IAM RoadSmart Motorcycle Safety Series: Essential Motorcycle Clothing & Gear for 2026

I’m sad that the last of our IAM RoadSmart series is drawing to a close, as the year 2025 does too. IAM RoadSmart is well-known for its mission to make UK roads safer, and a huge part of that comes from equipping riders and drivers with practical tips to focus on enhancing their riding and driving skills – improving safety on the roads one person at a time.

You will remember Richard, who joined us for an earlier article. He’s back today to talk about my favourite topic: motorcycle clothing and safety gear. Having the right kit could absolutely save your bacon if you find yourself with the two wheels not on the ground.

Helmets – The Most Important Motorcycle Safety Gear

The latest European helmet safety standard, ECE 22.06, has done a lot of good in eliminating false, dangerous fakes hitting the market – or, better yet, the ones in plain sight you might find in various middle aisles. The update from its predecessor has made it harder for mass manufacturers to profit from unsafe helmets, often sold without care that someone may have to rely on a cheap, untested helmet in a crash.

When I sold motorcycle clothing, my advice was always: whatever your budget, try to put half of it on your head. You only get one head, and it’s very cliché. Many younger riders will shrug it off over a cooler-looking colourway, without thinking that the helmet they are considering might not be tested to as high a standard as it should be. This is when going into a reputable motorcycle store and talking to a knowledgeable representative can really benefit both new riders and friends/family.

“My police helmets were flip-front, but I’ve always gone back to an Arai helmet. I’ve had a few Schuberth helmets too, but I always go back to Arai. If I’m riding 200+ miles, I just know I’m going to be so comfortable. They’re a brand that have always stuck to their guns (referring to not putting in an internal sun visor like their competitors). Buy what you can afford that fits; you only get one head.” – Richard

It’s true. What fits well for you may not fit well for your friend or your father, who has ridden motorcycles for 25+ years. We are fortunate to have many motorcycle retail stores across the UK with expert staff (SportsBikeShop, Superbike Factory, Mega Motorcycle Store and more). Their job is to help you get the best-fitting kit.

It’s important to try on a few different brands; this isn’t something you can easily do online. Where possible, it’s always recommended to physically try the helmet you’re looking at, as there are so many variables. Sizing differs between brands – an AGV Small might not fit the same as a Shark Small. All the padding and shaping will differ.

“I’ve had two reasonable-sized crashes on my Police Motorcycle, and both times I’ve been wearing an Arai helmet. On both occasions, I was able to walk away, whether I remember it or not!” – Richard

Helmet Visors – Don’t Overlook Them

Another point Richard highlighted is visor condition. How old is your visor? If you’ve had it for a couple of years with repeated daily use, is it scratched? A scratched visor will impact your vision at night more than you realise – lights beaming toward you can be distorted, and scratches in your field of vision are distracting. If you can’t polish the scratches out, consider replacing it.

A lot of people consult the SHARP helmet ratings for an in-depth, government-backed review of helmets. These tests are unbiased and a good starting point for understanding helmet safety and testing, although not every helmet is included.

Airbag Vests – Mandatory for IAM RoadSmart Riders

Airbag vests are now a hugely popular part of motorcycle safety gear. Many major brands offer their own versions, working with specialist technology companies. For example, Furygan partners with In&Motion, and at their 2026 launch, they explained how these “brains” collect a huge amount of data – learning your riding style and getting smarter with use.

Airbags were initially popular with club racing and track day riders, but now they’re increasingly common for everyday commuting. I asked Richard if wearing an airbag had changed his view of motorcycle kit, given how long he had ridden without one.

“I never go out without my airbag vest because I’m somebody else’s mistake away from ending up on the ground. Eight years ago, I got my first one through IAM RoadSmart. At first, I wore it occasionally and sometimes even forgot to plug it in. My mindset has changed so much that now, if I forget to plug it in, I stop immediately.” – Richard

More brands are now making airbag technology accessible to regular riders. Depending on the manufacturer, procedures for bladder repair, deployment limits, and resealing differ, but the rise in airbag use for everyday motorcyclists is clear.

“If there is anything I can do to increase my chances of walking away from an accident unscathed, I’ll do it – and that’s what the airbag vest does.” – Richard

Jackets, Trousers & Motorcycle Armour – D3O Shoutout

I am not commissioned by D3O, but they have truly revolutionised motorcycle armour, changing the way particularly young riders see safety clothing.

They make armour that enhances major motorcycle brands such as Furygan, RST (as of this year), Richa and more. Gone are the days of walking like a stormtrooper with huge puffy knees and rigid elbows. Thanks to brands like D3O, riders can now move freely while remaining protected.

“If you’re wearing safety gear that makes you uncomfortable, you’re more likely to need it. The more relaxed on the bike you are, the more aware you are of what’s going on around you.” – Richard

I can’t compare D3O to any other brand that has had the same impact on the motorcycle armour garment industry as they have, to make motorcycle armour more accessible, more comfortable and adaptable to all individuals. When I would sell motorcycle clothing, we would upsell D3O Ghost at the counter nearly every sale if it didn’t already come with the garment. This goes back to ensuring you’re trying on jackets and trousers; if the armour provided isn’t feeling comfortable, you can try to swap this out for something that will – whether this be down to weight, thickness or more. 

Always try jackets and trousers on in-store. If the armour provided isn’t comfortable, you can swap it for a better-fitting option. Freedom of movement ensures full attention to the road.

When talking about motorcycle gloves, Richard said he had a crash while serving in the force 26 years ago, wearing full Met Police-approved motorcycle clothing, and he still has no feeling in one of the palms of his hands – and that was while wearing all the right kit!

“Jackets: make sure you’re comfortable and you can turn freely. Trousers: make sure they fit you and they’re comfortable/the armour is comfortable. If the armour starts making you fidget, your concentration goes. Once your concentration goes, you need to stop riding.”

Boots

What sort of riding you’re doing really depends on which style of footwear you’d benefit from.

“Are you riding to a destination and plan to do a fair bit of walking? I have a pair of Alpinestars race boots that are incredibly comfortable to ride my bike in, but I wouldn’t use them to walk long distances in. However, my Daytona boots are honestly like a pair of slippers. The most incredibly comfortable motorcycle boots both on and off the bike!”

Shop about. A pair of boots that may be perfect for someone else’s riding habits may not work for you. Try not to be distracted by logos; go with a reputable brand, but the hype of the time may not be the best boot for you.

“There’s no good having a pair of spanking new MX boots fitted with metal plates if you can’t ride your bike in them (ahem, some youngsters we’ve witnessed on a 125!).”

Boots will always take a bit to break in and are supposed to be somewhat solid, but you’ll know quickly in the shop which ones you’re likely to get on with by trying on an array. There’s a whole bunch of different mechanisms, lengths and soles to choose from, so get the best advice from in-store retail personnel.

Heated Gear – KEISS Shoutout

We briefly touched upon, albeit not safety gear, the popularity of heated motorcycle gear. It seems as though these days fewer people ride without a heated item of motorcycle clothing than those who do! Large organisations such as IAM RoadSmart have hundreds of groups across the country, big and small, and these will often all ride out into the winter months to local meet-ups whatever the weather. A good 70% of a survey we did came back with these riders having some form of heated motorcycle gear.

“I spent years of my life in the Met Police almost giggling at folks with heated gear; we’d gone years without needing to ride with such help, and we’re all police motorcyclists. I was at the motorcycle show one year, and I bought a heated body warmer from Keiss. The first time I used it, I thought to myself, what a wally! I should have done this years ago.”

When you’re cold to the bone, you’re losing concentration. I’d honestly say, as an absolute minimum, if you’re riding through the winter — invest in some heated clothing. You won’t regret it. It’s an extra expense, so if you’re on a budget this probably won’t be an option; however, if you’re able to, it’s absolutely worth its weight in gold.

And no, it doesn’t make you any less of a rider… queue the tough guys! Bikers get cold too, and if you’re doing motorway miles throughout the winter, make it less painful for yourself and try out the KEISS range.

It’s been an absolute pleasure to do this series with IAM RoadSmart. Thanks to Sophie, Richard, Shaun, Tony, and Stewart for getting involved with the articles and shedding light on the IAM RoadSmart mission. They offer a wide range of courses and experience days, such as the Advanced Rider Course (ARC), the Skills Days they offer at Croft, Mallory Park, and Thruxton. If you’re looking for a group of like-minded people – folks who love the world of motorcycles and community – you can check out their website to find your closest group.

For more information on their Advanced Rider Course, follow this link: https://iamroadsmart.net/SBDec_ARC