Whether you’re a speedy track player or a commuter rider navigating through the city, a suitable set of Motorcycle Wear and Racing Suit is a double guarantee of safety and experience. But in the face of a variety of materials, certifications and functions, many people will fall into the confusion of “choosing the expensive or the right one”. This guide starts from the core needs, takes you through the equipment selection logic in different scenarios, and avoids those “seemingly professional” pitfalls.
1. Protective technology: the “invisible armor” of riding safety
The core value of cycling equipment is always protection, and the key to measuring protection capabilities is hidden in those professional keywords. I once saw a rider in an accident at a speed of 80km/h who only suffered skin injuries on a fully protected cycling suit – his equipment is a collection of CE-certified protective gear, double-layer cowhide and D3O shock-absorbing materials.
Different protective components have their own specializations: titanium alloy sliders and slide rail knee sliders can reduce friction damage during crashes, which is suitable for high-frequency friction scenarios on the track; SAS-TEC smart soft armor and honeycomb cushioning can take into account protection and comfort in daily riding; The aramid stitching and seamless hot pressing process are the “last line of defense” to prevent equipment from breaking and preventing the protective gear from shifting when the car crashes.
Here is a point of expertise: CE certified protective gear is divided into Level 1 and Level 2, and the impact absorption performance of Level 2 is more than 40% higher than that of Level 1, and it is preferred if the budget is sufficient. Modular designs such as detachable chest guards and TPU shoulder armor can also be flexibly adjusted according to the season and scene, and the practicality is full.
2. Track competition: the “aerodynamic jersey” born for speed
Track cycling has harsh requirements for equipment, and every design points to “speed improvement” and “ultimate protection”. Anyone who has watched MotoGP events knows that there is always a raised “pouch” on the riders’ one-piece leather jackets, which is the aerodynamic hump (also known as the speed hump), which reduces wind resistance at high speeds while protecting the cervical spine.
A set of qualified track racing uniforms must meet these hard indicators: first of all, there must be FIM certification, which is the authoritative standard of the International Motorcycle Federation, and the “track uniform” without this certification is basically a gimmick; secondly, the track cut and pre-bent sleeve design are very important, which can keep your body stretched when cornering and will not be bound by clothes; The Kevlar elastic zone improves joint mobility while ensuring protection.
There is also professionalism hidden in the details: the leather perforated design takes into account heat dissipation and wear resistance, the quick-release zipper allows medical staff to quickly take off their equipment in an emergency, and the timing chip bag is a must-have for the event. The professional riders I have come into contact with recommend one-piece leather jackets, which are better integrated than split types, and have more protection without dead ends, of course, split types for daily riding will be more convenient.
3. Four-season cycling: one piece of equipment to get “spring, summer, autumn and winter”
“Buying leather clothes and freezing into dogs in winter, buying cotton clothes and sweating in summer” is a pain point for many riders, and all-season universal equipment is the key to solving this problem. The core lies in the “modular design”, which realizes temperature adjustment by increasing or decreasing the inner liner.
The core requirements and corresponding equipment functions of different seasons are as follows:
season | Core requirements | Key equipment functions |
|---|---|---|
Summer | Breathable and heat dissipation | Summer mesh breathability, 360° ventilation zipper, air-cooled channels |
Spring and autumn | Windproof and warm, flexible adjustment | Removable waterproof liner, Outlast thermostatic lining, removable sleeves |
Winter | Cold resistance and warmth | Thermal insulation layer, cold resistance -20°C, temperature-controlled reflective silver layer |
I have a northern rider next to me, I bought a set of three-in-one charging cycling suit, in winter plus down liner to resist sub-zero low temperature, in spring remove the liner and replace it with a mesh lining, I rely on this piece after a year, the cost performance is particularly high. It should be noted that the function of anti-fog breathable film is very practical in foggy weather in spring and autumn, which can prevent the helmet lens from fogging up and affecting the vision.
4. Urban commuting: a “daily partner” that takes into account both practicality and appearance
City cycling does not require the ultimate performance of track suits, but requires more convenience and fashion. Many people are worried that wearing cycling clothes is too “eye-catching”, but in fact, today’s commuter equipment has long taken the route of “invisible protection”.
Casual cycling denim with concealed protective gear is a popular choice, looking no different from ordinary jeans, but the built-in knee pads and buttock pads can provide basic protection. The magnetic quick-wear design is the gospel of the commuter party, no need to tie the buckle, and it will be fixed as soon as you suck it, which is particularly worry-free when you are in a hurry.
Safety details are indispensable: reflective piping and night vision reflective strips can improve the safety of night riding, which is a point that many novices tend to overlook; The mobile phone NFC window can directly swipe the mobile phone without taking off the gloves; The U-lock hanging ring solves the problem of nowhere to place the lock. If you pursue fashion, the equipment of the contrasting trend design and the detachable hat will not be against the will not go against the will not go directly to the dinner party after work.
5. Extreme environments: “hard-core equipment” to conquer bad weather
If you plan to go to the desert or the polar region, ordinary equipment simply won’t hold it. The core of extreme environment equipment is “special protection”, and each function is designed for specific scenarios.
For example, when riding in the desert, desert cooling clothing and detachable insect nets are essential, the former quickly dissipates heat through special fabrics, and the latter can prevent sand and insects from getting into clothes; To go to the rainforest, you need the rainforest to dry quickly and rainstorm 20,000mmH₂O waterproof performance, and the bottom edge of the fast drainage can prevent rainwater from accumulating on the hem of the clothes.
The equipment for polar cycling is even more “armed to the teeth”: -40°C down liner with insulation aluminum foil layer can effectively lock in body temperature; Windproof skirts and salt spray zippers can cope with snow and sea breeze erosion. Here we would like to mention the GORE-TEX Pro fabric, which is currently one of the fabrics with the best waterproof and breathable performance, and this material is preferred in extreme environments.
6. Intelligent equipment: technology “escorts” cycling
The development of technology has made cycling equipment more and more “smart”, and these intelligent functions are not gimmicks, but black technologies that can really improve safety and experience. I have experienced a Bluetooth airbag vest that can pop up the airbag in 0.1 seconds during a simulated crash to protect key parts of the chest and back.
There are many more practical smart functions: GPS fall alarm can automatically contact emergency contacts after a crash, especially suitable for riding alone; The intelligent temperature control heating function can heat the hands, waist and other parts when riding in winter, saying goodbye to the pain of freezing; The LED turn indicator can be connected to the mobile phone via Bluetooth and automatically illuminates when turning, improving the recognition of the vehicle behind.
There are also crash black boxes and AI posture sensing, the former can record the moment of the crash, which is convenient for subsequent analysis of the cause; The latter monitors your riding posture in real time and reminds you to correct unsafe riding habits. These features, while adding to the budget, are well worth it for safety-conscious riders.
7. Personalized customization: create your own “cycling logo”
Nowadays, more and more riders pursue personalization, and customized equipment can not only show personality, but also make the equipment more suitable for their own needs. Volumetric scanning is the basis for customization, ensuring that the fit of the garment perfectly fits your figure and avoids the problem of ordinary equipment not fitting properly.
Customization options are diverse: 3D printed shields can be customized to the shape of the protector according to your body curves, and the protection is more suitable; Choose your own leather texture and gradient cowhide to meet your aesthetic needs; Name embroidery and national flag color matching can create exclusive logos. Teams or clubs can also customize team replica equipment, printed with team emblems and sponsorship logos, enhancing team cohesion.
A team I know has customized cycling uniforms with team logos, which are particularly recognizable every time they ride together. If it is a commemorative cycling activity, you can also make commemorative autographs and limited numbered customized equipment, which is very collectible.
8. Maintenance and upgrade: let the equipment “prolong life”
Good cycling equipment is not cheap, and proper maintenance can greatly extend its lifespan. Leather equipment is the most common and needs to be regularly cared for with leather maintenance oil to prevent the skin from drying out; Waterproof spray can restore the waterproof performance of equipment, especially before the rainy season.
The replacement of wearable parts is also very important: the slider will lose its protective effect when it is worn to a certain extent, and it needs to be replaced in time. Zippers are prone to jamming, so regular maintenance with zipper lubricant can avoid damage to the zipper.
There are also some details to maintain: the lining can be deodorized with special odor eliminators to avoid odors caused by long-term wear; Protective equipment aging testing should be done regularly, such as foam protective gear needs to be replaced when it hardens; If the equipment is slightly damaged, it is more cost-effective to replace the local heat patch than to replace it entirely.
Purchasing agent perspective: Yigu’s product selection suggestions
As a Sourcing Agent who has been deeply involved in cycling equipment procurement for many years, I have found that novices often make the mistake of “material-only”. In fact, the choice of equipment should be “scene first”: choose a lightweight hidden protection model for commuting, focus on FIM certification on the track, and look for GORE-TEX Pro in extreme environments. Don’t ignore the small factory boutiques when purchasing, some niche brands that focus on protection, CE Level 2 protective gear configuration + leather material, the price is 30% lower than that of big brands. In addition, smart equipment should be prioritized to support OTA upgrades, which can avoid rapid outdated functions. It is recommended to require a protective equipment impact test report when purchasing in bulk to ensure safety and not shrinkage.
FAQ: Cycling Gear FAQs
Q1: What is the difference between CE certification and FIM certification? A: CE certification is the basic safety standard of the European Union, covering daily cycling equipment; FIM certification is an authoritative standard for international events, and FIM certification is preferred for track riding with stricter protection requirements for high-risk scenarios.
Q2: Which is better, genuine leather cycling suit or artificial leather? A: Genuine leather (such as double-layer cowhide, kangaroo leather) has better wear resistance and is suitable for track and long-distance riding; Artificial leather is cost-effective, easy to care for, suitable for daily commuting, and genuine leather is suitable for beginners.
Q3: Does the smart airbag equipment need to be charged? How long does it last? A: Need to charge, mainstream products have a battery life of 10-15 hours, daily commuting can be charged once a week, long-distance riding is recommended to carry a power bank, and some products support USB emergency charging.
Q4: What do you think of the waterproof performance of cycling clothes? What does 20000mmH₂O mean? A: The waterproof performance depends on the “mmH₂O” value, the higher the value, the better the waterproof. 20,000mmH₂O means that there will be no water leakage at hydrostatic pressure of 20 meters, which is enough to cope with heavy rainstorms, and 10,000mmH₂O for daily commuting is sufficient.
Q5: Can the protective gear be replaced and upgraded by itself? A: Yes, most cycling suits have reserved protective gear slots to support the replacement of higher-level CE protective gear, such as upgrading Level 1 protective gear to Level 2, it is recommended to choose protective gear suitable for the same brand to ensure the fit.