Rain Riding

How to Stay Dry Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain: Fix the Leak Points

Most riders who arrive soaked were not wearing bad gear. They had water running in at the collar, down the sleeves or up through the seat. Waterproof fabric only works if the openings are sealed and the layers overlap in the right direction. Here is how to fix each leak point.

The one principle: shingle your layers

A roof keeps water out because each shingle overlaps the one below it. Rain gear works the same way. Water runs down your body and is pushed backward and up by the wind. Every place where one piece of gear meets another needs the upper piece on the outside, overlapping the lower piece, so water runs over the joint rather than into it.

That sounds simple, but it is easy to get wrong when you are dressing in a hurry at the side of the road. Pants tucked into boots, gloves under sleeves the wrong way, a jacket collar left open: each one is a funnel.

Leak point 1: the neck

The neck is where most riders get wet first. Rain runs off the helmet onto the collar, and wind drives it down your chest.

• Close the collar fully and snug it up. Many rain jackets have a collar adjuster.
• Add a neck seal. A waterproof neck gaiter or a helmet skirt that drapes over the collar sends water outside the jacket. A chin curtain on the helmet reduces water and wind coming up from underneath.
• Use the helmet's own seal. A neck roll and a closed chin curtain help. See chin curtain vs neck roll.
• Avoid a cotton scarf. It soaks up water and wicks it right down your chest.

Leak point 2: the wrists

Gloves and sleeves are where water gets in fastest, because your arms point forward into the rain and your hands are the lowest point of the arm on many bikes. There are two schools:

Think about where water flows on your bike, then pick. Whichever you choose, close both cuffs tightly. Our guide to gauntlet vs short-cuff gloves goes deeper. Waterproof overmitts are another option for heavy rain; see glove liners and overmitts.

Leak point 3: the seat and crotch

When you sit on a wet seat, water pools around you and gets pushed into seams by your weight and the vibration of the bike. Many riders who stay dry everywhere else end up with a soaked crotch.

• Choose rain pants with a well-sealed crotch seam, or a one-piece rain suit, which has no gap at the waist.
• Wipe the seat before you sit, and avoid sitting in a puddle on the seat.
• Overlap the jacket over the pants, with a long enough hem that it does not ride up when you reach for the bars.

The one-piece versus two-piece choice is a trade-off. One-piece suits seal better at the waist; two-piece suits are easier to put on and let you wear just the jacket when needed. Our roundup of rain suits and overgear covers both styles.

Leak point 4: the boot tops

• Pants over boots, always. Tucking pants into boots channels water straight down into your socks.
• Use rain pants with wide, adjustable leg openings so they fit over boots and close snugly.
• Consider boot covers if your boots are not waterproof. They are cheaper than new boots but can be slippery when walking.
• Check the boot's waterproof height. Some boots are only waterproof up to a certain point on the shaft.

Browse motorcycle boot covers on Amazon, or look at waterproof boots if you ride in rain often.

Membranes, liners and overgear: which works best

There are three ways riding gear handles rain, and each has a typical behaviour.

See Gore-Tex vs budget waterproofing for how membranes compare in general terms.

Seeing in the rain

Staying dry is pointless if you cannot see. Rain brings two visor problems: fog on the inside and beading on the outside.

• Inside: a Pinlock or similar anti-fog insert is the most reliable fix. Open the vents and crack the visor slightly at low speed. See anti-fog treatments and Pinlock inserts.
• Outside: a hydrophobic treatment can help water bead and roll off at speed. Use only products the visor maker says are safe for its coatings.
• Glove wiper: many gloves have a rubber squeegee on the left index finger for wiping the visor.
• No dark tint in the rain. Rain means low light. Use a clear visor.

Rain-ready checklist

• Clear visor fitted, anti-fog insert in place
• Collar closed, neck gaiter or helmet skirt over the collar
• Jacket hem over the pants waist, waist adjusters snug
• Glove cuffs chosen for your riding position and closed tight
• Spare dry gloves in a waterproof bag
• Pants over boots, leg openings closed
• Phone and documents in a dry bag or sealed pocket
• Hi-vis layer or reflective panels visible over rain gear (see hi-vis gear)

After the ride

Hang wet gear somewhere with airflow, open all vents and zips, and take out removable liners to dry separately. Avoid high heat on leather and membranes. Stuff boots with newspaper or use a low-heat boot dryer. If your gear has a durable water repellent (DWR) finish and has started soaking through on the outside, the care label may recommend washing and reproofing; follow the maker's instructions.

Bottom line

Rain gear fails at the joints, not the fabric. Think like a roofer: everything overlaps downward and outward, every opening is closed, and you carry a spare pair of gloves. Do that and a wet ride becomes just another ride.

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