Motorcycle gear: what to buy and how to read the labels
Helmet, jacket, trousers, gloves and boots: what the approvals mean, how to get the size right and what never to buy second-hand.
5 min read · Updated October 2026
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The helmet
It is the piece that protects you the most. The approval is on a label sewn onto the chin strap: an E and the country number in a circle, and an approval number that starts with 06, the series of the ECE 22.06 standard.
- E9: approved in Spain (each country has its own number).
- 06: the series of the standard, 22.06, in force since 2021. A 22.05 helmet follows the previous standard.
- P/J: the type. P protects the chin (full face), J has no chin bar (jet) and P/J is a modular helmet approved in both positions.
Measure your head around the forehead and try the helmet on: it should fit snugly without hurting, not turn when you shake your head, and with the strap fastened it should leave only a finger of slack.
The rules on helmets and the rest of the gear change from country to country: in France, for example, approved gloves are also mandatory. Check the rules where you will be riding.
A second-hand helmet
Avoid it. A hard knock can crush the foam inside without leaving a mark outside, and the standard itself says to replace the helmet after one. If you buy one anyway, make it from someone you know: check the manufacture date on the inner label, the condition of the lining and the visor, and look for chips and cracks in the shell.
Jacket and trousers
In Europe, motorcycle clothing is personal protective equipment: it carries the CE mark and the EN 17092 standard, with a class. The class tells you what it protects against.
| Class | What it means |
|---|---|
| AAA | Abrasion resistance and impact protection, at the highest level. |
| AA | Abrasion resistance and impact protection, one level lower. |
| A | Abrasion resistance and impact protection, at the lowest of the three levels. |
| B | Abrasion resistance only, no impact protectors. |
| C | Impact protection only: protectors to wear with other clothing. |
Try everything on in the riding position: the sleeves and trousers should not ride up, and the protectors must sit over your shoulders, elbows and knees.
Protectors and airbag
- Protectors for shoulders, elbows, hips and knees follow EN 1621-1, back protectors follow EN 1621-2 and chest protectors follow EN 1621-3. There are two levels: level 2 protects more than level 1.
- Many jackets only have comfort foam on the back. Check that the protector is approved, or add one.
- Tethered airbags follow EN 1621-4. After it fires, an airbag needs a service or a new cartridge, depending on the model.
Gloves
Motorcycle gloves carry CE and the EN 13594 standard, with level 1 or 2, and KP means they protect the knuckles. They should cover the wrist and fit snugly without trapping your fingers against the levers.
Boots
Motorcycle boots follow EN 13634: the label shows the height of the shaft and, for several tests, a level 1 or 2. Approved riding shoes exist for city use: look for the standard number.
Buying used
- Check the seams, zips and Velcro: they are what fails first.
- Make sure the protectors are included and in place.
- The label with the standard and the class must be legible.
- Try the size standing up and in the riding position.
- Helmets and airbags: only new, or with a history you know.
Ready to choose?
Helmets, jackets, gloves and boots from riders near you.
Buying a motorcycle? Read the safe buying guide