Choosing your motorcycle gear: helmet, jacket, gloves

On a motorcycle, your gear is your only bodywork. Choosing it well isn't an expense — it's the best-value investment of your riding life. Here's how to pick motorcycle gear that truly protects, without falling for the marketing.

The helmet: non-negotiable

It's the single most important piece. A few markers:

• Type: a full-face offers the best protection (chin included). A modular is handy for long trips, an open-face is airier but less protective. To start out, full-face is the safe bet.
• Standard: in Europe, aim for ECE 22.06, the newest and most demanding (rotational and multi-impact testing). Avoid any helmet without certification; in the US, look for DOT (and ideally Snell).
• Fit: a helmet should be snug without hurting. It must not rotate on your head. A loose helmet doesn't protect. Try it for 10 minutes in the shop before buying.
• Visor: anti-scratch, and ideally ready for an anti-fog insert (Pinlock-type).

Replace a good helmet after any impact and roughly every 5 years even without a crash (foam and adhesives age).

The jacket: protection + visibility

The jacket absorbs abrasion and impacts. Check:

• Material: leather (excellent abrasion) or textile (versatile, often waterproof and ventilated). Both are valid when the quality is there.
• Armour: CE-rated protectors at the shoulders and elbows, and ideally a back protector (often added separately). A jacket without armour is just a jacket.
• Fit: the armour must stay over the joint, even with arms outstretched. Too loose, and it shifts at the worst moment.
• Visibility: reflective elements or bright colours sharply reduce the risk of being "invisible" to drivers.

Gloves: easy to skip, quick to regret

In a fall, the reflex is to put your hands down. Proper motorcycle gloves:

• cover the whole wrist (never short gloves that slip off in a slide);
• include reinforcements at the knuckles and palm;
• come in summer (ventilated) and winter/rain (waterproof) versions. Plan for both.

Boots or over-the-ankle shoes

Sneakers protect neither the ankle nor the shin. Motorcycle footwear:

• rises above the ankle and supports it;
• offers a stiff sole and reinforcements at the heel and ankle bones;
• comes in discreet urban models if racing boots aren't your style.

Budget: where to start?

If money is tight, prioritise in this order: helmet > gloves > jacket with back protector > boots. A good helmet and good gloves beat four low-end pieces.

Good news: you'll find excellent second-hand deals on jackets, boots and armour (never the helmet — it may have taken an invisible impact). That's the whole point of a dedicated motorcycle marketplace: gear between enthusiasts, at the right price, with sellers who know the product.

The mistake to avoid

Buying "for the looks" or "because it's on sale". Gear is chosen for its protection and fit, not its appearance alone. Comfort comes next — but it matters too: comfortable gear is gear you actually wear, on every ride.

In short

ECE 22.06 / DOT helmet, jacket with CE armour and a back protector, long reinforced gloves, over-the-ankle footwear: that's the baseline of motorcycle gear that does its job. Invest in your head and hands first, then complete the set.

👉 Want to buy or sell your gear among trusted riders? Join the Motardia waitlist to discover the marketplace at launch.