Motorcycle touring is one of the best ways to ride. Whether you are planning a weekend away, a European trip, a long-distance UK tour or simply longer days in the saddle, the right gear can make the difference between enjoying the journey and spending the whole ride cold, wet, tired or uncomfortable.
Good touring gear is not just about looking the part. It needs to protect you, keep you comfortable, manage changing weather, work over long distances and still feel practical when you stop for fuel, food or a quick break.
This guide explains what to look for in proper motorcycle touring kit, covering helmets, jackets, boots, gloves and base layers. We will also highlight a few touring-focused options available from Moto Central, including the Shoei Neotec 3, Schuberth C5, Richa Infinity 2 Pro, Oxford Stormland, Daytona Road Star Pro, TCX Explorer.4, Richa Hurricane Gore-Tex gloves, Held Madoc gloves and ZeroFit base layers.
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Watch Our Touring Gear Video
Prefer to see some of the gear in action? Watch our touring gear video below for a closer look at the type of kit that can make long-distance riding more comfortable, practical and enjoyable.
What Makes Good Motorcycle Touring Gear?
Touring gear has to do a lot. A short Sunday ride and a full day of touring place very different demands on your kit. On a long ride, small problems become big ones. A helmet that feels slightly noisy can become tiring after hours on the motorway. Boots that feel a little stiff in the shop can become uncomfortable after a full day. Gloves that leak in heavy rain can make the rest of the ride miserable.
Good touring gear should focus on:
- Comfort over long distances - touring kit needs to feel good after hours, not just minutes.
- Weather protection - waterproofing and wind protection matter for UK and European touring.
- Ventilation - touring gear still needs airflow when the weather warms up.
- Protection - impact protection, abrasion resistance and secure fit all matter.
- Practicality - pockets, zips, closures and easy adjustment make a big difference.
- Layering - base layers and waterproof layers help you adapt as conditions change.
Quick answer: the best touring gear is comfortable, protective, weather-ready and easy to live with for long days on the bike. It should work as a system, rather than as individual items chosen in isolation.
Touring Helmets - Comfort, Noise and Convenience
Your helmet is the most important piece of motorcycle gear you own, and for touring it needs to be more than just safe. It also needs to be comfortable, stable, practical and manageable over long distances.
For many touring riders, a flip-up helmet makes a lot of sense. Being able to raise the chin bar at fuel stops, when speaking to someone, or when taking a quick break can make day-to-day touring much easier. That is why helmets like the Shoei Neotec 3 and Schuberth C5 are so popular with long-distance riders.
The Shoei Neotec 3 is a premium modular helmet built around refinement, comfort and everyday usability. It is a strong choice for riders who want a high-quality flip-front helmet that can handle commuting, touring and regular road riding.
The Schuberth C5 is another premium touring-focused option, with a strong reputation for comfort, quietness and long-distance stability. It is especially appealing for riders who spend a lot of time on motorways or longer touring routes.
What to look for in a touring helmet:
- Comfortable fit with no pressure points.
- Good visor seal and Pinlock compatibility.
- Effective ventilation.
- Manageable noise levels.
- Internal sun visor for changing light conditions.
- Intercom compatibility if you ride in groups or tour with a pillion.
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Touring Jackets - Waterproofing, Ventilation and Storage
A good touring jacket needs to handle changing weather. You might start a ride in cool morning air, hit rain by lunchtime, and end the day in warm sunshine. That means the best touring jackets are usually built around a mix of weather protection, ventilation, impact protection and practical storage.
The Richa Infinity 2 Pro is a strong option for riders who want a proper adventure-touring style jacket with a practical all-weather focus. It is the kind of jacket that makes sense for riders covering longer distances and dealing with unpredictable conditions.
The Oxford Stormland is another touring-focused textile jacket option, especially suitable for riders wanting waterproof practicality and a more road-touring approach.
When choosing a touring jacket, look beyond the basic “waterproof” label. Think about how the jacket vents, how the cuffs close, how the collar feels, how easy the pockets are to use with gloves on, and whether the jacket gives enough adjustment to stay secure at speed.
What to look for in a touring jacket:
- Waterproof or weather-resistant construction.
- Good ventilation for warmer days.
- Protective armour at the shoulders and elbows.
- Back protector compatibility or inclusion.
- Useful pockets and secure closures.
- Adjustable waist, arms and cuffs.
- Comfortable collar and sleeve fit.
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Waterproof Touring Gear - Why Details Matter
Waterproof touring gear is not just about the membrane. Details matter. A jacket can use a good waterproof system, but if the cuffs do not work well with your gloves or the collar rubs after an hour, it can still become annoying on a long ride.
Look carefully at areas such as zips, storm flaps, collar closures, glove cuffs and boot overlap. Touring is all about managing comfort over time, and these small details are often what separate good kit from kit that becomes frustrating once the weather turns.
If you ride year-round or regularly cover longer distances in the UK, waterproof clothing is one of the most useful investments you can make.
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Touring Boots - Comfort, Grip and Weather Protection
Touring boots need to be comfortable on the bike, practical off the bike and protective enough for serious road use. This is where touring boots differ from very sporty boots. They are usually designed for long-distance comfort, weather protection and walking practicality, rather than maximum track-style stiffness.
The Daytona Road Star Pro is a premium touring boot choice with a strong reputation for long-distance comfort and durability. For riders who tour seriously and want boots that feel built for years of use, Daytona is always worth considering.
The TCX Explorer.4 Gore-Tex Boots offer a more adventure-touring style, with a rugged feel and waterproof practicality. They make sense for riders who want a boot that looks and feels at home on adventure bikes and touring machines alike.
The Richa Vortex Leather Boots are a useful option for riders who prefer a leather touring boot feel and want something practical for regular road use.
What to look for in touring boots:
- Waterproof membrane or reliable weather protection.
- Comfortable fit for long days.
- Good ankle, heel and shin support.
- Secure fastening system.
- Grippy sole for fuel stops, wet ground and walking around.
- Enough flexibility to walk comfortably off the bike.
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Touring Gloves - Waterproofing, Grip and Feel
Touring gloves have to balance protection, feel, warmth and weather resistance. Your hands are constantly working the controls, so uncomfortable gloves can quickly ruin a ride.
The Richa Hurricane Gore-Tex Gloves are a strong touring choice for riders who want waterproof breathability and all-weather practicality. They suit longer road rides where reliable weather protection matters.
The Held Madoc is another touring glove option for riders wanting a durable, comfortable glove with a touring focus.
When choosing touring gloves, think carefully about the season. A thick winter glove may be too warm and bulky for spring and autumn touring, while a lightweight summer glove will not be enough for cold motorway miles or rain. Many riders end up with more than one pair depending on the trip.
What to look for in touring gloves:
- Waterproof membrane for wet-weather riding.
- Good grip and throttle feel.
- Knuckle and palm protection.
- Comfortable lining.
- Secure cuff closure.
- Compatibility with your jacket sleeves.
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Base Layers - The Touring Gear People Forget
Base layers are one of the most overlooked parts of a touring setup. Riders often spend a lot of money on jackets and helmets, then forget that what sits against the skin has a huge effect on comfort.
A good base layer can help manage sweat, reduce irritation, improve comfort under riding kit and make layering more effective. In cold conditions, the right base layer helps retain warmth. In warmer conditions, moisture-wicking fabrics can help you feel more comfortable over longer rides.
ZeroFit base layers are a useful option for riders who want to improve comfort under touring kit, especially when temperatures change throughout the day.
Why base layers matter for touring:
- They help manage temperature.
- They reduce discomfort under protective kit.
- They help wick moisture away from the skin.
- They make layering more effective.
- They can improve comfort on long-distance rides.
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Motorcycle Touring Gear Checklist
If you are building a touring setup, it helps to think in layers and systems rather than individual items.
| Gear | What to Prioritise | Useful Links |
|---|---|---|
| Helmet | Comfort, noise control, visor seal, sun visor and intercom compatibility | Shop Helmets |
| Jacket | Weather protection, ventilation, armour, pockets and adjustability | Shop Jackets |
| Boots | Waterproofing, comfort, grip, support and walking practicality | Shop Boots |
| Gloves | Waterproofing, warmth, control feel, protection and cuff compatibility | Shop Gloves |
| Base layers | Temperature regulation, moisture control and comfort under kit | Shop Base Layers |
How to Choose the Right Touring Setup
The best touring setup depends on where you ride, when you ride and how much distance you cover. A summer touring setup for Spain will look very different from an all-weather setup for Scotland in October.
Before buying, ask yourself:
- Will I mostly ride in the UK, Europe or mixed conditions?
- Do I need waterproof gear built in, or do I prefer separate waterproof layers?
- Will I be riding mainly in summer, winter or all year round?
- Do I need a flip-up helmet for convenience?
- Will I be using an intercom?
- Do I need gear that is comfortable off the bike too?
- How much luggage space do I have for spare layers?
There is no single perfect touring kit for every rider. The aim is to build a setup that suits your riding, your bike and the conditions you are most likely to face.
Final Advice
Good touring gear should make riding easier, not more complicated. The best kit disappears into the background, keeping you comfortable, protected and focused on the road rather than constantly adjusting zips, cuffs, vents or layers.
Start with a comfortable helmet, a reliable jacket, protective boots and gloves, then build your layering system around the weather you expect to face. If you ride long distances regularly, investing in good touring gear is one of the best upgrades you can make.
If you want help choosing the right setup, visit us at Moto Central and try different options in person. Fit and comfort matter hugely with touring kit, and getting it right before a big trip can save a lot of discomfort later.
