For those of you lucky enough to be in the northern hemisphere, spring has arrived. The snow may have receded, but there’s an avalanche of cool new gear hitting the shelves.
We’ve picked out a few items worthy of your consideration, from big brands to unknown upstarts. This time we’re taking a top-to-toe approach, from helmets to boots. If there’s anything you think we’ve missed, let us know in the comments.
DMD Racer Most modern motocross helmets just don’t have the allure of the vintage designs. So the Italian maker DMD has recreated the classic 70s-style lid using modern technology—with a carbon/Kevlar shell that meets the European ECE 22.05 safety standard.
The £299 Racer comes in five sizes and includes a removable, washable liner, plus a padded chinstrap with a double D-ring closure. The spec might be basic, but it’s a solid and stylish option to open face lids. Choose from white or black finishes, or drop another £100 for a hand-painted ‘Line’ option. [Buy]
Simpson Street Bandit The Bandit is one of those iconic helmet designs that everyone recognizes: It’s the two-wheeled equivalent of the Simpson Diamondback worn by The Stig in Top Gear. Safety has never been the Bandit’s strong point though—until now. The helmet has been revamped and re-released, and now meets the Snell M2010 standard as well as DOT.
It’s still probably not as safe as a Schuberth lid, but you do get a bigger eyeport area for a better field of vision. And you can upgrade the standard clear shield for a smoke, amber, iridium or mirrored visor. The Street Bandit is available in gloss and matte black, but really, the only color to select is white. [Buy]
Spidi Fandango The Italians are cottoning on to the revival of classic motorcycle style. We’ve seen Dainese dip a toe in the waters with the 36060 range, and Alpinestars has just announced its Oscar collection. Now it’s the turn of Spidi: the $699 Fandango jacket is a collaboration with our friends at the famous French magazine Cafe Racer.
We’re told that it’s crafted from “the finest cowhide available in the Italian tanning district of Vicenza, Italy,” but it’s the design details that attract the eye. There’s a pocket on the back for storing gloves, and ‘blind’ patches on the chest and sides to provide space for nametags and club insignia. You also get shoulder and elbow protectors, and an insert suitable for a back protector. [Buy]
Saint 100% Kevlar Drills Saint is a new arrival on the apparel scene that shows huge promise. Their core product is a $450, 100% Kevlar drill pant with 360° tensile strength and great looks. These are pants you can wear all day, but they also have significant burst and slide abrasion resistance.
They’ve been tested at CE approved facilities in both the UK and Italy, recording times of 3.62 seconds—just shy of the ultimate Level 1 rating of four seconds. (To put that into perspective, a standard pair of denims will burst on impact and disintegrate in less than half a second.) You also get triple-stitched seams, quality YKK zips, and 3M reflective material on the cuffs for extra visibility at night. The perfect alternative to jeans. [Buy]
ICON 1000 Prep Boots Icon’s tough, retro-styled Elsinore boots have been a smash hit for the Portland, Oregon based company. The sequel has now arrived, in the form of the more subdued but equally high performance Prep boot. Icon describes the $270 boots as “Historically significant silhouettes re-imagined with modern materials and construction techniques. And then given a personal twist of moto-apocalyptic 80s fever dreams.” And we can’t do better than that.
The boots are waterproof and heavily armored, with steel shanks, reinforced toe boxes and heels, and a 12-inch top grain leather upper section for a true three-quarter leg fit. Take your pick from Stealth Black or Brown. [More info]
