Best Hot Weather Motorcycle Jacket for Summer Rides

Summer rides are amazing, but high temperatures can turn a dream cruise into a sweaty nightmare. Thankfully, riding pants and jackets with extensive mesh panels offer a solution.

We’ve combed through the market to find the best options that balance maximum airflow with crucial safety features. This roundup highlights jackets designed to keep you cooler and protected on those sizzling summer miles. So, explore our picks for the best hot weather motorcycle jacket!

Review: 7 Top-Rated Best Hot Weather Motorcycle Jacket Products

As motorcycle riders, we’re always on the hunt for gear that keeps us protected without overheating us during warm weather conditions. After putting the SHIMA OPENAIR jacket through its paces, we think that it’s one of the best summer motorcycle jackets.

Right off the bat, it’s obvious that the jacket features were designed with comfort in mind. Over half the outer shell is made from lightweight, breathable mesh fabric that allows plenty of air flow on even the hottest runs. On muggy 90-degree days, we stayed remarkably cool wearing the OPENAIR. The built-in back and shoulder armor never left us feeling sweaty or confined.

The honeycomb armor provides CE-certified impact protection without adding unnecessary bulk. As a bonus, its perforated design improves ventilation even more. We found the elbow pads aligned well for a natural riding position. Though sizing runs small – we recommend going up one size for the best fit.

For similar comfort, girls can check out this SHIMA Women’s Blouson Summer Jacket.

Functionality is also a strong point. A waterproof pocket, plus dual outer pockets and an interior stash spot gave us plenty of places to securely carry essentials like our phones, wallets and snacks. Zippered vents under the arms added responsive temperature control when we opened them up at stoplights.

Admittedly, the extreme breathability that serves us so well in the heat leaves little insulating ability for colder evenings. We wouldn’t rely on this jacket alone in temps below around 60 degrees without layering underneath. And the minimalist styling won’t wow on fashion-focused rides.

But for long summer touring or daily commuting when the mercury is up, the OPENAIR delivers just the lightweight protection and breathability we want. It’s become our go-to choice for warming rides.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Mesh construction for maximum breathability
• CE-certified honeycomb back, shoulder and elbow armor
• Waterproof pocket + 2 outer pockets, 1 inner pocket
• Underarm zip vents for temperature control

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We’ve been looking for a good hot weather riding jacket that provides protection without baking us alive. So, we decided to give a shot to the HWK Mesh jacket.

So far we’re pretty impressed. On warm rides the open mesh design keeps ample airflow moving even when we’re cruising at highway speeds. It feels substantially cooler inside than our leather jacket on similar summer rides. We can even leave the front zipper partly open without feeling buffeted by wind.

The fit is comfortable without being too baggy. The adjusters let us customize it nicely around the neck, waist and arms. It hasn’t restricted our movement at all during riding. We’re confident it’ll hold up in a slide too, thanks to the removable CE-rated armor and reinforced fabric in high-impact zones.

SEE MORE: Best Ventilated Motorcycle Helmet for Better Airflow

Durability seems good as the mesh and construction have handled several downpours without soaking through. It even kept us reasonably dry in a heavy rainstorm despite not being fully waterproofed. Breathability is so excellent that interior moisture hasn’t been an issue either.

We were surprised by how accommodating the armor is for riding with packs. Despite a loaded backpack, our spines haven’t felt poked or restricted at all due to the armor design. That’s a nice bonus for two-wheeled travelers.

The sleeves run a tad long, which can cause bunching at the wrists. But it hasn’t fluttered or disrupted our riding so far. We’ll probably upgrade the armor someday for more protection potential too. Also, the side zippers could be higher quality given the price point.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Cooling 3D macro and micro mesh panels
• Removable CE armor in shoulders, elbows, and back
• Adjusters for customized fit
• Reflective elements for low-light visibility

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We recently picked up a MOTO-BOY Mesh Riding Jacket to check out, and thought we’d share our impressions after giving it a test ride.

First off, the air flowing capacity of this jacket is excellent. It definitely lives up to the “breathable” in the name.

On warm days, we stayed much cooler wearing this than with other riding gear we’ve tried. The mesh panels do a great job regulating temperature and airflow without sacrificing impact protection.

However, on really hot and humid rides, we still found ourselves sweating a bit underneath the armor, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been.

The fit of this adventure jacket was comfortable. We got a medium that provided adequate room for layers as the weather changed.

Another plus is that the armor in the shoulder areas and elbows broke in nicely after our initial rides. At first they felt stiff, but now they’re flexible without compromising safety.

We found a review mentioning that the sleeves could be a tad longer, but we think it mostly depends on the user’s physical build.

Now it’s time for a few small downsides. One pocket wasn’t fully stitched in our jacket and the zipper pulls are on the opposite side than typical for us. But otherwise construction seemed solid for the price point.

The elastic strips at the waist do a decent job for customized adjustment, though some additional straps around the midsection could prevent riding up in high-speed sections.

Overall, we feel this jacket is a great value for the protection and comfort it provides on hot summer rides. It’s definitely earned a regular spot in our riding gear rotation for the warm months.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Mesh and polyester fabric for excellent breathability
• CE-certified armor in shoulders and elbows
• Reflective strips for improved visibility
• Adjustable waist and cuffs for customized fit
• Elbow accordion panels for ease of movement

SEE MORE: What to Wear When Riding a Motorcycle in Hot Weather

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We recently purchased the Alpha Cycle Gear breathable jacket, and have been putting it through its paces on some lengthy riding excursions.

Overall, it’s a great jacket for hot weather adventure. It delivers on protection without compromising airflow, thanks to its large mesh panels. Although it has some room for improvement in areas like adjustability and materials.

One thing we appreciated right away was the CE-approved armor in key impact zones like the shoulder areas and elbows. As avid riders, we know all too well how common spills can be, so having that peace of mind was certainly reassuring.

The armor has also proven comfortable over multiple hours in the saddle. While its lightweight mesh construction allows ample air flowing for hot summer rides, we were impressed by how stable the armor felt nested comfortably within the jacket’s protective shell.

Speaking of airflow, this jacket has absolutely delivered on keeping us cool even on long, hot hauls. The fully breathable mesh panels on the front and back feel great at highway speeds, and we’ve noticed a big difference versus our standard leather jacket on similar rides.

All that air passing through does come at a tradeoff of limited pockets and loss of water resistance, but frankly we’d choose cool and dry over some storage space any day of the riding season.

Fit and sizing were our biggest criticisms. While the adjustability features like Velcro arm cuffs sound nice in theory, they lack the sturdiness we expect at speed.

We also found the sizing varied substantially from the size chart, always opting up a size from our normal proved wise. And the inner material, while not a dealbreaker, lacks the smooth luxury of some pricier options.

In the end, we think this jacket provides good basic cruiser touring protection for the dollar. For warm weather riding, it’ll keep you ventilated while guarding the essentials. Isn’t that what really matters most at the end of a long day in the saddle?

Key Features at a Glance:

• CE Level 1 certified armor in shoulders and elbows
• Highly breathable mesh construction for maximum airflow
• Reflective stripes for visibility
• Adjustable cuffs and waist for customizable fit

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Alright riders, gather ’round as we share our thoughts on the FLY Racing Adult Flux Air Mesh Jacket. We put this highly breathable summer riding jacket through its paces, so you’ll get an honest assessment on how it performs when the asphalt is scorching hot.

We were impressed by how comfortably this jacket fits without feeling restrictive at all. The mesh material allows a great deal of airflow for a greater cooling effect. 

On days where it felt like the temperature was barreling towards 100 degrees, this jacket made our ride feel like a joyride. No more arriving to our destination drenched in sweat!

Protection is obviously a top priority, and we’re happy to report that the CE Level 1 armor in the shoulders and elbows, while on the cheaper side, gets the job done. It stood up to several spill drills without issue.

Our only real gripe is that the back pad seems almost too flimsy, like it wouldn’t do much in an actual slide. A few of us swapped it out for a sturdier aftermarket piece to ease our minds. Other than that, the heavy-duty fabric in key impact zones and reflective panels inspire peace of mind.

We think this is a stellar summer riding jacket at an affordable price. The breathability can’t be beat on scorchers, and it still delivers protection where you need it most. Sure, the back pad is lame, but an easy fix.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Ultra-breathable mesh fabric keeps you cool on hot rides
• Comfortable, unrestrictive fit that doesn’t burn you up
• CE Level 1 armor in shoulders and elbows for impact protection
• Reflective panels for visibility in low light

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This summer jacket definitely gets points for value. At around $150 cheaper than the REV’IT Eclipse 2, it’s a budget-friendly way to get some impact protection on the cheap.

The elbow, shoulder, and back protector provides a nice peace of mind in case of a spill. I also appreciated that the zippers allow for detachable inserts, so you can take the liner out for warmer weather.

Comfort-wise, the air mesh fabric does a solid job of keeping air flowing on hot days. I’ve put a few hundred miles on mine over the last few weeks and it hasn’t gotten too toasty, even without the liner in.

The sizing ran on the small side for me, but overall the cut provides freedom of movement which is important when you’re twisting the throttle.

Now, this jacket certainly has its limitations. The zippers, in particular, take some finesse to operate; they get hung up on everything. I’d also avoid stuffing too much in the pockets, as fishing things out can be a struggle.

For the price, this jacket isn’t a bad way to get some basic armor and wind protection. Just go in with managed expectations on finishing details and sizing.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Affordable price point – hard to beat for the value
• Removable armor in elbows, shoulders, and back for impact protection
• Mesh fabric provides excellent airflow on hot rides
• Zip-out thermal liner can adapt it for cooler weather

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We’re pretty impressed the Wicked Stock jacket. As motorcycle enthusiasts looking for a versatile and affordable riding jacket, we were excited to try this one out.

The main thing we love about this jacket is the ventilation. Man, does it keep you cool! On hot sunny days, we stayed comfortable the entire ride thanks to the mesh panels under the arms and across the back.

The airflow really comes through when you’re cruising down the highway. We were even able to layer up a bit on cooler mornings and still not overheat once we got moving.

The pockets are also nicely sized and placed for convenient storage on the go. We’ve been able to fit all our riding essentials like our phones, wallets, snacks without issue.

The waist and arm adjustments likewise allow for a customized fit whether you’re wearing additional layers or not.

At its price point, we didn’t expect premium armor but were happy to see the shoulder, elbow and back protection included.

The inserts do the job of basic safety padding, even if they aren’t the fanciest on the market. You can swap them out for higher-end shoulder and elbow pads for an extra layer of protection.

Our one small complaint is that the sleeves run a tad short for some of our group’s frames. But overall the fits have been flattering and comfortable nonetheless.

Only time will tell how it holds up with regular use, but so far the Wicked Stock jacket has been a really great hot-weather riding option. The airflow and adjustability give great value for the price.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Air mesh panels for excellent flowing of air
• Adjustable waist, arm cuffs and bicep straps for a custom fit
• Includes removable CE-certified shoulder, elbow and back armor
• Multiple pockets for storage

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Keys to Keeping Chill: Must-Have Features of a Summer Motorcycle Jacket

Here are the key features any hot weather jacket should have:

Ventilation is Vital

Breathability is a must. You want lots of airflow to keep cool on those sunny rides. Mesh panels and zippered vents are a good option – the mesh lets air flow freely and the zippers give you control over how much ventilation you need.

Go Lightweight

Another important thing is using lightweight, breathable materials like mesh or perforated leather. The last thing you want is to feel like you’re locked in an oven!

Lightweight fabric in the jacket will keep you cool as the breeze blows through.

Protection is Priority

Comfort and protection must go hand in hand. Even in the heat, safety gear is non-negotiable. Look for armor in all the important spots – shoulders, elbows, and back.

Just because it’s hot doesn’t mean you want to risk road rash if you come off the bike.

Bonus Features to Consider

Some extras that boost both comfort and convenience include removable liners, pockets, and reflective accents. Take the liner out when it’s really grilling and toss it back in for cooler nights.

Pockets hold your belongings without weighing you down. And reflectors keep you visible in all conditions, day or night.

Test it Out!

The best way to pick a jacket is to try a few on yourself. Get a feel for the fit and range of motion. Then take it for a short spin and really put it through its paces.

How’s the airflow at different speeds? Is it too tight or too loose? With a little testing, you’ll find the perfect buddy for your blistering rides all summer long!

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FAQs About the Best Hot Weather Jacket for Riding