Summer is the time to have fun and enjoy life. However, as a biker, you should keep safety as a top priority with a helmet and other equipment.
We know – the last thing you want in hot summer days is to wear a helmet and a jacket. Still, it’s what can save your skin and even head in case of an accident.
Luckily, you don’t have to wear the same safety equipment in summer and winter. There are plenty of great motorcycle jackets for summer to choose from depending on your style, needs, and preferences.
Continue reading to learn about some of the best jackets and stay tuned for a little buyer’s guide that can help you pick one of them.
10 Top Rated Summer Motorcycle Riding Jackets Reviewed
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|
Viking Cycle Warlock for Men  | Viking Cycle Warlock for Men Size: XS - XXXXL Protection: Chest pads, a spine pad, shoulder and elbow armor | Check Price |
Viking Cycle Warlock for Women  | Viking Cycle Warlock for Women Size: XS - XXXXL Protection: CE elbow, shoulder & spine armor | Check Price |
Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0  | Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 Size: S - XXXXXL Protection: Spine pad, sculpted high density padding at ribs, kidneys and lower back | Check Price |
HHR HWK  | HHR HWK Size: S - XXXXXL Protection: CE approved armours on the back, elbows & shoulders | Check Price |
HHR Mesh  | HHR Mesh Size: S - XXXXL Protection: CE approved armours on the back, elbows & shoulders | Check Price |
Joe Rocket Atomic  | Joe Rocket Atomic Size: S - XXXXXL Protection: Removable spine armor with pocket for optional C.E. spine protector | Check Price |
Joe Rocket Velocity  | Joe Rocket Velocity Size: S - XXXL Protection: 6-point SureFit custom adjustment system | Check Price |
Joe Rocket Cleo 2.2  | Joe Rocket Cleo 2.2 Size: S - XXXL Protection: C.E. approved armor at the shoulders and elbows | Check Price |
HHR Women's  | HHR Women's Size: L -X XXXL Protection: CE approved armours on the back, elbows & shoulders | Check Price |
ILM  | ILM Size: S -XXL Protection: Removable C.E. approved armor in spine & elbows, back, chest and kidney armor | Check Price |
Viking Cycle Warlock for Men - Editor's Choice
This Warlock jacket is breathable yet protective. It has a cooling mesh shell that covers your back, torso, and arms. The mesh keeps you cool during hot summer weather.
It has reflective back and front, so you’re that much more visible to others. Also, the jacket features chest pads for some added protection.
It has spine pads and armor meant to protect you in case you fall off the bike. There’s also the pocket for additional spine protectors if you need them. Keep in mind that its shoulder and elbow armor, as well as all protection, is approved from C.E.
In addition, it features two pockets on the outside and several on the inside. This way, you can keep all your stuff safe and within your reach.
The jacket has adjustable arrangements, so it’s comfortable and easy to wear. It comes in several sizes and colors.
PROS
- Has hidden pockets
- Features armor and protective pads
- Has a pocket for your phone
CONS
- Sizing is a bit off
Viking Cycle Warlock for Women - Editor's Choice
Much like the men’s model, the women’s is easy and comfortable to use. It’s fitted with C.E. approved elbow, spine and shoulder armor which has passed several impact tests.
It features a 6-point Sure Fit adjustment system that ensures the jacket fits your body comfortably. Another thing that adds to comfort is the ventilation system. It allows you to ride in the hottest weather by retaining cold air while pushing heat out.
It’s waterproof treated meaning you won’t be wet if you find yourself in the downpour. It has removable insulated full-sleeve liners that help keep you warm in case a sudden chilly day.
For added safety, Viking Cycle added reflective stripes which make you even more visible to other drivers on the road.
PROS
- Several sizes and colors
- Removable liners
- Plenty of pockets
CONS
- Sizes run small
Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 - Great Mesh Option
This one features FreeAir poly-mesh shell that’s reinforced with RockTex at the ribs, elbows, and shoulders. It also features C.E. approved armor at the elbows and shoulders.
It has a removable spine pad with pockets where you can fit optional spine armor if you need it. At kidneys, lower back and ribs, the jacket features sculpted high-density padding.
It comes with a removable waterproof liner that attaches via zipper. On top of that, its 6-point SureFit adjustment system and snap loops allow a more comfortable fit.
In addition, this one has two outside hand-warmer pockets, extended back and internal breast pockets for added comfort. It comes with a pocket for eyeglasses and reflective stripes for a safer experience.
PROS
- Reinforced
- Has plenty of pockets
- Reflective design
CONS
- Pads might come loose after a while
HHR HWK - Best Versatility
If you’re looking for versatility, this one might be among the best choices. The first thing you should note is that it comes in several sizes, some of which are quite large.
This is an all-season jacket that’s versatile enough to work in both summer and winter. It’s rugged but still comfortable; warm in winter and cool in summer. (Or, if you’re planning on putting your bike away, learn how to winterize your motorcycle.)
It features removable C.E. approved armors at elbows, back and shoulder. The Reissa membrane makes it waterproof and safe to use in the rain.
What makes it suitable for summer is the mesh lining on the inside. This mesh material is breathable and ideal for hot and humid days and nights. It also comes with a removable thermal lining that’s meant for winter use as it keeps you warm during long-hour rides.
PROS
- Versatile linings
- Plenty of sizes
- Waterproof
CONS
- The zipper is a bit tricky to start
HHR Mesh - Best Technical Style
This HHR Mesh jacket is among the best ones for summer. It’s made with micromesh and 600D Cordura construction for added safety and comfort.
It features removable C.E. approved armors on the elbows, back and shoulders. All armors and the jackets itself is breathable and comfortable to wear hours on end. However, it’s not waterproof and won’t do much to protect you from rain.
You should note that the jacket has a proper ceiling of micro and macro mesh membrane. This allows breathability and comfort at all times. The mesh lining underneath is C.E. approved just as well.
It features two snap peaks, and you can even wear some goggles with it if you like. The sizes run a bit bigger so make sure to go one size up when selecting your fit.
PROS
- Attractive design
- Breathable mesh
- Protective padding
CONS
- Sizes run slightly too big
Joe Rocket Atomic - Best Color Range
Joe Rocket is among the best brands to opt for when looking for a summer jacket. Its Atomic model is versatile and easy to use, which makes it a solid choice for hot weather.
The outer shell is made of waterproof-treated Rock Tex and Hitena for added resistance and durability. It’s what stands between you and road in case of impact, so it’s great that it’s as rugged and strong.
It has C.E. armors in elbows and shoulders that are easily accessible if you ever need to remove or replace them. The spine armor is removable, and there’s also a pocket for optional spine protector should you need one.
Its Variable Flow ventilation system has waterproof zippers. For added ventilation, the Atomic features Cross-Linked ventilation and Wind Tunnel cooling.
PROS
- Super-breathable
- Easily accessible padding
- Can endure some rain though not fully waterproof
CONS
- Not the most durable stitching
Joe Rocket Velocity - Best Sleek Design for Men
The Velocity is a popular model from the well-known brand. It comes in several sizes and colors for you to choose from depending on your style and preferences.
What most people like about this one is its simple design. Even if you opt for some of the bright colors, the jacket still seems quite sleek and stylish.
It has a 6-point SureFit adjustment system that allows you to customize the fit to some extent. Still, you have to get the proper size since the adjustment system can only do so much.
The jacket features two outside pockets and only one on the inside. This is a bit disappointing since most Joe Rocket models have several pockets throughout the garment.
On the other hand, this one has extended back and a few belt loops for pant attachments.
PROS
- Reflective stripes
- Fit adjustment system
- Stylish design
CONS
- Shoulder pads might be a bit too tight
Joe Rocket Cleo 2.2 - Best Sleek Design for Women
If you’re looking for a women’s jacket with the sleekest design, you might want to consider the Cleo 2.2 jacket. It’s also made by Joe Rocket, and it delivers all the quality expected from its product.
It comes with FreeAir mesh torso and back for breathability and comfort in warm weather. Shoulders and arms are reinforced with textile for some added durability against wear and tear.
Shoulders and elbows feature C.E. approved armor for protection. These are easily accessible and easy to remove if you ever need to. Its spine pad is also removable, but keep in mind there’s also the pocket for optional C.E. approved spine protector.
Another thing worth noting is the removable waterproof liner. It helps if you get stuck in the rain, though it might not keep you entirely dry if you’re out for a long time.
PROS
- Stylish design
- 9-point SureFit adjustment system
- Several sizes available
CONS
- It could be a bit too tight around neck and shoulder areas
HHR Women's - Best Waterproof for Women
This women’s jacket is among the best waterproof models currently on the market. It also has a stylish design, but it’s much more waterproof than the most. If you live where summers are rainy, you might want to consider this one.
Technically, this is all-weather jacket since it has mesh lining for summer and thermal lining for winter. It has back, elbow, and shoulder armors that are C.E. approved and removable.
Also, it’s made of 600D Cordura, so it’s rugged and durable, but still comfortable and soft. Because it’s lined with Reissa Membrane, the jacket is fully waterproof and will keep you dry in the rain.
Its mesh lining underneath offers supreme breathability that’s crucial in summer. It also comes with a removable winter thermal liner that’s meant to keep you warm in cold weather.
PROS
- Plenty of sizes
- Stylish design
- Comfortable fit
CONS
- Too long for cruiser riders
ILM - Best Unisex
If you want a design to work for both men and women, you should check out this ILM jacket. It’s among the best unisex options due to its adjustable fit and neutral design.
It has a unique ventilation system that’s ideal for hot summer weather. Its outer shell is waterproof, which is excellent if you live in a rainy area.
The jacket is quite versatile since you can also use it in summer. Precisely, it comes with a thermal quilted liner that’s meant to keep you warm when you ride in cold weather.
For protection, it features removable C.E. approved spine and elbows armors as well as extra external back, chest, shoulder and kidney armors.
This one also has reflective white stripes for enhanced visibility and protection.
PROS
- Several sizes
- Fits men and women
- For summer and winter
CONS
- Sizes run small
Buyer's Guide for Hot Weather Jackets
Buying a summer jacket might seem simple, but it’s a bit trickier than that. In other words, it’s essential to consider a few things before opting for a particular model to be sure you’ve made the right choice.
A good jacket should be breathable and cool enough for hot weather. If it’s too warm, it will be uncomfortable which will then result in you not wearing it.
To prevent this from happening, we prepared a little buyer’s guide packed with info you should know before buying any of the models we reviewed.
Protection and Safety
Motorcycle jackets have a safety purpose, and it’s to protect your torso, chest, kidneys, spine, shoulders, and arms as best as possible. No other factor should be your priority over safety, so make sure to consider it well before opting for a particular jacket.
A protective jacket should come with back, elbow, and shoulder armors. It would be good if it had reinforced chest and ribs protectors and some extra pads.
The more pads and armors it has, the safer it is. However, keep comfort in mind since some armors are more comfortable than others. Though you might think comfort doesn’t matter, it does as it has a significant impact on whether you’d wear the jacket or not.
You might also want to consider a model that’s waterproof or at least water-resistant. Such a model is especially useful in protecting you during long summer showers by keeping you as dry as possible.
Breathability and Ventilation
In most cases, summer jackets feature a mesh lining for breathability. However, this might not be sufficient, depending on how hot your summers are.
Look for a jacket that’s made of breathable materials that are still durable. Make sure it has a few ventilation points as well as removable liners for adjustment and customization.
Keep in mind that padding is what protects you the most, but it’s also what might make you feel a tad too warm.
Lightweight
Summer jackets are typically lightweight, which is great when it comes to comfort. Weight isn’t such a big of an issue because the materials are usually quite thin.
The padding might make a difference, but still, summer jackets don’t weigh nearly as much as those made for cold weather.
Comfort and Fit
If your jacket is uncomfortable, it’s unlikely you’ll ever want to wear it. For this reason, think of comfort equally as important as safety and protection.
Keeping you comfortable and protected during hot summer days is something only a quality jacket can do. The first thing to consider when looking for a comfortable model is its ventilation system.
Look for thin materials and breathability. Airflow is achieved in different ways we already discussed, but make sure not to overlook it because it will affect overall comfort.
Another equally as important factor to consider is the fit. Look for a model that has several fitting points that allow you to adjust and customize the way it fits you to at least some extent. Also, make sure to measure yourself well because that’s the only way to get the sizing right.
Style
Aesthetics is important to all of us, and luckily, there are plenty of different styles and colors to choose from in summer jackets. Still, make sure style, and aesthetics don’t come at the price of comfort and safety.
Additional Features
The most useful additional features to consider are extra pockets. A jacket with plenty of pockets is versatile and might even eliminate the need for a bag. Hidden pockets are ideal for keeping important documents and money in a safe place.
Reflective features are also worth considering since those enhance your visibility and safety on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is perforated leather a cool option for summer?
It’s a good choice as it’s more breathable than classic leather. Its perforation should allow breezy and comfortable rides even in the warmest days.
Conclusion
Having a quality jacket is critical for your safety when riding. Such a garment protects your entire torso, arms, and shoulders, so it’s worth taking time to look into.
As you noticed, there are plenty of models on the market for you to choose from depending on your style. Though you should consider all the factors we mentioned in our Buyer’s Guide, you should always have safety and comfort as your top priority.
Your best bet is to go for a jacket that’s comfortable to use in warm weather while still effective in keeping you safe at all times.
