Touring pants are riding pants made for long days on the bike. They mix armor, liners, vents and pockets in one pair. In this motorcycle touring pants guide, you will learn what each feature does and why it matters. You will also see how touring pants differ from overpants and riding jeans. Then you can pick the right pair for your trips.
All the MotoSpeeds for touring share the same feature list. So the real choice is about what you need, not which model has more. Use the sections below as a checklist.
Touring pants are built for many hours in the saddle. They carry armor at the knees and hips. They have a liner for cold mornings and vents for hot afternoons. They also have pockets you can reach on the road. Straps and stretch panels help them stay comfortable all day.
Short rides forgive a lot. Long rides do not. On a tour, the weather can change three times in one day. You may ride in the cold at dawn and in the heat by noon. Good touring pants let you adjust without stopping to change clothes.
Here is what to look for:
Knee and hip armor in riding pants is tested under a European standard called EN 1621-1. It has two levels. Level 1 is the base level. Level 2 lets less force pass through to your body in the test. So a Level 2 pad is the more protective of the two.
The CE mark on armor means it meets that standard. It applies to the pads, not to the whole pair of pants. You can read a plain summary of EN 1621-1 from SATRA, a test lab.
The MotoSpeeds touring pants have CE-Level 2 knee protectors. You can adjust them up or down, so they sit right on your knee. The hips carry CE-Level 1 hip protectors. On the outside of each knee, there is a protective print as well.
Adjustable knee armor matters on long rides. If the pad slips, it can rub. If it sits right, you forget it is there.
The shell is the outer layer of the pants. The "D" in 750D stands for denier. Denier tells you how thick each thread in the fabric is. A higher number means a thicker thread. Thicker threads make a heavier fabric that stands up better to scuffs and wear.
Cordura is a trade name for tough woven fabric. The MotoSpeeds touring pants use a 750D Cordura shell.
So, are textile pants a good pick for touring? For most riders, yes. Textile trousers are lighter than leather. They can hold liners, vents and many pockets. That makes them easy to live with on a long trip. It is why textile motorcycle trousers are so common for touring.
Touring pants handle weather with layers. A thermal liner keeps you warm and zips out when the day heats up. A mesh lining lets air move next to your skin. Vents let cool air in. Rain is a separate topic, and it needs its own plan.
The MotoSpeeds touring pants have a 3D mesh lining and a detachable thermal liner. On the upper legs, they have ventilation panels and ventilation zippers. Open the zippers when it is hot. Close them and add the liner when it is cold.
Now, rain. A thermal liner is not a waterproof liner. A thermal liner holds heat. A waterproof liner stops water. These pants have two waterproof stash pockets. No waterproof liner is part of their feature list. So do not count on them to keep you dry in heavy rain.
If you tour in wet places, you have two good options:
Waterproof gear comes in two main styles. One has the layer bonded to the shell. The other has a loose liner inside. Our post on laminated vs drop liner explains the trade-offs.
Touring pants are full riding pants that you wear on their own. Overpants are a looser layer that you pull on over your normal trousers. Riding jeans look like regular jeans but hide armor and tough panels inside. Each one suits a different kind of rider and trip.
Overpants are handy if you ride to work. You arrive, take them off, and your work clothes are under them. They are cut wide so they fit over other pants.
The MotoSpeeds touring pants are standalone pants. They close at the front with a B-lock button. They are cut to be worn as your main riding pants on a trip.
Riding jeans suit city rides and short trips. The are made of heavy denim with a slight stretch. They have a regular slim fit. Inside, DuPont Kevlar fiber panels sit at the seat and knees. They also carry removable CE certified knee armor.
Leather is the classic look. The are black cowhide, 1.1-1.3 mm thick, in men's sizes. A zip closure joins them to a matching jacket. They come in a raw length, so you can hem them to your leg. See more options in .
A good fit keeps the armor in place and stops rubbing. On a long day, small fit problems grow into big ones. Look for straps you can tighten, stretch where your body bends, and grip where you sit. Then check the size chart before you order.
The MotoSpeeds touring pants have these fit features:
Men's sizes run from EU 42 to 60, which is US 32 to 50. Women's sizes run from EU 38 to 50, which is US 6 to 18. Check the size chart to find yours.
There is also a Custom Size option. With it, the pants are made to your measurements. Follow the how to measure steps to take your sizes.
On a tour, you need small things fast. Good touring pants give you warm pockets, dry pockets and a way to join your jacket. Reflective parts help drivers see you at dusk. These details sound small, but you will use them every single day of a trip.
The MotoSpeeds touring pants have four outer pockets:
For night riding, there is laminated reflection at the calves. Your calves move as you shift and brake, so they catch light.
The pants also have a long and a short connection zipper. These join the pants to a riding jacket. A joined jacket and pants stop the jacket from riding up. They also keep wind off your lower back.
MotoSpeeds has three touring pants: Hawk, Revolt and Vertex. All three share the same feature list. They have the same armor, shell, liners, vents, pockets and sizes. So pick by name and look, and know that you get the same features with each one.
| Pants | Shared features | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| 750D Cordura shell, CE-Level 2 knee and CE-Level 1 hip protectors, thermal liner, vents, 4 pockets | Men US 32-50, women US 6-18, Custom Size | |
| 750D Cordura shell, CE-Level 2 knee and CE-Level 1 hip protectors, thermal liner, vents, 4 pockets | Men US 32-50, women US 6-18, Custom Size | |
| 750D Cordura shell, CE-Level 2 knee and CE-Level 1 hip protectors, thermal liner, vents, 4 pockets | Men US 32-50, women US 6-18, Custom Size |
Look for CE armor at the knees and hips. Level 2 at the knees is a plus. Add a thermal liner, vents, waterproof pockets, straps for fit and reflective parts. The MotoSpeeds touring pants have CE-Level 2 knee and CE-Level 1 hip protectors, a detachable thermal liner, leg vents and reflection at the calves.
Yes. Textile pants are light and easy to layer. The MotoSpeeds touring pants have a 750D Cordura shell. Inside, they have a 3D mesh lining and a thermal liner you can remove. Vents on the upper legs let air in on hot days.
The two stash pockets on the upper legs are waterproof. The pants have no waterproof liner in their feature list. For heavy rain, wear rain overpants on top. Or choose a touring suit with a waterproof liner.
Overpants are loose riding pants you pull on over your normal trousers. They suit commuters who want to take them off at work. The MotoSpeeds touring pants are different. They are standalone pants that you wear on their own, with a B-lock button at the front.
Yes. The MotoSpeeds touring pants have a long and a short connection zipper. These join the pants to a riding jacket. That keeps the jacket from riding up and blocks wind at your back. Check that your jacket has a matching zipper before you ride.
Men's sizes run from US 32 to 50. Women's sizes run from US 6 to 18. Measure your waist and inseam, then check the size chart. If you choose Custom Size, the pants are made to your measurements. Use the how to measure page to take them.