When the temperature hits 95 degrees and the asphalt is radiating heat like a pizza oven, the last thing you want to do is strap on a leather jacket and a full-face helmet. But riding in a t-shirt is not the answer either. Road rash at any speed will ruin your summer a lot faster than sweating through a proper riding jacket.
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Motorcycle Gear for Hot Weather Riding
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The good news is that hot weather riding gear has improved dramatically in the last few years.
Modern mesh jackets, vented helmets, and summer gloves let air flow through while still providing real crash protection. Here is what works.
Mesh Riding Jackets
Mesh jackets are the single biggest comfort improvement you can make for summer riding. They use large panels of heavy-duty mesh fabric that let air pass through freely while still holding armor in place and providing some abrasion resistance.
Alpinestars Wake Air Jacket
The Wake Air is almost entirely mesh.
The front, back, and sleeves are all open-weave panels with CE Level 1 armor at the shoulders and elbows. It feels like wearing a fishing vest compared to a traditional textile jacket. On a 90-degree day, you can actually feel the breeze across your chest and back.
The trade-off with any mesh jacket is that abrasion resistance is lower than leather or heavy textile. The Wake Air will hold up in a low-speed slide better than a t-shirt by a wide margin, but it is not going to protect you like a leather track suit.
For street riding at sane speeds, it provides a sensible balance between protection and cooling. Price is around 130 dollars.
Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion Jacket
The Phoenix Ion has been a best-seller in the hot weather category for years, and for good reason. It uses FreeAir mesh panels with CE armor, has a removable waterproof liner for unexpected rain, and includes reflective piping for visibility.
The removable liner is a nice touch because it turns this into a three-season jacket if you are willing to layer underneath in cooler weather.
Fit is comfortable and slightly relaxed, which is typical for Joe Rocket. The armor is removable and replaceable, so you can upgrade to CE Level 2 if you want better protection. At around 100 dollars, the Phoenix Ion is one of the best values in summer riding gear.
Vented Helmets
Your head generates a surprising amount of heat, and a poorly ventilated helmet will cook your brain on a hot day.
Vented helmets use intake and exhaust ports to channel air across your scalp and out the back, creating a cooling effect even at moderate speeds.
Scorpion EXO-R1 Air
Scorpion designed the R1 Air specifically for warm-weather riding. It has massive intake vents on the chin bar and forehead, with exhaust ports at the rear. The internal channels actually move air across the top of your head, not just around the edges.
The difference between this helmet and a budget helmet with minimal venting is dramatic.
Beyond ventilation, it is a solid sport helmet with an emergency quick-release cheek pad system, dual-density EPS liner, and Snell M2020 certification. The interior is removable and washable, which you will appreciate when you are sweating through summer rides. Price is around 300 dollars.
Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS
For a budget-friendly option, the Qualifier DLX MIPS has decent ventilation for its price point.
The chin vent and top vents are effective at moderate speeds, and the internal sun visor means you do not need to carry separate sunglasses. The MIPS liner adds rotational impact protection, which is a nice safety bonus.
Ventilation is not as aggressive as the Scorpion, but at around 170 dollars, you are getting a lot of helmet for the money. The interior padding is moisture-wicking and removable.
For commuters and casual riders who want to stay cool without spending 400 dollars on a helmet, the Qualifier DLX is a strong choice.
Summer Gloves
Alpinestars Copper Gloves
The Copper is a short-cuff summer glove with perforated leather on the back of the hand and a synthetic suede palm. The knuckle protector is hard plastic, and there is a reinforced palm slider for slide protection. The perforations let air through effectively, and the short cuff means minimal coverage to trap heat around your wrist.
These gloves offer a good balance of feel and protection.
You can operate controls precisely, the leather wears well, and the ventilation actually works. Price runs about 40 dollars.
Riding Pants for Heat
Scorpion Covert Ultra Jeans
These look like regular jeans but use DuPont Kevlar lining in the impact zones. They are not going to be as cool as mesh pants, but they are enormously cooler than dedicated textile riding pants.
The Kevlar panels are in the knees and seat, where you need abrasion resistance most. At around 100 dollars, they are a reasonable middle ground.
Klim Marrakesh Pants
If you want actual mesh riding pants with real armor, the Marrakesh is one of the best options. Large mesh panels on the front and back of the legs let air flow through freely.
D3O CE Level 1 armor sits at the knees, and you can add hip armor. These are basically the pant equivalent of a mesh jacket. Price is about 200 dollars.
Cooling Accessories
Evaporative Cooling Vests
Soak these in water, wring them out, and wear them under your mesh jacket. The water evaporates as air flows through your jacket, pulling heat away from your body.
They work surprisingly well in dry climates. In humid conditions, evaporative cooling is less effective because the air is already saturated with moisture, but they still provide some relief.
Moisture-Wicking Base Layers
A synthetic base layer worn under your jacket moves sweat away from your skin to the surface where it can evaporate. This keeps you drier and prevents that clammy, soaked feeling. Look for polyester or merino wool blends designed for athletic use. Cotton is the worst option because it absorbs sweat, holds it, and then sticks to your skin.
Putting It All Together
The ideal hot weather setup is a mesh jacket, vented helmet, perforated gloves, mesh or Kevlar-lined pants, and a moisture-wicking base layer. Add a cooling vest for really brutal days. This combination lets you ride comfortably in temperatures that would make leather or textile gear unbearable, while still giving you meaningful protection if something goes wrong.
The biggest mistake riders make in summer is going with no gear because it is too hot. The second biggest mistake is wearing winter gear because they only own one set. Investing in a dedicated hot weather kit solves both problems and makes summer riding something you look forward to instead of endure.