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.

[PeaPod]

RST Pro Series Evo Airbag CE Race Suit | Motorcycle Suit | Sportbike Track Gear

Airbag suit based on the size in your post. Requires like a $12 monthly subscription or pay like $400 for lifetime. Can pause the monthly sub for 4 months to save a little.

I do love the RST racing gauntlets for the protection they include at the price point. Really not much more you can add on protection wise, except maybe Knox which has both left and right sliders at the base of the glove.

Alpinestar boots for the wider footbed than all the other Italian brands.

[Mgiossi]

Hit up the wera forums. Tons of gently used things at deep discounts. I've bought all of my stuff used for the last few years and it saves a lot of money since heck you're going to be crashing it anyway hahaha

[loudbeard]

RST Pro Series Evo Airbag CE Race Suit | Motorcycle Suit | Sportbike Track Gear

Airbag suit based on the size in your post. Requires like a $12 monthly subscription or pay like $400 for lifetime. Can pause the monthly sub for 4 months to save a little.

I do love the RST racing gauntlets for the protection they include at the price point. Really not much more you can add on protection wise, except maybe Knox which has both left and right sliders at the base of the glove.

Alpinestar boots for the wider footbed than all the other Italian brands.

Damn. I’m not sure how I could say no to this, even the Roo leather a nice price. Thanks!

[PeaPod]

Damn. I’m not sure how I could say no to this, even the Roo leather a nice price. Thanks!

The linked one is all cowhide as far as I know. The Race version V4.x is the one with the Kangaroo mixed in. I have been using RST for the past 8 years or so and they have always held up well and were a good fit for me, tall/skinny legs, arms. The V4 race suit is definitely a lot tighter fitting and much more pronounced curve for the riding position, and can be a bit constricting when standing up

[Paul_E_D]

For the short term, there are affordable airbag vests. hit air for example. Would I ride without one on track? yes, but I would feel naked. After a few BIG crashes and many easy ones wearing an airbag, I would want to hit the pavement without one.

[loudbeard]

Went ahead with the RST suit and boots and a set of Racer gloves. Under $2,300 for an airbag integrated suit I think is a win.

Appreciate the recommendations - I probably wouldn't have looked at RST otherwise.

[PeaPod]

Link to a discount code for the airbag subscription. Limited uses, so it may or may not be available when you get yours.

https://bbs.wera.com/index.php?threa...n-code.392821/

[Mustang]

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.

Most of RSP is sponsored by Envy Racing - Darwin Rodriguez, out of FL. He started at Loudon, and Miguel Bettencourt is his nephew IIRC. I was happy with my Envy custom suit.

That being said, for just getting back into the sport, A* all the way. My first A* (bought secondhand) lasted dozens of crashes).

I recommend springing for the airbag; any airbag. $500-$1500 for the first pop, +$20-$200 for the next ones each, is way cheaper than your health care deductible + time banged up.

EDIT: I should read the whole thread before replying!

[Jim]

* Am I missing something?

back protector. i dont trust the ones in suits.

[loudbeard]

back protector. i dont trust the ones in suits.

Good point. The RST I bought comes with their Level II back protector. I upgrade my street gear to the A-Stars Level II back pro, I'll compare to that.

RST D30 Level II