Urban Riding Gear that Looks Good and Functions On and Off the Bike

Thankfully, in recent years, fashion and style have edged their way into motorcycle apparel industry. Motorcycles by themselves are functional pieces of art, and as such, you should try to look as good as the bike does when rolling down the road.

Make fun of hipsters all you want, but we can thank them and the burgeoning cafe racer culture for much of this shift. In recent years, big companies and artisans in garages have begun producing bespoke accessories and leather goods. Some of the big apparel companies have introduced practical urban attire, and that attire looks as good as it protects.

I strive to find the best motorcycle accessories that prove invaluable and durable enough for day-to-day life on and off the bike. I would characterize myself as being somewhat unexpectedly rough towards most my gear. So if it can survive my life, chances are it will survive yours.

E3 x SP Glove Lanyard

Typically, I throw my gloves in my helmet. Good thing that David Browning of E3 Motorcycles and Steve West of Silver Piston got together to make a super simple, fashionable, and functional horween leather strap that holds your gloves and keys securely by your side.

It's been attached to my hip for the past six weeks, and in that time, the leather has softened up and taken on a darker hue from the oils in my hands. My main gloves for the past couple weeks have been my Racer Mickey’s, and even though they have an armor knuckle, stuffing them into the band has proved easy enough.

However, the strap is best designed to hold a pair of malleable leather gloves instead of those of the race / motocross style variety. I keep my main keys and a couple bike keys on their own rings on the attached tactical hook and the setup has been manageable. Swapping one out over the other is easy and convenient.

Priced at $90 here:

Racer Glove - The Mickey

I've only been riding with these gloves for the last two months, and I must say as summer approaches Los Angeles, these small armored mitts have become my go to for an "all around city" glove.

The Mickey stops at the wrist, but incorporates full armor over the knuckles and also has a pronounced palm slider. They are well ventilated along the top layer and the palm side offers great grip. No matter the bike—whether it's a cafe racer, dirt bike, adventure, cruiser, or sport— the Mickey looks the part and functions equally well.

At just above the hundred dollar mark, the Mickey definitely commands a premium price for a glove lacking a gauntlet, but you definitely get what you pay for in style and function.

Priced at $115 here:/strong> Racer Glove Mickey Gloves

REV’IT Red Hook Jacket

A good leather jacket must be functional and stylish and the urban line from REV'IT is certainly at the top of the pack. Every motorcyclist should—and probably does—have a leather jacket. Boasting CE approved shoulder and forearm armor with the option of adding a back protector, the Red Hook will protect you in the event you encounter an unscheduled dismount from your bike. For three months, day in and day out, the Red Hook as become by defacto uniform around town. I even used it on my long haul trip from Los Angeles to Portland this past February to cover the One Motorcycle Show. My only gripe with the jacket is the exterior side pockets are a bit difficult to get your hands into (especially with gloves), and the removable insulated lining can get bunched up when putting the jacket on.

Priced at $469 here: REV'IT Red Hook Jacket

There is a bonuses though: The Redhook has two internal vest pockets big enough to carry a flask, maps, iPhone 6 Plus, and then some. The thermal liner also does, in fact, keep you warm down to about 55 degrees F.

Priced at $469.99, the Rev’it Redhook is available in Black or Brown.

REV’IT Memphis H20 Jeans

Waterproofing meets the every day pair of jeans. In addition to the denim being treated with a 3M Hydratex coating, the Memphis H20 goes one step further by adding a PWR Shield lining, making them 100% waterproof.

These jeans will keep you dry, but the downside is that they don’t breath very well so don’t wear them in climates above 70 degrees F. I took these jeans with me on my Los Angeles to Portland and back adventure and they served me well in the cooler climate when paired with my Icebreaker 150 Anotomica leggings. I was able to test them out in a torrential downpour that hit LA in May, and aside from a little water getting in at the waist, my legs remained dry.

Priced at $319 here: REV’IT Memphis H20 Jeans.