In Canada, motorcycle body armour doesn't need to meet any standards to be sold as such. So, you could make a tinfoil suit and sell it as “protective equipment.”

European armour, on the other hand, needs to be objectively certified before sale. Hence, you’ll see plenty of EN and CE ratings out there. We break down the important codes so you know exactly what to look for.

Good hunting.

The same principles apply to jacket and pant fitment. So if you sat through the lecture above, just extrapolate to your lower body and call it a day.

Of course, there are subtle differences in terms of what you measure and how you try it on. If you’re looking for an explicit guide, this is it.

When you arrive at fitment, you've already selected that ideal jacket type. You've hunted down some fine leather from that perfect cow, and you've delved into the complicated science of armour materials.

So don’t slack off when it comes to fitment. It’s just as important as all that other stuff. Combined.

Big pockets and a few vents – what more could you want?

Well, a lot more.

Modern garments offer a cornucopia of special features. You probably won’t need all of them, but a few well-chosen luxuries can be the difference between good and great. So, here’s our mother-list of jacket and pant features.

Different riding styles will make different demands on a jacket. The same is true of pants.

We would never tell you what to wear – style is a personal decision and you should do whatever you think is best.

But if you’re really looking for guidance, here’s what we think looks cool on each motorcycle type.

When considering jacket or pant armour, you need to think about three things: where it is, what it’s made of, and who has certified it.

This section details the first two points – the location and composition of body armour. The third point, on safety standards, can be found in the next segment.

Leather versus textile.

Leather is the classic choice for motorcycle garments. It’s also the racers’ preference, and they tend to know their stuff. Of course, not all thicknesses, cuts and animals are created equal.

Textiles will outperform leathers on many fronts, but only if you choose the right materials! It takes a clever decision to get it right. Here’s how.