The Lid Test

The Best Motorcycle Jackets

A jacket is your torso's crash protection and your defense against the weather. Three picks split by climate — mesh, waterproof and value — compared on CE armor and airflow.

By Stephen V.Last verified How we compare

There is no single best motorcycle jacket—there’s the best jacket for the weather you actually ride in. A mesh jacket that’s perfect for August is miserable in a March downpour, and a waterproof touring shell that saves you in the rain will cook you in peak heat. So rather than crown one winner, we’ve picked the best in three distinct lanes: a high-airflow summer jacket, a genuinely waterproof touring jacket, and a value three-season option.

Whatever the climate, the protection standard is the same, and it’s what we ranked on: the CE armor (which protectors are included, and to what level), the garment’s abrasion rating (EN 17092 class), the material, and a live price. One thing to watch across all three: the back protector is often a separate purchase—the jacket ships with a pocket for it, not the protector itself. Budget for one. Our ATGATT guide explains the armor levels in detail.

How this is funded:we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which helmet we recommend, and we’ll tell you plainly when a cheaper or lighter one is the better buy. Full disclosure.

Quick picks

Ranked on our spec score — certification, weight, features and value. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We have not tested these helmets; here is exactly how we compare them instead.

#HelmetBest forOur scorePrice
1
Alpinestars T-GP Plus R V4 Airflow

Alpinestars T-GP Plus R V4 Airflow

The sensible warm-weather sport jacket: extensive chest and back mesh for airflow, Nucleon Flex Plus shoulder and elbow armor already fitted, and a CE-certified (EN 17092 Class A) shell. It's Tech-Air airbag-ready too, which few jackets at this price are.

Best overall (summer)8.4
$319.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
Scorpion EXO Optima

Scorpion EXO Optima

The genuinely-waterproof value touring jacket. A seam-sealed laminate shell keeps rain out without a separate rain layer, and a removable EverHeat thermal liner stretches it into cold weather — three seasons in one jacket for around $250.

Best waterproof touring8.2
3
Joe Rocket Atomic 5.0

Joe Rocket Atomic 5.0

The do-it-all budget textile jacket: waterproof-treated shell, CE armor at the shoulders and elbows plus a removable spine pad, adjustable vents and a zip-out insulated liner. One jacket that stretches across three seasons for around $200.

Best value three-season7.9
$199.00 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

The picks in full

#1Best overall (summer)Our score8.4

Alpinestars T-GP Plus R V4 Airflow

The sensible warm-weather sport jacket: extensive chest and back mesh for airflow, Nucleon Flex Plus shoulder and elbow armor already fitted, and a CE-certified (EN 17092 Class A) shell. It's Tech-Air airbag-ready too, which few jackets at this price are.

Strengths

  • Nucleon Flex Plus shoulder and elbow armor included; CE-certified garment (EN 17092-4, Class A)
  • Extensive chest, back and lower-sleeve mesh for genuine hot-weather airflow
  • Compatible with Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 and Tech-Air 3 airbag systems

Trade-offs

  • Mesh construction is not waterproof or cold-weather rated
  • Back and chest protectors are sold separately
MaterialTextile (450D poly-fabric with mesh and perforated panels)
ArmorNucleon Flex Plus shoulder + elbow; DFS Lite sliders; back/chest protector pockets; garment CE EN 17092-4 Class A
WaterproofNo
Best forWarm-weather sport and commuter riders who want airflow with real CE protection

Notable. High-airflow mesh; included CE armor; Tech-Air airbag-ready

Specs read from the manufacturer / retailer listing, on July 19, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#2Best waterproof touringOur score8.2

Scorpion EXO Optima

The genuinely-waterproof value touring jacket. A seam-sealed laminate shell keeps rain out without a separate rain layer, and a removable EverHeat thermal liner stretches it into cold weather — three seasons in one jacket for around $250.

Strengths

  • Fully seam-sealed 100% waterproof/breathable laminate outer — no separate rain shell needed
  • CE-rated Exo-Tec shoulder and elbow armor, plus a removable EverHeat thermal liner
  • Two waterproof Direct Core Ventilation vents for airflow when it's dry

Trade-offs

  • Back protector is a separate purchase (the pocket is there for it)
  • Laminate touring jacket — bulkier and warmer than a summer mesh in peak heat
MaterialTextile (seam-sealed waterproof laminate)
ArmorCE Exo-Tec shoulder + elbow; back protector pocket (protector sold separately)
WaterproofYes
Best forCommuters and tourers who ride in the rain and want one three-season jacket

Notable. Seam-sealed waterproof laminate; waterproof vents; removable thermal liner

Specs read from the manufacturer / retailer listing, on July 19, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#3Best value three-seasonOur score7.9

Joe Rocket Atomic 5.0

The do-it-all budget textile jacket: waterproof-treated shell, CE armor at the shoulders and elbows plus a removable spine pad, adjustable vents and a zip-out insulated liner. One jacket that stretches across three seasons for around $200.

Strengths

  • Waterproof-treated Rock Tex shell with a removable insulated liner for cooler rides
  • CE armor at shoulders and elbows plus a removable spine pad; EN 17092-A certified garment
  • Cross Linked Ventilation and a 6-point adjustment system for fit

Trade-offs

  • Exact CE armor levels aren't stated on the maker's page (only 'CE approved')
  • Value construction — not the abrasion budget of a premium jacket
MaterialTextile (waterproof-treated Rock Tex / Hitena)
ArmorCE armor shoulders + elbows + removable spine; EN 17092-A garment
WaterproofYes
Best forNew and budget riders who want one three-season jacket that handles rain

Notable. Waterproof shell; removable insulated liner; Cross Linked Ventilation

Specs read from the manufacturer / retailer listing, on July 19, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

How to choose a motorcycle jacket

Start with your climate, not the photo. If you ride mostly in heat, a meshjacket like the Alpinestars T-GP Plus R V4 flows air where a leather or laminate jacket traps it—and it still carries real CE armor. If you ride in the rain, a seam-sealed waterproof jacket like the Scorpion EXO Optima keeps you dry without a separate rain layer, and a zip-out thermal liner stretches it into cold weather. If you want one jacket for everything on a budget, a three-season textile like the Joe Rocket Atomic 5.0 splits the difference.

Check what armor is actually included.A good jacket comes with CE-rated shoulder and elbow armor fitted from the box. The back protector is frequently sold separately—don’t assume it’s in there. Where a maker only says “CE approved” without stating the level, we note that; a stated EN 17092 class and EN 1621 armor level is a stronger, checkable claim.

Airbag-ready is a real future-proofing feature.The Alpinestars T-GP Plus R V4 is compatible with Tech-Air airbag systems—you can add the airbag later without buying a new jacket. If you think you might go that route, buying an airbag-compatible jacket now is worth it.

Frequently asked questions

Is leather or textile better for a motorcycle jacket?

Leather is the abrasion benchmark and looks the part, but it's heavy, hot, and useless in the rain. Modern textile and laminate jackets get very close on abrasion (check the EN 17092 class), add real weatherproofing and ventilation, and carry the same CE armor. For most riders in most climates, a good textile jacket is the more practical choice — which is why all three picks here are textile.

What CE armor should a motorcycle jacket have?

At minimum, CE-rated shoulder and elbow protectors, which good jackets include from the box. A back protector is the piece most often left out — the jacket usually ships with a pocket for one you buy separately, and it's worth the money. Armor is rated Level 1 or the higher Level 2 under EN 1621; the whole garment is rated for abrasion under EN 17092 from Class A up to AAA.

Do I need a waterproof motorcycle jacket?

It depends on your climate. If you ride through rain regularly, a seam-sealed waterproof jacket like the Scorpion EXO Optima saves you from a soaked, cold ride without a separate rain shell. If you ride mostly in heat and dry conditions, a mesh jacket that flows air is more comfortable, and you can carry a packable rain layer for the rare wet day.

Does a motorcycle jacket come with a back protector?

Often not — many jackets include shoulder and elbow armor but ship with only a pocket for the back protector, which you buy separately. Always check the listing. Given the back protector guards your spine, it's one of the most worthwhile add-ons, and we'd budget for it whenever it isn't included.

Sources

  • Alpinestars — The maker behind most of our gear picks — published materials, CE armor and garment certifications (accessed July 19, 2026)
  • RevZilla Common Tread — RevZilla's editorial hub — gear explainers and how CE armor and EN 17092 garment ratings work (accessed July 19, 2026)

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