If there’s one things that’s been a god-send post-lockdown, it’s been the way that brands came together to continue to serve our good industry; of course, we’d have far less diversity in our bike lineups if distributors didn’t do what they do best – which is why we’re loving Tucker’s new move as the team that will be spreading Dainese and TCX products through North America.
Dainese and TCX products, in anticipation of both landing in North America, thanks to Tucker Powersports. Media sourced from Dainese.
The news was dropped after the partnership agreement was signed on December 7th; this means Dainese joins a long list of competitive brands, all working with Tucker to make our local market a diverse and wonderful place.
“I’m excited about signing this agreement with Tucker Powersports, a new milestone in our journey of expansion and consolidation in North America,” enthuses Dainese Group’s CEO, Cristiano Sile.
“The US market has always played a crucial role for our Group and I’m sure that choosing a distributor with such a widespread, structured sales network will allow us to achieve increasingly ambitious goals.”
Dainese and TCX products, in anticipation of both landing in North America, thanks to Tucker Powersports. Media sourced from Dainese.
“We’re thrilled to add Dainese to our roster of great partner companies,” adds Tucker President and CEO, Marc McAllister.
“Our dealer network will make Dainese products easily available to riders looking for high-quality riding and protective gear.”
Dainese and TCX products, in anticipation of both landing in North America, thanks to Tucker Powersports. Media sourced from Dainese.
Stay tuned, as we’ll likely be getting an update on when Dainese’s gear will land in North America shortly after 2023 arrives.
Meantime, we hope you have a great time with family and loved ones; the weekend is a few hours (ish) away, so drop a comment below and as ever – stay safe on the twisties!
Often overlooked when considering protective gear, your legs are actually quite vitally important in terms of controlling the average motorcycle. Stop and think for a moment about just how many things about a bike need your legs: balance during cornering, providing enough stability to press on levers operated by your feet, and a whole slew of other things that happen naturally as part of riding.
It is amazing, then, that many riders don’t protect their legs. We’ve all heard the excuses of “it’s too hot where I live,” “I don’t plan on crashing,” and “I can’t find anything that’s comfortable.” For those in hot regions, mesh pants. For those that can’t find anything comfortable, there are ranges of overpants and/or custom fit motorcycle gear that can be ordered. For those that don’t plan on crashing, well, no one plans on crashing, but it still happens!
To keep your legs safe, as well as keep you looking your best on the bike, here are the top ten motorcycle pants currently on the market. These are all either highly rated and reviewed, have special features about them, or are just damned good deals when it comes to the value-to-protection ratio. If you’re looking for more size options, check out our guides on Plus Size Jackets and Plus Size Pants for female riders.
Rokker is one of the more premium motorcycle clothing brands out there, with a history of moderately-expensive-but-worth-it protective gear. This holds true with the Rokkertech High Waist Slim jeans, a new introduction to their motorcycle pants lineup.
The Tech part of RokkerTech comes from the usage of in-house developed Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, or UHMWPE, which has a pure fiber tensile strength twice that of steel. Around those fibers, Rokker weaves in cotton so as to form a denim feel and look, but which is, when finally sewn into a full garment, 15 times as strong as steel in abrasion resistance.
This is backed up by full D3O knee and hip armor, both of which are included. As well, the use of UHMWPE allows for the jeans to be sewn and bonded, instead of riveted, meaning there is no metal on the outside of the jearns to scratch and ding your bike’s paint job. Definitely designed for warmer weather, these riding jeans are one of the few that are single layer, so apart from the slight bumps where the armor is, they could pass for everyday fashion jeans without worry.
Spidi is often considered as a bargain brand, which is not saying anything bad about them. They are simply like Scorpion, making good gear available at lower-than-average retail prices. A perfect example of this are the Moto Pro leggings, a mix of high tech textiles and a low price.
The leggings are designed, as the name suggests, to fit tightly to the leg, much tighter than many riding jeans would. This is made possible through Spidi’s TEXTECH fiber, a blend of cotton and elastane. This blend means the leggings will stretch with you, while the cotton is of a high enough grade that it replicates Cordura levels of protection, without needing to license the name. That is, quite possibly, where most of the savings are on these riding pants.
Protective armor comes in the form of knee armor at CE level 1, and pockets inside the hip for optional hip armor. The leggings are single layer, and are highly abrasion resistant, so they can be worn either on their own, or if you wanted extra protection, could be worn under a pair of regular jeans, riding overpants, or with aramid/kevlar undergarments.
The Scorpion EXO Maia pants are a bit of an oddity, in a good way. To explain what is meant by that, we first need to look at what type of riding these pants are designed for. That style can simply be described as “touring.” It could be sport touring, cruiser touring, continental touring, it’s built for them all.
This is demonstrated by the way the pants are designed to protect the rider. Most of the protective polyfabric, which is rated at 600D, is in the seat, knees, and lower legs, all common sliding and impact areas. The other areas of the pants are then fitted with poly-mesh panels, which while not major impact areas, are still rated at about 300D. This is backed up by Sas-Tec CE level 1 knee armor, and pockets for Sas-Tec hip armor.
The pants are odd in that instead of focusing on making the whole thing out of full 600D, Scorpion put the heavy duty protection on slide and impact areas, and used the other areas to benefit ventilation and comfort. That is the odd bit about these pants. They’re heavy duty, but lightweight, meant to keep the rider comfortable for long or short rides, and above all, protected.
Dainese is one of the two major suppliers of racing gear for the MotoGP grid, and it shows with trickle-down tech that makes it into the latest and greatest of their consumer track and riding gear. The Delta 3 Perforated leather pants are just one more example of the top class of motorcycle racing impacting every day riding comfort and protection.
Using full tutu cowhide leather at 1.2mm or greater, the pants are heavily perforated on the thighs to allow for the most airflow to the hottest part of the legs. S1 bieleastic polyamide stretch fabric allows for comfort and protection in high movement areas such as the groin and knees. There are no adjustable vents on these pants, however, as they are considered race-grade.
In line with that powersports grade ideal, the pants come with full composite armor on the knees and hips that both meet and exceed CE level 2 requirements. The knee pucks are fully replaceable and are highly durable. The pants as a whole meet and exceed CE – Cat. II – 89/686/EEC Directive ratings, which translates to full track and race certification, although most race series will make you have a full one piece suit. It just shows the level of technology and detail Dainese is bringing down to the everyday sport rider.
Whereas the other racing fit pants on this list are pretty much a women’s version of a men’s set of pants, the Alpinestars Stella Missile pants are a completely different beast than the men’s Missile V2 leather pants. This is through both research and development with women that partake in racing championships, and feedback from everyday riders.
The same 1.3mm full cowhide leather is used, however the legs are tailored for smaller diameters, and the hips section has been widened, with adjustable straps for a perfect fit. The Stella Missile’s also feature the same GP-R knee slider pucks as the men’s pants for lap after lap on a track day without worry.
Armor comes in the form of Alpinestars Bio knee protectors, and there are pockets for hip armor as well. If you have a Stella Missile Women’s racing jacket, there is a full surround zip at the waist to connect the pants to the jacket to form a full suit.
Rev’It has been working day in and day out since their inception to include women into their gear lineups. This is because the Netherlands has a large cycling population, which has led to a higher number of female riders in the European country. And as all women are not built the same, Rev’It also has many styles of riding pants.
The Maple jeans are for those women that do not want a regular or relaxed fit, but also don’t want the jeans to be totally tight on their legs. Using a skinny fit, these jeans are made of 13oz Cordura denim, which has a minimum abrasion protection rating of 500D. Rev’It also includes their CoolMax lining, allowing sweat and heat to be wicked away and carried off by the air passing through and over the jeans.
For protection, there is a double layer of PWR polyester fabric in the seat and at the knees, to keep the Seesmart CE level 1 knee armor in place even during a slide. There are pockets for hip armor, and the jeans are certified CE 17092-4:2020 Class A, meaning street and regular commuting protection.
As we just mentioned in the Rev’It Maple overview above, not all women are built the same. The Rev’It Moto Jeans are, much like their men’s counterpart, designed to replicate the look and feel of a leather-based pant, but made using fabrics.
As with the men’s version, Rev’It used heavyweight 12.5oz Cordura denim for the exterior, which gives an approximate 600D abrasion resistance rating. Underneath that, Seesmart CE level 1 knee pads are included with the jeans. The inner lining is made of Rev’It’s own PWR Shield polyamide mesh, which adds another 600D of abrasion resistance.
Combined, the outer and inner layers provide 1200D of total abrasion resistance, or about 10 seconds of resistance at 50 MPH. Of course, the faster you start the slide, the less time it will take to wear through, although these jeans are meant to give enough resistance that you will either start to tumble, or have enough time to slow down through friction to prevent the worst of road rash.
The masters of off-road ADV and exploring gear, Klim shifted their focus when it came to the Artemis gear. Using their expertise, they made the Artemis line of protective gear for women, without a men’s gear equivalent. This makes it, in the space of motorcycle PPE, one of the very few model lines that is specifically and only for the ladies of two wheels.
The Artemis are named appropriately, as these pants are designed to protect against almost any situation you could find yourself in while travelling off-road. Made of Klim’s exclusive Karbonite textile, the pants have a slide and ripstop rating ranging from 600D to 750D, depending on which part of the pants you are looking at. This is backed by full GoreTex, allowing the pants to be 100% waterproof while also breathable.
In making the Artemis line only for women, the ventilation mapping of the pants is oriented towards keeping the air flowing through and around the warmest bits. Two angled thigh vents, and two lower thigh exhausts, allow for cooling air to flow around the legs and wick away moisture and heat in equal measure. The inner mesh is also Klimatek, a specific mesh that helps carry that heat and moisture to the vents.
D3O CE level 1 armor protects both the knees and the hips, and can be replaced if needed with other CE level 1 armor, or optional CE level 2 versions. All in all, by keeping their focus on the woman rider, Klim has made a stellar product that is highly recommended and reviewed.
Rev’It themselves have the best statement about what makes the Ignition 3 pants so special: “Leather and mesh go together like salt and caramel.” Designed for the rider in hotter climates, the Ignition 3 pants are some of the best pants, of any type, you can buy for riding.
The outer shell is a combination of Monaco performance cowhide leather with a minimum thickness of 1mm, combined with high-strength Dynax mesh, 500D polyamide stretch zones, and Lorica fabric with waxed polyester for airflow. The leather is, of course, on all the high-abrasion zones should a slide occur, with the 500D polyamide allowing for both protection and stretch on secondary slide zones.
In adapting the Ignition 3 pants for women, the fit was made tighter in the legs and expanded a bit in the hips. As well, the knee protectors are still CE level 2 Seeflex, while the larger CE Level 1 Type B hip armor is provided. Apart from those changes, the pants are almost identical to the mens version, and the Hydratex fully removable waterproof liner is also included.
If you want to talk about over-engineering a set of pants, then you need to talk about the Rev’It Sand 4 H2O ADV and off-road pants. As the name suggests, this is the fourth iteration and evolution of the pants, and they came out just before the calendar flipped over to 2021. When it comes to four season riding capability, Rev’It’s Sand line-up is well worth looking at.
So what makes them over-engineered? Firstly, the outer layer is made of full 1000D polyester ripstop, which is enough protection for most other pants to get by with. But Rev’It wasn’t satisfied, and then put a Hydratex liner behind that, for waterproofing and breathability. Then, still not satisfied, they put a combination polyester and polyamide internal mesh liner, with a removable extra thermal liner, inside that is puncture and abrasion resistant.
Add in that the pants come with Seeflex CE level 2 knee and upper shin guards, and SeeSmart CE level 1 type B hip guards as standard, and you have a set of pants that is waterproof, can slide down the side of a mountain and not tear, is comfortable, can be worn in four seasons, and also can be adjusted via several straps and snap-tabs to fit perfectly.
It may be surprising to some, but legs are often one of the most overlooked parts of protection for many riders. They may have the best helmet, an awesome jacket, great gloves, and boots that will protect their feet for years but will ride in normal jeans. It’s a lab-proven fact that regular, off-the-shelf denim will stand up to a slide for less than a second, and after that, it’s your skin that’s touching the pavement.
This is why proper riding pants are important. All of our legs come in different shapes and sizes, from wide and short to thin and long, and every variation in between. It is for that reason that manufacturers often size their riding pants in different ranges.
As well, with developments over the past decade, riding jeans, with strong hybrid denim mixes backed by aramid or Kevlar, have become a vital market for manufacturers. It keeps the style of regular jeans but provides knee armor and the abrasion resistance of aramid/Kevlar. These, then, are the 10 best riding pants you can currently find on the market.
Rev’It themselves have the best statement about what makes the Ignition 3 pants so special: “Leather and mesh go together like salt and caramel.” Designed for the rider in hotter climates, the Ignition 3 pants are some of the best pants, of any type, you can buy for riding.
The outer shell is a combination of Monaco performance cowhide leather with a minimum thickness of 1mm, combined with high-strength Dynax mesh, 500D polyamide stretch zones, and Lorica fabric with waxed polyester for airflow. The leather is, of course, on all the high-abrasion zones should a slide occur, with the 500D polyamide allowing for both protection and stretch on secondary slide zones.
The airflow through these pants is unbelievably high, allowing for maximum cooling while riding. However, should it start to look rainy or wet, the pants do have a fully removable Hydratex lining that is rated 3L and will get your home with your legs dry. The armor is in the form of Seeflex CE level 2 knee armor, and Seesmart CE level 1 armor at the hips.
Dainese is one of the two major suppliers of racing gear for the MotoGP grid, and it shows with trickle-down tech that makes it into the latest and greatest of their consumer track and riding gear. The Delta 3 Perforated leather pants are just one more example of the top class of motorcycle racing impacting everyday riding comfort and protection.
Using full tutu cowhide leather at 1.2mm or greater, the pants are heavily perforated on the thighs to allow for the most airflow to the hottest part of the legs. S1 bi-elastic polyamide stretch fabric allows for comfort and protection in high movement areas such as the groin and knees. There are no adjustable vents on these pants, however, as they are considered race-grade.
In line with that powersports-grade ideal, the pants come with full-composite armor on the knees and hips that both meet and exceed CE level 2 requirements. The knee pucks are fully replaceable and are highly durable. The pants as a whole meet and exceed CE – Cat. II – 89/686/EEC Directive ratings, which translates to full track and race certification, although most race series will make you have a full one-piece suit. It just shows the level of technology and detail Dainese is bringing down to the everyday sport rider.
Alpinestars are famous for their waterproof yet breathable riding gear, and the Yaguara pants are just another example of what they like to term as “tech-touring” gear. As the name suggests, there are a lot of high-tech, advanced materials at work in these pants, both to keep you protected and keep you dry.
The outer shell is not made of any one material, but instead a blend of various polyamide and polyester textiles. This is then backed by a Drystar waterproof membrane, and the two layers are laminated together. This provides both excellent waterproofing and breathability, with the external layers combining to form an extremely durable fabric.
To further protection, there are ballistic nylon protection panels added to the heavy-duty wear and tear sections of the pants, including slide areas. Alpinestars’ Bio-Air knee protectors are standard and are rated at CE level 2. Hip pockets for armor are sewn in. And in case the already breathable material isn’t cool enough, there are four zippered vents for customizable cooling.
If you like the sound of the Yaguara pants, but want something with braces, then consider looking at the Alpinestars Andes V2 pants instead.
Klim prides itself on being a premium adventure and off-road touring company, and it shows since they’ve continually developed and produced some of the best gear in the sector. This shows with gear such as the Dakar pants, a premium off-road pant with protection and durability to last for weeks, or even months, on and off the road.
Starting off with the outer layer, there is 840D Cordura textile woven material with a highly water-resistant coating on the threads. This is joined by thick, abrasion, and melting-resistant leather on the lower legs for protection from both shrubbery and engine heat. Stretch fabric allows for optimal comfort around common pressure areas such as the groin, back of knees, back of the waist, and others.
There are multiple ventilation ports with full YKK zippers for durability and adjustability. Armor protection comes from both external TPU reinforcement on the knees, as well as internal knee and hip armor pockets for your personal choice of the armor type you’d like.
For the rider that wants to hit the track but doesn’t like the full perforated leather feel of other pants, the Alpinestars Missile v2 leather pants are the most viable alternative. While the majority of the pants are made from leather, there are some materials used that allow for high airflow while also keeping up with the expected level of protection from track-viable pants.
This starts with full 1.3mm premium bovine leather, with a lot of perforation on the thighs. Leather accordion panels over the knees allow for comfort, and an extended rear waist construction makes sure that the tailbone and spine are covered in the case of a slide. Where the airflow comes in is through the stretch panels at the groin and inner thigh, as well as on parts of the calf. These stretch zones, made of polyamides, are rated 600D on their own.
Kneel pucks allow for some full-lean apexes to be clipped without damage to your pants, and are of Alpinestars’ high durability GP-R construction. Nucleon CE level 1 knee armor is included, with pockets for optional hip armor. If you have a Missile Air jacket, of any version, the pants will also zip together with that to form a race suit.
The downside to a lot of motorcycle protective gear is that while it does protect the rider, it also heats up the rider. For this reason, mesh gear was developed, and REAX has one of the most affordable sets of mesh pants with the best protection with the Alta Mesh pants.
To provide the ventilation needed to keep a rider cool in hot weather, a lot of the inner leg, thigh, groin, and some of the ankle areas of the pants are made of polyamide mesh. On areas that may suffer the impact or be slid upon, there is a combination of polyester 600D check pattern fabric, with polyamide 980D ballistic penetration resistant fabric at the knees and across the buttocks.
This is lined on the inside with a moisture-wicking mesh liner that is shaped to pull the most moisture and heat to the mesh portions inside the leg so that the cool air can wick it away from the rider. With Sas-Tec CE level 2 knee armor included, and pockets for Sas-Tec CE level 1 or 2 armor at the hips, for $199, you are getting the best of the best in mesh gear.
If you’re looking for something with real waterproof capabilities, the REAX Traveler Waterproof pants are also worth a look.
If you want to talk about over-engineering a set of pants, then you need to talk about the Rev’It Sand 4 H2O ADV and off-road pants. As the name suggests, this is the fourth iteration and evolution of the pants, and they came out just before the calendar flipped over to 2021.
So what makes them over-engineered? Firstly, the outer layer is made of full 1000D polyester ripstop, which is enough protection for most other pants to get by with. But Rev’It wasn’t satisfied, and then put a Hydratex liner behind that, for waterproofing and breathability. Then, still not satisfied, they put a combination polyester and polyamide internal mesh liner, with a removable extra thermal liner, inside that is puncture and abrasion-resistant.
Add in that the pants come with Seeflex CE level 2 knee and upper shin guards, and SeeSmart CE level 1 type B hip guards as standard, and you have a set of pants that is waterproof, can slide down the side of a mountain, and not tear, is comfortable, can be worn in four seasons, and also can be adjusted via several straps and snap-tabs to fit perfectly.
Knox is a company that only recently started to make waves in the North American market, as well as many international markets. They used to be almost exclusively European, being based out of the UK. Where most have heard of them before is with their excellent micro-lock armor that is often seen in motocross protection.
In terms of street gear, Knox took the road less traveled, and instead of riding “jeans,” they made riding “khakis.” Lighter weight, these pants are nonetheless extremely durable, made of high-strength stretch nylon infused with spandex to allow them to move and shape to the rider. They also included micro-lock armor for the knees and hips as standard, something you often have to pay extra for with other brands.
As these pants are lighter weight than the Cordura denim of most riding jeans, there may be thoughts that it won’t protect as well. Those worries are squashed when you see that these pants are EN17092-3:2020 Class AA certified, meaning that, if they had knee sliders, these pants would qualify for use on a track, and out-class most riding pants that only come with a single A rating. For reference, AAA certification is for full racing gear and is often only given to full riding suits.
Rev’It strikes again on this list with a super pair of motorcycle riding jeans named, oddly enough, Moto Jeans. While the title may be a bit self-apparent, the quality and protection offered through these jeans are nothing to joke about.
Starting with a leather-style pants base, Rev’It instead used heavyweight 12.5oz Cordura denim for the exterior, which gives an approximate 600D abrasion resistance rating. Underneath that, Seesmart CE level 1 knee pads are included with the jean. The inner lining is made of Rev’It’s own PWR Shield polyamide mesh, which adds another 600D of abrasion resistance.
Combined, the outer and inner layers provide 1200D of total abrasion resistance or about 10 seconds of resistance at 50 MPH. Of course, the faster you start the slide, the less time it will take to wear through, although these jeans are meant to give enough resistance that you will either start to tumble, or have enough time to slow down through friction to prevent the worst of road rash.
Scorpion is well known for making superb gear like helmets at affordable prices. The EXO Covert Pro jeans are just another example of this steadfast determination to make riding less expensive while keeping the rider safe. As well, because of using a specific cut, the exterior of the jeans are large panels which increases the total stability of the material, instead of multi-seam smaller panels.
That material is Cordura 373 GSM denim, which is highly abrasion-resistant on its own, made up of 85% cotton and 15% high-strength nylon. This is backed by 250 GSM DuPont Kevlar from the base of the knees all the way to the waist, as this is the most common sliding area. From the base of the knee to the ankle cuff, a mesh lining helps keep the jeans open for airflow and allows for heat and moisture to be wicked away.
The only downside to the EXO Covert Pro is that while there are pockets at the knees and hips for armor, the jeans don’t come with any pre-installed. The pockets are fairly universal, although Scorpion recommends Sas-Tec Level 2 knee armor and Sas-Tec level 1 or 2 hip armor.
Let’s face reality here: it’s only really been in the past two decades that women’s jackets have been coming out in force. Before then, in what was historically a “male-dominated hobby,” women had to make do with either custom gear or modifying men’s gear to fit. We put the quotations there because ever since the 1970s, we know that women made up a good portion of riders, usually hovering in the 5 to 10% ridership range.
Flash forward to 2021, and now women account for about 22% of riders, worldwide. That is refreshing to see and has forced even a lot of the “old school” to recognize that there are badass ladies all over the globe that will swing a leg over and crank the right wrist. It’s also refreshing to see that in what was once traditionally a male-dominated sport, road racing and even MotoGP are seeing more and more women rising in their ranks.
What this means is that many of the big manufacturers and gear makers have had to adapt to provide proper racing suits and gear for these women. This, naturally, has led to the traditional trickle-down style of motorcycle gear from racing to street, which means that more and more jackets, pants, boots, gloves, and other pieces of gear are appearing every month.
Rev’It is one of those companies that has made women’s protective gear pretty much since their incorporation, as there are quite a few female riders in the Netherlands. On top of that, they have a history in both circuit racing and enduro racing, so both the full leather track jackets and hot weather mesh jackets are packed full of cutting-edge design.
The Eclipse is just one such example of this, with an open, flowthrough style mesh that would seem to not have any abrasion resistance at all. However, that mesh is made of polyester ripstop material, as is the main chassis of the jacket. While the solid panels are rated to 600D, the mesh itself commands a respectable 400.
With adjustable bicep and wrist closures, full YKK zippers, two external pockets, and one internal pocket, the Eclipse is also quite fashionable to boot. The armor comes in the form of Knox Flexform in both the shoulders and elbows, which feels extremely light but carries CE-rated impact protection. An optional back protector can be fitted to the jacket.
Roland Sands, with the Mia jacket, ticks off two-rider fashion styles in one go, without sacrificing any protection. The retro and cafe crowd will love the classic British asymmetrical styling, while the sport and the sport-touring crowd will love the aggressive fit with the included thermal lining that doubles as a hoodie when the leather is taken away.
That leather is one-grain style better than cowhide, as it is oiled buffalo leather at 1.0 to 1.2 mm thicknesses. In areas requiring stretch, premium-grade elastic ripstop polyester is used. The hoodie liner is also breathable and waterproof, meaning that even if you have to do a dash from the bike to your front door in a downpour, simply flip up the hood and you’ll get there dry.
Protection comes in the form of Knox micro lock CE level 2 armor at the shoulders and elbows, with the leather jacket’s inner mesh liner holding a back protector pocket for optional armor. Accordion panels at the elbows and a quilted stitch design around the shoulders allow the jacket to move freely, despite being pre-curved for a front tuck position. Ventilation comes via some very well hidden shoulder intakes and vents, which keep the jacket looking premium when zipped up.
If Roland Sands has the women’s cafe market cornered, it’s fair to say that Alpinestars, realizing there was a gap to step through, made a sporty cruiser jacket with the Alice. Carrying all the right looks of the double-breasted front flaps, the asymmetrical zipper, and the relaxed arm curvature makes this both a classic and a modern sports cruiser jacket, all in one.
Don’t let its old-school looks fool you into thinking it’s not armored to the nines. Alpinestars has included their super lightweight, breathable Nucleon Flex armor, which is certified to CE level 2, at the shoulders and elbows, with a forearm extension on the elbow armor. This is carried in a mesh-backed cowhide 1.3mm leather chassis, with a back protector pocket for optional armor.
As with other jackets of the sporting style, the thermal liner of the jacket is easily detached and serves as a hoodie. Ventilation is hidden well in the underarm stretch panels, allowing just enough air to pass to wick away heat without being overly cold.
This is a jacket that would look at home being used while riding either Honda Rebel 500 or an Indian Roadmaster. Classic, timeless styling with modern armoring deserves a spot on this list.
Roland Sands strikes again with a superb classic English cruiser jacket. Solidly in the retro cruiser fashion sense, the Riot jacket would look perfectly at home being worn in the crowd at an Iron Maiden or Judas Priest concert as much as it does astride a Royal Enfield or a Triumph Bonneville.
Much more of a summer cruise jacket, the Riot is made of microperforated top grain cowhide sourced from Blackstone, which means it is soft, supple, and abrasion resistant with a thickness of 0.9mm throughout. The asymmetrical zipper is, of course, full YKK, and is of the bronze classic style. Quilted leather highlights and aggressive cuff YKK zippers make the jacket scream “Rock n Roll!” in that quintessential British understated-but-loud way.
The jacket is also, of note, made with a very aggressive black dye process, as the color will lighten the more it is exposed to UV light until it reaches the classic light black that well-worn leather fashion jackets eventually reach. This is also the only jacket recommended on this list that does not come with pre-installed armor. However, pockets for elbow, shoulder, and back protectors are ready to accept your own choice of the best armor, from Alpinestars’ Nucleon Flexto Icon’s D3O and Rev’It’s SeeSoft.
With the increase in women’s participation in BSB, ASA, MotoGP feeder series, and the like over the past three decades, Alpinestars has had a lot of exposure to creating gear that is suitable to both genders, or those in-between genders. For the men, the T-GP Plus R v3 Air is one of the best mid-range sport and track rated jackets you can get, and by simply adding a Stella to the front of that name, that same legendary jacket is available to women.
The Stella T-GP Plus R v3 Air, apart from being one hell of a mouthful of words, is made of 600D highly abrasion-resistant polyester. Interspersed between these polyester panels, abrasion-resistant, tightly woven polyfabric mesh allows just enough air to wick away heat, but not chill you to the bone. A full mesh lining also helps boost that airflow’s effectiveness in carrying away sweat and warm air.
Protection is in the form of Alpinestars’ Nucleon Flex CE level 1 armor, with the shoulders being additionally armored with GP Lite slide shields. As sport riders will often choose between vest-style back protection or using jacket pockets, no back protector is included. However, Alpinestars has included both chest and back protector pockets, suitable for Nucleon KR-Ci CE level 2 armor.
A definite warm-weather riding winner, those that ride sportbikes where it never really snows have a go-to jacket that can be armored up as the need arises.
If you want a sport riding jacket that is both warm-weather rated and contains the abrasion resistance of leather, Dainese has you covered with the Racing 3 Perforated women’s jacket. The “mortal enemy” of Alpinestars on the MotoGP grid, Dainese uses a special treatment on all the leather they use for track and street gear, naming it “tutu leather.”
This leather is always 1.2mm or greater in thickness, while the treatment makes it highly water-resistant, supple, and reinforces the abrasion resistance through chemical bonding. And if that wasn’t enough protection for you, the stretch panels between the leather chassis panels are made of S1 bi-elastic, a Dainese and Cordura co-development that mixes the elasticity of regular polyfabric with the 500D+ abrasion resistance of pure Cordura.
The jacket is also microperforated in key areas and includes zip closure vents in the upper chest, with intake and exhaust vents on the sides of the jacket. Protection comes in the form of Dainese composite CE level II elbow and shoulder armor, with the shoulders being covered by an aluminum impact and slide plate that is mounted on a composite base, meaning the plate is replaceable. The jacket features a back protector pocket suitable for a Dainese G1 back protector, or a Dainese D1 airbag vest can be worn under the jacket itself.
It’s a premium leather and polymer jacket that passes CE EN 1621.1 and CE Category II – 89/686/EEC Directive protection standards, meaning it is ready for track use. Dainese themselves note that the jacket does tend to run on the tighter sport fit side, so they recommend buying one size up from your measurements.
If you have spent even two seconds at the local gear store’s ADV and off-road touring gear section, Klim is a name that is plastered literally everywhere. Specialists in the long-distance touring style of gear, both on- and off-road, the Artemis is a design that is not shared with any other jacket in their lineup, making this one of the very few women’s only jackets.
Named after the Ancient Greek goddess that protected nature, the Artemis does a very good job at protecting whoever is within its confines. A true three-season touring jacket, this jacket is made of Klim’s own Karbonite textile, which is rated at least 600D, and up to over 750D, abrasion-resistant across multiple certification tests. Behind the chassis sits a full GoreTex membrane layer, which itself is over a Klimatek mesh layer that acts to both wick away hot air and sweat, and supports the jacket on the body.
In making the Artemis specifically for women, Klim did not have to worry about ventilation for the male torso, so airflow has been mapped specifically for the female torso. Ventilation is controlled via two centerline chest vents, two cross-core vents, 2 forearm vents, and two bicep vents, all of which exhaust out two massive vertical back vents.
Protection beyond abrasion is reinforced by D3O level 1 armor in the back, shoulders, and elbows. The Karbonite fabric is also penetration resistant, so no sharp rocks on an off-road trip should leave much more than a small bruise and a memory. The collar is comfort-lined to not be abrasive to the neck, and both sides of the collars can be pinned back to the upper chest to allow ventilation air to pass down from the neck roll into the body of the jacket.
If you are going to be off-road for any duration, you really cannot get a better ADV jacket than the Artemis. It’s designed for, built for, made for the active off-road riding woman, and it shows!
The latest trend in protective gear in 2021 has been the major push forward with armored shirts and hoodies. Either out of a desire to not look “kitted up,” or purely for comfort, there are varying degrees of quality with these newer pieces of gear, and Merlin has been at the forefront of the highest-rated, best quality shirts.
Looking like your average long-sleeved plaid shirt that isn’t out of place on a farm, the Madison shirt is much more than just a fashion statement. The Buffalo Plaid fabric, itself tear-resistant, is backed by a full, interwoven, 100% DuPont Kevlar lining that is rated to 1000D abrasion. A light mesh lining keeps things comfortable, as does a relaxed street fit, while the kevlar holds CE level 1 elbow and shoulder armor in place. There is a pocket in the mesh liner for a back protector as well.
What looks like a button up front is in fact a storm flap closure over a full YKK zip, with YYK zippered vents cleverly hidden along the tops of the chest pockets. The pockets have small inner pockets designed to hold hand-warmer packs, and if that wasn’t enough, the whole shirt is water-resistant but breathes easily.
If understated but superb protection is in your checklist for gear, or if you just want a good all-around riding shirt that pairs beautifully with some riding jeans and boots, Merlin has just the shirt for you.
To say that this jacket is revolutionary is understating just how important it is. It may not look like much, it may even look bland compared to some of the other options on this list, but Helite has made a women’s fit jacket that has the single most important protection feature that any jacket can have. Enter the Xena, a leather sport touring and cruiser jacket with a built-in, tether deployed rider airbag system.
Made from premium 1.2mm cowhide leather, the Xena hides stretch polyfabric under a cleverly designed panel at the top back of the jacket, whose importance we will discuss shortly. As well, the sides and lower back feature floating leather on stretch panels, allowing the jacket to keep a tight, close fit at all times. The arms are relaxed in their curvature, making it comfortable for long-distance cruising.
The importance of both the large stretch panel at the top of the back and the stretch panels on the sides and lower back is so that if you do come off your bike, in any way, shape, or form other than stepping off of it when it’s parked, a tether attached to a solid point on your motorcycle yanks an activation valve open, inflating the airbag hidden in the liner of the jacket in 0.1 seconds. This airbag, along with the full Sas-Tec CE level 2 back, shoulder, and elbow armor, provides extreme impact protection into the high tens of G’s.
As it is a tether-operated system, with no fancy electronics or GPS sensors, it works every time you need it to. In fact, the airbag will self-deflate over about half an hour, and as long as the jacket has not been penetrated by any object or otherwise damaged, all you need to do to reset it is replace the spent 60cc CO2 cartridge in the right lower front of the liner, and it’s ready to deploy again.
For disguising a life-preserving safety feature in a fashionable cruiser and sport-touring jacket, while it is expensive, nothing is more expensive than your life. Either this or the wearable Helite Turtle 2 airbag vest, comes highly recommended.
Much like a couple of the other jackets in this list, if you’re going for a retro look that hides otherwise superior protective features, Dainese has a retro jacket for you in the Lola 3. Just looking at it, you’d think it was a slightly heavier track jacket, or a zip-up spring jacket to wear on the walk to the grocery store.
However, the Lola 3 is so much more. Combining high-grade Iride matte leather with S1 bi-elastic polyfabric panels and Dainese Pro-Armor impact zones, the jacket passes both prEN 17092 Class A jacket protection and EN 1621.1 armor class 1 standards. The Pro-Armor elbow and shoulder protectors are also rated CE level 1, which, while not as protective as CE level 2, allows for the armor to be more flexible and comfortable, while still being able to take an incredibly harsh whack without passing the impact to you.
And the piping on the jacket is not just for fashion, either. It is fully reflective material in an artificial shape, so the eye at night recognizes an artificial shape among the organic clutter of the environment in their headlights. A pocket for an optional Dainese G1 or racing G2 grade protector is inlaid into the TechFrame internal comfort liner just in case that person doesn’t see you.
Motorcycle jackets are one of those pieces of safety gear that it just makes sense to own. No matter if you live in a hot, humid, cold, or dry area, all roads possess the ability to be rather harsh to your skin should you ever go down. There are jackets designed for all four of those previously mentioned environmental conditions, and some of the best jackets possess the ability to handle more than one.
Since there really is no “one size fits all” type of motorcycle jacket, this list will not be ranked competitively. What we mean by this is that instead of counting down from 10 to 1, we’ll instead be showing the ten overall best motorcycle jackets for men, flat out. Simply choose the one that best suits your environment, and you’ll have many fun riding days ahead!
Alpinestars is a name that has been in motorcycle racing for a long time, and it shows with their gear. The Missile Air jacket is designed to be used for the street, yet it is made from race-grade 1.3mm cowhide leather, meaning that it offers the same level of abrasion protection that MotoGP and World SBK riders have. It is also fully perforated on the front and back, and meant to move a lot of air over the rider while carrying away heat and sweat.
In short, this jacket is meant for those who go fast, but also want to be comfortable doing so. Added protection comes in the form of CE-certified hard shell sliders on the elbows and shoulders, backed by dual-density foam over CE-certified armor on the innermost layer.
One of the best aspects about the Missile Air is that it is designed from the factory to be used with the Alpinestars TechAir Race airbag vest, which is worn under the jacket. The inner lining has attachment points so that the vest offers the best impact protection without the jacket riding up or moving around, and the jacket features a small LED panel on the left sleeve that gives riders status updates at a glance.
The only downside to the jacket is that while it does have a padded aerodynamic hump and a lower backslider, it does not include a back protector, even at this price. This is mostly because the TechAir Race has a CE level 2 back protector built-in, but if you do not use the vest with the airbag, you will need to source a separate one.
The Rev’It Cayenne Pro is one hell of an adventure jacket. ADV and dual-sport jackets have probably the crowd to please in all of motorcycling, as they have to be both extremely comfortable while providing protection against on-road and off-road hazards. On top of that, they are expected to also be three-season viable without being too complicated to switch between a summer jacket flowing a lot of air to a rainy day jacket that is waterproof.
Rev’It has designed the Cayenne Pro to check off all those boxes, and a few more that you probably aren’t thinking of. The biggest part is that the entire chassis of the jacket is 750D polyamide coated with Teflon coating. This textile, Rev’It’s own in-house design, feels like Cordura but contains 87% polyamide, 7% leather, and 6% polyester, giving it superb abrasion resistance while also making it reasonably penetration resistant as well.
The Cayenne Pro is 100% waterproof when all airflow vents are closed, and there are a few of them. This allows you to tailor the amount of air you want through the jacket, from none on a particularly chilly day to almost being a mesh jacket on super hot days. And throughout it all, this jacket carries Rev’it’s CE level 2 rated SeeFlex shoulder and elbow protectors, and a SeeSoft CE level 2 back protector.
For those that are serious about spending days, if not weeks, on a motorcycle, adventuring across the Australian outback, or touching all the big landmarks in South Africa, Klim has the jacket for you. The Adventure Rally Jacket is not for those looking to ride for a day, no. This is about as hardcore as you can get.
Using all the latest in material and protective technologies, the Adventure Rally is waterproof, windproof, stain-resistant, and shucks off salt, water, and biologicals that might get tossed into the air if you’re riding along a coastline near the sea. GoreTex interwoven with Armacor textile provides three layers of abrasion resistance and waterproofing, so even if you do take a spill and tear the outer layer, two more layers will still keep the integrity of the jacket.
The Adventure Rally also comes with a full complement of armor, all of it D3O CE level 2 or better, in the chest, shoulders, elbows, forearms, and full back. It has an internal kidney belt that helps the shoulders bear the weight of the jacket on the tops of the hips while also armoring the kidneys. A built-in, 3-liter hydration pack in the back is easily refillable, and contamination-proof when closed, with the drink tube able to be routed either internally or externally, depending on your preference.
Ten waterproof external pockets mean you can carry all the gear you need that’s too small to fit in your saddlebags or pannier lockers. Ventilation is also highly customizable with no less than 6 vent options, all closed and sealed by YKK zippers and waterproof GoreTex membranes behind the zips.
Yes, this jacket costs as much as a decent used dirt bike, but it is meant, as stated, to survive weeks, if not months, on an adventure. And for that, there is no better jacket.
The history of cafe racing personal protective gear is a bit of an interesting one, as cafe racers in the UK were the first riders to fully and truly wear head-to-toe protective gear, usually made of high-grade cowhide leather. It’s a good thing, then, that Merlin decided to not fix what’s not broken.
The Chase Cafe jacket is made of high quality, double- and triple-stitched cowhide, in varying thicknesses of 1.2 to 1.3 mm. The main chassis is backed by a smooth satin black fabric, with a removable thermal liner vest that weighs only 100g.
Keeping with the style and feel of the rock and roll racing era, the two-tone leather hides an impressive set of CE level 2 armor in the shoulders and elbows, with a back pocket in the liner designed to handle any of the top quality back protector inserts on the market, from D3O all the way to Nucleon and SeeSoft.
Also in keeping with the cafe history, all zips are high-quality YKK, with Merlin snap closures including a storm flap closure just under the collar if you want a little more airflow, or a full neck snap if it’s getting a little chilly. Other jackets made of the same materials, with the same level of protection, will cost you over $100 more, which makes the Merlin Chase Cafe jacket one of the best value-for-money options out there in today’s cafe jacket market.
“Wait,” we can hear you say. “That’s a jacket?” Indeed it is, although it is branded as a “riding shirt.” It may look like a slightly bulky cotton button-up, but that is underselling the serious protection that this jacket hides.
Looking like an average construction site work shirt, the exterior is made of 67% cotton and 33% polyester, although it is not on-brand Cordura. Instead, it is branded out as 12oz coated denim, which has about 300D ripstop equivalent. While that is not overly impressive, the 140GSM aramid knit backing to that denim is. Much like riding jeans, the aramid takes the brunt of the abrasion, with a ripstop rating of 1000D.
This is backed up with full Sas-Tec CE Level 2 armor, certified to EN 1621-1 performance, in the elbows and shoulder areas, held in by aramid and polyester lining. There is a pocket for a back protector at the rear of the shirt and will fit all major armor types in that pocket.
Hiding behind the front buttons, in case there was worry that the shirt might rip open during a slide, is a fully double-sewn YKK zipper. The collar has hidden snap-downs to prevent it from flapping in the wind, and there are belt loops hidden in the hem to keep the shirt from riding up during a slide as well.
All in all, if you want to look casual, but ride protected, REAX has a relatively inexpensive but amazingly protective riding shirt for you.
As easily seen in the top form of motorcycle racing, MotoGP, there really are only two houses of racing suits across the entire competitive field. One is Alpinestars, the other is Dainese. If there ever was a war for sportbike and supersport gear dominance, it is between these two companies. So it’s only fitting that while one of our top recommended sports jackets is Alpinestars, the other is one of Dainese’s best.
Instead of relying purely on cowhide for abrasion resistance, Dainese has invested a lot of research and development money into what is known as S1 Bielastic Fabric, developed in partnership with Cordura. While high-quality leather does make up a large part of the chassis, especially abrasion areas, it is backed by S1, and S1 is also used to form the stretch panels between leather panels. As well, the S1 in and of itself is equivalent to 600D ripstop and contains polyamides, polyester, and aramid fibers for the strongest, but most flexible, protection possible.
This allows for the jacket, which is relaxed just under a full race fit, to stretch and conform to the rider’s body without needing to be fully tailored to the rider. On top of that, the jacket features composite armor in the shoulders and elbows, with replaceable aluminum external slide points. The entire jacket is also CE Cat 2 certified, meaning it is a viable track jacket and passes all requirements to be worn for track days if you do not have a full suit.
Sometimes, riders want to have gear that serves as both protection while riding, and outerwear when they park up somewhere. While most jackets can feel a bit stuffy or even downright heavy when air is not flowing through them, Rev’It has balanced the Stealth 2 Hoody right on that razor’s edge.
In terms of protection, the Stealth 2 is made of triple-layer stretch Cordura, backed by a HydraTex pro waterproofing membrane. The elbows are reinforced with polyamide fabric to help with abrasion resistance and sliding. The shoulders and elbows are protected with Rev’It Seesmart armor, with a back protector pocket in the liner of the hoody.
In terms of outerwear, the Stealth 2 also comes with a detachable thermal liner that brings the jacket to a full three-season level of warmth and wearability. Being stretch Cordura, the hoody is also highly breathable, allowing sweat and moisture to wick away from the body. This means that when you arrive at your destination, you can wear the hoody as normal outerwear without having to lug around a heavy jacket.
The Scorpion EXO 1909 is a jacket that has both an interesting story and a specific design behind it. A cross between a sports jacket and a cruiser jacket, the 1909 in the name symbolizes the incorporation and opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where throughout the years motorsports of both the two and four-wheeled varieties have taken place.
Made of distressed leather for a soft feel, it nonetheless offers over 1.1mm of cowhide abrasion protection. Sas-Tec CE level 2 armor is discreetly hidden in the shoulders and elbows, with a pocket in the rear for a Sas-Tec CE level 2 back protector. On the elbows specifically, extra leather overlays have been sewn in so that there is added protection on one of the most common slide points.
Zippered rear vents work in conjunction with discreetly hidden perforated underarm and flank panels. A removable thermal liner allows for both warm and cold weather riding. All of the zippers on the jacket are genuine YKK but in a special process antiquated brass look. The wrists are zipper closures with accordion stretch panels to create a good air seal for cruiser riding, and a good glove seal for sport riding.
The biggest thing with the EXO 1909 is not that it features a hell of a lot of protection, but that it does so while recreating the look and feel of an early 20th-century leather jacket.
Before anyone asks, yes, that is the actual retail name of this jacket. Roland Sands is a premium gear maker, and the [email protected]#k Luck definitely deserves the premium tag. Each jacket is handmade, and the entire jacket chassis is 1.1 to 1.3 mm thick premium cowhide, which is hand-finished in vegetable dye.
It comes with Knox CE level 2 armor at the shoulders and elbows, with a pocket for a back protector. All zips, as are common on high-quality jackets, are YKK. There are four mostly hidden vents, closed by zips, at the shoulders and middle of the back.
The jacket is water-resistant, with a waterproof internal device pocket. It is also articulated so that if you ride a supersport, a sportbike, an ADV, or even a cruiser, the jacket can move and adapt to each riding position without stretching or straining against your body. That alone makes it one of the best, and the fact that it technically qualifies as a track-wearable protective jacket is just the icing on the cake.
A lot of motorcycles live in places where it can get uncomfortably warm in many other types of jackets. This is why mesh jackets first started getting made back in the early 2000s. Evolutionary materials and engineering have brought what used to be bits of nylon stretched between leather panels into fully armored, abrasion-resistant, yet exceptionally comfortable modern mesh textile jackets.
Of these, Rev’It has the Ignition 3, possibly one of the finest examples of protection with maximum airflow. The third iteration, the base chassis is made of Monaco Performance cowhide leather, some of the best protective leather you can get in the world. Between the cowhide sections is tightly woven Dynax mesh, which is heat-resistant and deflects off as much heat as it allows air through, and also will not melt during a slide.
Backing up the Dynax is PWR I shell 500D stretch fabric in the arms and 600D waxed polyester in the torso. All of this is then backed with Lorica fabric. It may sound like a lot of layers, and it frankly is, but the fact is that you can hold this jacket up to a light with it fully closed and zipped up, and still see the light through it.
Because it’s Rev’It, and they over-engineer almost all their gear (which is a good thing!), there are two detachable liners, a full Hydratex 3L waterproof one, and a thermite liner in case it gets chilly. Protection comes in the form of full CE level 2 Seeflex armor on the elbows and shoulders, and there is a pocket in the back of the jacket for a Seesoft CE 2 back protector, which will fit D3O, Nucleon, and other armor types without issue.
If you need the best protection with the best airflow, Rev’It have you covered!
If you are an avid motorcycle rider you know how important having the best motorcycle gloves are. If you are a new motorcycle rider you may not fully appreciate motorcycle gloves until you have your first long ride. Gloves are an essential piece of motorcycle gear.
There are many benefits of wearing motorcycle gloves, apart from protecting your hands in an accident. Motorcycle gloves help to absorb the vibrations of the motorcycle. This helps reduce the tingling and numbness that many motorcycle riders experience. If you are holding the handlebars of the motorcycle for too long, you will definitely experience this numbness.
Motorcycle gloves also provide extra padding, which helps ensure that you feel comfortable and secure while riding.
There are many different types and brands of motorcycle gloves on the market today. Before buying the first pair of gloves that you see, it’s important to know what to look for in the best motorcycle gloves of 2020.
If you are looking to get a new pair of motorcycle gloves, here are the best motorcycle gloves on the market. These gloves can truly make your motorcycle ride more fun and help you look great.
Best Motorcycle Gloves
1. Dainese 4 Stroke EVO Gloves
These motorcycle gloves are some of the best motorcycle gloves on the market. They are specifically designed for sport motorcycle riders who want gloves like the professionals.
These gloves feature a short cuff for easy on and off. They are ergonomically designed with stainless steel inserts. They have finger reinforcements and distortion control. These features help ensure that you have the most comfortable and controlled ride ever.
This company uses micro-injections and leather palms for added protection. This beautifully designed glove not only helps to reduce the vibrations, but it is equipped with many safety features to help protect your hands from all possible scenarios.
The thermoplastic resin composes the knuckles and back of these gloves to help ensure that they are fully supported. It also uses the same thermoplastic resin on the outside of the little finger and on the joints of the fingers to ensure added strength.
These gloves are made of cowhide leather for superior strength and durability with a goatskin palm for added comfort and protection. They feature a tightening strap to help fit all sizes of hands. They also feature pre-curved fingers for a more ergonomic design.
These are some of the best gloves on the market because they are specifically designed for safety and protection to help all riders ride like the professionals.
2. REAX Superfly Mesh Gloves
These gloves come in a variety of different sizes and colors to help you get the motorcycle gloves that you really want. These are ideal motorcycle gloves because they come with a variety of unique features to help set them apart from all others.
These mesh gloves are designed for safety and protection but are made of a breathable material to help keep your hands cool while you ride.
They are a great pair of summer motorcycle gloves and are great touring gloves since they provide increased breathability for long rides.
These gloves come with a pre-curved fit to help you better grip the handlebars for a better ergonomic design. If you want to check your phone without removing your gloves you can do so with the REAX Superfly Mesh Gloves as they are touchscreen capable. This helps you answer calls and texts more quickly without having to remove your gloves.
The palms of these gloves are made from goat leather, which is very comfortable and durable. The backside of the gloves are made from mesh for added airflow to help reduce sweat.
The knuckles feature a leather-wrapped protective material to protect your hands if you were to fall. They also feature TPR finger inserts and a palm pad insert for extra padding and support.
To help maximize your safety these gloves also feature reflective highlights to help others see you on the road. The company believes in their product and offers a two-year warranty on all materials and workmanship for these specific gloves. This helps ensure that your investment is protected.
3. Full Leather Motorcycle Gloves by Blok-IT
If you want a leather motorcycle glove, these from Blok-IT are some of the most affordable gloves on the market. They are designed to come up past your wrists for added hand and wrist support and protection while riding.
This gauntlet glove comes in a variety of sizes and includes an adjustable strap to give you the exact fit that you need for the long rides.
These gloves are made from a 3M thinsulate thermal material to help give you added protection, comfort and warmth. They may feel like heated motorcycle gloves, but are simply made of a thermal material for added warmth. This material can help ensure that your hands stay warm when the cool air hits them on the open road.
These biker gloves are great for all weather conditions. They are waterproof and windproof, so they can be used all year long. While they are great for most weather conditions they are best used as winter gloves during the cold weather.
They are a very durable pair of gloves because they are made from premium leather and feature double stitching on all the seams. The great workmanship that went into these gloves helps ensure that all riders will be happy. These gloves look great on both men and women so they can make the perfect gift for any avid rider that you know.
These gloves feature an ergonomic design to help make your ride more smooth. They allow for optimal dexterity and flexibility when riding. This design helps ensure that you get the best grip on your bike, while still being able to move your hands around.
4. Alpinestars Men’s SMX-1 Air v2 Motorcycle Riding Glove
These stylish racing gloves are some of the best summer gloves on the market. They come in six different sizes so you can be sure to get the pair you need. They are a short cuff style so they allow for added flexibility around the wrist for more control while you ride.
These gloves are made of premium leather with small mesh sections. The leather helps ensure that your hands are padded and protected, while the mesh helps ensure that your hands stay cool.
If you want the best of both worlds, this motorcycle glove has it all. It features a hard polymer system around the knuckles for added protection from accidents and falls. These gloves also feature side padding for added protection.
To help ensure that you have full range of motion these gloves offer stretch zones on the fingers and backhand. These zones allow you to stretch your hands in all directions without having to take off your gloves. This provides added comfort when riding.
Since your hands are typically grasping the handlebars for the entire drive it is nice to be able to stretch your hands without having to remove and replace your gloves. These gloves also feature a closure to help keep the gloves secured while riding.
5. Milwaukee Leather MG7510 Men’s Short Wrist Leather Gloves
If you are looking for some leather gloves with a simple and classic design, you can find them in the Milwaukee Leather gloves. These gloves are a short wrist glove that offers style, protection and comfort.
This summer glove is made of the highest quality cowhide leather you can find to ensure added durability and strength. You do not need to worry about these gloves falling apart over time because they are designed to last a lifetime. This genuine leather is also designed to help protect and secure your hands during all scenarios.
These leather gloves feature a gel palm, which distinguishes them from the competition. This padded palm helps reduce the vibrations while you ride and also gives you added comfort. It can make a day-long ride feel like you have only been riding for an hour. They feature an adjustable wrist closure to help keep the gloves secure while riding.
These all black leather gloves take the design and flash out of gloves. They get you back to the basics. Rather than sporting off colors and lines, these gloves are all black and feature only subtle hints of texture and design. They are ideal for men who want to focus on the ride and less on the accessories.
6. ILM Alloy Steel Leather Hard Knuckle Motorcycle Gloves
These gloves are made to leave an impression on everyone who sees them. They are alloy steel leather hard knuckle imprints. These steel protectors are integrated into the gloves to help ensure that you are protected from all unforeseen situations. The placement of these alloy pads helps keep your hands and knuckles from getting bruised or scraped.
These gloves feature extra padding on the thumbs and palms to ensure a more comfortable ride with fewer vibrations. The padding, in addition to the premium leather material, helps make these some of the most comfortable gloves on the market. They feature an elastic strap around the glove to provide security and a comfortable fit.
If you are looking for comfort, these gloves also have an anti-slip feature that helps prevent your hands from slipping during the ride. This can make you feel more comfortable and confident in your ability to control the bike. The palm is made of an anti-skid material that helps absorb the shock during any ride.
Another wonderful feature of these gloves is that they provide touchscreen capabilities. If you are looking to use your phone when you stop or while you take a break, you don’t need to remove your gloves. Instead, you can simply use your phone like you normally would because these gloves can handle the phone. These are also another affordable option for those wanting motorcycle gloves on a budget.
7. Harley Davidson Men’s Winged Skull Gloves
One of the most iconic brands of motorcycles is Harley Davidson. When you say this phrase everyone knows what you are talking about. Harley Davidson makes giant bikes, but they also make great bike accessories, like these leather gloves.
These leather gloves are made of goatskin leather to ensure a better ride. They allow for optimal cooling airflow and comfort during your ride. The increased airflow capabilities help to ensure that your hands stay sweat free. This helps you get a better grip on the bike and feel more confident while you ride.
These gloves also feature an ergonomic design. They feature a thirty-degree tilt of the fingers and knuckles. This curve helps you get a better grip on the bike, while also increasing the durability of the gloves.
These gloves feature a padded palm for added comfort. The gloves are made of a neoprene cuff with an adjustable closure to help keep you safe while you get the perfect fit. They also have a convenient velcro wrist.
Harley Davidson offers all customers a ninety-day limited warranty on the gloves to ensure that you are satisfied with your purchase.
These gloves are designed to look like hardcore biker gloves. They feature the iconic Harley Davidson skull imprint on the back of the gloves so that everyone knows the brand you’re wearing. These gloves are all black to help you blend into your bike.
How to Choose Motorcycle Gloves
If you are an experienced motorcycle rider, you will need to invest in a pair of motorcycle gloves for added comfort and protection. Motorcycle gloves can provide abrasion resistance, knuckle protection and act as one of the best forms of protective riding gear.
There are many factors to consider when choosing your next pair of motorcycle gloves. Some of these factors are a personal preference so you must fully look into each brand and style of the bike glove before choosing one.
Here are some of the main factors that you need to consider before purchasing your next pair of riding gloves.
1. Riding Style
One of the main factors to consider when looking for the perfect pair of gloves is what is the riding style of glove you want to have. For instance, if you want a cruiser glove you will likely be looking into a traditional style of glove, while if you are looking into a sport glove you will likely want a pair of gloves that have lots of color and even metal imprints.
2. Weather
Another thing that you need to consider when purchasing your next pair of gloves is what type of weather you typically ride in. Many motorcycle riders will only ride their bikes in nice weather to help prevent the risk of falls and accidents. Other riders may not have an option when they ride.
If you ride during wet and rainy conditions you will definitely want to consider getting a waterproof glove. If you ride during other, dry conditions you will likely want to get leather gloves for the added protection that they offer. For cold weather, choose some padded winter motorcycle gloves.
3. Size
To ensure that you are comfortable and confident when you ride, it is essential that your gloves fit properly. If you are going to buy a pair of gloves, they need to fit you properly in all areas.
Many gloves have an adjustable strap that allows for added security. You need to ensure that the gloves fit your fingers, hand and wrist. A snug fit will help ensure that you get a better grip on your bike.
4. Length of Glove
Another main factor to consider is the length of the glove you want. If you want to have a short glove that only goes to your wrist you should find a pair of gloves that offer this design style.
If you want to have added protection around your wrists in case of a fall or want to keep your hands and wrists warmer during a ride you may want to invest in long gloves. Both types of gloves are great, however, it is a personal preference of which type you choose.
5. Touchscreen Capability
If you like to use your phone while you ride, or while you take a short break, you may want to invest in a pair of gloves that have touchscreen capability. Once your gloves are on you will likely not want to take them off. It is difficult to get the perfect adjusted fit and then have to take the gloves off because you have an important call coming in.
If you use your phone while you ride you may want a pair of gloves that have touchscreen capabilities. This allows you to answer your phone while you ride.
6. Price
One last factor that every rider needs to consider before buying a pair of gloves is the price point that they want to stay within. All gloves are made and designed differently, however, there are great gloves at all price ranges. You need to find a glove that fits within your price range so that you feel comfortable spending the money to keep yourself safe and comfortable while riding.
You should decide which factors are the most important to you in a glove and find a glove within your price range that has all of the features that you care most about. This can help you find a glove you love for less than you expected.
Many riders have different jackets for summer and winter.
It would be expensive to buy an airbag jacket for each season, so this idea of an airbag vest underneath seems handy for those who want extra protection.
However, we wonder just how baggy your jacket would need to be to accommodate the vest.
Not only do you have to fit the vest under you jacket, but also allow enough room for if/when it inflates!
The extra layer could defeat the purpose of a ventilated summer jacket, but it is ventilated.
We wonder how it might limit movement, but Dainese says it is light and flexible.
It’s not cheap at $US699 and replacement components after it has deployed will add to the cost.
Although what price do you put on safety?
Dainese says the airbag vest is seven times more protective than the usual back protector.
The vest is also waterproof and abrasion resistant.
How it works
The vest uses seven sensors including GPS, accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect a crash such as low and high-sides, collisions and even being hit from behind when stopped at the lights.
All that tech depletes the batteries which need t be recharged after 26 hours of use.
After it’s exploded, you then have to take it back to the shop to get a new airbag system. Apparently fitting is a quick operation.
Exciting new models for men and women in the third generation D-air garments from Dainese.
Begin Press Release:
Dainese Introduces Third Generation D-air® Range
The Most Impressive D-air® Line to Date; Full Range Includes Apparel for Men and Women Across Multiple Riding Disciplines
Dainese (www.dainese.com), the world leader in protective wear for dynamic sports and known for incorporating style and design with premium safety features, today introduced the third generation of its D-air® range which now covers a multitude of riding styles for both men and women.
The 2019 D-air® range marks the debut of the third generation of the Dainese airbag, which offers improved ergonomics and efficiency. The airbag and algorithm are designed to protect the most exposed areas of the body and to deploy at exactly the right moment. For the track, Dainese launches the new Misano 2 D-air®, a professional leather racing suit. The airbag system is also making its debut in some of Dainese’s most iconic road gear, from the Avro D-air® suit to the leather Racing 3 D-air® jacket and the Carve Master 2 D-air®, the Gore-Tex garment built for sport touring. The top-of-the-line Tuono D-air® completes the collection.
For the first time, Dainese is also launching several D-air® garments designed for women, including the Misano 2 Lady D-air®, the first professional leather suit for women equipped with an airbag, the Avro Lady D-air®, and the Racing 3 Lady D-air®. The products from the women’s D-air® line offer the same features and technology as the men’s line.
Protected by 27 patents, the internal microfilaments are a distinctive feature of the airbag – the heart of the D-air® system – and the microfilaments are the key feature that prevents the bag from losing its shape and guarantees controlled inflation along with even pressure and protection over the entire surface.
Due to extensive and ongoing research and the analysis of more than 2,000 activations, the bag in the D-air® system has been redesigned to only cover areas of the body that actually need protection. The D-Air® redesign strikes a perfect balance between safety and ergonomics, ensured by a system that is 37 percent lighter than the previous version. The third-generation airbag is now better integrated into garments and guarantees comfort equal to that of a traditional jacket.
Also new for the third generation D-Air® system is the replaceable airbag: after an activation, airbags can now be replaced by an authorized dealer.
From the track to sport touring and adventure to urban riding – Dainese’s new D-air® range is the pinnacle of protective gear for the motorcyclist and the result of extensive product engineering and countless hours of R&D and testing. From Dainese athletes at the highest level of the sport to the everyday rider, the new D-air® range is testament to the brand’s commitment to safety for all riders.
This week at EICMA 2018, Dainese Group will be displaying its new products in Pavilion 15, Stand I06.
