Motorcycle Gear

Motorcycle gear is vital for a safe ride, but also goes a long way in making your time on the bike more enjoyable. Many pieces are tailored for different seasons, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, dry in the rain and visible at night. The materials and protective elements used in helmets, jackets, pants, boots, and gloves are made to protect against rips, scrapes, tears, and impact, so be sure you always ride with a full kit. We here at Motorcyclist are sticklers when it comes to motorcycle riding gear, and we share our thoughts on the best (and worst) pieces we’ve found in our gear reviews. We put the pieces through real-world trials and report back with thorough, honest assessments. We also preview the latest gear coming to market and dive deeper into the brands that push the industry forward. If you need information or guidance on motorcycle gear, we’ve got you covered.

Motorcycle helmets protect what’s arguably the most important part of a rider’s body: the head. We realize this is painfully self-evident, but it goes to show why wearing a riding helmet is so essential. A crash that rings your bell for a few moments could be life-threatening without a proper, DOT-approved lid. There are lots of styles—like full-face, three-quarter, half, modular, off-road, adventure, vintage, and others—these days, so you will be sure to find one that fits your needs. And Motorcyclist reviews them all. We ride with the helmets we test for hundreds of miles in order to give you the straight scoop on the highs and lows of each piece we wear.

Motorcycle apparel lets you show your love of two-wheels off the bike. We’re talking T-shirts, sweaters, hats, belts, socks, shoes, and more. Because there’s no getting around the fact that we have to get dressed in the morning, and that we say something in what we wear. Sure, you can let the world know you’re perpetually just getting out of bed, or you can rep your favorite motorcycle brands with pride. Since we’re absolutely obsessed with motorcycles at Motorcyclist, we walk the walk in this regard. You’d be hard-pressed to find a T-shirt in any of our drawers that doesn’t have to do with bikes. And we share reviews and previews of stuff we really like with you here. So stop by and check out what’s new, what’s cool, and what’s likely to be hanging in our closets really soon.

Motorcycle gloves do more than just give you protection in the event of a crash. They keep your mitts warm when temperatures drop and provide added grip at the controls. Plus, you can find inexpensive riding gloves for all types of riding, so there’s really no excuse to leave home without them. We sure don’t. Motorcyclist samples gloves from all the major brands in the industry, built for all types of conditions and ride scenarios. We report back with balanced appraisals for each piece, so you can be well-informed before you make your next purchase.

Motorcycle pants may often be overlooked, but they’re a key ingredient in the perfect gear kit. Whether you choose to wear denim, leather, textile, or a combination of materials, manufacturers specifically design riding pants with the crash in mind. That means abrasion-resistant fabrics and armor in the places you need it most. Plus, with more technical gear, you get ventilation, additional storage, more layers of impact protection, flexible-fit panels, and more. That way you can be comfortable on the bike, and focus on the ride. Motorcyclist reviews riding pants from all segments and provides previews on the latest items coming to market. Don’t decide on your next pair of motorcycle pants without visiting us first.

Motorcycle boots cover a wide variety of riding footwear. There are full-length, mid-length, and riding shoes out there to offer protection, function, and style to every rider, no matter the motorcycle. Boots are particularly important on the bike because they can go a long way in keeping your feet intact in the event of a crash. They also provide reliable grip at the pegs or at a stop, as well as additional grip to manipulate the foot controls. All those elements look good on paper, for sure, but we help you to know what’s really going on with motorcycle boots. Motorcyclist tests riding footwear for all seasons and segments to give you a clearer picture of what you’re getting when you press the buy button. Stop here to find out what we like and don’t like, then grab a pair for yourself. Your feet will thank you.