The Best Motorcycle Base Layers You Can Buy [2023 Edition]
Last updated March 29, 2023 by Simon Bertram
About Our Selections
One of the most often neglected things when gathering all your riding gear as you get ready for the motorcycle season is what you wear under that gear. While many riders get away with a regular shirt or even a tank top under their jacket, it is nowhere near as effective as a dedicated, moisture wicking cooling shirt or, if it’s a bit chilly that day, a warming shirt that still wicks the sweat away from your body. Some of these layers may also carry soft or hard armor in them, to reinforce parts of your body that may not have coverage from the armor in the outer layers.
There really is no one-size-fits-all base layer. Some riders have excellent jackets, pants, boots, and gloves, and simply want something to keep them cool and comfortable. Other riders might like to hit the trails on the weekends, and need an armored based layer that fits under a riding jersey. Some urban riders might want to go the riding jeans and armored hoody route to keep their protection on the down-low, and having an armored base layer only enhances that protection without shouting out that it’s there.
No matter what, we had some pretty intense discussions and deliberations regarding which base layers should appear on this list. We also discussed whether or not airbags should be considered here, as there are base layer style and over gear styles of airbags. In the end, we did include one airbag system that we think is the best base layer style, and did our best to balance armored and unarmored base layers otherwise.
Here’s what we came up with.
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Entry-Level Base Layers
Priced under $100, these inexpensive options are your standard, gets-the-job-done base layers for the rider on a budget.
Fox Racing Tecbase Fire Long Sleeved Shirt
For Spring/Fall riding when the weather can get a little chilly
Get Yours
RevZilla
$69.95 as of March 29
Amazon
Up to $75 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $69.95
Sizing: SM to 2XL
Safety: N/A
Ideal For
Riders wanting a warming/insulating shirt for colder weather rides that has a mild compression fit
ADV and trail riders wanting a higher altitude/colder climate base layer to enhance their ADV jacket's insulation
Highlights
Brushed inner lining fabric for cold weather comfort
Mild compression fit with honeycomb peached fabric for temperature regulation to keep you warm and help ease muscle fatigue
Seamless construction for all day comfort
Downsides
No armor reinforcement or supplemental padding
Not fully moisture wicking, meant for properly cold weather riding
AXIAL Protect Armored Pants
For riders wanting to enhance the abrasion resistance of their riding jeans or pants at a very affordable price
Get Yours
RevZilla
$99.99 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $99.99
Sizing: SM to 3XL
Safety: Non-CE rated abrasion resistance
Ideal For
Riders of all styles wanting a base layer that enhances abrasion resistance while also serving as a cooling garment
Highlights
Aramid abrasion resistant panels at hips, thighs, knees, and coccyx
Very lightweight to the point of possibly forgetting you're wearing them
Moisture wicking fabric for cooling
Compression fit to help reduce muscle fatigue
Downsides
No impact foam or armor, just abrasion resistance pads
Can fit snug around the perineum and calves
See Also:
KLIM Aggressor Cool -1.0 Shirt
For riders wanting one of the best entry-level cooling shirts out there, that is chemical free and works with every type of jacket
Get Yours
RevZilla
$74.99 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $74.99
Sizing: SM to 3XL
Safety: N/A
Our Review
See our complete KLIM Aggressor Cool -1.0 shirt review
Ideal For
Riders wanting a very effective cooling shirt base layer for warm and hot climates that can be used with leather, mesh, or other textile jackets
Highlights
CoolCore fabric is chemical free and hypoallergenic
Fits true to KLIM sizing guide
Compression fit to help reduce muscle fatigue
Can be presoaked in cold water for extremely hot days without losing effectiveness
Downsides
Must be hang dried to prevent damaging fabric
Somewhat pricier than many other cooling shirts on the market
Mid-Range Base Layers
Priced between $100 and $150, these are the base layers that start coming with extra features such as armored panels and higher tech fabrics
Dainese Dry Suit
Meant to be worn under racing leathers or a zip-together suit for full body cooling while wicking away sweat
Get Yours
RevZilla
$145.95 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $146.95
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Safety: N/A
Ideal For
Riders wanting a full length cooling garment that is worn under a track suit or zippered-together road gear
Highlights
Full one piece suit with seamless construction for all-day comfort
Padded reinforcement at likely impact areas to enhance your outer gear's armor and protection
Highly breathable and moisture wicking stretch fit fabric that is made from 100% recycled fibers too keep you cool in the most intense of situations
Downsides
European race fit might be too tight for some riders
Reinforcement padding is very thin
See Also:
BILT Amped Jacket
Designed for the off-road or ADV rider that might be going truly off-trail and wants as much protection as possible
Get Yours
RevZilla
$129.99 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $129.99
Sizing: SM to 2XL
Safety: CE Level 1
Ideal For
Trail and/or ADV riders looking for a highly armored and cooling base layer for long duration riding to supplement outer gear
Highlights
Fully articulated CE Level 1 back protector to give you a wide range of motion without losing coverage
Full CE Level 1 TPU armored chest, shoulders, elbows, and forearms
Designed to fit under a trail jersey or ADV jacket as it can be used as armor on its own or as a supplement to outer gear armor
Downsides
Sizing and fit is on the tighter side
Sleeves have very minimal stretch due to the amount of armor carried there, might be too tight for those with thicker arms
Fly Racing Barricade Armored Shirt
A partially hard armor, partially soft armor combination shirt for the trail or enduro rider
Get Yours
RevZilla
$149.95 as of March 29
Amazon
$149.95 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $149.95
Sizing: SM to 2XL
Safety: CE Level 1 (partial)
Ideal For
Trail, enduro, and off-road riders looking for a lightweight but protective armored base layer that will fit under a riding jersey or light off-road jacket
Highlights
CE Level 1 ventilated TPU armor at shoulders, elbows, and back
Non-Newtonian perforated EVA foam armor over chest, biceps, and kidneys
Full front zip for easy on/off
Very lightweight, equivalent to a hot weather mesh outer jacket
Downsides
Sizing is known to fit small, may need to order one size up
Chest foam armor is thick, can affect cooling airflow
See Also:
Dainese Hard Shorts E1
Designed for the off-road or ADV rider that might be going truly off-trail and wants as much protection as possible
Get Yours
RevZilla
$115.95 as of March 29
Amazon
$120 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $115.95
Sizing: XS to XL
Safety: CE Level 2
Ideal For
Riders of all types that want supplemental armor over the hips and coccyx, with additional protection pads on other likely impact areas
Highlights
CE Level 2 TPU armor at the hips and coccyx, ventilated on the hips to keep you cool
Impact foam areas cover the sides of the waist, buttocks, and upper rear thigh
Elastic mesh construction for maximum airflow and fit while also keeping armor in place
Downsides
Sizing is European slim/athletic, and is known to run a half to full size smaller than fitment guide
No armor or impact padding on front of thighs
No padding or chamois for groin and perineal area
High-End Base Layers
Priced over $150, these are the base layers with the highest tech, best quality fabrics, and are almost always armored
KLIM Tactical Pants
An excellent pair of non-Newtonian armored compression cooling pants for the off-road and ADV rider
Get Yours
RevZilla
$159.99 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $159.99
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Safety: Non-Newtonian impact foam, not CE rated
Our Review
See our complete KLIM Tactical Pants review
Ideal For
Riders that are primary off-road or adventure touring that want extra padding and armor for the hips, thighs, perineum, and coccyx
Highlights
KLIM Poron XRD non-Newtonian impact foam is very flexible and light, but will go as hard as steel if impacted
KlimaTek fabric main construction to keep legs and pelvic area cool and dry
Padded seat chamois for extra comfort on the perineum and coccyx
Compression fit to help reduce muscle fatigue
Downsides
Armor is not CE rated, is more to enhance protection and comfort than be used as primary armor
Armor is only on hips, coccyx, and outer thighs, with no buttock, knee, or shin reinforcement areas
See Also:
Alpinestars Bionic Tech V2 Protection Jacket
A supplementary armored base layer designed for all riders, from ADV and trail bikers to sport riders carving the canyons
Get Yours
RevZilla
$299.95 as of March 29
Amazon
$299.95 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $299.95
Sizing: SM to 2XL
Safety: CE Level 2
Ideal For
Riders of all styles that want extra armor under their primary gear that breathes well and helps keep them cool
Highlights
Alpinestars New Cell Technology ventilated CE Level 2 TPU armor on chest, shoulders, and full length back
Reinforced and padded elbows and forearms to supplement your jacket's existing armor
Compression stretch fit with moisture wicking fabric construction
Compatible with Alpinestars Bionic Hydration Pack for ADV and trail riders that want to use a hydration bladder
Downsides
Very expensive for a base layer
As with most Alpinestars gear, fit is slim/athletic, and may not be comfortable for larger or taller riders
See Also:
Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Airbag System
A base layer airbag vest that fits under most jackets that offers the ultimate in impact mitigation
Get Yours
RevZilla
$749.95 as of March 29
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $749.95
Sizing: XS to 4XL
Safety: CE Level 2
Ideal For
All riders wanting an airbag system that can be worn under a jacket that is ventilated, not bulky, and does not need to be tethered to the bike
Highlights
Uses 6 accelerometers and gyroscopes to constantly monitor the rider's position without needing to be tethered to, or install any base sensor on, the bike
Highly advanced algorithm will determine when/if airbag needs to deploy based on sensors
30 hours power-on riding time per battery charge
Built in back protector is CE Level 2 on its own, while the entire airbag system is CE Level 2 when deployed
Downsides
Designed to work mostly with Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 compatible jackets. Can work with other jackets, however 4 centimeters of slack is needed to allow for full deployment of the vest
Very expensive
Other Great Riding Gear
Looking for something else? See other curated motorcycle riding gear recommendations.
