The Best Mesh Motorcycle Pants for the 2020 Season
We’d Know: We’ve Hands-On Tested 2500+ Pieces of Riding Gear Since 2000
Entry-Level
Priced under $300, these mesh pants are ideal for new riders or value-conscious shoppers.
Mid-Range
Priced $300-$500, these mesh pants are high quality and offer great protection for the pricepoint.
High-End
Priced $500 and up. This category has the best of what is available when it comes to mesh pants.
What to Think About When it Comes to Mesh Motorcycle Riding Pants
There are a lot of riders out there who really believe that wearing jeans is all that they really need to protect their lower body when riding (this is true when they are riding jeans!). And in the hotter climates, there are even a good number of riders who are willing to wear shorts and just try not to think about the consequences of sliding across the hot asphalt with nothing to protect their skin.
We definitely recommend riders ride ATGATT, and riding pants are a big part of the ATGATT equation.
After safety, one of the key factors in selecting any pair of riding pants is that they fit and are comfortable enough for the rider to choose to wear them whenever they are riding. The safest pair of pants in the world will not help you if they are hanging at home in the closet.
Another factor to consider when selecting mesh pants is ventilation. Each rider needs to honestly access the conditions that they will face and select a pair of mesh pants that will provide enough airflow and protection.
The recommendations below are focused on providing riders with some quality choices that offer durability and safety as well as a range of riding styles and uses. This information, along with riders’ personal preferences and intended use, will take the guesswork out of selecting a great pair of mesh pants.
Ride safe!
– Chase
About Our Recommendations
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Founded in 2000, the team at wBW has extensively tested more than 2,500 pieces of gear. Helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, accessories, and more. We extensively and exhaustively test gear. We do not fluff reviews. Read our review policies.
Priced under $300
Best Entry Level Mesh Motorcycle Pants
Sedici Marco Mesh Waterproof Pants
Price: $199.99
Where to Buy
Why?
The Sedici Marco Mesh pants are a great option for riders who need some waterproofing on a budget. They are perfect for hot summer days, and when the storm clouds roll themselves in, throw the waterproof and windproof removable inner liner for some weatherproofing.
Specs
- Durable ultra-flow mesh outer material with reinforced 450D material for comfort and protection
- Airflow mesh inner lining for improved climate control and comfort
- Removable waterproof and windproof liner for protection from the elements
- Reflective details
- Stretch panels above knees and back waist
- Hook and loop adjustable waist
- Side leg zipper opening
- Zippered front pockets
- Short jacket-to-pant connection zipper
- Pocket for optional hip protection (sold separately)
- CE Level 2 armor at knees
Protection & Safety
- Key areas of this pant have been reinforced with 450D poly material for extra slide resistance and durability.
- CE Level 2 armor at the knees and pockets at the hips for optional armor
- For riders who want more hip protection, you can buy optional hip armor to be added to the preexisting pockets at a later date
- The reflective paneling on these pants will keep you visible in lowlight conditions
Klim Mojave Pants
Price: $199 – $219
Where to Buy
Why?
The Klim Mojave are that perfect blend of form and function at a price that works for most riders budgets. The Mojave offers many of the same Klim distinctive features of their high-end pants, but with a cost topping out at close to $200.
Specs
- Durable, fully ventilated over-the-boot off-road motorcycle pant
- Durable, highly breathable mesh materials
- Heavy-duty 840 Cordura in knee and seat
- Thicker, highly abrasion- and melt-resistant leather on legs for maximum durability and resistance to heat from the exhaust and engine
- Engineered stretch material in flex zones: above knees, at back of legs and in the crotch
- D3O compatible armor pockets at hips and knees (sold separately)
- VELCRO® brand cuff adjustment
- Two YKK-zippered thigh cargo pockets
- 3M Scotchlite reflective material on back of leg
- Adjustable waist VELCRO® brand closures cinch straps
- Glove friendly zipper pulls
- Articulated leg
- YKK fly zipper entry with storm flap and 2 snaps
- Technical hanging liner construction featuring stretch panels matching exterior shell stretch zones
Protection & Safety
- The Mojave comes with armor pockets but no hip or knee armor is included with the initial purchase. But at around $200, you have the option to invest in the armor that you find the most comfortable and appropriate for your riding style.
Priced $300- $500
Best Mid-Range Mesh Motorcycle Pants
Alpinestars A-10 Air v2 Pants
Price: $319.95
Where to Buy
Why?
The Alpinestars A-10 Air v2 are a great mid-range mesh pant for riders in hot climates that want a high-quality pant that offers ample protection. These pants are decked out in perforated mesh paneling in key areas for much-needed airflow, in addition to the stretch panels to keep these pants as comfortable as possible.
Specs
- Premium leather main chassis constructed from 1.3mm genuine bovine leather
- Accordion leather stretch zones above the knee offer improved flexibility
- Extended high rear waist construction provides greater overlap with the riding jacket
- Large stretch panels on calf and crotch area for improved fit and feel
- Pre-curved leg construction helps reduce riding fatigue and improves fit
- Zippered ventilation for air cooling
- Jacket-to-pant connection zipper allows attachment to Alpinestars riding jackets
- Hook and loop ankle adjuster
- Internal mesh lining with stretch panel inserts work in conjunction with outer stretch zones for freedom of movement
- Pocket for optional hip protection (sold separately)
- Internally reinforced seat area
- CE Level 1 Alpinestars GP-R protection on knee
- Replaceable Sport knee sliders for excellent impact and abrasion resistance
- CE certified pants
Protection & Safety
- Like many pant options, these come fully equipped with CE rated knee armor with hip armor pockets included. That means if you want to up the protection level of these with some hip armor it will have to be purchased at a later date
- Reflective panels are located on the front and sides to keep you visible in low-light when in a seated position
REV’IT! Tornado 3 Pants
Price: $319.99
Where to Buy
Why?
REV’IT!’s Tornado gear line is aimed at keeping riders comfortable and dry in a variety of conditions. This is the most recent iteration, and instead of having two separate inner liners, REV’IT! opted for a 2 in 1 liner system to minimize bulk and maximize usability.
Specs
Protection Features:
- Outer shell: polyester rib, PWR|shell mesh, PWR|shell 750D, PWR|shell stretch, PWR|wax 500D
- Insulation: detachable 2-in-1 thermal liner & membrane
- Waterproofing: detachable hydratex | Lite 2-in-1 liner
- Breathability: detachable hydratex | Lite 2-in-1 liner
- Composition: 82% Polyester, 18% Polyamide
- Protection:Seeflex level 2 CE protection at knees, Seesmart CE-level 1 protection at hips
- Visibility: laminated reflection at thighs and ankles
Ergonomic Features:
- Fit: tour fit, regular
- Adjustability: adjustment straps at waist, adjustment tab at ankles
- Ventilation: ventilation panels
- Features: prepared for Strapper suspenders, YKK slide lock front closure, short connection zipper, stretch lips at back and knees, elastic at waistband, stretch panel above knee protector pockets, easy entrance zipper, grip panel at seat, adjustable protector pockets
- Pockets: slit pockets
Protection & Safety
Safety Features:
- Unlike many of the other low-mid range pants listed here, this particular option actually comes complete with both Seeflex level 2 CE protection at the knees, AND Seesmart CE-level 1 protection at the hips; meaning you have everything you might need right out of the box
Priced $500+
Best High-End Mesh Motorcycle Pants
Klim Adventure Rally Air Pants
Price: $899.99 – $919.99
Where to Buy
Why?
For those riders who live in particularly arid environments such as Phoenix, Southern California, or the face of the Sun, sinking almost a grand in well-ventilated mesh riding pants is a sound investment.
The Klim Adventure Rally Air mesh pants are pretty much the pinnacle of safety, fit, and function all rolled into one awesome piece of gear. The Adventure Rally Air pants are a combination of reflective mesh, SuperFabric, and premium leather at the knees to give riders the protection and ventilation they need for hot weather.
Specs
Fit:
- Athletic / Slim
Construction Features:
- Heavy duty Kevlar mesh construction with amazing tear and abrasion resistance
- Kevlar stretch mesh crotch for full range of motion
- Kevlar seat panel
- Large panels of Superfabric materal at knees for better sliding abrasion resistance
- Reflective mesh material placement on thighs and lower legs for increased low-light visibility
- Premium leather inside knees and inside lower leg provide excellent durability and heat resistance
Protection:
- D3O Xergo knee and hip pieces meet and exceed newest proposed CE level 2 limb protector standards [pren1621-1:2011]
- Poron XRD extreme impact foam coccyx (tailbone) pad
- Dow Corning S7-005 Deflexion on top of thighs for protection and breathability
Features:
-
- 2 external pockets: 2 large thigh pockets with horizontal zippers for easy access while seated
- 1 hidden money pocket in waistband
- Removable Spot pocket on left thigh for proper position of spot antenna when seated for better tracking ability
- Moisture-wicking mesh internal liner
- 500D Cordura inner lower cuff boot buckle guard
- Integrated suspender attachment points
- Full circumference jacket-to-pants zipper
- Heavy duty YKK zippers used throughout
- Spacer mesh at knees for breathability and comfort
- Adjustable over-the-boot cuff construction with VELCRO® brand closure keeps pants securely in place and keeps weather out of boots
- Adjustable cuff design allows pant to be open enough to adjust boot and knee guards/braces and provides large range of adjustment to fit the widest range of boot styles/sizes
Protection & Safety
The safety features of the Adventure Rally Air do veer back to mimic those of the Chain Mail suit but with far less weight and restriction.
- D3O Xergo knee and hip armor meet and exceed the newest proposed CE level 2 limb protector standards of [pren1621-1:2011]
- Poron XRD extreme impact foam is used for a strategically located coccyx (tailbone) pad
- Dow Corning S7-005 Deflexion on the top of thighs provides protection and breathability
The protection offered by the Adventure Rally Air is suitable modern-day armor for any rider of today’s most agile and favored transportation.
Rukka Airventur Pants
Price: $500
Where to Buy
Why?
Knitted mesh Cordura keeps these ADV pants as cool as possible while managing to maintain a slim and slender form factor that’s easy to move around in.
Rukka products often make their way to our top gear lists in the ‘High-End’ section, and that’s for good reason. These pants are heat and abrasion-resistant, come complete with hip and knee protectors out the gate, and even include a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. With such a great warranty, you can trust that the Rukka backs their own product quality, as do we.
Specs
- Knitted mesh Cordura AFT for maximum airflow
- Knitted Cordura AFT in two layers on knees
- Belt loops
- Jacket-to-pant connecting zipper
- Leg cuff with zipper and VELCRO® brand closure
- Three outer pockets with zippers
- Rukka D3O Air XTR Knee/Shin and Hip Protectors CE Level 2 EN 1621-1 2012
- Stretch material on groin, above knees and back yoke
- Rukka AirCushion system in seat
- Heat- and abrasion-resistant leather panels on inner side of knees and on seat
- Can be fitted with Rukka Suspenders (sold separately)
- The Rukka warranty is valid for 5 (five) years from the date of purchase against faults in material or workmanship
Protection & Safety
- The same Rukka armor protection that is found in many of their high-quality pieces of gear D3O Air knee/shin and hip protectors, CE Level 1 EN 1621-1 2012, are included in these pants
- Rukka suspenders, which are sold separately, can also be added for additional comfort and security when stretching your legs after a long ride
- Warranty is valid for five years from the date of purchase against faults in material or workmanship
