Best ADV and dual-sport gear 2022

Top ADV and dual-sport gear 2021

As you’d expect, ADV and dual-sport riders need gear that’s as adaptable and durable as their machines. Which gear is best for your next ride? We’ve done the research for you, and here’s what we found.

Selection process

To make things easier, we split our selections into two rider types: the mostly on-road ADV rider and the more off-road-focused dual-sport rider. The ADV rider is probably on a larger motorcycle that sees mostly street miles, although it will be used for occasional multi-day trips and camping in a variety of weather. The second rider is taking day trips on a smaller, lighter motorcycle in warm weather, with more time in the dirt. Gear for both riders needs to be street-legal and trail approved. Let’s dive in. 

The best ADV/dual-sport gear of 2022

Gear	Category	Price	Details
Arai XD-4 helmet	Best on-road ADV helmet	$610-$740	Aerodynamic peak Huge airflow
Sedici Garda jacket and pants	Best on-road ADV jacket and pants	$450 (suit)	Waterproof stretch Hydration pocket
REV'IT! Sand 4 gloves	Best on-road ADV gloves	$120	Vented knuckles Street or trail
Forma Adventure boots	Best on-road ADV boots	$300	Proven performers Full leather uppers
100% goggles	Best on-road ADV goggles	$35-$100	Many styles, colors Tough optics
Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS helmet	Best off-road ADV helmet	$230	Compatible with goggles MIPS liner
Klim Dakar jacket and pants	Best off-road ADV jacket and pants	$510-$550 (suit)	Massive ventilation Extreme durability
REV'IT! Dune gloves	Best off-road ADV gloves	$100	Vented knuckles Goatskin palms
Alpinestars Tech 3 Enduro boots	Best off-road ADV boots	$220	TPU reinforcements Hinged ankles
100% goggles	Best off-road ADV goggles	$35-$100	Many styles, colors Tough optics

Best on-road ADV/dual sport motorcycle gear

The ADV rider needs gear that can handle life on the road or a day in the dirt. Flexibility is the name of the game. Whether commuting to work or taking some weeks off to try a Backroads Discovery Route, riders can practically live out of good adventure gear. These choices are the best available for three-season riding in variable terrain and weather.

Best on-road ADV/dual-sport helmet: Arai XD-4 helmet

A perennial favorite, nobody can match the Arai XD-4’s proven track record in the ADV world. Arai has been crafting adventure helmets for many years, resulting in several generations of XD helmets. The XD-4 is their best model ever, and for our money, it’s the top ADV lid on the market. The safety starts with Arai’s signature spherical helmet shape that delivers comprehensive protection in a lightweight package that meets SNELL M2020 standards. The helmet’s shell has been tuned for aerodynamic balance at speed, with a removable peak that resists wind better than just about any other model out there.

When speeds slow down off-road, or even in a traffic jam, the XD-4’s generous ventilation keeps the rider cool with plenty of airflow through scoops and exhausts. A large faceshield shuts out the wind and rain, or it can be flipped up to accommodate most dirt goggles. A comfy wicking liner seals the deal for those long days on the road or trail. 

Best on-road ADV/dual-sport jacket and pants: Sedici Garda jacket and pants

The core of an ADV rider’s gear is the suit, and for 2022, we recommend the Sedici Garda jacket and pants combo. They zip together to form your first line of defense against impacts, abrasion, and the elements.

Waterproof stretch 600D laminated construction keeps the Garda kit light and agile, while 1200D sections bulk up key areas. The elbows, shoulders, and knees receive included CE Level 2 armor. (Built-in pockets will accept optional back protectors and hip armor. Back and hip armor sold separately.) Full mesh lining with vents keeps fresh air flowing.

One of the Garda suit’s best features is its adjustability. Sedici provides a variety of adjustment features to tailor the suit for the best fit and performance. They also build in reflective elements, waterproof zippers, neoprene cuffs, and plenty of cargo pockets, including a hydration bladder pocket in the back of the jacket. We can’t find an adventure suit that matches the Garda’s bang-for-buck factor on the road or trail.

Best on-road ADV/dual-sport gloves: REV'IT! Sand 4 gloves

The REV’IT! Sand 4 gloves are juggernauts among dual-purpose gloves. They’re among the few gloves that can truly tackle the dirt or the street, and they just don’t quit thanks to their unique combination of goatskin leather and technical textiles. The outer shell gets breezy 3D air mesh with stretch, plus REV’IT!’s PWR|shell 500D material in critical zones. Flexible knuckles defend against impacts without blocking airflow. 

The short cuff design of the Sand 4 gloves makes them easy to live with for both weekday trips and weekend excursions. Even better, touch connect fingertips allow easy interfacing with smart devices. The standard version of the Sand 4 gloves is intended for warm, dry rides, but if you’d like a little more protection from the elements, don’t miss the Sand 4 WP gloves. They have longer cuffs and a waterproof membrane for wetter, colder riding.

Best on-road ADV/dual-sport boots: Forma Adventure boots

The Forma Adventure boots are the gold standard for adventurous riders who mostly stick to pavement. They feature full-grain oiled leather uppers with Drytex waterproofing to perform in all conditions. The leather ages beautifully while adding a real touch of class over the black synthetic boots seen elsewhere on the market. Adventure-ready protection includes shin/ankle TPU plates, molded plastic front plates, anti-slip soles, steel shanks, and shift pads. 

Forma cranks up the comfort with memory foam padding and anti-bacterial footbeds. Of course, comfort is also determined by adjustability, and the Forma Adventures excel here. The adjustable buckles are also unbreakable, and the boots close up with proper VELCRO® closures. These boots will go anywhere your adventure motorcycle will take you.

Best on-road ADV/dual-sport goggles: 100% goggles

In our experience, 100% goggles are the best available for most riders. They offer a huge range of frames, lenses, colors, and feature sets, and 100%'s designs are all-day comfortable.

The Accuri 2 goggles will be plenty for most riders. Step up to the Armegas for unmatched clarity and comfort.

Best off-road ADV/dual sport motorcycle gear

Our second rider type lives for the off-road experience. This rider mostly takes day trips leading to challenging dirt environments in warm to hot weather. Think dual-sport rides that involve some tarmac between trailheads. Our gear selections here favor dirt protection with breathability and serious durability.

Best off-road ADV/dual sport helmet: Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS helmet

Also featured in our helmets gear guide, the Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS is a fan favorite that won’t break the bank. Bell includes the all-important Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) liner to mitigate rotational impacts at low speeds, a constant consideration for all dirt riders. A polycarbonate shell keeps weight to a minimum, and an effective ventilation system is also onboard for keeping cool. Throw a Bluetooth communicator into the MX-9 Adventure MIPS using the built-in speaker pockets to communicate with your pals. (Bluetooth communicator sold separately.)

The Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS has an integrated faceshield for convenience, but like the Arai XD-4 above, it will also accept goggles from most manufacturers for true dirt chops. There’s even an adjustable mouth vent to adapt to various conditions. DOT and ECE certifications mean the Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS can be used on the street, and a five-year warranty means you won’t have to think twice about thrashing it off-road. 

Best off-road ADV/dual sport jacket and pants: Klim Dakar jacket and pants

There’s no bigger challenge to off-road riders than the famed Dakar, and Klim built this bombproof suit to perform in rugged environments. The main construction uses 600D textile for the jacket and 630D for pants, with additional 630D Cordura at the shoulders and elbows on the jacket. The pants get a DWR coating to shrug off mud and splashes.

Zipped together, the Dakar suit is light and ready for action. Vents throughout make a massive difference in rider comfort when pushing the limits in dirt. Stretch materials are integrated throughout for a wide range of motion. Zip off the sleeves when temperatures climb. Adjust the Dakar suit to fit your body and underlying gear with adjustments at all key points. Klim adds lots of pockets for cargo and snacks.

A wicking liner rides along under the surface to remove sweat and moisture. Add optional D3O armor to the shoulders, elbows, knees, back, and hips to complete the protective package, or use dedicated dirt armor under the Dakar suit. (D3O armor sold separately.)

Best off-road ADV/dual sport gloves: REV'IT! Dune gloves

We’ve tried every pair of dual-sport gloves we can get our hands on, and the REV’IT! Dune gloves came out on top as the best option for dirt addicts in 2022. In our opinion, they balance the lightness of a dirt glove with the bare essentials for street use. Goatskin palms meet air stretch mesh with PWR | shell 500D stretch for excellent feel at the controls. TPR flexible ventilated knuckles and fingers are up to the task for riding roads between trails, and they also come in handy if you happen to smack a tree or rock in the singletrack. 

Comfort is provided by a tour fit, dual VELCRO® closures on each glove, and tri-fleece lining. They even feature touch-capable fingertips for accessing any smart devices you bring along for the ride. Many gloves have tried to walk the line between dirt and street, but none have eclipsed the adaptability of the Dunes.

Best off-road ADV/dual sport boots: Tech 3 Enduro boots

The Alpinestars Tech line of boots has a long legacy of protecting dirt riders. Our favorite boots for dual-sport riders, the Tech 3 Enduros, check all the boxes for off-road use with enough coverage for light street use, too. The Enduro variants get a revised sole over the standard Tech 3s for improved traction on slippery trail surfaces, making them a favorite for dual-sport adventurers in all kinds of conditions. 

Rugged microfiber uppers shrug off mud, abrasion, and water, with strategic placement of bellows and lighter microfiber for flexibility. TPU protectors ride along at the calves, upper medials, outer ankles, shins, and heels. The Tech 3 Enduros also feature a bio-mechanical blade system that reduces side-to-side movement at the ankles; this is absolutely necessary when venturing off-road, and one of our main reasons for selecting these boots over the competition. Sturdy buckles with micro adjustments ensure a secure fit, and long PU gaiters do an excellent job of fighting water ingress. The replaceable Enduro soles grip pegs and terrain well, so you can ride with confidence wherever the trail leads.

Best off-road ADV/dual-sport goggles: 100% goggles

We chose 100%'s line of fantastic goggles as the best option for adventure riders (see above), and the same goes for dual-sport riders. Their range of optics, colors, and frames means you can order practically any goggle combination you can imagine, and they hold up to hard use.

Just take a good look around at the next dual-sport event you attend, and you'll see the bold 100% logo wrapped around plenty of helmets.

Best off-road ADV/dual sport armor: Leatt 3DF AirFit Body Protector

The Leatt 3DF AirFit body protector is a complete protective solution for your torso and arms. Instead of slipping armor into the pockets of a dirt jacket, we recommend using a protective shirt like the 3DF Airfit for a few reasons.

First, the 3DF AirFit slips on like a base layer, keeping all armor securely planted while riding. An important note here is the inclusion of a chest protector, which offers CE Level 2 protection to match the back protector. Shoulder and elbow armor is CE Level 1. Perforations throughout offer excellent ventilation with a MoistureCool wicking technology. The compression fit promotes evaporation of sweat and moisture. It also helps the 3DF AirFit to keep a low profile that will work under a jacket just as well as it will work under your favorite dirt jersey. Easily pull the armor and wash the whole works after a day in the dirt.

That’s all for our review of the best ADV and dual-sport gear out there today. Don’t miss our other gear guides as we explore 2022’s best in moto.