I'll go along with everything said above. It all leaks, none of it is particularly well-designed, and the stuff which is at least well-constructed (with various faults) is obscenely expensive. Besides all that, you're looking for a balance between shedding weather and ventilating well, and the balance point shifts according to where and when you'll be riding. Anything fairly weatherproof is going to roast you in the tropics; anything fairly cool is going to let you down in changeable mountain weather or during all-day rides in European rains.

In large measure your job as consumer is to decide what you want to emphasize--ventilation, weatherproofing, price, fall-protection, styling.... I've come down strongly on the side of weather protection (expensive Aerostich Darien tops and bottoms with secondary layers of cheap backpacker rainsuit), but on a long trip which included several months straight in the tropics I wondered about my sanity every day. On the other hand, there were times on the altiplano or in northern Europe during the fall (and southern Europe during winter) when I was damn glad I wasn't wearing mesh and I had that second "waterproof" layer.

One last point: I sure don't wear black if I'm going to be anyplace hot. Grey is the darkest color I'll do--helmet, jacket, pants. This makes the difference in hot weather between almost tolerable and absolutely intolerable.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Thanks Mark, I'm definitely looking for a light helmet (flip up with blue tooth so I can listen to my MP3) and have looked at greys and beiges for clothing. I'm tending to agree with you on the rainsuit, there are some lightweight ones that fold up to a bum bag size (fanny packs in the US I think). No doubt I'll find something - in a rush just before my flight or at the dealers when I pick up the bike!!!

John - oldrider

If you can find BMW rallye pro 2 for decent money you`ve cracked it. Best gear I`ve used and I got my whole kit new for 550

All my gear is waterproof and it all leaks I have had BMW First Gear Olympia moto sport Sidi and Redwing kit, got wet in all of it.

As far as best depends on who you ask But you may want to look at Motoport . Made of kevlar and impact pads. For the price they better be good and they say it is waterproof. Seen it and it looks good if a bit odd. After a few weeks it "brakes in" stops looking stiff. The man behind it is a bit proud of his stuff and dose not like any one questioning him. Seen that posted about him but I do not know my self.

I think I've solved the ventilation/ waterproof problem with my Matador jacket.
Full review here
I've just finished 3 months around Europe from 30+ degrees in southern France to freezing up the Swiss Alps.
I haven't tested it overland but the vents make it a genuine summer/winter jacket.
AUD$250 from the Aussie importer

Rukka (but it aint cheap!).......best kit i have found in hot or cold climates.

Seajay.

BMW, Revit, Held, Rukka, Klim all make outstanding gear at premium prices. Alot of that gear is "one decent getoff and done". But you'll be well-protected. Nearly all of it can ventilate between very well and excellent.

I've had an Aerostich since '93. Needs updating badly but it's good quality. LOUSY ventilation.

Motoport . . . now that's another thing. That's all I wear anymore. The stretch kevlar offers excellent ventilation, better looks than the mesh (it's a low bar !), the new stuff does not absorb UV (so it doesn't show road grime and isn't an oven) and . . . a getoff is often leaves little or no sign ! You can find lots of stories about ambulance teams having considerable difficulty cutting off a motoport suit (in the case of a compound fracture - something a suit can't really protect against). Unparalleled soft tissue protection without any of the considerable drawbacks of leather.

For the price of all of this gear Motoport offers the best value. Custom made, if necessary and it lasts "forever". It lacks features and does not look great. The quad armor is bulky and heavy and I don't recommend it for travelers but the "normal" Tri-Armor really has no peer elsewhere.

Waterproof ? Motoport is better because what happens to the nylon/polyester suits is that eventually the moisture is absorbed by the outer shell and then the vapor-passing lining can't work properly. The kevlar doesn't absorb water and a Motoport dries VERY fast, even in cool, cloudy environments. Ultimately, one should carry a rain suit for endless deluges. BMW ProRain3 suit is amazing and not that expensive.

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Orange, it's the new black.

Check out this special deal at mad4bikes in the UK.

Jacket, trousers and even a balaclava, all for for under 100 quid posted.

Never heard of Armr but just got mine today and there's certainly a 100 quid's worth of riding suit in there. More details and impressions on my www here and a proper rain test later.

Chris S

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

I've had my Rukka Goretex Jacket with removable lining for nigh on 7 years, and it 's been out in all sorts. It's never leaked, ( even after 100kms in a storm) it's very comfortable, been cleaned a few times, and just keeps going. Best bit of kit I ever bought. Not expensive if you consider the wear you get out of it. I'm assuming Rukka trs are the same, but I only ever wear leather trs with a pair of waterproof over trousers if needed.

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-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)

I would agree with Seajay and Pongo, Rukka is the way to go even tho it is on the pricey side.
I have the Rukka Gobi jacket and Kalahari trousers, the removable gortex liners are handy for heat regulation and when its wet the are excellent at keeping the wet out provided you wear the gortex neck flap!!

They are tough ,durable and versatile with plenty of pockets on the jacket and good armor protection.

My only observation with the Gobi jacket is ,that if you do decide to purchase ,go for a size larger that you normally would. Because I find when its cold and im wearing the the gortex liner and i have to add insulating layers ,the inner liner wont zip the whole way up and also it makes the jacket a tight fit with the added clothing.