Whether you are collecting a rental bike in Spain or joining friends at the start of a tour, flying with motorcycle gear comes down to three decisions: what to wear on the plane, what to pack, and what to keep within reach. Riding trousers deserve the most thought, because they are bulky and a good fit is personal.
Flying With Motorcycle Gear: Wear the Bulky Pieces
Airlines limit bags by size and weight, and the bulkiest parts of a rider's kit are also the heaviest. The easy saving is to wear them: put on your riding trousers and boots and let your body carry them through the airport. Limits differ between airlines, so check yours before you pack.
Trousers earn their place for another reason: pockets. A pair with plenty of pockets that close with a zip or a flap, like the RoadVault cargo trousers with their six, keeps your passport, phone and cards on you instead of at the bottom of a bag. Boots are worth wearing if they stay comfortable on a long walk through the terminal. You may be asked to take them off at security, and if they are too stiff for the journey, wear trainers and pack the boots.
How to Pack Riding Trousers So They Arrive Ready
When a second pair has to go in the bag, pack it with a plan:
- Empty and close everything. Clear the pockets and shut every zip, including vent panels and ankle zips, so nothing catches.
- Roll, do not fold. A tight roll creases less than hard folds, and stretch fabric usually recovers well.
- Build around the boots. Put the boots at the bottom with socks inside, then lay the rolled trousers on top.
- Fasten the hem. Close the ankle tabs or cuffs so they cannot snag on a zip or strap.
Keep sharp tools and spray cans, such as a multi-tool or waterproofing spray, out of your pockets and hand luggage until you have read your airline's rules.
An adjustable hem makes the whole trip easier. The Sentinel's hem adjusts from 32 to 46 cm, so the same trousers sit over trainers on the plane and over boots on the bike.
What to Carry On and What to Check
Think in two layers: what you need to ride on the first morning, and what can wait. A checked bag can arrive late, so the first layer should travel on your body or in the cabin: trousers, boots, gloves and a spare base layer. Many riders carry the helmet too and use it to hold socks, gloves and other soft items.
- On you or in the cabin: passport and booking papers, licence, insurance details, phone and charger, plus the riding kit above.
- In the hold: spare trousers, a rain layer, off-bike clothes and tools.
- Check the rules first: heated gear, headsets and power banks contain batteries, which come with airline rules of their own.
Flying out to ride pillion with a friend or partner? Our guide to what to wear as a motorcycle passenger covers fit and layers for the back seat.
When You Land: Get Your Gear Ready to Ride
Unpack the trousers first and hang them somewhere airy. Creases in stretch fabric usually drop out within a few hours, especially once you are wearing them. Then run a quick check: zips and vents move freely, the hem sits cleanly over your boots, and the pockets hold only what you want on the bike.
If you are renting, ask the rental firm exactly what is included so you know what to bring yourself. Then plan for the weather on your route: our motorcycle touring packing list for Europe covers layers and luggage, and our adventure motorcycle trousers guide helps if the trip leaves the tarmac.
Evenings are easier with one pair that does not look like riding gear. The Redback riding jeans combine stretch denim with a breathable mesh lining and come in three leg lengths, so they work at a café table as well as on the bike.
Common Questions
Can you wear motorcycle gear on a plane?
Generally yes. Riding trousers and boots are clothing, and wearing them is the easiest way to save luggage space. Metal zips, snaps and buckles can set off a scanner, so wear a belt you can remove quickly and be ready to take your boots off. Check your airline's rules for anything beyond clothing.
Should riding gear go in hand luggage or the hold?
Anything you cannot ride without belongs on you or in the cabin: trousers, boots, gloves and the helmet. Spares and bulky extras can go in the hold, so a late bag does not cost you the first day.
How do I stop riding trousers creasing in a suitcase?
Roll them instead of folding along hard lines, close every zip and unpack them as soon as you arrive. Hanging them overnight lets most creases drop out, and wearing them for an hour does the same.
From the range
Two more pairs for the trip
NORDRYK RoadVault — Cargo Motorcycle Trousers
Six pockets with a zip or a flap, zipped vent panels and ankle cuffs that sit over the boot.
See the RoadVault →
NORDRYK Redback — Motorcycle Jeans
Stretch denim with a breathable mesh lining and three leg lengths, for evenings off the bike.
See the Redback jeans →