Motorcycle safety gear explained: helmets, jackets, gloves, boots and armour
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On a motorcycle your gear is your crumple zone. Good kit will not make you invincible, but it decides whether a low-speed slide means a ruined jacket or weeks of healing skin. Here is what each piece does and what to look for, without recommending any brand.
Helmet
The helmet is the one item almost every country makes compulsory, and the one where fit matters most.
- Standards. Helmets are tested against standards. In the UK and Europe the current one is ECE 22.06, which replaced ECE 22.05 and adds more impact points and a rotational impact test. New helmets made for those markets have been certified to 22.06 since the changeover around the start of 2024; 22.05 helmets already owned generally remain legal to wear. In the US, helmets must meet the DOT standard (FMVSS 218). Snell is a separate, voluntary standard some helmets also carry. Some countries run their own schemes too, so check what is legally required where you ride.
- Type. A full-face helmet protects the chin, which takes a large share of impacts. Modular (flip-front) helmets add convenience; open-face helmets leave the jaw exposed.
- Fit. Snug all round with no pressure points, cheek pads touching your cheeks, and it should not roll forward off your head with the strap done up. Try several shapes; heads differ more than sizes suggest.
- Replace it after any significant impact, even if it looks fine, and follow the maker's advice on age.
Jacket and trousers
- Materials. Leather is very abrasion-resistant. Textile is more versatile in rain and heat. Denim or casual-looking kit can work if it is lined with abrasion-resistant fibres and has armour.
- Certification. In the UK and Europe, protective clothing can be tested to EN 17092, which grades garments by class. A higher class means more protection, usually at the cost of comfort in heat.
- Fit. Armour only works if it stays in place. Try gear on in a riding position with your arms forward.
Armour
Look for impact protectors at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, ideally tested to a recognised standard (EN 1621 in Europe, with level 2 offering more protection than level 1). A back protector is worth adding if your jacket has only a foam pad in the pocket. Chest protectors are becoming more common too.
Gloves
Your hands go out first in a fall. Choose gloves designed for motorcycling, with a reinforced palm, knuckle protection and a cuff that overlaps your jacket sleeve. Summer gloves with no gauntlet still beat no gloves. Many are certified to EN 13594.
Boots
Proper motorcycle boots protect the ankle from twisting and crushing and cover the shin. Trainers and fashion boots offer little. Look for a stiff sole, ankle support and a secure fastening that will not snag on the footpegs. Many are certified to EN 13634.
Visibility
Being seen is half of staying safe. Bright helmets, high-visibility vests or panels, and reflective strips help, especially at dusk and in rain. Daytime running lights help, but they do not replace good road positioning. Assume other road users have not seen you, whatever you are wearing.
Weather gear
Getting cold or wet makes you tired and slow to react. Waterproof oversuits, heated layers, a neck tube and a visor that does not fog (a pinlock-type insert or anti-fog treatment) all count as safety equipment.
Buying sensibly
- Spend most of your budget on the helmet and the items you will actually wear every ride.
- Try gear on in person where you can.
- Avoid second-hand helmets: you cannot know their history.
- Replace damaged armour and gear after a crash.
Standards and legal requirements differ by country and are updated over time, so check your national rules and the labels in the gear itself. What gear made the biggest difference for you, or what are you unsure about? Ask in the comments.