The best motorcycle cargo pants keep what people like about cargo pants (real pockets, an easy cut, a look that works off the bike) and lose the parts that get in the way once you're on the seat. Regular cargo pants were never built for that. Here's what to check before you pick a pair.
What Makes Motorcycle Cargo Pants Different From Regular Ones
Regular cargo pants are cut for standing and walking. On a bike your knees are bent, your legs are forward and your feet sit by the pegs, and four things start to work against you:
- Stiff fabric. Cotton canvas binds at the knee, soaks up sweat and rain, and dries slowly.
- Pockets that flap. Big open thigh pockets catch the wind and swing when they're loaded.
- Loose hems. A wide leg opening can snag on a footpeg or shifter.
- Walking-cut seams. They bunch and pull once you sit down.
A pair made for riding keeps the cargo look and fixes the details: stretch where you bend, pockets that close and ankles you can adjust.
Pockets That Work When You're Seated
Pockets are the reason to buy cargo pants, so check them first. Look for flaps or zips that stop things falling out at speed, and pockets that lie flat when you sit instead of gaping open or digging into your leg. RoadVault has six pockets, enough for a phone, keys, a wallet and a pair of gloves.
Two habits help. Keep heavy items like a multitool or a battery pack in a bag, because a loaded thigh pocket swings. And empty your back pockets before a long ride, since you'll be sitting on whatever is in them. On a group ride, keep what you need at every stop within reach, and see our group riding tips for the rest.
Ankles, Hems and Boots
The hem is where cargo pants most often let riders down. A loose leg opening flaps in the wind and can catch a footpeg, so you want one you can cinch or zip. A pair with an ankle zip opens wide enough to slide over a boot, then closes back down so the leg stays put.
Try them on with the boots you actually ride in. The hem should sit clear of the peg with your foot in place, and it shouldn't ride up your calf when your knees bend.
Fabric, Stretch and Airflow
Fabric decides how the pants feel at hour three. Look for a breathable shell with 4-way stretch. It moves with your knees and hips, dries faster than cotton canvas and doesn't stay damp. Mesh-backed vent zips help on hot days, and you can close them when it cools off.
Color is a real choice too. Black and army green look good and disappear after dark, so if you ride at night, read our night riding tips and add something reflective.
The Finishing Touches: Belt and Seat
Loaded pockets add weight, so wear a belt. The Tactical Belt is a nylon strap with stepless adjustment, so there are no holes to line up, and a matte frame buckle.
Then think about the seat, because long days are hard on any seat and pockets can't fix that. A gel rider cushion straps onto the seat you already have, no tools needed. If you ride two-up, a gel passenger cushion does the same job on the back seat.
Common Questions
Can you ride in regular cargo pants?
You can, and plenty of people do for short trips. But they're cut for walking: the fabric is stiff at the knee, the pockets flap and the wide hems can catch a footpeg. Pants built for riding keep the cargo look and fix those problems.
Do motorcycle cargo pants come in women's sizes?
Some do. RoadVault comes in a men's and a women's fit, from XXS through 4XL, in black, army green and camo. Pick your size seated, with your knees raised.
Can a passenger wear motorcycle cargo pants too?
Yes. Stretch matters even more on the back seat, where your knees sit high. Our guide to what to wear as a passenger covers the rest of the kit, and a gel passenger cushion adds a layer of gel to a small, firm rear seat.
GEAR UP
Finish the Setup Before the Next Ride
Tactical Belt
Nylon strap with stepless adjustment and a matte frame buckle, to keep loaded pockets where they belong.
Shop the Belt →
Gel Rider Cushion
A honeycomb gel cushion that straps onto the seat you already have, no tools needed.
See the Cushion →