Meet the Best Women’s Cold-Weather Motorcycle Riding Gear
Though this story is about winter motorcycle gear, it starts in the spring.
I use the term spring loosely because in the Midwest, the first day of Spring officially falls around March 20th, but it doesn’t really start to feel like spring until at least mid-April. We’ve been known to get snow as late as April, so why I was fooled by the temptation of a road trip in 70-degree weather is beyond me.
The thing is, I’ve never been a fair-weather rider; in fact, one of my very first solo trips on the bike was on wet pavement. I’ve ridden through downpours in the middle of the night with no cars cutting tracks for me. I’ve arrived after said downpour, only to immediately hear the most outlandish and unbelievable squish as I swing my leg over my bike to hop off and finally get out of the rain.
I’ve been there, overheating in a traffic jam in a heat dome on a 100-degree day in the middle of 285 in Atlanta. During my trip to Sturgis, I took a ride out to the Badlands in South Dakota on a 112-degree day that had me praying to the motorcycle gods that neither I nor ole reliable would overheat. At one point, I even considered stopping at a cattle watering hole just to refill my bottle and dump some water on the air-cooled jugs that, at the time, felt like the surface of a thousand burning suns.
The thing is, none of that compares to the absolute insanity of riding home for 6.5 hours in 40-degree, overcast weather at freeway speeds. The depth of the cold I experienced was so severe that I’m convinced it altered my DNA forever.
So, dear reader, that’s what brings me here today. I don’t want you to suffer in the same way that I did; I want you to be able to avoid the soul-crushing ache of your knuckles going numb in the cold wind. And the easiest way to do that is by doing what I never did: learning about the best cold-weather motorcycle riding gear and how to layer it to keep you warm and dry, no matter how many miles you’re putting down that day.
Let’s get into it.
Why Cold-Weather Gear Matters
Although this may sound a bit odd, proper winter riding gear isn’t just about staying warm; it’s essential for the mental, physical, and psychological aspects of riding.
As someone who rode long enough in the cold without the proper gear, I can promise you the physical and mental toll was enormous.
It didn’t take long before I started struggling with the finesse of the hand controls. My usually smooth clutching and rev-matching started to feel clunky and awkward because my fingers just weren’t moving the way I needed them to. What gear am I in? Oh, right - third. Should I shift up or down? The freezing temps made my brain so sluggish and laggy that I started to feel like I probably shouldn’t be riding anymore.
As the day progressed and we lost what little sun we had in the morning hours, the temperature dipped as we moved further north. After four hours, I was having trouble opening my hips all the way to get off the bike in a way that didn’t make it look like I was built out of popsicle sticks.
With about an hour and a half left, what little psychological strength I had left was quickly fading. I wasn’t only physically limited by the cold, but my mental state was suffering too.
At some point, I hopped off the bike. I was sitting in the front seat of the sports car (that my husband smartly chose as his vehicle for our motorsports adventure) with hot tears rolling down my face and all the doubt in the world that I would be able to mentally survive the last leg of this trip. As I held my frozen hands over the defrost on the dashboard, I was bound and determined to keep going.
But it was in that moment that I swore never to let this happen again. I was going to learn how to master the art of layering winter motorcycle gear. Because honestly, that ride was full of suffering, and riding shouldn’t be like that. It should be a wild, grand adventure where you can focus on enjoying the myriad of sensations that accompany it.
The Connection Between Riding Speed & the Temperature
If we’re going to be all science-y about it, there are two terms you should know: actual air temperature and perceived or apparent temperature. And while you may not have heard of the concept of apparent temperature, you probably see it regularly when you open your weather app on your phone; it’s that little “feels like” temperature indicator that you’ll see below the main temperature.
Many factors (like humidity) affect how we humans perceive the outdoor temperature, but one matters more than others: wind speed.
Or, as meteorologists call it, wind chill.
And while this can be a wonderful break during those periods of stifling, stagnant heat when you’re on the highway in the summertime, wind chill can be a real vibe killer in the cooler months when it steals away your precious warmth that’s keeping your fingers responsive and head in the game.
On average, for every 1 mph of speed you gain, the apparent temperature drops about 2 degrees. So by the time you hit 60 - 70 mph on the freeway, that 50-degree day now feels like a bone-chilling 38 degrees. 🥶
Cold Weather Gear Layering Tips from Someone Who’s Been There
Please, please, fellow rider - do not make the same cold-weather gear-layering mistakes that I did. Don’t assume that layering fuzzy sweatpants between your riding jeans and rain gear is going to carry you through the wind chill. Don’t assume that those cheap-o winter motorcycle gloves are going to block out the wind.
Instead, learn from my rookie mistakes and use these tips for layering cold-weather riding gear that’ll keep you dry and toasty, wherever the road takes you:
Tip 1: Sweat Is Your Enemy
Sweating is relatively uncommon in the animal world, so we humans possess a unique ability to regulate our internal temperature by sweating out moisture. Once we start sweating, molecular chemistry takes over, and as sweat evaporates, it carries away heat from our bodies.
Sweat helps us thermoregulate our core temperature in the warmer months by cooling us off, but once those colder temps hit, sweat can be your number one enemy.
When body heat is precious and needs to be conserved at all costs, the last thing you need is sweat building up between layers, stealing that much-needed warmth.
That’s where the importance of materials and layering techniques truly shines.
Look for inner layers that breathe well, regulate your core temperature, and prevent overheating. Some air circulation is necessary to prevent sweat from building up. Breathable, sweat-wicking base and mid layers are essential to mitigating the cooling effects of sweat.
Tip 2: Don’t Neglect Your Base Layers
If you think that you can get away without quality base layers, you may be in for a chilly ride. While the outer layers are often considered the most essential for keeping you warm on cold-weather rides, the base layers matter just as much (if not more!)
Look for breathable, sweat-wicking base layers that can keep your heat in and the cold out. Base layers for winter activities (like snowboarding or snowmobiling) are among the best options.
They’re also the best opportunity to invest in heated gear.
Instead of relying on aftermarket bike upgrades, heated gear can offer hours of extra warmth, and it’s come a long way. While there are some great options you can plug directly into your bike’s electrical system, advances in heated gear technology have come a long way in just the past decade.
Now you can find heated socks, leggings, and shirts with compact, convenient rechargeable batteries that can be easily swapped out on longer rides.
Tip 3: Don’t Cheap Out on Your Gear
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in life, it’s that you usually get what you pay for.
When I did that early-spring road trip, I thought that the cheap pair of winter motorcycle gloves that I bought from a big box store were going to be enough to protect my digits.
Boy, was I wrong. I regret cheaping out on my winter biker gear. Now, I’ve slowly accumulated a complete, CE-certified set that keeps me warm on days when the temperature is probably a little too chilly to ride.
Look for winter riding gear that protects against both road hazards and the cold. Invest in quality pieces that will better keep the elements at bay. Trust me - it’s so worth it.
Tip 4: Windproof + Waterproof = Warm
Unfortunately, even the best base and mid layers will be useless if your final outer layer isn’t water- and windproof.
While your inner layers retain your body heat, your outer layers protect you from the elements. More specifically, the notoriously icky winter wind and precipitation. Even if you don’t live in the upper portion of the U.S., wind and rain on a 50-degree day can quickly put a damper on your ride if you let it get to your core.
When you’re looking at winter motorcycle jackets, look for features that indicate waterproof and windproof qualities. The more that you can block Mother Nature from breaking through your outer shell, the longer and more comfortably you’ll be able to ride.
Pro tip: You can also layer rain gear (like these packable pants and jacket) over your final cold-weather motorcycle jacket for additional protection against the wind and rain.
The Best Cold Weather Motorcycle Riding Gear for Women
Now, we’re finally getting to the good stuff. When you’re ready to tackle cold-weather riding, here are our top recommendations for the gear that’ll have you ignoring Jack Frost like it’s your profession.
Heated Base Layers
By far, the easiest way to beat the cold is with heated winter motorcycle riding gear. It’s like a cheat code to surviving cold-weather motorcycle rides. For longer distances, you can find gear that plugs directly into your bike’s electrical system, but the convenience of compact battery-powered gear is our top choice.
The Baselight heated pants and shirt offer bulk-free warmth that moves with you as you ride. Made from a lightweight jersey knit and a breathable mesh liner, you can toggle through four unique heat settings (90°-135°) via an app on your phone. Get up to 9 hours of heat with the 2250 mAh rechargeable battery.
Ultra-Soft Cashmere Neckwarmer
While your extremities get cold the quickest (since they’re farther from your blood pumper ❤️🔥), keeping your neck warm is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from the chill.
The neck is home to the carotid arteries and jugular veins, which are a few of the most essential blood pathways in your body. They sit near the surface of the skin, without much protection from extra fat and muscle, which means it doesn’t take long for the wind to decrease the temperature of the blood supply going from your brain to your core. Keeping your neck warm impedes the cold signals that your brain receives and helps maintain essential core warmth.
Our top pick for keeping your neck toasty is the fan-favorite cashmere neckwarmer. It’s super soft and feels thick without being overbearing or restrictive, so that you can keep the chill at bay.
Thermoregulating Mid Layers That Move with You
Now that you’ve collected the best heated base layer for motorcycle rides, it’s time to add a few extra pieces for added insulation. The mid layer is the perfect time to incorporate lightweight, insulative pieces that help keep heat in and cold out.
The mid-layer jacket and leggings set know how to get the job done. It’s like having your own little microclimate that helps control your temperature so you’re neither too hot nor too cold. Made with a thermoregulating, odor-resistant, and sweat-wicking material, you won’t feel bogged down by the bulk of traditional insulating pieces. Instead, you get complete freedom of movement and that just-right temperature that’ll have you saying, “Jack Frost, who?”
Winter Motorcycle Gloves for Happy Hands
Could you wear snowmobiling gloves to beat the chill? Probably. Now I’m not saying that I’ve been desperate enough to do this before, but I may have done that, and let me tell you - snowmobiling gloves don’t cut it on a windy, rainy day heading north through Yellowstone National Park in late September. 😬
Do yourself a favor and invest in a high-quality pair of CE-certified winter motorcycle gloves, like the Nandi Gloves. With a low-profile fit, cozy Thinsulate™ lining, and CE-certified protection, you can’t go wrong. Plus, with a water-resistant, windproof shell and touchscreen compatibility, you won’t feel weighed down or held back at the handlebars.
Still feel like you need a little something more? These slim-fit, touchscreen-compatible heated glove liners with a rechargeable battery will do just the trick. With up to 8 hours of use per charge, you may even forget what time of the year it is. Keep in mind that you may want to size up on your outer gloves to offer more wiggle room for these liners, especially if you’re on the larger end of a size (or, if you’re like me, committed to longer nails 💅).
Fully Lined Cold Weather Motorcycle Jacket
The crowning jewel of any cold-weather motorcycle gear kit is the jacket. Sure, you could try wearing any old winter jacket, but why settle when you can get a CE-certified, cozy riding jacket instead?
Enter: the Night Hawk jacket. It’s the perfect road companion for when temps dip below 60, and can easily be modified for warmer rides. It has a quilted satin lining and sheep shearling collar that can both be removed if you need to transition it into warmer months. Plus, with adjustable arm details and gusset panels in the shoulder area, you can get the perfect fit that functions as an all-season motorcycle jacket.
(Pssst… she comes in three irresistibly luscious colors, too 🤤)
Extend Your Riding Season with the Best Cold-Weather Motorcycle Gear for Women Who Refuse to Slow Down
There’s no shame in riding your motorcycle in winter, and if you are lucky enough to live where that’s possible, go get ‘em, tiger! Just make sure you’re geared up not only to stay warm, but also to stay safe. After all, the cold does more than just affect you physically; it can take a toll on your ability to stay focused and react while on the road.
Ready to extend your riding season? Shop the best cold-weather motorcycle gear curated by women riders, for women riders just like you.
Need help with sizing or custom recommendations for where you live? Contact us for custom recommendations and sizing help.