Gear Need-to-Knows

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by Mistress Maygin

Besides that you'll need 8million dollars, what else is there?

I was at Cycle Gear a while ago trying on jackets and gloves and what not, to get an idea of cost and fit. I was told that the jackets should be very snug, very little room to move around. Because of that, even the Extra smalls were too big on me. if this is true, it will be SO MUCH FUN finding good gear.

Also, I believe it was Icon they said was the vanity gear and on the tag even said don't wear for protection? (I know Nee will know what I'm talking about, we had this talk on the other board).

What brands are the best?

What materials?

Gloves are hard to find too. I have tiny hands but long fingers. So if the glove fit my hand the fingers were too small and vice versa.

Anyone know where I can get "gear for freakishly deformed people"?

I think you'll have good luck with Alpinestars, as it runs very small, AND comes in an XS. Their jackets are definitely petite-friendly.

You may want to look at brands that are sized like clothing (i.e. 2, 4, 6, 8) rather than the S, M, L, so you can get a more precise fit (Teknic and G Line by Hein Gericke are both sizez this way).

As for gloves, I've found that Icon's ladies gloves run very tiny and with freakishly long fingers (no joke ). And they do offer XS's in their ladies' gloves.

As for the "not intended as personal safety gear" or whatever that disclaimer said, yeah, it's always baffled me, but I also haven't seen it in a while. I believe it was intended just as a "CYA" (so people wouldn't sue them if they went down in some Icon gear and got hurt) but who knows

As for materials... well, while mesh offers the lowest level of protection, realistically, you're in Florida, so you're going to want one. It's just the way it is. Riding in much more than mesh in summertime here is just ASKING for heat stroke, IMO. So, make sure it's got CE approved armour in the shoulders, elbows and back (not just the dual density foam)

From least to most protection, it's:

Mesh
Textile
Leather (cow)
Leather (roo)
Leather (stingray...i.e. Held gloves)

Perforated leather is a good happy medium, in that it'll give you good protection while still allowing you to breathe (somewhat).