H-D Forums Men’s Holiday Gear Guide 2019
Looking to gift your favorite rider some new riding gear? Here are a few H-D Forums-approved ideas.
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’ve found a gift card or two burning a hole in your stocking. If you’re looking to spend that extra scratch on gear, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve compiled a list of nine awesome pieces of riding gear (and one not-so-awesome item) that will help you to be safer and more comfortable on your bike. From helmets to jackets, gloves, and beyond, it’s all here. Ladies — we’ve got a gear guide coming your way, too, very soon!
Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS Helmet — RevZilla — $170
MIPS technology has been around for a little while in action sports, but it’s a relatively new development in motorcycle helmets. MIPS stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System, and it helps to displace rotational impact energy, which can dramatically reduce brain injuries in the event of an accident.
Expect a full-length post going into further detail soon. There’s a good reason why we put this helmet first on our list. It’s simply incredible that Bell is able to offer this technology in a relatively inexpensive helmet. Side note — if the fun, retro fighter plane paint job isn’t your thing, the Qualifier DLX MIPS also comes in several less-aggressive color schemes.
Harley-Davidson Peshtigo Gloves — Harley-Davidson — $39
We dig the retro look of these gloves. They remind us of the deerskin gloves that were popular with motorcyclists in the old days. While you could just go down to the hardware store and buy a set that looks similar, they would lack the build quality, insulation, and durability of the Peshtigo.
Draggin Jeans Classic — Draggin Jeans — $280
At first glance, these look like regular blue jeans. However, these jeans are designed to protect you in the event of a crash. They have a special lining that resists abrasion, able to withstand a slide up to 75 meters. They also have internal pockets for knee armor, and are even designed with flat rivets to protect your bike’s paint job during regular riding duty. They really have thought of everything!
Draggin Jeans have been around for a very long time, and there’s several good reasons why. You could wear regular jeans on your bike, but the added safety and peace of mind is definitely worth the price of admission.
Roland Sands Clash Jacket — RevZilla — $488
This jacket’s classic style hides modern protection underneath. That makes perfect sense — it’s designed by none other than the Patron Saint of Harley Hipsters himself, Roland Sands. We’re not saying that’s a bad thing at all. Hell, we’re Harley Hipsters. Maybe that’s why we love the look of this jacket so much.
It’s got slots for elbow, back, and shoulder armor, and it comes in black, tobacco brown, and oxblood. We can’t pick a favorite color — this jacket looks great in all three.
Belstaff Resolve Boots — Revzilla — $450
These may look like your favorite pair of work boots, but there’s a lot more than meets the eye. It’s easy enough to see the extra shifter peg pattern on the toe; what’s less apparent is the superior ankle protection, toe and heel reinforcements, and waterproofing. These boots may be pricey, but they offer a lot of protection and look the part, too.
Biltwell Gringo S Spectrum — Biltwell — $250
If you’re looking for a retro look with modern safety, this Biltwell helmet is just the ticket. It’s ECE safety rated, which is a more rigorously-tested standard than DOT. The gradient stripe would look right at home on one of the new AMF-era-inspired Sportsters. We’re almost certain that that’s exactly what Biltwell was going for.
Speed and Strength Rust and Redemption Gloves — RevZilla — $63
Like the Harley-Davidson Peshtigo gloves we showed you earlier, these gloves offer retro style but take safety and comfort to the next level. They’re ventilated, which will help with heat in the warm summer months. They’re designed to fit great right out of the box, with a pre-curved design and a hinged knuckle. Also, the extra padding in the palm will help with handlebar vibrations.
Vintage Race-Inspired Leather Jacket — Harley-Davidson — $450
Flat-track racing is popular again, and Harley-Davidson is leading the charge. It seems appropriate, then, that they release this jacket, which looks like something a flat track racer would have worn back in the early days of the sport.
Unfortunately, there are no armor pockets in this one, and even Harley-Davidson calls it a “casual jacket.” Ride at your own risk, but if it’s between a teeshirt and this, we suppose it’s better than nothing. We really wish it was armored. We’re including it here as an example of something to avoid. For the money, you can find plenty of cool vintage-look Harley-Davidson jackets with reinforced construction and armor pockets.
Wolverine Brenner Performance Boots — Harley-Davidson — $200
While the jacket above may be more for posing than riding, these boots are the real deal. Manufactured by Wolverine for Harley-Davidson, they have an iconic look that offers some real protection to your foot and ankle. For those of us that are still air-cooled, the mesh lining will help a bit with swamp foot in the summer.
Vanocker J08 Modular Helmet — Harley-Davidson — $425
Modular helmet fans — you know we weren’t going to leave you hanging, right? This retro-modern bubble helmet hides its dual purpose very well. We dig bubble helmets not only for the aesthetic, but for the extra room inside. Of course, if you need a lot of extra room, you can just flip the whole front of the helmet up. You modular guys really do have the best of both worlds. If you’ve never worn a bubble visor helmet before, give it a try. You might like it!
By now, you’ve likely figured out the theme of this list — hip, retro-inspired gear that still manages to offer serious protection for the rider. While this may not be your style, we hope that the list gave you a good idea of what features you should look for when shopping for safety equipment.
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