For this segment of our 2011 Warm Weather Motorcycle Gear Guides, we go into detail on our top picks for the long-distance touring and commuting realm. Most of the gear featured here will tout waterproof breathable properties, a high degree of safety elements, comfort and versatility for long distances in a multitude of riding scenarios. While all of this gear will absolutely perform well in hot weather situations, some of it can be stretched across multiple seasons and various applications. You'll see some new gear, some years-long staples of the lineup, but one thing is for sure: this is the top of the top in what we see for Warm Weather Touring and Commuting Motorcycle Gear.
Leading the charge is a combo REV'IT! designed exclusively for commuting. The blazing color of the REV'IT! Energy HV Jacket combined with the incredibly easy in and out of the REV'IT! Axis Pants makes this our top warm weather commuting combo for 2011. Both the jacket and pants feature abrasion resistant 600D shells with the Hydratex waterproof breathable membranes sandwiched to the shell. The jacket features a removable thermal liner for the cooler months while the pants boast being one of the easiest overpants to get on and off thanks to the full-length two-way side zippers on each leg. CE rated armor in the shoulders, elbows and knees protect from any impacts. A great choice for commuting in 2011.
The extremely popular Olympia Airglide 3 Jacket and Olympia Airglide 3 Pants operate as a great multi-season long-distance touring option but really shines in the hot months of the year. Thanks to the removable Thermolite liner jacket and waterproof breathable liners in jacket and pants, you can wear this almost all year long, but the ballistic mesh panels found throughout this combo flow a ton of air when the liners are out and the mercury has risen. 500D Cordura and CE rated armor protects from any impact and abrasion and both the jacket and pants feature a ton of adjustment zones to accommodate riders of all shapes and sizes. This is one of our favorite setups for protection and high airflow in the heat of the summer.
Next up is the brand new Olympia Moab Jacket and next-generation Olympia Recon 3 Pants. This is one of the more ADV-styled combos in the bunch and very unique at that. The brand new Moab is the only 3/4 length mesh jacket in the RevZilla lineup. It truly is designed for long-distance rides and dualsporting thanks to the multitude of cargo pockets, the waterproof breathable liner, the removable thermal liner, and CE rated shoulder, elbow, and back armor. The Recon 3 Pants are a very slick design, a 500D Cordura with ballistic mesh panels and CE rated knee armor. The standout feature of these pants is that they quickly transform from moto pants to stylish cargo shorts to be worn at your destination. A brand new setup from Olympia,
sure to be very popular this year.
The REV'IT! Sand Jacket and REV'IT! Sand Pants find their way into this mix thanks to their immense amount of airflow. While this is a true four-season outfit thanks to the removable waterproof breathable liner and removable thermal liner found in both jacket and pants, with these out and the vents open, you'll be flowing a ton of air in the summer. This is a step above and beyond everything else in the lineup in terms of fabrics (1200D in impact areas) and armor (upgraded Prolife CE armor in shoulders, elbows and knees) and it can absolutely perform in all-season all-weather conditions both on-road and off, but it's also a solid long-distance touring choice for the rugged rider. The Sand has been a staple of the REV'IT! lineup since its early 2010 release.
Last up is the Dainese Portland 2 Jacket and Dainese Drake Air Pants. We included this as our sportier long-distance touring and commuting combo. The Portland 2 features upgraded armor in the Dainese lineup thanks to the Shield Air G2 CE rated back protector (that retails for 79 bucks). The Mugello stretch chassis offers comfort coupled with the boomerang mesh for airflow and abrasion resistance and the moisture-wicking Nanofeel liner. The Drake Air pants are the most popular textile pant option from Dainese of all time at RevZilla. 750D Cordura and CE rated knee armor offers abrasion and impact protection while the zip open knee vents help keep the air flowing. This is our choice for the sport tourer.
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