NEW AND NOTED: MOTORCYCLE GEAR

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It’s a good time to be hunting for new motorcycle gear. Manufacturers have finally cottoned on to the fact that style and functionality need not be mutually exclusive—and riders are reaping the benefits.

From a D30-equipped bomber jacket to a waterproof riding hoody, this kit gets the job done while looking damn fine in the process. Happy shopping, and remember: it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

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REV’IT! Stealth Hoody It’s all in the name: this is one of the most incognito riding garments we’ve laid eyes on. But it’s also stacked with technical features.

The outer shell is a polycotton stretch denim, laminated with a waterproof membrane, and reinforced with the Dutch company’s abrasion resistant ‘PWR|shield’ in high-impact zones. There’s also CE Level 1 armor in the shoulders and elbows, with a pocket for an optional back protector.

A few clever little details round out the $260 Stealth Hoody. The hood secures at the back with a press-stud when you’re riding, the front pockets have water drainage holes, and there’s a connecting zip to attach it to any REV’IT! pants. It’s available in blue too, but we’ll take black…obviously. [Buy]

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Saint Bromley Flight Jacket We’ve been keeping a close eye on Saint; the Australian company’s doing interesting things with hi-tech fabrics, and their styling is always spot-on. But, until now, one ingredient’s been missing: armor.

The AU$500 Saint Bromley Flight jacket corrects that. It’s based on the classic 1947 US military-issue flight jacket, but it’s been brought bang up to date with a longer, fitted cut. The main body is a water and impact resistant waxed cotton canvas, with triple stitching and bound seams. All the right details are there—from the knitted trim to the minimal branding.

There’s a quilted liner too, adorned with artwork from Australian artist David Bromley. But the real draw card is the full complement of removable D3O protectors. D3O is CE-rated, but it’s also lightweight and flexible. So it doesn’t ruin the jacket’s classic silhouette, earning it max points in both the form and function departments. [Buy]

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Biltwell Inc. Overland Goggles Vintage-flavored open face helmets are en vogue right now, and a decent pair of goggles sure beats riding in your shades. Enter Biltwell Inc.’s new Overlands. They’re packed with typical MX goggle features: a wide eye port, moisture-wicking padding and vents to cut out fogging. But they’re a lot more subdued than your average piece of MX kit. And at around $66, they won’t break the bank.

Colorways on offer include black and red, black and blue, and a yellow, orange and brown combo that would look right at home at a vintage hare scramble. Each pair ships with two impact-resistant, distortion free lenses (clear and tinted).

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Held Touch Gloves The German family-run company Held has been designing gloves for 70 years, and that experience shows in the premium $250 Touch gloves.

As the name implies, they’re touch-screen compatible—thanks to a special conductive leather used at the thumb and forefinger. Nifty. You also get knuckle protectors, a visor wipe, and a generous cuff with dual Velcro closures. There’s kangaroo leather on the palms for maximum abrasion resistance, with cowhide on the flipside for suppleness. Certain areas are perforated for ventilation, the palms are pre-formed for crease-free use, and there are elasticated panels in all the right places. [Buy]

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Stylmartin Rocket Boots Stylmartin was one of the first companies to offer stylish riding footwear with modern levels of protection. And they’ve completely knocked it out the park with the new Rocket.

The Rocket’s styling is on point. It’s constructed from full grain, water resistant leather with a slightly longer work boot aesthetic. There’s a chic little leg strap to help you dial in the fit (and keep your laces tucked).

For around $200 you’re also getting a waterproof and breathable lining, an anatomic and anti-bacterial footbed and an anti-slip, oil proof rubber sole. And if fastening laces isn’t your thing, don’t fret: there’s a handy zipper on the inside of the boot for quick changes. [Buy]

Don’t see what you need here? Then browse though Equipment, the new Bike EXIF motorcycle gear store. You’ll find top brands at the best prices, plus fast international shipping and 5-star service.

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NEW AND NOTED: MOTORCYCLE GEAR

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Killer new helmets from Nexx, a vintage-styled parka motorcycle jacket, and old-school leather pants made by a sexagenarian Portuguese leatherworker. This is the motorcycle gear we’re coveting right now.

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Nexx XG100 helmets Founded at the turn of the century, Nexx quickly made a name for itself with futuristic, lightweight helmets. The technology is pretty amazing: the Nexx Carbon Pure in XL size weighs a mere 1365 grams (a smidge over three pounds).

The Portuguese company has now turned its attention to the ‘retro’ market with the XG100, which is filtering into stores as we speak. Developed with the help of the builderMaria Riding Company, it’s a new spin on the classic full-face look—and there are several versions available with eye-catching graphics. Pricing ranges from $400 to $450 depending on the paintwork; we’ll take the blue ‘Muddy Hog’ with red visor, thanks. [Buy]

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REV’IT! Dayton Jacket If you grew up in England during the 1960s and 1970s, parkas were everywhere. Favored by Mods and catapulted into the public conscious by the film Quadrophenia, the occasional modern version pops up from the likes of high fashion brands like Paul Smith.

This new interpretation from REV’IT! is much more practical, though. It’s pitched as an urban jacket, but has a waterproof and abrasion resistant outer shell, CE-rated Knox armor and a pocket for an optional back protector. There’s a detachable thermal liner, and a button fastener to secure the hood when you’re riding. If you’re facing the onslaught of a northern hemisphere winter, you’ll be glad of the generous extra length too. [Buy]

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Earnest ‘Hardin’ Overall Earnest is a New Zealand company making traditional workshop overalls and aprons. (They’re based just up the road from Bike EXIF headquarters, actually.) The $109 Hardin overall is a slim fully-fitted cut, inspired by classic racetrack style—but with enough material and bi-fold panels to keep movement comfortable.

It’s made from tightly woven 100% cotton 12oz. duck canvas, which will not ‘pinhole’ if hit by sparks—unlike nylon or other synthetics. The panels are joined with triple reinforced seams, and for extra longevity, there are double layers in high wear areas. These overalls don’t just look good—they’re built to last. [Buy]

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Black Ember Neoruk Pack Black Ember is a new brand, but one to watch. It’s a team of experienced industrial designers based in San Francisco and specializing in high performance technical equipment. They make functional and weatherproof urban packs like this $265 Neoruk—a 25-liter pack constructed from waterproof, carbonate-coated, 1000-denier ballistic nylon.

The hardware is aluminum, there are padded sleeves inside, and there’s a removable shoulder harness with sternum straps. If you need to carry a laptop or work essentials on your bike, this is one of the most functional and stylish solutions around. [Buy]

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El Solitario ‘Rascal’ Pants Mass production has its benefits, but we’re still suckers for gear produced the old-fashioned way. Each one of these vintage-styled pants is painstakingly hand-made by a third generation leather craftsman in Portugal.

The raw material is fine top grain 1.3mm Nappa leather, both supple and durable. The fit is traditional, as the pants are held up by adjustable leather braces. But the zips are tough, modern YKK items, and you can specify pockets for armor if you wish. You can choose from beige or black, and the cost is €560. That’s obviously not cheap, but for gear that will last a lifetime and is made by a skilled leatherworker, it’s a very reasonable price to pay. Check out the video below and you’ll see what we mean. [Buy]

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NEW AND NOTED: MOTORCYCLE GEAR

There’s a hint of vintage motocross to our latest gear roundup. But these products are much safer than your typical autojumble find. We’ve also sneaked in the world’s first merino/Kevlar mix baselayer, which looks good enough to wear on its own. Hide that credit card.

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Simpson M50 helmet If Simpson’s Street Bandit is a little too stormtrooper for you, the new M50 might fit the bill. Based on the 1970s motocross classic, it’s a faithful remake in two shell sizes. The technology is basic—a composite fiberglass shell with removable and washable cheek pads—and certification is just DOT. But let’s face it, it’s the looks that count with this one, and it’s safer than an open face lid. Choose from six colors: Gloss Black, Matte Black, White, Matte Gunmetal, Red and Yellow. Your $299 also includes an old-school 5-snap visor for that classic enduro look. [Buy]

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Ride 100% Barstow Ascott goggles We’re big fans of the Barstow goggles, inspired by the ‘hare & hound’ desert races of the 1970s. New variants are being released all the time, but the ‘Ascott’ is our favorite. The frame design is minimal, but includes upper vents and a triple layer of fleece-lined face foam. The cream-and-brown finish looks authentic, but the grey tinted Dalloz Optics lens is ultra-modern. Your $95 also buys a spare clear lens, a cleaning cloth and a bag for storage. [Buy]

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Saint Kevlar Merino Baselayer Denim/Kevlar weaves are everywhere these days, adding a measure of protection to ‘casual’ riding gear. Not all weaves are created equal, but some of the very best come from the premium Australian brand Saint. The company has now applied its expertise to Merino wool, producing a high-tech long-sleeve baselayer for AU$280. You get the warmth of fine-spun Merino wool with the abrasion resistance of para-aramid fibers. If you’re the type who occasionally rides wearing just a t-shirt or sweatshirt, this is a better option. But if temperatures are dropping, use it as a first layer of warmth and protection under a jacket. [Buy]

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78 Motor Co ‘Speed Gloves’ Five years ago, Anthony Jackson rode a 125cc moto from England to Mongolia. He expected his expensive, famous-brand gloves to perform, but they stretched and fell apart. Once back in Old Blighty, he started designing his own gloves and now runs 78 Motor Co., a small operation with a reputation for quality. The £78 Speed Gloves may look vintage, but the safety is closer to modern-day standards. You get carbon steel knuckle protectors, double-stitched seams, a padded lining, and reinforced palms. An oversized Velcro closure ensures a tight fit around the wrist and the leather is colored with transparent aniline dyes to highlight the grain. Choose from Nappa Black, Farina Grey or Dune (shown) finishes. [Buy]

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Alpinestars Oscar Rayburn These new boots from Alpinestars’ retro spinoff brand look nothing like your typical moto footwear, but they’re CE certified. Hidden from view are a reinforced toe box and heel counter, a 3D mesh lining, and ankle disc protectors. The oil-resistant compound sole is grippy, and the build quality is superb. The laces thread through metal eyelet holes, a gusseted tongue keeps the elements out, and there’s a handy pull-tab at the heel. If you do a lot of trips around town and want a boot that looks good with jeans, the $269 Rayburn ticks the box. [Buy]

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Icon 1000 Elsinore HP boot I’ve been wearing the original Elsinore boots for a couple of years now, and they’re simply superb. They take a while to break in, but soon became comfortable as well as tough. Icon has now updated the Elsinore with the $285 ‘HP’ model, with blacked-out styling and stitching, plus an aluminum shin plate. The brilliant five-strap alloy-buckle chassis and welted sole remain. It’s old-school motocross styling with modern-day protection. [Buy]


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