motorcycle gear

The Best Vegan Motorcycle Gear & Accessories
Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Finding quality vegan motorcycle gear is an absolute pain in the backside.

You thought you’d finally found a pair of vegan gloves or boots without any leather, but upon closer inspection there’s trace amounts of genuine leather mixed in with the synthetic stuff, or a stupidly small patch of leather for no apparent reason other than to make life hard for vegans.

However, it is possible to stay safe and comfortable on the road – without contributing to the suffering of any animals.

You just need to know what products, brands, and materials are vegan-friendly, which, to be honest, isn’t super easy, hence why I decided to put together this buyer’s guide to vegan motorcycle gear (see also ‘The Best Men’s Running Gear On The Market‘).

If you’re short on time, below is an affordable, vegan set of motorcycle gear with 3-season functionality:

Our Top Vegan Motorcycle Gear & Accessories ([year])

PRODUCT

PRODUCT DETAILS

​B​est Vegan Motorcycle ​​HELMET

HJC Vegan Helmet

​HJC CL-17

  • Made from durable and high-quality vegan materials
  • ​Great cushioning and effective air ventilation
  • Perfect fit and extremely comfortable during long rides
  • check  Comes in many different colors and paints

​Best Vegan Motorcycle ​BOOTS

Sidi Mag-1

​Sidi Mag-1

  • Constructed from lightweight, vegan materials
  • Designed for maximum protection against injuries
  • Tightening straps are perfect in giving you a perfect fit
  • check A motorcycle boot that gives you perhaps the best protection money can buy.

​Best Vegan Motorcycle GLOVES

Olympia 760 Air Force Gel 150

​Olympia 760 Air Force Gel

  • ​Made from ​vegan and synthetic materials
  • Great ventilation – perfect for excessive sweating
  • Absorbs vibration which will make your hands feel comfortable

​Best Vegan Motorcycle ​JACKET

Joe Rocket Atomic

​Joe Rocket Atomic

  • Made with synthetic materials that are vegan-friendly
  • Has armor plating that gives extra security on the road
  • Has great air ventilation and waterproof

​Best Vegan Motorcycle PANTS

​Olympia Airglide 4

​Olympia Airglide 4

  • Made from high-quality vegan materials
  • Waterproof over and under
  • Contains cool mesh airflow lining for improved air ventilation

1. HJC CL-17 Full Face Helmet: Best Vegan Motorcycle Helmet

There’s one thing that stands at the top of the list whenever you buy a new motorcycle helmet, and that’s safety. It’s simply something you cannot afford to sacrifice on.

What I found particularly surprising about the CL-17 is that its design and materials are of the highest quality and easily rivaling that of racing helmets I’ve owned that cost five times this much.

So my first impressions were very positive.

The next thing on your list is going to be comfort from the cushioning and air ventilation. Having pressure points and excessive sweating is just not going to be a great solution.

HJC Solid Mens CL-17 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet

PROS

  • Made from durable and high-quality vegan materials
  • ​Great cushioning and effective air ventilation
  • Perfect fit and extremely comfortable during long rides
  • check  Comes in many different colors and paints

​CONS

  • If you do not have a very round head then it’s probably not a good fit

After about 20 hours of testing out the CL-17, I can say that it fits me perfectly and is extremely comfortable.

There is plenty of adjustable ventilation so that you can cool down on hot days and stay warm on the colder ones. And with a few nice color options available, you’ll even be able to match it up with your other motorcycle gear (see also our favorite running accessories).

Other helmets I recommend:

2. Sidi Mag-1 Motorcycle Boots: Best Vegan Motorcycle Boots

I cringe any time I see someone on a motorcycle with sneakers or other types of normal shoes (see also our favorite running shoes).

From your head to your toes protection is a top priority, especially when you consider how easily you can suffer a serious leg injury.

My favorite boots for a long time now have been the Sidi Mag-1. Just looking at them gives you the confidence that they are designed for maximum protection.

Unlike so many other boots available, these ones are very easy to get on and off. The tightening straps can be completely loosened, allowing you to create a large enough opening to slide your foot in comfortably.

Sidi Mag-1 Motorcycle Boots

PROS

  • Constructed from lightweight, vegan materials
  • Designed for maximum protection against injuries
  • Tightening straps are perfect in giving you a perfect fit
  • check A motorcycle boot that gives you perhaps the best protection money can buy.

​CONS

  • Sometimes runs a bit narrow

Once you tighten up the straps, you’ll notice how well these are designed. They feel like a high-tech exoskeleton.

While I haven’t had a serious incident in a long time, I did recently lose balance while reversing out of my garage and I had to drop the bike (see also our guide to mountain bikes). My foot got caught under it, but I had no injuries at all. Which some might say is lucky, but I’m thanking my boots.

Just make sure you wear thick socks to cover your calves, as the boot can rub a little.

Other boots I recommend:

3. Olympia 760 Air Force Gel: Best Vegan Motorcycle Gloves

The majority of motorcycle gloves these days contain a lot of leather. Whilst it does make sense to use such a tough material, it’s not something I want as a vegan.

It took quite some time to find a pair of gloves that used synthetic materials and provided enough protection from blunt force and abrasion injuries.

If you’ve ever come off a bike, you know full well how critical hand protection actually is.

A friend of mine introduced me to the Olympia 760 Air Force gel gloves, and I have to say I was immediately convinced.

They are very comfortable, and even on hot days, there is enough ventilation to avoid excessive sweating.

The Olympia 760 Air Force Gel Gloves

PROS

  • ​Made from ​vegan and synthetic materials
  • Great ventilation – perfect for excessive sweating
  • Absorbs vibration which will make your hands feel comfortable

​CONS

  • Doesn’t offer anything in terms of insulation for winter riding

And if you spend a lot of time on your bike, then you’ll love the gel padding. You won’t believe how much of the vibration is absorbed meaning that your hands don’t get sore and tired as quickly.

The only downside I found are that the sizing runs a little small and they’re not warm enough for the cold winter days. I ordered one size up and generally don’t take the bike out in winter, so it’s not really an issue for me.

Other gloves I recommend:

4. Joe Rocket Atomic: Best Vegan Motorcycle Jacket

Ever shuddered at the sight of people on motorcycles wearing just a t-shirt? I’ll tell you one thing: you only need to get a dose of road-rash once to make sure you invest in a good jacket.

This is the second season that I’ve been using the Joe Rocket Atomic jacket. While I haven’t had any accidents with it, I can tell you that the design is excellent.

It was also recommended by a friend who slid the asphalt at 50mph wearing one of these and came out of it relatively unhurt.

When you wear it for the first time, you will notice that moving is a bit awkward. This is thanks to a lot of armor plating that protects from blunt force impacts as well as skidding.

Olympia Airglide 5 Jacket

PROS

  • Made with synthetic materials that are vegan-friendly
  • Has armor plating that gives extra security on the road
  • Has great air ventilation and waterproof

​CONS

  • Sizing runs a little small

There’s even extra armor to protect your spine from impacts which is an added bonus. But it’s this back protection that makes it a little stiff to wear.

I was also impressed with the ventilation which works very well except on hot days. In the cooler spring and fall months there’s also enough insulation to keep you warm, and because I avoid the really cold winter days, that’s good enough for me.

Other Jackets I recommend:

5. Olympia Airglide 4 Pants: Best Vegan Motorcycle Pants 

Do yourself a favor and never look up road rash leg injuries. They are pretty horrid but at the same time completely preventable.

For me, the only option is the Olympia Airglide 4 which are made by the same company as the above glove recommendation.

Using all synthetic materials my animal-loving spirit was satisfied, but I needed something that was safe and comfortable too.

The padding and armor are in all the right places, and what I really like is that the knee padding can be height adjusted. Even when you get the right size, if the padding is not in the right place it can start to rub.

Olympia Airglide 4 Pants

PROS

  • Made from high-quality vegan materials
  • Waterproof over and under
  • Contains cool mesh airflow lining for improved air ventilation

​CONS

  • No hip or back pockets

Also, the lower leg material is melt-proof, so even if you touch some hot engine or exhaust parts, they won’t disintegrate. I’ve worn them on long rides, and the ventilation was pretty impressive as I didn’t turn into a dripping puddle of sweat.

However, I haven’t used them through the summer months yet, so just keep in mind that I don’t have full ventilation and heat test. The only annoying thing is that there’s no hip pocket for easier access to things like a phone or wallet.

Other pants I recommend:

Other Resource You May Like:

Benefits of Wearing Motorcycle Protective Gear

Before even throwing a leg over your bike there’s a lot that can be done to help keep you safe(r). Wearing quality protective gear (see also ‘Best Hot Weather Running Gear‘) , especially armored gear, (that fits properly) will make a world of difference in the event of an accident. Hi-Viz (high-visibility) gear will help keep you more visible to other drivers on the road

Tim Huber

Motorcycle Journalist

There’s a saying within the motorcycle community that goes ATGATT, short for: All The Gear All The Time. 

Which makes a whole lot of sense for a whole lot of reasons. The most obvious one is to stay safe on the road.

A crash can happen even to the best of us, and in a worst case scenario, you want to wear a full set of quality gear to avoid injuries and protect a very valuable asset, your life.

When you’re out and about in a car, you’re protected on all sides by a large metal chassis that acts as the first line of defence in a crash.

motorcyclist

On a motorcycle, you’re completely exposed to potential dangers such as the ground coming up and slamming you in the face, other vehicles and large metal boxes on wheels running into you, as well as the elements of weather.

A rule of thumb is that you’ll lose approximately 1mm of flesh for every 1 mph you’re going over 30 mph when you hit the ground (no I’m not quite sure why we’re mixing imperial and metric units here).

Hitting the ground at 55 mph means you’ll lose an inch of flesh – which should and can be avoided with the right protective equipment (see also ‘ Best Winter Running Gear ‘).

Wearing appropriate motorcycle gear will not only help keep you alive, but it also enhances the experience of riding.

During cold weather (see also ‘The Best Cold Weather Gear For Runners‘), you want something that insulates heat and keeps you nice and warm.

For hotter days ventilated gear crafted out of breathable material is a must as it’ll allow air to flow through, which helps keep you cool and avoid excessive perspiration.

During rainy days as well as colder temperature, gear with waterproof and windproof membranes will be the difference between coming home soggy and in a bad mood versus completely dry and ready to bake a delicious vegan cake.

Vegan Gear Motorcycle Gear Buyer’s Guide

You cannot spend several thousand on the ride and then cheap out on gear. They go hand in hand.

Wearing the appropriate motorcycle gear shouldn’t be an afterthought.

If you spend 5000 dollars on your bike, you should also have budgeted for another 1000-1500 dollar spent on high-quality riding equipment.

Here’s another insightful saying:

“Buy once, cry once”.

This is a superior method compared to skimping out and buying items of questionable quality because you want to save money.

man with jacket riding a motorcycle

As far as safety gear goes, popular opinion says that leather is most likely to keep you alive should you lay it down. For me, staying alive is important, and from boot to helmet, all my armor is man-made.

Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Chances are you’ll end up switching out the shitty gear for something better – and in the end, buying multiple items will cost you more than simply going for quality from the get-go.

Also worth mentioning again, you’re investing in stuff with the function of protecting your life and not hobby items such as guitar pedals or kitchen blenders.

Sure you’ll get pissed off when your kitchen blender leaves lumps in your smoothie, and the guitar tone isn’t dialed in perfectly – wearing inadequate motorcycle gear, on the other hand, might lead to your death.

Basically, you want to make sure to invest in a full set of all the essentials:

Vegan helmet, boots, gloves, jacket, and pants.

The Bottom Line on Vegan Motorcycle Gear

person riding motorcycle

Finding vegan-friendly clothing can be a challenge at the best of times.

But when you start looking for safety motorcycle clothing, it’s almost impossible to find something that doesn’t include leather.

When I first became a vegan, I found it a bit difficult to change my jacket and pants as I knew how well they were protecting me. Put with the help of a few friends that problem was solved.

All of the above products are suitable for anyone that is on a strict vegan lifestyle,

(Sustainable body care choices) and they work very well. I have gained total confidence in them, and I’m pretty certain you’ll love them as well.

olympia dakar dual pants

OUR #1 CHOICE OF PANTS

The Olympia 760 Air Force Gel Gloves

OUR #1 CHOICE OF GLOVES

Olympia Airglide 5 Jacket

OUR #1 CHOICE OF JACKET

Shoei Men's Rf-1200 Anthracite Full Face Motorcycle Helmet

OUR #1 CHOICE OF HELMET

Sidi Mag-1 Motorcycle Boots

OUR #1 CHOICE OF BOOTS

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Jason Hughes
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