The 4-season motorcycle jacket

As with most things in life, everything in motorcycling is a compromise. And so when it comes to riding the bike, everyone has to decide what’s most important to them.

Buy a sportsbike, for example, and everyone will think you're an exciting and dangerous individual. But you'll scare yourself half to death, get back ache, and accrue speeding fines as though they’re going out of fashion. You will never be able to properly see what's behind you. And you'll have to master the art of trying to look cool whilst walking about in a leather suit that causes you to stoop like the hunchback of Notre Dame.

Buy a GS, and you'll be able to cover miles effortlessly. You can traverse continents in the blink of an eye. People will think you've got an adventurous spirit. But however much you spend on your bike, it will always look like every other GS in the car park. Nobody will stop and take a photo of it. And if you drop your bike, you'll have to hope there are some strong people nearby who can help you pick it up.

Get a Harley, and you'll buy in to an interesting community of new friends, most of whom of course are accountants and lawyers. You’ll look super badass with that leather waistcoat. You’ll always have people to ride with. But wherever you're going, you won't get there very quickly. You’ll slowly send yourself deaf. And you'll probably end up with piles!

And so it is with motorcycle clothing. You will have to decide what trade-offs are acceptable to you. Now, historically, the clothing manufacturers have often tried to convince motorcyclists that they could provide them with the outfit that would work in every conceivable climatic condition. The suit that does everything.

Of course, this does not exist, but many years ago it was to this end that some of the more entrepreneurial apparel producers came up with the idea of fitting a waterproof membrane into a motorcycle jacket, (and pant too of course). The idea here was that instead of having to stop at the side of the road to don your 'one-piece waterproof’, you could ride your bike in all weathers; come rain or come shine. And given what had gone before, there was some truth to this. It was a step in the right direction.

ut what nobody told you, and indeed what nobody really understood back then, was that your waterproof clothing would be horribly sweaty when the sun came out.

In truth, back in the day, bikers were tougher than we are today. They were less concerned about suffering such ignominies. If you got hot, you got a bit pongy. Personal hygiene wasn't what it is today. Until Barry Sheene came along, exhorting us to splash it all over, nobody really cared what they smelled like. It wasn't a big deal. Most bikers simply accepted the problems with waterproof clothing, because there weren't many more palatable options.

But the truth was that these early attempts at waterproof motorcycle gear weren't always a great success. The membranes weren't particularly breathable, so you got as wet from the inside as you did from the outside. And nobody put much effort into the taping of membranes, so most so-called waterproof jackets weren’t actually particularly waterproof in the first place.

Over time, waterproof gear became much more reliable. Okay, so it could still be a little sweaty, but membranes did become more breathable, and the manufacturers learned how to stop the rain seeping into garments through the seams.

And then, aboot 20 years or so ago, along came laminated membranes. These seemed to solve some of the issues that bedevilled the more traditional, drop-liner construction of most waterproof gear. It made wetting out, that condition where a jacket or pant becomes totally waterlogged, a less regular occurrence.

And, in a way, that's where we still are today.

To continue reading, click below.

[RichDunn]

I have two walk-in closets full of every bike gear known to man, that kinda resembles your clothing shop! And I whole heartedly agree with you Chris. Layering is the best compromise, for most people, for most of the time. Personally I favor an AlpineStars autonomous airbag vest, North Face down jacket (if cold), Klim Marakesh or Knox armored shirt (comfort/breathability), with a Knox waterproof outer (rain/windchill). Sure it means scrunching up the down and waterproof outer when not in use, which requires a means to store them. But they at least compress to pack into really conveniently small bags, and unravel to put on in seconds. And when you don't need them (most of the time) then you're dry and cool, while your rich Badlands friends sweat to death in their $1, 600 jackets!

[nikenpeeps]

I’m thrilled and proud that you have reached over 100, 000 subscribers. It’s much deserved, and I dare say, `Hats off to you!’

[sanatandharma]

As a touring cyclist and scrambler motorcycle rider, I whole heartedly agree with a layering system. So, It tales a few minutes to put on or remove a item of clothing. I look at it as a leg stretch and a bum saver! Great video, thank you!

[albertosousa]

Always so, so educational....
A pleasure to listen to.
Thanks for the energy you put into this.

[pkszeto]

Bravo! This is one of the best videos I've watched. You are spot-on with every bit of information in this video. I was especially hooked by the first 2 minutes. This video's title was good click bait for me. I was really curious to know which manufacturer could possibly be making a real 4-season motorcycle jacket. I even laughed at this idea. Thanks for telling the truth.

[jjg]

If you look at the hiking climbing community, most of these problems were addressed three decades ago. I remember getting a new waterproof breathable climbing jacket with taped seams in 1992 that worked really well both in freezing mountain conditions and in hot summer rain storms; in both situations I might have to really exert myself (unlike just sitting on a motorcycle). This was combined with a wicking layer and and insulation layer to cover all situations. The motorcycling community has the additional problem of impact/abrasion protection but is still decades behind and with clothing that is very overpriced.

[ianwhickman]

Great informative video, so much so I did a 190 mile round trip to see Chris last Friday and now own the four layers he discussed in the video. Great service from Motolegends and learnt a lot.

[creedm]

Awesome video! Sound advice for sure. Dry humor presented perfectly. Layering works perfectly. Today the temperature here is 30' at 2000 ft . Where I ride the temperature is 13' C at 5000 ft. Simply put, it works! Best!

[KetilDuna]

A very good take on choosing clothing. A few mentions - the 4-season jacket is often heavy, bulky and stiff too. For touring I add your tips to a wool sweater that breathes more than the down jacket and also mesh smallclothes in long sleeve/leg variants. A little luggage space is then needed for swapping layers. Concider body armour, and wear the jacket without pads. The armor stays in place better. The Scott rain gear is the best buy I ever did for motorcycle clothing! Oh, one more thing. The outermost layer should be light if you intend to ride in the heat. Most suits tend to be dark or even black, and those suck up the sun very well indeed...

[rodgerreed]

Perfect video. I’ve been looking for a video like this

[garysramblings]

Truly a great video and as an outdoor enthusiast I agree with the layering theory HOWEVER I have recently purchased a Knox Urbane Pro jacket which has the required protection and found I need not add any other new clothing. I can simply use my existing mountain gear (Rab, Icebreaker, etc). This said I love the Scott waterproof and if starting from scratch would definitely follow the Marrakesh plus route as described here.

[sarge]

Yet another great informative (and entertaining) video. I'm a recent convert to the idea of the layering system after riding in more "traditional" gear for over forty years! I've recently bought a Marrakesh and zephyr jacket and have to say I'm very impressed with their performance so far (and yes WITHOUT a doubt the Marrakesh is THE most comfortable jacket I've ever worn!) I am going to invest in a set of Scot waterproofs to replace my current ones for an upcoming trip to Europe and then hopefully I'll be "covered" for any eventually 🤞🏻
Keep up the good work with these videos guys 👍🏻

[IanTed]

I ride 10 months of the year and ride a Multistrada, big days and big tours are my thing so I went down the laminate route. But now I’ve changed to the layering approach, AAA jeans with a lightweight AA jacket with updated armour, the Lysvik. I use Scott waterproof trousers with a Revit jacket for torrential rain. Upgrading the jacket to the Marrakesh or similar next time, I already use the Klim Zephyr jacket for colder days as a windstopper.

[RB-poce]

Hello from the States! Nice video! The first laminated gear I am aware of is the Aerostich from the '80s. FYI, I had to look up what you meant by 😄

[CountryWilly]

Off the subject I like your vests and newsboy caps you wear cheers mate

[markhutchins]

I went with your layering advice last year! I live in Utah, USA and do long distance touring from Canada to Mexico, with wild swings in weather. I went with a Klim kit nearly identical to yours bought from my BMW dealer (they discount the gear and I got to try them on in store, otherwise I would vacation in the UK and swing by your store!). Exceptions: LD Comfort base layer, I skipped the Maverick and just wear my Warm n Safe turned on or off, and a Klim Forecast because Scott isn’t available in the States. The Forecast doubles as another wind breaker below 60F since I don’t find my Zephyr very effective. I also factor in my Klim A1 Rally vest in my layering. All of this stuff packs very small and takes up part of my top case (the vest and base layer don’t count because I wear them 100% of the time).
The Marrakesh is not as breathable as mesh jackets! When temps here are in the 80s and low 90s F, I swap it for my Klim Induction, which I’ve had for years. Bottom half is DYNS jeans (I took out the armor and wear Bohn Body Armor mesh), and Nelson-Rigg rain gear, which I’ve had for years.
I have ridden from 30 to 100 F through rain, hail, sun, high winds and all of this has held up!

[Ranger]

Please do pants. I totally agree with the fully vented jacket because it’s so easy to take on and off layers with a jacket. But pants are a totally different story. I hate taking off my boots to change layers. I’m going to try solid but vented Dakar pants and a waterproof layer that can go over a boot, and maybe running sweats that can be pulled off without removing pants, other than pulling them down.

[sattvicvelo]

Layering yes, loose armored jacket NO. Base layer is body armor - has to be close fitting to stay put in case of a crash. Fluffy roomy armor doesn’t stay where it needs.

When cold wear a merino base underneath or just a breathable t shirt, then close fitting body armor, then wind breaker, down jacket, rain etc.

That’s how you do it. Knox does it well - as does Bowtex - both have AAA rating and chest protection which is key, that way your outer doesn’t have to be AAA rated and your options for outer layers open up a lot. I wear all my hiking / climing / mountaineering outer wear no issues.

[Royston]

Chris such an informative email - I discovered the 20 odd year with Harley in the garage are the cause of my Jack Giles. Also the reason just why I attract so little attention on my GS 😂. However as a dyed in the wool 65 yo I have to say you convinced me to adopt the layering system a few years ago. I have toured down to Morocco (not the woosy ferry down half way either ) endururing 30c plus and ridden through most conditions during a UK winter and have needed nothing else. ATB

[frankseymour]

Great presentation and video with excellent advice. Only wished I lived closer to your country to take up your offer of those biscuits.