Best Motorcycle Safety Gear…….So there I was—sprawled out in the gravel like a turtle who took a wrong turn at Albuquerque—thinking, “I’m either gonna puke or laugh, and I’m not sure which.”
It was my first low-speed slide. Wet leaves. Tight corner. Total rookie move.
But here’s the thing: I walked away with only a bruised ego and a ripped glove.
Because I was actually wearing the best motorcycle safety gear I could afford.
No shortcuts. No “just this once” hoodie ride.
And if you’re thinking, “Ugh, do I really need all that stuff?”—buddy, let me tell you. You will want it when the ground tries to kiss you at 35 mph.
This post isn’t gonna lecture you (well, maybe a little). It’s more like if your kinda-clumsy, gear-obsessed riding buddy invited you for beers and wouldn’t shut up about mesh jackets and knee sliders.
Let’s get into it—awkward, sweaty moments and all.
🪖 The Helmet: AKA Your Brain Bucket (Use It. Always.)
If you only splurge on one piece of gear—make it your helmet. Seriously. Your brain is cool and weird and you kinda need it.
I started with a sketchy $99 helmet off eBay. It fit like a beach ball and smelled like new tire for three months. Not ideal.
Now I ride with a Shoei RF-1400, and it’s like riding inside a whisper. Quiet. Snug. Feels like I’ve been hugged by a robot mom.
Look for:
- DOT and ECE certification (If it’s not rated, it’s not real protection.)
- Full-face over half (Trust me. Your jaw wants to stay attached.)
- Good ventilation if you live somewhere hotter than Satan’s flip-flops.
🧥 Jacket: The One That Makes You Look Like a Badass AND Saves Your Skin
The first time I put on a real motorcycle jacket, I felt like Batman. Except… you know, sweaty.
The second time? It saved me from road rash when I slid during a panic stop near Vegas.
Your jacket should be more than “cool leather vibes.” Look for:
- CE-rated armor in elbows, shoulders, and ideally back
- Abrasion-resistant fabric or leather (regular cotton is just a fancy tissue in a crash)
- Ventilation — because sweat will happen
- Optional: removable liners for weather roulette
I rotate between a mesh summer jacket (hot rides) and a textile jacket with thermal lining for everything else. The leather one? Mostly for photos. Or dates. Or pretending I’m in Sons of Anarchy.
🧤 Gloves: Because Palms Aren’t Optional
Raise your hand if you’ve ever put your palms down during a fall.
(Everyone’s hands should be up. That’s what your brain does when you trip.)
Now imagine doing that… on pavement… at 50 mph.
Yeah. Gross.
Get full-finger, armored gloves that protect your knuckles, palms, and wrists. Bonus if they’re touchscreen compatible so you can skip songs or check maps without taking them off like a caveman.
My current pair?
Dainese Carbon 4s — comfy, tough, and they make me feel like I could punch a brick wall. I won’t. But still.
👖 Pants: The Thing Everyone Forgets Until They Don’t Have Knees
“Wait—you wear motorcycle pants? Like… special pants?”
Yes. Yes I do.
And yes, I get this question constantly—usually from people wearing cargo shorts and praying to the asphalt gods.
Here’s why:
- Regular jeans = 2 seconds of abrasion resistance. Maybe.
- Motorcycle jeans with Kevlar or aramid = 5–6 seconds. Life-saving.
- Bonus: CE armor in the knees and hips. These bones are not optional.
I have a pair of REAX Traveler jeans that look like regular denim but hide enough armor to make me feel like a knight at a Renaissance Faire.
And no, they don’t look ridiculous. Unless you try to squat in them without stretching. Then… maybe a little.
🥾 Boots: For When You Want All Your Toes
I rode in Converse for years. YEARS.
Until I slipped at a gas station and twisted my ankle so hard it sounded like bubble wrap.
So now? Real motorcycle boots. Always.
Things to look for:
- Ankle protection (seriously, that bone breaks easy)
- Stiff sole (so your foot doesn’t fold like a taco under the shifter)
- Reinforced toe box
- Bonus: Waterproofing (or at least water-resistance)
I use Forma Adventure Lows—a little bulky, super comfy, and have survived three rainstorms and one truly gross porta-potty incident.
Don’t ask.
🧼 Bonus Round: Weirdly Useful Extras
These aren’t technically “safety” gear, but they’ll save your comfort—and sometimes your sanity.
🦻 Earplugs
Wind noise at 60mph can damage your hearing in like… 15 minutes. Earplugs help. And they make you feel like you’re floating through space.
😷 Neck Gaiter
Good for bugs, cold wind, sunburn, and pretending you’re in a Wild West standoff.
💡 Hi-viz vest or reflective tape
Not sexy. Very helpful. Especially at dusk, when every SUV driver is texting Karen about her pool party.
Real Talk: Best Motorcycle Safety Gear
There will come a day when you’re sitting at a stoplight, sweating through your armored jacket, watching some tank-top dude cruise by like he’s in a beach commercial.
You’ll be tempted.
But when that same dude goes down and gets peeled off the pavement like road pizza?
You’ll thank yourself.
Comfort and protection can coexist—you just have to be picky. It’s like dating.
You want someone who’s hot, safe, and doesn’t smell like mildew. Same with gear.
The TL;DR If You’re in a Rush (But Like, Please Don’t Be)
- Helmet: Full-face. DOT + ECE rated. Don’t cheap out.
- Jacket: Armored. Vented. Not a hoodie.
- Gloves: Full-fingered. Armored. Not those gym gloves, bro.
- Pants: Reinforced denim or textile with armor. No cargo shorts.
- Boots: Real ones. Not sneakers. Save your toes.
And if you’re riding without any of these?
I still love you. But I’ll also yell “WEAR YOUR GEAR” from the next lane.
Wanna See Some Gear in Action in Best Motorcycle Safety Gear?
Check out FortNine’s YouTube channel for the most entertaining gear breakdowns in the known universe.
Or RevZilla’s gear reviews if you want deep nerd knowledge without falling asleep.
