Motorcycle Riding Gear
Motorcycle Riding Gear for Every Budget and Riding Style
Complete motorcycle riding gear is five pieces. See the kit for cruiser, touring, sport, commuting and camping riders, and what to buy first on a budget.
Complete motorcycle riding gear is five pieces: helmet, jacket, pants, gloves and boots. MotoCAP says gear works best when it covers the whole body. What changes between a cruiser rider, a commuter and a track-day rider is the style of each piece, not the list. If money is tight, buy the helmet first: IIHS calls it the most important piece of safety equipment.
Key takeaways
- Same five pieces for every rider. Riding style decides the cut, the leather and the extras.
- In US crash studies, helmets cut the risk of death by 37%-42%. Jackets, pants, gloves and boots made for riders also improve outcomes after other severe injuries.
- We sell leather jackets, race suits, pants, chaps, vests, gloves and boots. We don't sell helmets.
- No ready-made kits or bundle offers exist yet. Build the kit piece by piece with the tables below.
The five-piece kit at a glance
How to judge each piece, step by step: how to choose proper motorcycle riding gear.
| Piece | Main check | Sold here? |
|---|---|---|
| Helmet | US DOT label: "DOT", "FMVSS No. 218", "CERTIFIED" (FMVSS No. 218) | No |
| Jacket | Armor pockets at shoulders and elbows, and what armor is supplied | Yes |
| Pants (or chaps over jeans) | Knee and hip armor; snug in the riding position | Yes |
| Gloves | Layered palm, closure on the inside of the wrist | Yes |
| Boots | Ankle coverage, rigid sole | Yes |
Kit by riding style
Camping riders need a rain layer too. See motorcycle camping gear and essentials. Off-road riders need a different kit, covered in the complete dirt bike riding gear checklist.
| Riding style | Jacket | Lower body | Gloves | Boots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruiser and weekend rides | Classic or touring leather jacket | Riding pants, or chaps over jeans | Vintage or classic gloves | Touring or street boots |
| Long-distance touring | Touring jacket with vents and reflective details | Touring pants with armor | Gauntlet-length gloves | Touring boots |
| Sport and track days | Race jacket, or a one- or two-piece race suit | Part of the suit | Race-style gloves | Racing boots |
| Commuting | Semi or touring jacket | Riding pants or leather jeans | Short or summer gloves | Ankle boots you can walk in |
| Camping trips | Touring jacket plus a vest as an extra layer | Pants or chaps | Two pairs: dry and spare | Touring boots |
Every budget: what to buy first
We can't quote kit prices here, because store prices change and no bundles exist yet. What a budget does change is the order you buy in:
- Helmet. Biggest proven effect. Avoid novelty helmets: riders wearing them were about twice as likely to die as riders in certified full-face helmets.
- Gloves and boots. Australian research links riding or sturdy boots to about 45% fewer foot and ankle injuries.
- Jacket with armor. Check what armor comes in the pockets. MotoCAP warns that foam fillers not labelled EN 1621-1 may not protect, and you can swap in EN 1621-1 armor later.
- Pants. Then close the gap between jacket and boots.
Where the law comes in
Only 17 states and the District of Columbia require every rider to wear a helmet. Equipment rules vary by state, so check yours on our required motorcycle equipment hub.
Shop the kit
Build your kit from the Leather Collection motorcycle riding gear range. Every piece is made to order, with custom sizes. Measure with the store's size guide first.
Related guides
- Touring riders: see the full motorcycle touring gear kit, with weather layers and loading tips.
FAQ
Do you need gear to ride a motorcycle?
Legally, it depends on your state: only 17 states and DC require helmets for all riders. For safety, yes. Helmets cut the risk of death by 37%-42% in studies cited by IIHS, and full coverage works best.
Where can I buy motorcycle accessories online?
For leather riding gear, the store above sells jackets, suits, pants, chaps, vests, gloves and boots. Helmets have to come from other sellers, and so does motorcycle luggage such as saddlebags and tank bags.
Motorcycle Leather Superstore Editorial Team
Motorcycle Leather Superstore articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.