Good Protective Clothing vs Very Good Protective Clothing

[Seight_Returns]

I've just bought a pair of reasonably priced short summer gloves as my full length gloves don't fit comfortably either under or over the cuffs of my mesh jacket.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

As per the reviews from the others purchasers I'm very impressed with them - I can't tell the difference in quality from my other gloves which cost 4 times as much - but obviously the ultimate test is how they cope in an accident which I or the others who've bought them can't opine on.

I'd like to think that the difference in protection of premium priced kit over more modestly priced CE approved gear is modest and the extra cost is mostly branding, style and comfort - but if I ended up with a serious hand injury for the sake of saving £50 that would obviously be a false economy.

Be grateful for opinions.

[maxrobot]

Only one way to find out!

> but if I ended up with a serious hand injury for the sake of saving £50 that would obviously be a false economy

This is very true. One see's very many people, in London, wearing a leather jacket but normal jeans and trainers - the mind boggles...

I'd be interested to hear what people wear more generally.

Personally, I use an extra Alpinestars back protector under a leather jacket what's the consensus on this is it overkill?

[Seight_Returns]

maxrobot said:

I'd be interested to hear what people wear more generally.

Personally, I use an extra Alpinestars back protector under a leather jacket what's the consensus on this is it overkill?

My choice :

Always a nylon or mesh CE approved jacket with a back protector insert and shoulder/elbow d3o inserts - but not a separate back protector.

Kevlar jeans around town - textile touring trousers for longer/faster trips - in both cases with d30 knee and thigh armour.

Ankle length bike boots around town - touring/race boots with better shin protection for longer trips.

Have tried an airbag vest but find it cumbersome - seriously thinking about an integrated airbag jacket.

As per my post and your reply though - I find it difficult to make a responsible, informed choice. Even the magazine and commercial website reviews are very subjective and rarely feature actual impact/abrasion tests.

[_Neal_]

Are those gloves CE approved at all? If so you know they have at least been tested (and are a bargain!).

[KTMsm]

Unfortunately there is no "best" product because it isn't possible to replicate every type of crash also people tend to ride to a perceived risk level so if they feel safer, they'll ride faster

There are various tests in various countries which at least give some indication

The best post I read was that the best protective gear was the stuff you wear - because many were finding knee pads / back protectors uncomfortable and removing them during their ride etc

I admit that if I'm popping out on my SM I wear less protection than when I'm on a big bike - who knows if either is enough - if you hit something hard at 30mph you could easily be killed even when wearing the best gear, most gear just prevents a minor injury or helps reduce a major injury to a minor one

[black-k1]

There is no way to actually tell what difference, if any, more expensive kit would make. No two crashes are the same. All you can do is look at the testing standards and those for basic CE approval really are pretty poor where those for top CE approval are serious.

As was said of expensive kit in one of the bike mags soms time ago, at that price I wouldn't want to crash in them, but, in a crash, I wouldn't want anything else.

[hiccy18]

I thought cowhide has a lot more abrasion resistance than goat or sheep?

Every time I buy cheap kit I end up finding that it's st in some way I hadn't anticipated and flinging it in the bin. Perhaps that's why shop keepers like me...

[KTMsm]

black-k1 said:

As was said of expensive kit in one of the bike mags soms time ago, at that price I wouldn't want to crash in them, but, in a crash, I wouldn't want anything else.

Very true, I bought some expensive knee guards before my first enduro day, I came off several times and never felt a thing

Packing up at the end of the day I found I'd cracked one - I wasn't sure whether to be happy that they'd done their job or pissed off that I'd broken them

[trickywoo]

Leather is a lot better than textile apart from keeping water out and temperature good in hot and cold.

Trouble with textiles is that they can grip the road leading to more risk of tearing ligaments etc. compared to leather which slides better.

Those gloves look ok and will definitely be better than no gloves.

[Das speck]

I got pissed off wearing leather race pants or whatever they are called because it’s mostly too cold for them with the material sections over my balls.

And the trousers look utterly stupid tucked into boots imo.

So I’ve gone all Hasselhoff and got a pair off these -

https://www.bikersparadise.co.uk/Mens-Elite-C-Leat...

With the Velcro on the waist and lifetime warranty they should last longer than the race pants.

[Northernboy]

I think (and Ride’s tests tend to back this up) that anything with the right safety mark is going to offer similar safety levels. Not identical, but similar.

The difference tends to be in the additional features, comfort etc.

I have quite a bit of Rukka kit, and it’s really nice to use.

[Hungrymc]

Das speck said:

I’ve gone all Hasselhoff and got a pair off these -

https://www.bikersparadise.co.uk/Mens-Elite-C-Leat...

I have to say I’m a little disappointed.

I was expecting a pair of open bottomed chaps or something.

:-)

[black-k1]

It's worth being clear which exact CE rating each garment has. The difference between something AA rated has been tested to the equivalent of 25kmh where samething AAA rated has been tested to the equivalent of 120kmh. That is one fking HUGE difference.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-vie...

I don't know about you but I spend a hell of a lot of time riding faster than 25kmh!

[Iminquarantine]

Just buy CE rated. Some CE/EN standards have several levels, eg jackets now have A, AA, AAA levels.

For gloves, I’d buy the ones which are the right warmth and comfort and are CE rated; price wouldn’t come into it as you wear them all the time for years.

[anonymous-user]

maxrobot said:

Personally, I use an extra Alpinestars back protector under a leather jacket what's the consensus on this is it overkill?

I don't think so, I wear a knox back protector every time I ride (unless its to the shop up the road) and now would feel naked without it! Spinal injury is right up there on the list of things I don't want, and anything that can help prevent it is a good thing

[anonymous-user]

Cheap crap protective gear is probably just that, but I've had decent performance out of fairly inexpensive kit. I had a long slide when I lowsided my bike ten years ago, my Wolf two piece suit purchased for about 200 quid was absolutely fine, there was no sight of stiching damage or wear to the leather and escaped without any injury at all. My Spada textile suit was superb too, I stacked it several times off road including straight over the handlebars and the armour soaked up all the impact.

I suspect high end kit is lighter and more comfortable to wear, my leather suit weighs a ton, even before I get into it, but does feel reassuringly safe, especially around the knees and elbows. I added a back protector as well.

Not sure about gloves, I'd imagine top end ones with armour are a lot better than cheapo textile or leather ones. I'm still using my ancient Held Freezers, which are ok if a bit Darth Vader, but which are quite comfortable and have a built in wiper for my visor.

[Salted_Peanut]

The Aussies do it better: MotoCAP puts bike clothing through a rigorous set of tests. While it hasn't tested every garment, MotoCAP is an ever-growing resource. And you can sign up (I have) for alerts for when MotoCAP has tested another batch of clobber. MotoCAP shows that price and protection aren’t always linked (I’m looking at you, Dainese!).

Are the CE ratings are better than nothing? Yes, but they set the protection bar Very Low indeed for the A and AA ratings:

black-k1 said:

It's worth being clear which exact CE rating each garment has. The difference between something AA rated has been tested to the equivalent of 25kmh where something AAA rated has been tested to the equivalent of 120kmh. That is one fking HUGE difference.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-vie...

I don't know about you but I spend a hell of a lot of time riding faster than 25kmh!

If money were no object, I'd plump for BKS M2M gloves, Hideout (textiles or leathers), BKS Made-to-Measure or Scott Leathers. I haven’t seen Ride magazine review these top-end brands, which (except Hideout’s tiny ad) don’t advertise in the magazine. Coincidence? I think not!

[paddy1970]

Over 30 years of riding and my advice is to spend at least £1K on safety gear and buy the best you can afford.

Current daily gear (not sponsored!): Bell Race Star DLX (Helmet -£450), Dainese Pony 3 Leather Trousers (£200), Dainese Carbon D1 Leather Long (Glove-£90), Dainese Torque 3 Out Boots (£250), Dainese D-Air Misano Airbag Leather Jacket (£500-Black Friday special). Total: £1,490.

A lot of people don't like Dainese or says it is poor quality but I have tested their protective characteristics a few times and I am still in one piece so would recommend!

[Salted_Peanut]

With Dainese, it appears there’s a massive difference between their gear. In MotoCAP’s test results, Dainese leathers made from D-Skin 2.0 fare superbly (6 seconds abrasion resistance). But the stuff made from Tutu leather only lasts about 2 seconds – scary if you’re on track or have a blowout at motorway speeds.

The devil's in the Dainese detail. Whether it's the type of leather or armour's CE rating, I scrutinise the details when picking Dainese gear.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Arai RX-7V

Alpinestars 1 Piece Race Suit

TCX Race Pro Boots

Forcefield Body Armour (Including Pro 4 Back Protector).

That’s the minimum that I’d wear when going out for a ride.