The Top 15 Pieces Of Safety Equipment Every Rider Needs

The worst thing that can happen to you on a motorcycle is an accident. That’s why safety equipment is so important. 

There are lots of options available, but we’re going to recommend the best pieces for each part of your body so that you can protect yourself without compromising on style or comfort.

Top 8 Horse Riding Essentials
Takeaways
It is crucial to wear a helmet while horseback riding, as head injuries account for about 60% of deaths resulting from horseback riding accidents.
Knowing the dos and don’ts of horseback riding is a critical aspect of horseback riding safety.
Choosing the right saddle is essential for ensuring the comfort and safety of both the rider and the horse.
Properly fitting horseback riding boots are essential for comfort, safety, and performance.
When selecting a motorcycle helmet, look for one that is DOT-approved and that provides the appropriate level of coverage for the type of riding you will be doing.

Motorcycle Helmet

A motorcycle helmet is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you can wear. It protects your head from injury in the event of a crash, and it’s also required by law in many countries.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing and wearing a motorcycle helmet:

  • Make sure it fits properly. A properly fitting helmet should sit level on your head and not move around when you shake or nod your head up and down (you can test this by grabbing both sides at eye level). 

The chinstrap should be adjusted so that there’s about two fingers’ width between the chin strap buckle and where it fits under your jawbone this ensures that if something hits the back end of your bike, there will be no slack left over for anything else to catch onto while riding down the highway at 70 mph.

Choose wisely based on personal preference as well as state law requirements regarding coloration options available within each brand lineup offered by manufacturers like Arai Racing Corporation (Japan), Bell Sports Incorporated (Canada), Shoei Co Ltd., known simply as Shoei Japan Company Ltd.,

The importance of wearing a helmet while horseback riding cannot be overstated. According to the statistics, “Head injuries account for about 60% of deaths resulting from horseback riding accidents” as reported in our article on the importance of wearing a helmet while horseback riding.

Motorcycle Jacket

You’re going to need a motorcycle jacket. A proper one, that is. And by “proper,” I mean one that has all the right features and fits your body well.

A good-fitting jacket is essential for protecting yourself in case of an accident and there’s no shortage of options out there these days: you can get leather or textile; short or long; waterproof or not; any color under the sun (or starry night). But first things first: what do you want from your safety gear?

Kevlar Jeans

Kevlar jeans are a great choice for riders who want to protect themselves from road rash. Kevlar is a material used in bulletproof vests, so it’s no surprise that some motorcycle clothing manufacturers use it as well. 

Kevlar jeans are stronger than most other materials and can be used to make clothing that will last longer than traditional denim jeans. They’re more expensive than other types of materials, but if you want something with extra protection against injury while riding your bike then they might be worth the cost.

One of the most crucial aspects of horseback riding safety is knowing the dos and don’ts. As we explore in our guide on avoiding accidents while horseback riding, “Understanding the risks and common hazards of riding horses are important steps in becoming a safe and responsible rider.”

Gloves

Gloves are a necessity for anyone who rides a motorcycle. They protect your hands from road rash, broken bones, and cuts. There are many different kinds of gloves available, so it’s important to choose the right kind for you.

Gloves come in three main categories: full-finger, half-finger, and fingerless (also known as “moto” or “motocross”). Full-finger gloves give you the most protection because they cover all five fingers, but they can be hot in warm weather since they don’t allow air to flow through them as half-fingered gloves do. 

When choosing between full-finger or half-finger style gloves it’s best to consider where you’ll be riding and what conditions there will be at that time of year/seasonally if applicable such as rain vs sunny days etc… 

Boots

Boots should be thick, sturdy, and have a good grip. They’re the most important piece of safety equipment you can wear on your bike.

The boots should also be waterproof to protect your feet from water and mud when riding in wet weather conditions.

A good sole will give you extra protection from sharp objects on the road or trails that may puncture through the bottom of your shoes or boots (like rocks). This will help keep your feet safe if something happens while riding.

The saddle is one of the most important pieces of equipment a horse rider will ever use. To ensure that you pick the perfect saddle for your horse, check out our ultimate guide to choosing the perfect saddle for your horse. We cover everything from saddle fit to the various types of saddles available on the market.

Riding Jacket/Pants

The riding jacket or pants is the most important piece of safety equipment. It can be made of leather, kevlar, or other materials and should be comfortable to wear in all weather conditions. A good riding jacket will fit snugly but not too tight and have a pocket for your wallet and keys and another one for your phone (and maybe an extra pair).

Riding GearDescription
Dainese Super RiderA high-performance leather jacket with advanced safety features and a comfortable fit
Alpinestars AndesA versatile and durable jacket that suits all weather conditions with added protection and ventilation features
Rev’It! Sand 3A modern textile jacket with excellent ventilation and maximum protection from high-impact forces
Klim CarlsbadA highly durable and versatile adventure riding pant with multiple ventilation features and added protection
Olympia MotoQuestA lightweight and breathable waterproof riding pant with superior protection against impact and abrasions

A well-fitting riding jacket or pant is essential for ensuring maximum comfort, protection, and mobility while riding. Brands such as Dainese, Alpinestars, Rev’It!, Klim, and Olympia provide a range of high-quality jackets and pants suitable for all riding styles and weather conditions.

When selecting riding gear, consider the materials, level of protection, and versatility to determine which option is suitable for you.

Socks

Socks are important, not only for keeping your feet comfortable but also for protecting them. When riding a motorcycle, you’re going to be doing quite a bit of shifting back and forth on the bike (especially if you have an automatic transmission).

If your feet aren’t protected from the elements and don’t have enough support, they can get sore really fast, and even worse than that, they could fall off! To prevent this from happening, make sure that whatever pair of socks you choose has some cushioning around the heel area so there won’t be any pressure points when shifting gears. 

Also, look for breathable materials that allow air circulation between layers so sweat doesn’t develop inside the shoe itself while riding in hot weather conditions; this helps prevent blisters from forming as well as keeps feet dryer overall throughout each day’s 

ride by allowing excess moisture buildup inside shoes via an evaporation process instead than absorbing directly into skin tissue like cotton does normally which leads us back down to our next point…

Properly fitting horseback riding boots are essential for comfort, safety, and performance. Our article on the importance of properly fitting horseback riding boots explains that “Poorly-fitted boots can cause discomfort, pain, and can make controlling the horse more difficult.”

Neck Collar/Collarbone Protector

The neck collar/collarbone protector is a piece of safety equipment that protects your neck and collarbone. It’s also known for keeping your helmet in place, which can reduce neck injuries and make sure you have the best protection possible. 

In order to get the most out of this piece of gear, though, it’s recommended that riders wear it with either an additional neck brace or their regular helmet (depending on their preferences).

Neck Brace: A brace goes around your shoulders and back while providing support for muscles like those found around the spine and neck area. This helps keep them strong while riding so they don’t strain as easily when hit by another car or go over bumps at high speeds.* Helmet: 

This should be worn anytime there are vehicles on the road it provides protection against impacts from other vehicles as well as falling off bikes/scooters/motorcycles themselves.

Lifevest/Airbag Jacket

The LifeVest/Airbag Jacket is the most important piece of safety equipment you can own. It’s worn at all times while riding, and it should be placed over your jacket, shirt, and Kevlar jeans (if you’re wearing them). The LifeVest/Airbag Jacket should also be worn over your pants, socks and any other clothing you may have on underneath it.

Selecting the right horseback riding helmet can be challenging, but it is a crucial decision. As we discuss in our article on the top horseback riding helmets of the year, “choosing a helmet that offers optimal protection, fits properly, is comfortable, and suits your style preferences can make all the difference.”

Back Protector

The back protector is designed to absorb the force of a blow, not just the impact. It’s important that you wear one at all times while riding your bike. 

You should make sure that it doesn’t restrict movement and is comfortable, but also make sure that it offers good protection so that if you do get in an accident, your back won’t be injured as badly.

The CE certification on a back protector means that it has been tested for safety by an independent lab against EN1621-2:2014 standards (or newer).

Back ProtectorDescription
CE-Certified Back ProtectorProtects against high-impact forces with a multi-layered foam padding system
Leatt BraceOffers both spine and neck protection while allowing for optimal movement
Dainese WaveFlexible design for unrestricted movement with a soft padding system for maximum comfort and protection
Alpinestars Nucleon KR-1Lightweight and breathable while still offering high-impact protection
Fox Proframe LCFull-body coverage with a detachable backplate for customizable protection

It’s recommended that you wear a back protector at all times while riding to avoid serious spinal injuries in the event of an accident. There are several high-quality brands such as CE, Leatt, Dainese, Alpinestars, and Fox available in the market. When selecting a back protector, consider the level of protection you need and the level of comfort you desire for optimal performance while riding.

Chest Protector

If you’re going to be riding on a motorcycle, you should get yourself a chest protector. This will protect your chest from impact with other vehicles or objects and prevent injuries such as broken ribs.

Chest protectors can either be worn under or over the shirt and should fit snugly to the body so that they don’t interfere with riding or movement. They are made from materials like leather, Kevlar (a synthetic fiber), or other materials that offer protection against impact forces.

Elbow/Knee Pads/Guards

Elbow and knee pads are a must for any rider, but there are a few different options to consider. Elbow guards might be a better choice for you if you like the added protection of hard plastic or metal plates over the flexible fabric of elbow pads. Knee guards offer similar benefits to elbow pads but with even more protection from impacts around your joints and tendons.

Elbow/knee pads provide comfort and flexibility while riding, making them great for long rides on uneven terrain where comfort is key and you’ll need room under your riding pants or jeans so they don’t get stuck between your body and chaps (or other protective gear). 

They also allow riders freedom of movement without sacrificing safety a combination not always found in other types of protective equipment such as gloves or chest protectors where one must sacrifice either comfort or protection depending on what kind they choose.

Protection GearDescription
Elbow PadsSoft, flexible fabric with padding for shock absorption
Elbow GuardsHard plastic or metal plates with padding for maximum protection
Knee PadsSoft, flexible fabric with padding for shock absorption
Knee GuardsHard plastic or metal plates with padding for maximum protection around joints and tendons

Protective gear should be worn every time you ride to avoid injury. Brands such as Fox, Thor, and Alpinestars are popular choices for high-quality elbow and knee protection gear.

When selecting gear, consider your riding style and the level of protection you require. Choosing the right protective gear can make all the difference in preventing injury and ensuring a safe ride.

Shirts With Body Armor Pockets For Chest, Back And Shoulders

If you want to stay safe on your bike, it’s essential that you wear body armor. Body armor is not cheap. It’s also bulky and hot, which makes it uncomfortable to wear in hot weather. And if you’re going for style points while riding your motorcycle, then body armor won’t help with that either!

Make Sure You Are Safe

Safety is a big deal, especially when you are on the road. The right gear can make all the difference between walking away from an accident and ending up in the emergency room.

So how do you know what is safe? How do you know what to wear?

To help answer these questions, we’ve compiled a list of 15 pieces of safety equipment that every rider needs in their arsenal:

Safety GearDescription
HelmetFull-face or open-face helmet with DOT or SNELL approval rating
JacketLeather or textile riding jacket with armor or padding for protection
GlovesMotorcycle gloves with armor or padding for protection
BootsSturdy boots with ankle support and non-slip soles for better grip
Reflective ClothingBright or reflective clothing for better visibility
EarplugsEarplugs to protect your hearing from wind noise
Goggles or GlassesProtective eyewear to shield your eyes from wind, dust, and debris

It’s important to invest in high-quality safety gear from reputable brands to ensure maximum protection on the road. Don’t skimp on safety gear as it can truly make all the difference in the event of an accident.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you to understand the importance of safety gear for motorcycle riders. It’s one thing to know what equipment to buy, but another thing entirely to make sure you have it with you at all times.

We recommend that before heading out on your next ride, check that each piece of gear is in good condition and fits properly so that if something goes wrong while riding (which happens more often than you might think), 

then hopefully your body won’t take too much damage from impact forces or debris flying around during an accident.

Further Reading

Here are some additional articles related to safety equipment and protective gear:

9 Pieces of Essential Motorcycle Safety Equipment – This article provides a list of the most important safety equipment for motorcyclists to wear, including helmets, gloves, boots, and more.

Top 10 Items Used in Personal Protective Equipment – This article outlines the top ten items in personal protective equipment (PPE), covering everything from gloves to respirators to safety harnesses.

A Guide to Motorcycle Safety Gear – This comprehensive guide to motorcycle safety gear covers everything from helmets to jackets to boots, offering tips and advice to keep riders safe on the road.

FAQs

What is considered essential motorcycle safety equipment?

Essential motorcycle safety equipment includes a DOT-approved helmet, motorcycle jacket, gloves, and motorcycle boots. Some other essential pieces of equipment include reflective clothing, earplugs, and goggles or glasses.

What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to any equipment or clothing worn to protect workers from hazards in the workplace. PPE can include anything from hard hats and safety glasses to full-body suits and respirators.

How do I choose the right personal protective equipment?

Choosing the right personal protective equipment involves identifying the hazards in your workplace and determining the level of protection required for each hazard. Workers should be trained on how to use the equipment and appropriately sized equipment must be provided.

What are the different types of motorcycle helmets?

There are three types of motorcycle helmets: full-face, open-face, and half-helmet. Full-face helmets offer the most protection, while open-face and half-helmet offer less coverage.

What should I look for in motorcycle boots?

When selecting motorcycle boots, look for boots that are made specifically for motorcycling and that offer ankle support and a sturdy sole. Make sure the boots fit properly and feel comfortable for the type of riding you will be doing.