The Best Motorcycle Jackets For Beginners Under $500

Why We Picked It:

While many riders might feel a bit geeky doing the ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time) suiting up to go riding, the reality is that protective textiles and armor have evolved to the point where an armored, abrasion resistant hoodie is a viable option. If you want to be protected, but not outright look like it, the Street & Steel Kickstarter Moto Hoody is for you.

Looking exactly like cotton, the hoodie is instead constructed of poly-aramid knit, the same type of textiles that you will find in the linings of armored riding jeans. Ribbed stretch material at the cuffs and waist keep the wind while you ride out, and you can adjust how much air gets in via your neck with the drawstrings. The front pockets are zippered and insulated, with a back protector pocket built into the back of the hoodie that will accept all sizes of protectors.

Where the true value comes in with the Kickstarter Moto is that the armor that is built in for the shoulders and elbows completely surpasses CE Level 1 and is fully rated at CE Level 2, while also remaining low profile. There are some high-end cafe jackets that are quadruple the price of this hoodie and only have CE Level 1 armor included, so the value proposition literally writes itself.

Poly-aramid abrasion resistance to the level found in riding jeans. CE Level 2 armor that isn’t bulky and gives you super protection. Discreet looks that only other riders will be able to notice the armor and back protector (highly recommended you have one), but Regular Joe Somebody on the street will simply say “Hey, nice hoodie!”

Why We Picked It:

Dainese, those crazy Italians that are at the very forefront of sport-grade riding gear, have done it again. The Energyca Air is the slightly less crazy cousin of the highly rated Super Speed, so much so that it looks nearly identical. The main body and arms are made of Cordura, a highly abrasion resistant textile that also breathes superbly, backed by a mesh liner and a windproof, removable liner beyond that.

The Energyca Air contains all of Dainese’s racing innovations and protection, distilled to an affordable level. Aluminum shoulder sliders cover EN 1621.1 certified shoulder armor, while the elbows are protected by the same level of armor without a slider. The jacket has pockets inside to hold Dainese Pro-Armor Double Chest Armor, and can handle any back protector on the market.

What the Energyca Air gains over its predecessor is that it stretches much more, hugging your body. This makes it easier, with less exertion, to move between a full tuck, a half tuck, and standard riding positions without feeling the jacket tugging at you. To personalize the fit, the neck, wrists, and waist are fully adjustable. While not outright designed for racing, instead being a warm weather moderate distance jacket, as with almost all things Dainese, it is track viable.

Why We Picked It:

The first generation of the Firstgear Kathmandu jacket was on our recommendation lists for ADV riders for many years. The second generation, the Kathmandu 2.0, somehow improves on it in every way possible. Made of Sympatex, the jacket is already almost completely waterproof, but Firstgear doubled down on keeping you dry bu adding a Hypertex liner that you can remove/insert should you go from desert conditions to riding in a monsoon. The entire jacket is also 420D ripstop for excellent abrasion resistance.

SAS-TEC CE Level 2 armor is included in the shoulders, elbows, and crucially, the back. This armor is also puncture resistant, so if you should come off while crossing over some sharp rocks, you have that added protection, again especially on the back. There are armor pockets for optional chest armor, and all the pre-installed armor pieces are in adjustable pockets so you can get the fit just right.

The biggest upgrade over the original Kathmandu jacket is that the front vent zips have 25% more intake area for extreme hot conditions. This allows more of the air to wick around your body and exhaust out the back vents, and the underarm vents can be opened to add even more airflow over the hottest parts of your body.

Also, as you can see in the picture above, you are spoiled for pockets. There are no less than seven (7) fully waterproof pockets on and in the jacket, including two lower front and one lower back cargo pockets for carrying bigger items. As well, the jacket has mounting points inside for Firstgear’s heated liners, meaning if you needed to, this jacket can be turned into a 4-season jacket.

Why We Picked It:

I thought it would be smart to begin with a great all-arounder jacket with ample protection and safety features.

This is a very solid option for riders living in warmer climates and those who aren’t afraid to layer up for cooler rides.

The Klim Induction Jacket features Klim’s Karbonite mesh venting with heavy tear resistance and protection against the pavement that can quickly turn into a cheese grater given the right speeds.

You can find high abrasion zones in the shoulders and elbows, with D30 Level 1 armor hiding beneath those zones. The jacket is equipped with many 3m Scotchlite reflective zones in positions designed for ‘maximum biomotion perception’ along the arms and upper back.

Why We Picked It:

The waterproof Drystar membrane on the Alpinestars Andes v3 allows for the exchange of heat and moisture during the colder 3 seasons, while highly efficient direct venting creates ideal conditions in the summer heat. Along with an insulated liner, the Alpinestars Andes v3 Jacket is a true 4 season garment for both adventure and touring riders.

For protection, a durable textile chassis gets the job done both on and off-road. CE Level 1 shoulder and elbow armor are included, but back and optional chest protection will need to be purchased separately. Reflective panels help with the chances of being seen at night with other road users nearby.

One of our favorite features of this jacket is that the Andes v3 is also compatible with the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 airbag system, which is the latest technology in impact protection and provides an unprecedented amount of protection. Keep in mind, this must be purchased separately and significantly adds to the price of the package.

Why We Picked It:

The REV’IT! Offtrack 2 H2O jacket is a great jacket in that it is very adjustable, offers superb protection, and works in a wide range of temperatures. While mainly designed as a warm to hot weather riding jacket, a waterproof insert and a thermal insert (both of which stow inside pockets on the inside of the jacket) allow you to adjust as you go.

In terms of ventilation, there is a permanent mesh venting area that starts below the collarbone, passes up over the shoulders, and joins across the upper back. Should more ventilation be needed, there are two front zippered air vents that can also be unclipped from under the vent flaps and pulled open diagonally down to offer maximum ventilation.

Protection comes in the form of the majority of the shell being 600D polyester, with added PWR Shell ripstop abrasion resistant fabric down the outside of the arms and over the shoulders. SeeFlex CE 2 armor is provided in the shoulders and elbows, and optional internal pockets for CE 2 back and split chest armor allow for upgrading.

Why We Picked It:

The Scorpion Optima textile jacket is designed to be a very weather friendly textile jacket, meaning that it can handle three seasons, and if you live somewhere temperate, four season riding. There is a permanent waterproof membrane in the jacket, with a removable inner liner for when the days get hot.

Of note, there is excellent venting via two waterproof zippers on the front of the chest and two zippered exhausts on the mid back. The venting is designed so that it effectively cools the body core in a sport or three quarters standard riding position. All zippers are YKK and extremely durable.

Protection comes in the form of CE 1 rated shoulder and elbow armor, and a removable/upgradeable back pad. The textile is 450D abrasion resistant through most of the jacket, but slide points (shoulders, elbows, etc) have 600D abrasion resistant textile. The jacket also has multiple areas of hi-viz night reflection.

Why We Picked It:

The Alpinestars GP Plus R V3 is one of the newest jackets on this list, meaning that it’s also going to come with the newest tech and development available. While it technically isn’t even close to being under $500, at $580 it is still an astonishingly great value, as it is one of the highest rated sport jackets.

The Premium 1.3mm bovine leather construction paired with high resistant stretch fabric in all your mobility zones makes this jacket a safe and comfortable option for hot summer rides.

The jacket includes CE Level 1 armor on the shoulder and elbow areas but unfortunately leaves back protection up to the rider to purchase separately.

Regardless, this jacket provides amazing airflow to keep you cool and comfortable due to the perforated nature of the construction and even has reflective accents to keep you safe at night.