2026: Leathers and other safety gear

[loudbeard]

Been a while since I've needed to post in this section....last time on track was August of 2015. Looks like we don't have any recent threads on the topic.

I am in need of new gear for the track and it's been a hell of a long time since I shopped for it. The options today (vs 10+ years ago) are overwhelming. I could just go to the AStars website and throw down $7,500 on the latests and greatest Tech 10 everything, but I would really rather not. Help me out! I'd like to set a rough budget of $2,500 for the following:

* 1-piece leather suit
* compatible air bag system or ability to add compatible system at later date
* gauntlet gloves
* boots
* Am I missing something?

On the airbag front - I told myself I wouldn't go back to the track without one. I'm rethinking that position a bit now - I will not be out there chasing PB's and riding near my limit. I really just want to go and have fun with my friends and have the opportunity to push my bike harder than I would on the street. Do you still consider this a necessity, or do you feel that a quality suit with Level 2 CE armor is good protection?

[loudbeard]

So without thinking too damn hard on this:

[xrocket21]

Looks good to me. Alpinestars makes good shit

[SteveM]

Dive into this a bit as you evaluate the necessity of an airbag.

https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...DQ90ZzOX7snAAp

[Kurlon]

You've got a lot of local options for custom fit suits dialed in for proper airbag fit if going that route too now.

[loudbeard]

You've got a lot of local options for custom fit suits dialed in for proper airbag fit if going that route too now.

I know about Vanson - they're 20 minutes from my house. What else?

[Kurlon]

Heroic (NY), my suit is 13yrs old now and still going strong. I don't recall the name of the crew RSP is using but they were doing measurements in the pits at the Classic and everyone seems to like their kit. Bison has a number of riders in their suits at Loudon as well, dunno where they're out of though.

[OneCheekRider]

I've been buying a lot of RST products lately as I think their stuff has a ton of value for the price. I have their one piece suit, 2 piece suit, and love their gloves.

[01xj]

IMO there are much better gloves on the market. Racer, Knox, RST, dianese, held, spidi, revit etc.

Also I get 15% off at revzilla on most items. If you think you'll order through them let me know and I might be able to save you a good bit.

[MUZ720]

I went with a tech 5 vest and alpine-stars v2 suit It's a process to get into alone and the liner of the suit sucks. If I would do it again, I would go with the full built in air suit.

[MattR302]

Crashing at 60mph in red group going to hurt just as crashing at 60mph while trying to set a new PB.
I have a Helite Turtle for my street ATGATT and a Helite GP for track, and I’ve tested them both.

Also, the Alpinestars Supertech R boots are a big notch above the SMX-plus (I’ve owned both).
Held or Racer would be my choice for track gloves.

Personally I prefer to buy lightly-used high-end gear at a discount (via the forums/ebay/etc), compared to brand-new low/mid grade stuff at the same price point.

[butcher bergs]

I know about Vanson - they're 20 minutes from my house. What else?

Envy Racing Apparel

They're in Florida but are connected with NEMRR racers.

[Kurlon]

Thank you Bergs, that was the name I couldn't remember off the top of my head.