Best cruiser motorcycle riding gear 2022

Top cruiser gear 2022

There are countless manufacturers offering all kinds of denim, leather, and flannel for the cruiser crowd, but it can be difficult to find the very best of what’s available. That’s where this guide to the best V-twin and cruiser gear comes in. We’ve tested all the top motorcycle gear of 2022, and the results are in. Let’s get started.

Selection process

We’re obsessed with motorcycling, and that means we have a special appreciation for the V-twins and cruisers that make up a massive share of the two-wheeled world. You’ll spot cruisers in our parking lot year round as we test the latest and greatest from top manufacturers. Based on riding experience with the products, the knowledge of our gear experts, and a whole lot of feedback from riders like you, we’ve rounded up our recommendations for cruiser riders in 2022. The gear options are split into two categories: choices for cruiser touring, and another set of options for casual local rides.

The best cruiser and V-twin gear of 2022

Gear	Category	Price	Details
Shoei Neotec 2	Best long-haul cruiser helmet	$850	Modular Internal sun shield
Street & Steel Independence jacket	Best long-haul cruiser jacket	$300	Classic style Full-grain cowhide
REAX Tasker Perf gloves	Best long-haul cruiser gloves	$80	Great airflow Cowhide backhand
Klim K Forty 3 jeans	Best long-haul cruiser pants	$280	13-ounce stretch denim CE AA rating
REAX Tasker WP boots	Best long-haul cruiser boots	$180	Full leather Waterproof membrane
REV'IT! Pacific H2O rain suit	Best long-haul cruiser rain suit	$150	One piece Ultralight design
Bell Eliminator helmet	Best casual cruiser helmet	$430	Vintage racing style Fiberglass shell
Street & Steel Mission Moto shirt	Best casual cruiser jacket	$120	Vintage plaid style Armor included
First Mfg. Born Free vest	Best casual cruiser vest	$220	Modernized classic American flag liner
Rokker RokkerTech Tapered Slim jeans	Best casual cruiser pants	$450	Single-layer construction D3O Ghost armor
REAX Tasker Perf gloves	Best casual cruiser gloves	$80	Great airflow Cowhide backhand
REAX Fulton Air boots	Best casual cruiser boots	$150	Full-grain leather Perforated or waterproof versions

Best cruiser touring gear

Our first rider type puts the unique power and riding position of a cruiser to work by touring as much as possible. This rider needs gear that’ll stand up to long miles in the saddle in all kinds of weather. At the same time, the gear should have some style to suit the bike. This rider might ride something like a Road Glide or Street Glide on several multi-day trips per year.

Best cruiser touring helmet: Shoei Neotec 2 helmet

The Shoei Neotec 2 is a juggernaut modular helmet that’s ideal for tourers. It provides full-face protection with the convenience of a three-quarter helmet. Flip the chinbar up for a roadside chat or snack, then get back to riding with the click of a latch. Speaking of the Neotec 2’s latch, Shoei’s 360º Pivot Locking System uses stainless steel components throughout for maximum security and durability. The whole helmet feels polished and refined.

The touring features continue with an internal sun visor, excellent ventilation, a Pinlock-ready face shield, and integrated connections for an SLR Bluetooth Headset from Sena so you can easily upgrade for group communications. There are lighter modulars, and there are cheaper modulars, but there are no better modulars for the touring cruiser rider than the Shoei Neotec 2. Even better, it’s available in a variety of colors and graphics to suit your style and machine.

Best cruiser touring jacket: Street & Steel Independence jacket

If you’re riding a cruiser, a black leather jacket is the classic go-to choice. That’s why so many gear manufacturers make their own interpretations of the original biker jacket. Which one to choose? We’ve tried every leather jacket that we could get our hands on, and for 2022, our favorite is the understated Independence jacket from Street & Steel. It features that all-important full-grain cowhide construction for excellent feel and protection. The leather is double layered and backed with CE Level 2 armor at the shoulders and elbows for even more abrasion resistance. Add a back protector to crank up the protection even more. (Back protector sold separately.)

Inside, the tourer will appreciate a removable thermal liner that allows the Independence jacket to tackle cooler weather. This jacket has shoulder gussets, waist adjusters, and an American cut for comfort while riding. The overall appearance is clean and low-profile, with tasteful touches like antique brass zippers and snaps. Street & Steel even hides reflective piping in the lines of the Independence for better visibility in low light conditions. It’s the ideal combination of old-school style and modern features.

Best cruiser touring jeans: Klim K Forty 3 jeans

We’ve been massive fans of Klim’s K Forty series of jeans since their debut. Klim brings their reputation for bombproof gear to the world of riding jeans, and the result remains unmatched among Klim’s competition. We’ve featured these jeans in multiple Gear Guides articles, and for 2022, they remain undefeated. 

The K Forty 3 jeans get their robust protection from 13-ounce stretch denim that bakes abrasion and cut resistance right into their main construction. This keeps them as comfortable and breathable as possible. A mesh liner also helps with ventilation. Hips and knees are covered by CE Level 1 D3O Ghost armor for full coverage. Klim checked all the boxes in terms of protection with these jeans, earning an outstanding CE AA rating overall. All that in a pair of riding pants that look convincingly like standard jeans? The K Forty 3s are easily the best in their class.

Best cruiser touring gloves: REAX Tasker Perforated gloves

Simple, sturdy, and crafted from quality leather, the REAX Tasker Perforated gloves are our favorite highway companions on tour. They feature a pre-curved fit that quickly breaks in, and that excellent fit is further enhanced with flex ribbing in key areas.

Cowhide leather backs and goatskin palms ensure protection that doesn’t detract from your feel of the controls. We appreciated the Tasker Perfs’ reinforced outseams, moisture-wicking lining, and anti-vibe palm pads. These gloves are perforated for improved airflow, but if you’d rather skip the ventilation, there is a non-perf version available. REAX stands by the Tasker Perfs with a two-year warranty on their materials and workmanship. They’re ready for anything short of cold weather or serious rain.

Best cruiser touring boots: REAX Tasker WP boots

Our favorite cruiser touring boots also come from REAX’s Tasker line. Available in black or brown, these boots look right at home on any cruiser with their oiled full grain interpretation of the timeless engineer boot. The upper gets textile inserts for some breathability, but don’t worry about water ingress; a waterproof inner membrane keeps your feet dry when the skies open up. 

The Tasker WP boots don’t skimp on protection. They have reinforcements at the heels and toes, plus internal malleolus protection (medial and lateral) and shock-absorbing insoles. As for comfort, we appreciated their nappa leather interior with thick padding and gusseting at the tongues. The Tasker WPs even have a shift pad on the left boot to prevent premature wear. We’d recommend these boots to anyone seeking a workhorse pair of riding boots that just won’t quit. And the Goodyear welt means they’ll outlast the competition.

Best cruiser touring rain suit: REV'IT! Pacific 3 rain suit

Not all of the gear we’ve chosen for the touring rider is waterproof, and that’s not an issue when you’re riding with a full rain suit. There’s no substitute for proper rain gear while touring. REV’IT!’s Pacific 3 rain suit returns for another year as our top choice for cruiser riders on tour.

It’s a one-piece design that fits over any riding gear for full protection from the elements. We chose this suit over its competitors because it’s light and compact without compromise. Step in, batten down the hatches, and ride with confidence. Reflectivity at the shoulders, arms, chest, and calves boosts your visibility to other road users in a downpour. Customize the fit with an array of adjustments and retaining features, because the ride can’t wait when you’re touring.

Best casual cruiser gear

Our second rider type uses their cruiser or V-twin motorcycle for daily transportation. From the commute, to the weekend road trip, to the local bike night, these riders don’t need the same level of technical gear that the tourer demands. Instead, our choices for this rider celebrate all that’s cool about cruising with serious protection hidden below the surface. Let’s take a look at the best of 2022.

Best casual cruiser helmet: Bell Eliminator helmet

The Bell Eliminator is one of the best throwback helmets to debut in recent years. It hearkens back to Bell’s auto racing heritage with its aggressive vintage styling. Don’t let the old-school looks fool you; the Eliminator gets a modern fiberglass composite shell in three sizes with five EPS liner variations. All versions get Bell’s outstanding ProVision dual pane, anti-fog face shield for a complete view of the road ahead.

The interior is anti-bacterial and fully contoured for a comfortable fit. There are even speaker pockets to add the Bluetooth communicator of your choice. (See our guide to the best Bluetooth communicators of the year.) The ECE/DOT-approved Eliminator edges out the competition with its range of retro graphics and accessory options to tailor it to your personal style. This would be our top choice if you want modern protection that channels the ethos of cruisin’.

Best casual cruiser jacket: Street & Steel Mission Moto shirt

The Street & Steel Mission Moto riding shirt is ready for riding and the rest of your day with its stealthy flannel styling. Available in white/black, grey/black, or the iconic lumberjack red/black plaid, this shirt is constructed from a heavyweight cotton outer. It’s all business under the surface, though, with removable CE-Certified shoulder and elbow protection. There’s also a removable back pad that can be upgraded with your choice of back protector. Abrasion resistance is provided by aramid fiber at the shoulders and elbows. 

Shoulder gussets allow for freedom of movement as you hustle your cruiser wherever it needs to go. The front closure locks down with YKK zips behind a traditional snap front. The Mission Moto shirt wins out over other riding shirts for its unpretentious looks and protective elements. There’s no need to sacrifice style for protection, or vice versa, with the Mission Moto shirt.

Best casual cruiser vest: First Manufacturing Born Free vest

The leather vest is key to cruiser style. At a glance, it might seem like all vests are the same, but we’ve chosen the First Manufacturing Born Free Vest over the rest for a few reasons. The first, and most obvious in person, is the high quality leather used in its construction.

First Manufacturing builds the Born Free vest with drum-dyed naked cowhide leather. They up the ante with an impressive American flag liner that can’t be missed. Loads of pockets, including a cell phone carrier and two concealed carry pockets, make this ideal for most vested cruiser riders. The satin lining has access panels, making it easier to add your choice of patches and embroidery. Nobody else does the simple black leather vest this well.

Best casual cruiser boots: Rokker RokkerTech Tapered Slim jeans

Rokker’s gear is heirloom quality. That’s why the RokkerTech Tapered Slim jeans are the finest quality cruiser riding pants on our radar. That’s why we’ve chosen these denim superstars as our favorite casual riding pants of the year. Their unbeatable single-layer construction is the mark of cutting-edge riding pants.

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), 15 times stronger than steel, is woven directly into their 12-ounce denim indigo-dyed cotton for full slide and abrasion protection. They also add some elastic elements for comfort and stretch. Rokker uses a modern tapered cut with a zipper fly to preserve the look of standard jeans, but their appearance hides D3O Ghost knee and hip impact armor, which is included and can be adjusted to fit your height. The whole package earns an impressive CE AA rating for protection. Small touches, like a rivet-free design to avoid scratching your bike’s paint. puts these far ahead of the competition. They even throw in a Rokker T-shirt to show your pride in their craftsmanship.

Best casual cruiser gloves: REAX Tasker Perforated gloves

Our casual cruiser rider gloves are the same as our choice for the touring riders above.

Around-town riders will appreciate all the same features described in the touring section. We’ll add that their slick knuckle protection scheme looks rad at a stoplight. The short-cuff design easily slips in a pocket once you’re parked.

Best casual cruiser boots: REAX Fulton boots

The REAX Fulton boots are a deviation from our touring pick. We think cruiser riders on short jaunts will prefer them for their unique style that strikes a balance between work boots and high-top sneakers. There is no compromise with full-grain leather construction, triple stitched all around for security.

Moto-specific protection is provided by hidden dual-compound soles, composite midsoles, ankle cups, heel and toe reinforcements, and removable and replaceable shock-absorbing insoles. The Fulton boots are available in a WP (waterproof) variant if you frequently battle the elements, or an Air version for those in warmer climates. Both versions get reflective accents that only show up in direct lighting… like the headlights of the car behind you. We rock these boots to the office, the bar, and everywhere in between.

That’s a complete look at our very favorite moto gear choices for cruiser and V-twin riders. Don’t miss our other 2022 Gear Guides as we delve into all the best offerings for those on two wheels.