Beyond The Helmet: Building A Complete Riding Kit

A jacket built for riding, rather than a fashion jacket that merely looks the part, adds abrasion resistance across the shoulders and elbows, and many include pockets for armour inserts. Boots that cover the ankle protect a joint that takes real force in an off, and trousers or riding jeans extend that same protection down the leg.

This is slower than fully automated manufacturing, and that is the point. A handcrafted shell trades speed for a level of finish and individual attention that a purely machine made helmet does not offer.

A helmet is the most visible piece of riding gear, but it works as part of a wider kit rather than on its own. Gloves protect hands in a low speed drop, which is one of the most common types of fall, and a good pair balances grip and feel with real abrasion resistance.

The liner deserves the same care. A removable, washable liner keeps the inside fresh, and following the maker's washing instructions protects both the padding and the stitching around it.

To compare our full face and open face ranges side by side, see handcrafted helmet shell.

A clean visor is a safety item as much as a comfort one, since scratches and haze scatter light and make it harder to judge distance in low sun or at night. Clean a visor with lukewarm water and a soft cloth, and avoid dry wiping, which is what causes most fine scratches in the first place.