Best Motorcycle Protective Gear: Stay Safe and Secure On the Road

These boots, available in sizes 7 to 15, are the best way to keep your feet safe from getting caught or scraped by your motorcycle. Plastic plates protect you from impacts against your bike or other obstacles, while metal inserts support and strengthen the boots’ shape. Heavy construction is balanced out by a comfortable mesh interior that makes them feel easy to wear.

O’Neal’s riding boots support your heels and grip extremely well, and with four adjustable buckles, they’re easy to get in and out of. In comfort, protection, and style, they can easily match up to more expensive motocross brands. With foot injuries almost as common as head and hand injuries on a motorcycle, the level of protection you get with these boots can’t be passed up.

It isn’t all positive, though. While it does feel comfortable to ride in these boots all day, the metal construction makes them pretty stiff, and they aren’t waterproof at all. Also, the four straps are probably the least durable part of the boot and sometimes break.

These surprisingly affordable gloves are designed to do one thing only: keep you safe, whether you’re riding your motorcycle or playing paintball. Recognizing that, in a crash situation, most riders will break their falls with their hands first, ILM has designed gloves that can withstand an extraordinary amount of punishment.

The tough framework of the gloves conforms to the shape of your hand to maintain your full grasping range. Steel reinforcement at the joints protects while ensuring freedom of movement. Plastic non-slip lines on the palm prevent sliding for a tight grip, and you can even operate a touchscreen phone or tablet without taking them off. The gloves come in multiple colors and breathable summer or heavy winter versions.

There are a few downsides you should consider when purchasing these gloves. No version works in all four seasons, and the winter models don’t always feel as warm as they should. Also, despite all the protection they provide against abrasions, they aren’t very waterproof. Finally, while the touchscreen functionality does work, it can be a hassle when trying to do anything complicated.

Here’s an ILM product with a huge range of style options and a stellar rating for both comfort and safety. This helmet offers full protection to the front, back, sides, and top of your head with a lightweight ABS shell and clear visor. A removable liner makes for easy cleaning.

Aside from its DOT-recognized safety benefits, ILM’s helmet design helps reduce wind noise. The visor is treated to resist fog and scratches, and the helmet can be altered to work as a half helmet for less dangerous city rides. Thanks to the wide range of colors and sizes and the easily adjustable chin strap, it’s not hard to find a version of this helmet you’ll like.

The only reason we don’t recommend it even more highly is that many of these features aren’t as durable as they could be. The anti-fog treatment on the visor might need to be reapplied, and bolts have been known to come loose and require replacement.

The HWK Motorcycle Pants offer plenty of protection while you’re enjoying the open road. What makes the pants so well-suited to keep you safe is the high-density 600D Cordura fiber that runs throughout them. While the material is thick all over the legs, it is reinforced at the knees and increases to 1,000D Cordura for added protection and comfort.

One of the other great features of these motorcycle pants is their silver and white threading. The stitch pattern is specifically designed to increase visibility on the road, even at night, while reflective logos shine brighter in the sun and other vehicles’ lights. Plus, the knees and elbows are padded with extra thick CE-armored plating. The pants are also waterproof and windproof to block cold air from entering through the fabric.

While it may not be that big of a deal or negative, the pants can get quite warm. Wearing them in the summer or in warmer climates can be uncomfortable. They also don’t offer the best ventilation but provide great protection.

The HHR Textile Motorcycle Jacket is built as an all-season jacket. Constructed out of 600D Cordura material like the pants, the jacket is thick while remaining cool and soft to the touch. No matter whether it’s summer or winter, the jacket is built for comfort and protection. Plus, it includes CE-approved armor built into the elbows, back, and shoulders.

The jacket comes in four colors and several different sizes. Another great feature is the top is rated to be 100 percent waterproof due to its specially engineered lining. It also comes with four pockets to hold your phone, keys, and anything else you may need. And, it’s not overly expensive for a motorcycle jacket.

As for its air circulation, the vents could be better. They aren’t the worst, but longer rides in warmer weather can be uncomfortable. Also, the zippers are weak and can break if you pull on them aggressively.