This month’s gear roundup has a distinctive retro vibe. But rest assured—we’ve chosen top-to-toe pieces that mix classic styling with modern safety standards. We’ve also thrown in a seriously protective undershirt, that no one will ever guess you’re wearing.
DMD Seventy Five The Bell Moto 3 helmet from the 1970s is an all-time design classic. Unfortunately, a lid made forty years ago will not offer much protection. These days the Moto 3 is an expensive paperweight—a rough example will cost you at least $100 on eBay, or up to $400 for one in good condition.
If you love the Moto 3 style but want 21st century protection, DMD’s latest design should answer your prayers. It has a carbon/Kevlar shell, a removable and washable liner, and full ECE homologation. (Plus DOT for those of you Stateside.) It’s available from next month in yellow, white, matt black and electric blue. [Buy]
Resurgence Rocker jacket The Canadian company has made a name for itself with jeans built around its high-tech PEKEV material. It’s an alternative to Kevlar with extraordinary abrasion resistance—well beyond the tough CE Level 2 standard.
Resurgence has now aimed its sights above the belt, with the new £299 Rocker jacket. It’s got classic denim jacket styling, a full PEKEV lining, removable Knox Flexiform armor at the elbow and shoulder points, and a spine protector. DuPont Teflon fabric protection helps repel water, and the hardware is high quality too—with adjustable brass waist buckles and a YKK zip. Available in Green/Brown, Camouflage and Black. [Buy]
Knox Urbane Undershirt If you find regular armor uncomfortable or you just can’t resist wearing a regular jacket while riding, Knox has the answer for you. The English company has been protecting racers for 30 years with its high-end armor systems, and has now responded to the increasing trend for ‘casual’ riding gear.
The £108 Urbane has a tough, flexible mesh chassis with CE-approved protectors in the shoulders and elbows. There’s a lightweight, breathable back protector that covers the spine and kidney area, and a front pocket so you can add a chest protector if need be. The construction is designed to work in warm weather and underneath classic or vintage motorbike jackets. [Buy]
Crave 365 Protective Jacket The influence of fashion is creeping into motorcycle gear design—and that’s generally a good thing. For many riders, anything that reeks of MotoGP or track days is a no-go. But few brands push the envelope as far as Crave, makers of the popular Axe reinforced motorcycle shirt.
Crave’s latest release is a classy full-length jacket that looks more at home on a North Sea oil rig or a winter’s street in Stockholm. But the windproof ‘365’ has a 100% Kevlar lining and a hood roomy enough to cover a ski helmet. The wax-impregnated cotton outer shell is water-repellant to five meters, and there are pockets for shoulder, elbow and back protectors. Available in Brown or a lighter ‘Rusty’ color (top image), for €329. [Buy]
uglyBROS Motorpool Black Over the past couple of years, the Motorpool has become a hugely popular riding jean in the café and custom scene. It’s a good summer choice because it’s breathable, the fit is stretchy, and the styling is a smart mix of function and fashion.
The $329 Motorpool is now available in a solid black 11oz denim version—a little stealthier than the original grey, Stained Olive and camo versions. Removable, CE-approved knee and hip protectors are included as before, but the back pockets are larger and there are now slanted side cargo pockets for easier access. Make sure you buy direct from the maker or a reputable retailer—there are imitations around. [Buy]
Alpinestars Oscar Monty Boots The eagerly anticipated Oscar range is now starting to trickle into stores, and one of the highlights is the ‘Monty’ boot. There are shades of Red Wing’s classic ‘Moc Toe’ styling here, but unlike the Red Wing, this is a boot designed for riding.
It’s reinforced at the toe, heel and ankle for impact resistance, and also sports a removable microfiber sole and a breathable mesh liner. The rubber compound sole is oil resistant, and the boots are CE certified to Level 2 standard. Available in black or brown, and yours for $260. [Buy]