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Chances are you've got a few things worth protecting between your waist and your ankles: Save your skin and whatever else with a proper pair of adventure motorcycle pants.
Adventure motorcycle pants provide two important functions: Their first and most widely acknowledged purpose is protecting your lower body, both from crash-related injuries and from inclement weather.
The second (and arguably more pressing) function is protecting the undeserving public from the sight of your pasty thighs.
Seriously: Please don't leave home without them. Think of the children.
"Our founder, Eric, demonstrates how communication goes much more smoothly when both parties are wearing pants."
And while pretty much any pair of pants on the planet can achieve the latter aim by the simple nature of being pants, it takes a special piece of gear to deliver the protection you need without sacrificing the comfort you want.
This, our friends, is where proper adventure motorcycle pants come into the picture. Protective on the road, comfortable in the dirt, and ready for whatever the weather throws your way. Here's how to find your next pair.
Quick List: Adventure Motorcycle Pants
| Pants: | Summary: | Price: |
| Outstanding all-around three-layer ADV pants for under $200, level 2 armor included. | CHECK PRICE | |
| Klim's flagship adventure pants: A serious investment that does everything well and lasts forever. | CHECK PRICE | |
| A road-biased ADV pant that delivers quality protection and a laminated shell at an outstanding price. | CHECK PRICE | |
| A versatile four-season, three-layer system that delivers premium performance at a lower price point than most. | CHECK PRICE | |
| Laminated weatherproofing meets obscene comfort in these stretchy ADV pants. | CHECK PRICE | |
| Comparable to the flagship Badlands Pro, but with less bells and whistles for a lot less cash. | CHECK PRICE | |
| Klim's take on a dual sport pants, ideal for riders who prefer standalone armor to traditional pad-in-pocket offerings. | CHECK PRICE | |
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Motocross pants given the dual sport treatment with road-worthy fabric and added storage. | CHECK PRICE |
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Klim's most hot-weather-friendly option. Flows air like nothing else on a hot summer ride. | CHECK PRICE |
What to Look For in Adventure Motorcycle Pants
We've been at this whole "adventure touring" thing for well over a decade at this point, and wouldn't you know it: Even our most free-spirited guides have been known to wear pants for at least 75% of the miles they ride.
That means that our team has collectively covered somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000,000+ miles in adventure motorcycle pants of every description, and over the years, we've developed a few opinions on what makes any good pair worth buying.
Crash Protection
Adventure touring involves both pavement and dirt, so a good pair of adventure motorcycle pants do two things: Be burly enough to protect from highway crashes, but versatile and breathable enough to stay comfortable during athletic off-road sections.
Naturally, this means any pair of pants you choose should be made from highly abrasion-resistant materials, but when it comes to additional armor/padding, there are actually a few different schools of thought to consider.
"While most crashing happens in the dirt, ADV pants should be street-worthy as well."
We've found two approaches to crash protection that work on our tours: Integrated crash protection and standalone crash protection. We generally leave it up to riders to choose which works best for them, but here's our take on the benefits of each.
Integrated crash protection refers to wearing adventure motorcycle pants that already have armor installed, typically in the knees and hips. These systems are great for convenience and simplicity, as you just throw them on and go.
"Garrett making good use of his integrated crash protection pants on our WABDR trip."
The main drawback of integrated protection is that it "moves with the pants," meaning when you come off the bike and go for a slide, friction can pull the armor away from where you need it.
Integrated protection also isn't guaranteed to comfortably suit your specific anatomy, although manufacturers are getting better all the time about making armor pockets adjustable.
Standalone protection, on the other hand, means removing any padding/armor from your adventure motorcycle pants and replacing it with an armored "base layer" system instead.
We generally consider this the superior approach from a safety standpoint, as it allows your pants to move independently of your protection in the event of a come-off.
Weather Protection
Braving the elements is a huge part of what makes adventure touring feel "adventurous" to begin with, but this also means you'll need to find a pair of adventure motorcycle pants that work with the climate you're riding in.
For most riders, the primary weather concern is staying dry on rainy days. This means you'll be looking for a pair of pants with a waterproof/breathable layer, and once again, there are two means to that end.
"Some folks prefer GoreTex, others swear by alpaca."
The first is a laminated waterproof layer (like GoreTex) that's permanently integrated into the fabric of the pants. This approach is our personal favorite as it minimizes the number of layers (and therefore bulk) that you need to carry/wear on your ride.
Waterproof laminates are usually more expensive though, especially if you're considering the "gold-standard" GoreTex treatment.
With that being said, even the best waterproof fabric won't breathe as well as a non-waterproof mesh or textile, which brings us to the alternative...
Your second approach is a multi-layered system, which incorporates a separate removable waterproof layer under the "shell" of your adventure motorcycle pants.
"Dainese's Springbok ADV pants are a great example of an effective three-layer waterproofing system."
This is commonly seen in 3-layered 4-season options, which use an abrasion-resistant outer layer, a second layer for waterproofing, and a third "thermal" layer for added warmth and wind resistance in cold weather.
These multi-layered systems are generally the most affordable, and arguably the most versatile, as you can add or take away layers depending on the weather.
The main drawback here is packability and convenience, as removing either of the inner layers requires you to stop, take off your boots, and strip down to your Speedo on the side of the road.
A Word On Versatility
Versatility is a hallmark of good adventure motorcycle pants, but when you add versatility, you often lose specialization. Some pants do this better than others, which is why options like the Klim Badlands Pro pants command a hefty $900 price tag.
"Baja: you'll freeze in the morning and cook by noon... plan accordingly with versatile gear or multiple pairs of pants specific to the temps."
With that being said, if we were riding for a week in a hot desert with zero chance of rainfall (aka, our Baja On Down adventure), anyone on our team would prefer a mesh-heavy, non-waterproof option like the Klim Dakar pant.
No, they aren't nearly as robust, and no, they aren't particularly good for any other kind of riding, but their lack of versatility makes them a much stronger performer in these conditions than any all-rounder.
Our Top Picks for Adventure Motorcycle Pants
Adventure riding gets more popular every year, and that's good news for us riders. Gear manufacturers are fighting hard for your hard-earned dollars, which means 2026's lineup of adventure motorcycle pants is the most advanced and attractive yet.
Here are our top picks going into the 2026 season.
1. Sedici Avventura Waterproof Pants
If three-layer ADV pants are the king of value, Sedici's Avventura adventure pants deserve the throne. No one else could pull off a pair of pants this feature-rich for under $200, so if you're not looking to spend a ton, the Avventura is the move.
Here's the deal: these ADV pants include removable waterproof and thermal layers, are super-stretchy and comfortable, and even include CD Level 2 armor at the knees. They also look the part of a much more expensive kit, which we dig.
"Not too tight, not too bulky. Kinda like your favorite pair of Levi's 501s."
We also appreciate that the overall fit sits between some of the tighter European-style cuts and boxy old-school ADV gear, which cuts down on bulk even when fully layered. Storage and ventilation are both pretty solid as well.
Our main complaint here is that the Avventura pants are made from a thinner 450D Oxford material.
It's plenty to save your skin in a slide, but if you're planning on heavy use (multiple big trips a year), you might be replacing them after 3-4 seasons or so.
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Sedici Avventura Waterproof Pants
REVZILLA
2. Klim Badlands Pro Pant
Here at Ride Adventures, the Klim Badlands Pro is widely considered the gold standard in adventure motorcycle pants.
Collectively, our team has spent more time in these trousers than anything else, and after putting hundreds of thousands of miles on the Badlands Pro pants, we can't recommend them highly enough.
"Garrett riding through Joshua Tree wearing the Klim Badlands Pro Pants on our PCH+ Tour"
Safety-wise, the Badlands want for nothing: Ceramic-infused Superfabric handles abrasion resistance in the most vulnerable areas, while Klim Rogue EXP level 2 armor protects the hips and knees.
We've crash tested these pants more times than we care to admit, and when it comes to safety, they're the real deal.
In terms of weather protection, it's the same story: Klim specs the Badlands Pro with the best GoreTex Pro 3-layer laminate available, making these pants an impenetrable technical shell against the elements.
The Badlands' heavy-duty construction makes them run a bit hot for summertime off-road work, but their six adjustable vents give ol' grandfather swamp-ass a proper run for his money.
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Klim Badlands Pro Pant
REVZILLA | AMAZON
3. Tour Master Mariner Laminated Pants
Look, we get it: It's rare to see an ad for an adventure bike that doesn't include some absolute pro drifting through single-track trails in the open desert, but many ADV riders spend more of their time touring than getting crazy in the dirt.
If that sounds like you, Tour Master's Mariner Laminated adventure motorcycle pants might be the best fit. The Mariners caught our eye for one major reason: MSRP is among the lowest in the segment at just $240.
"Somewhere in Baja 😁"
For that paltry sum, you're getting a fully laminated and seam-sealed 450D Cordura shell, as well as adjustable CE-level 2 knee armor as standard.
The Mariner may be marketed as standard touring gear, but they've got all the right features for ADV duty.
As noted above, the biggest issue with the Mariner is that they're road-biased, especially when it comes to ventilation, which is limited to a pair of front and rear thigh vents.
We wouldn't mind seeing some cargo pockets added as well for more storage.
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CHECK PRICE:
Tourmaster Mariner Laminated Pants
SHOP RIDE ADVENTURES
REVZILLA | AMAZON
4. Rev'It Sand 5 H2O Pants
If you read our recent rundown of our favorite adventure motorcycle jackets, you'll know that we're big fans of Rev'It's budget-friendly Sand 5 H2O jacket. Surprise, surprise, we dig the Sand 5 H2O pants for the very same reasons.
We consider the Sand 5 to be the quintessential cost-effective three-layer system. You've got your abrasion-resistant outer, your waterproof liner, and an inner thermal layer. All pretty standard stuff.
Where the Sand 5 H2O pants stick out is their overall build quality for the money. These pants are tough and well put together with a rugged 600D polyester chassis, level 2 Seeflex armor at the knees, and level 1 Seesmart armor at the hips.
Rev'It's proprietary Hydratex waterproof liner isn't the most breathable option out there, but the fact that the Sand 5 pants deliver true four-season capability at such an attractive price point more than earns them a spot on our list.
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Rev'It Sand 5 H2O Pants
REVZILLA | AMAZON
5. Alpinestars Andes V4 Drystar
Alpinestars' Andes line of adventure motorcycle pants has always been a favorite of the cost-conscious. Here's a proper four-season ADV pant that's built to last, yet retails for under $300 all day.
"Alpinestar's Drystar series goes along way in places like Mongolia."
As the name suggests, the V4 is the fourth iteration of the Andes and was introduced earlier this year. Major improvements include a lighter, stretchier laminated shell, improved ventilation, and redesigned cargo pockets for a more modern look.
Protection comes in the form of a 450D polyfabric chassis with printed-polymer ripstop reinforcements in slide-prone zones. Knee armor is Alpinestars' basic (but extremely comfortable) Level 1 Nucleon Flex Plus.
We've found the Alpinestars Andes ideal for spring, fall, and winter riding, but despite the upgraded ventilation, they still run hot in the summer.
As such, the Andes aren't our favorite off-road, but they might be the most comfortable ADV pants money can buy.
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CHECK PRICE:
Alpinestars Andes V4 Drystar Pants
REVZILLA | AMAZON
6. Klim Carlsbad Pants
If you're digging the design and quality of the Klim Badlands Pro pants above but aren't looking to make such a steep investment, we recommend checking out the Klim Carlsbad instead.
You'll miss out on some of the more drool-worthy bits of the Badlands like the ceramic-infused Superfabric and premium GoreTex Pro liner, but there's still plenty to salivate over.
"Carlsbad's are excellent mid-tier pants, versatile enough to get you through dry arid deserts to wet and soggy coastal routes."
For instance, you're still getting burly two-layer GoreTex protection, the same FPL400 fabric chassis as the Badlands Pro, and the same level 2 Klim Rogue armor to boot.
Ventilation is still well above average too, and although the Carlsbad adventure motorcycle pants are two vents shy of their Badlands cousin, a pair of dual intake and exhaust vents on either thigh ain't too shabby either.
We also appreciate that Klim retained the full-grain leather panels on the insides of the knees, which deliver great feel off-road while keeping you protected from excess heat and abrasion.
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Klim Carlsbad Pants
REVZILLA | AMAZON
7. Klim Dakar Pants
We don't care where you ride or at what time of year: Off-road riding is always sweaty work. Ventilation is key for staying comfortable in the dirt, and the Klim Dakar is our favorite off-road specialist adventure motorcycle pant for that very reason.
It's best to think of Klim's Dakar line as off-road gear with just the right amount of reinforcement to survive an "off" on pavement.
"Klim's Dakar pants are a crowd favorite for our more off-road focused Vietnam trips."
The Dakar pants achieve this delicate balance using tough 840D Cordura panels in the knees and seat, while sticking to more breathable (but still highly durable) materials everywhere else.
The same can be said of the Dakar's creature comforts. With massive vents on either thigh and dual cargo pockets, the Dakar pants are basically the dual-sport pants you've always dreamed of if you normally ride in enduro/motocross style gear.
They aren't waterproof, and they don't include any armor pockets, but both are welcome trade-offs for this combination of dirt-worthiness and slide protection on pavement.
The fact that the Dakar retails for well under $300 is just icing on the cake.
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Klim Dakar Pants
SHOP RIDE ADVENTURES
REVZILLA | AMAZON
8. Fasthouse Off-Road Matox Pants
Motocross gear is tough to beat for off-road work, especially in the warmer months when rivers of sweat run down your back and accumulate in your swampier regions.
Unfortunately, traditional MX pants are arguably the least practical piece of gear for proper touring duty, which is why we're over the moon for the Fast House Off-Road pants.
"We love the Fasthouse pants for their dual sport-focused build."
What you're getting here is every dual-sport lover's dream: A pair of motocross pants with beefed-up protection and, get this, big, functional thigh pockets.
Made primarily from 600D polyester backed by double and triple-stitched seams, these dirt-worthy trousers look and feel just as tough as any summer-weight adventure motorcycle pants we've tried.
They deliver proper moto style, though, with an in-the-boot fit, acres of stretchy panels, and plenty of room inside for real knee braces. The crotch is made entirely from vented stretch as well, a joyful thing to experience in the dead of summer.
The main downside to the Fasthouse Off-Roads is that they aren't waterproof at all, which means they wet out easily in rain or water crossings. And while the cargo pocket is truly a godsend, the Off-Road pants still lack the overall storage of most ADV pants.
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Fasthouse Off-Road Matox Pants
REVZILLA | AMAZON
9. Klim Mojave Pants
Finally we have the Klim Mojave, which is our favorite adventure pant for hot weather riding.
On summer tours through places like Vietnam, where the local riding gear is shorts and flip-flops, the Mojave keeps the air flowing like nothing else we've worn.
"Garrett, our media producer and partner in crime, just finished testing out the Klim Mojave pants on our Vietnam Route and came back with positive feedback."
Klim packs as much mesh as humanly possible into these adventure motorcycle pants, but still includes slide-proof 840D Cordura in the knee and seat for optimal protection where you want it.
We also appreciate the Mojave's motocross-inspired stretch panels in the knees, crotch, and calves, which keep them moving naturally when we're standing on the pegs and moving around the bike.
We've also been loving the Mojave's excellent fit and high-quality velcro cinches around the cuff that snug down securely over our boots.
Klim also offers an in-the-boot version of the Mojave for the dual sport crowd for $40 less, fyi.
"Massive airflow through the mesh design of these pants."
Our only real complaint with the Mojave over the last few months is that although its mesh construction provides great airflow, we wish Klim would add a second zippered vent to the rear of the pants to really send them over the top.
We'll also point out that the Mojave doesn't include any weather protection, although in our experience, its light mesh design dries out almost as quickly as it wets out.
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CHECK PRICE:
Klim Mojave Pant
SHOP RIDE ADVENTURES
REVZILLA | AMAZON
Closing Thoughts on Adventure Motorcycle Pants…
Adventure riders are a varied bunch, but most of us need the same core things out of our gear: Protection from harm, protection from the elements, and enough versatility to adapt to the different conditions we find ourselves riding in.
At risk of stating the obvious here, there's no such thing as one pair of pants that performs equally well traversing a hot desert as they do crossing a snowy mountain pass.
To that end, we recommend prioritizing safety and waterproofing first, then spending as much (or as little) as you care to on things like comfort, convenience, and style.
→Read More:
Top Shelf VS Budget Adventure Motorcycle Jackets
6 ADV Riding Techniques for offroad explorers
Adventure Motorcycle Helmets: The Best of the Best
