Motorcycle Rain Gear: How to Stay Dry on Canadian Roads

In short: For commuting and day rides, waterproof motorcycle gear with a membrane is enough. On long trips or in hours of heavy rain, add a lightweight two-piece rain suit in the same size as your riding gear. Add waterproof gloves, and wear your pants over your boots.

If you ride in Canada, you ride in the rain. Spring showers, coastal drizzle on the West Coast, thunderstorms on a summer afternoon in Ontario. The question isn't whether you will get wet, it's whether your gear can keep up. This guide explains how waterproof motorcycle gear works, when you need a separate rain suit and how to keep hands and feet dry too.

Waterproof vs water-resistant

• Water-resistant gear, like waxed cotton, sheds light rain for a while. In a long downpour, water gets through.
• Waterproof gear uses a membrane that keeps water out completely, while letting moisture from your body escape. That breathability is what keeps you from getting wet from the inside.

Two ways to build a waterproof jacket

Z-Liner: The membrane sits between the outer fabric and the inner lining. The outer fabric can stay soft and classic-looking, for example waxed Cordura®/cotton. In heavy rain the outer fabric can soak up water and get heavier, but the membrane keeps you dry. Our Moto 65 Riding Jacket and Pants use a Sympatex® Z-Liner.

3-layer laminate: The membrane is bonded directly to the outer fabric. The outside can't soak up water, so the garment stays lighter and dries faster. This is why laminated gear is popular for long-distance touring. Our Endurance Jacket and Pants use a 3-layer Cordura® ripstop laminate.

We explain both constructions in more detail in our weather guide.

Do you need a rain suit over waterproof gear?

For everyday riding, a waterproof jacket and pants are enough. On long tours or in heavy, hours-long rain, many riders carry a lightweight rain suit as well. Worn over your riding gear, it adds a second barrier, keeps the outer fabric from getting soaked and blocks wind chill.

The Swamp Rain Jacket and Swamp Rain Pants are made for exactly that:

• Elastic 3-layer fabric that fits closely over riding gear and doesn't flap in the wind
• Fully waterproof and windproof, breathable to reduce moisture inside
• Light and compact enough to live in a pannier or tank bag
• Full-length side zips on the pants, so you can pull them on over boots
• Men's and women's fits

Sizing tip: choose the same size as your riding jacket and pants.

Keep your hands dry

A dry body doesn't help much if your hands are wet and cold. Wet gloves cost grip, feel and concentration. The Stormrider Gloves and the Moto 65 Gloves both use a waterproof, breathable Sympatex® membrane. The Moto 65 also has a visor wiper on the index finger. More in our guide to motorcycle gloves.

Tips for riding in the rain

• Put the rain layer on before it starts. Getting dressed on the shoulder in a downpour means you are already wet.
• Close every vent and zip, and tuck jacket cuffs over or under gloves so water runs off, not in.
• Pants over boots, not inside them, so water doesn't run straight into your boots.
• Increase your following distance and brake gently. Painted lines, metal and the first rain after a dry spell are slippery.
• Dry gear properly after the ride: hang it up at room temperature, never on a heater.

Frequently asked questions

Can motorcycle gear really be waterproof?

Yes. Gear with a waterproof membrane keeps rain out. On very long rides in heavy rain, the outer fabric of non-laminated gear can get saturated, which is why touring riders often add a rain suit.

Should I buy a one-piece or two-piece rain suit?

A two-piece rain jacket and pants are easier to put on at the roadside and more flexible: you can wear just the jacket on a cool, windy day.

How do I keep waterproof gear working?

Wash it according to the care label and keep it clean. Dirt and oils can reduce breathability. Waxed outer fabrics can be re-treated with a suitable wax spray.

The bottom line

Rain doesn't have to end the ride. Choose waterproof gear that fits how you ride, add a packable rain suit for long trips and don't forget your hands. Then the next shower is just part of the journey.

Explore all motorcycle rain gear.