the knees and hips. This makes them suitable for various riding scenarios, including motocross and touring, where safety is a priority. The pants also come equipped with reflective accents, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions, which is crucial for safe rides during dusk or nighttime.

Comfort is another strong suit of these pants. They are designed with a micro mesh lining and Reissa fabric, providing good breathability and flexibility, helping you stay comfortable during long rides. The all-purpose waterproof design is particularly beneficial for unpredictable weather, as it keeps you dry when the rain hits. This feature, combined with its ventilation system, makes the pants suitable for different climates, ensuring that you remain cool when it’s warm and dry when it’s wet.

On the flip side, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. While the waterproofing is excellent, the care instructions specify hand washing only, which could be inconvenient for some users looking for easy maintenance. Additionally, the fit may not suit everyone, as with any apparel, and potential buyers should check sizing carefully to ensure they find the right fit for their body type.

The lifetime customer support and one-year free replacement warranty provide peace of mind, adding value to the purchase. These pants are a versatile choice for riders who value safety, comfort, and functionality, but ensure you’re ready for the hand wash commitment and check on fit before buying.

The Alpinestars SMX-1 Air V2 gloves are designed primarily for warm weather and street riding rather than cold-weather use. Their leather and mesh construction offers excellent breathability and airflow, which is great for keeping hands cool but means they lack insulation and waterproofing needed to protect against cold and wet conditions.

The gloves provide solid protection with a hard polymer knuckle guard and reinforced areas, meeting CE safety standards, which is a strong plus for any rider. Fit and comfort are well addressed through pre-curved fingers and stretch inserts, allowing natural movement and good dexterity. However, since the gloves are short cuff and focused on ventilation, they don't offer much wind protection or coverage to keep the cold out.

Visibility features are minimal, limited to their black and white color scheme, so they might not improve rider visibility in low light. These gloves are best suited for warm or mild weather riders seeking lightweight protection with good grip and comfort rather than for cold-weather motorcyclists who need insulation, waterproofing, and extended coverage.

The ILM Detachable Winter Motorcycle Riding Pants provide a range of features that cater well to cold-weather riding. Their major strengths include the ease of use with durable resin zippers on both sides, making them simple to put on and remove. The CE-2 removable protective pads and abrasion-resistant 600D Oxford fabric significantly enhance safety, offering a good level of protection against impacts and scrapes, with reinforced knee areas for added durability.

The pants offer decent water resistance thanks to tightly woven fabric, although they're not ideal for heavy rain due to potential water infiltration at the zips. For warmth, these pants come with a soft lining that ensures thermal comfort in cold conditions. Visibility is also taken into consideration with multiple reflective tape designs, which are beneficial for nighttime riding.

However, some potential drawbacks include the weight of the pants at 3.43 pounds, which might be a bit heavy for some users, and the water resistance that may not hold up in very wet conditions. These pants are well suited for riders looking for a combination of protection, comfort, and visibility in cold weather conditions, but they might not be the best choice for heavy rain scenarios.