The £ 200 BUDGET
SIMON WEIR, EDITOR
IWANTED TO SPEND as much as I could on the helmet. I’m prepared to ride in normal jeans and the
toughest boots I have lying around at home. When I started riding in the Eighties, jeans, Dr Martens and a leather jacket were what you wore on a bike. But I couldn’t afford a leather jacket unless I went for second-hand, and I didn’t want one someone else had sweated in. Anyway, I wanted a jacket with some waterproofing – and some waterproof overtrousers, too. I also opted for a pair of gloves with proper armour. With more money in my budget, I’d buy a back protector, then armoured jeans before bike boots.
HELMET: HJC CS-15 £79.99
www.oxfordproducts.co.uk
There are patterned ones available, but they cost more than this no-fuss, all-black lid. There’s no drop-down sun visor, no Pinlock, a ratchet belt not double-d-rings, the vents are basic… And it’s fine. It’s a good, functional, simple helmet. No frills, but it will look after my head.
GLOVES: Tuzo Blitz £29.99
www.mandp.co.uk
A set of Ce-approved waterproof gloves with a hard knuckle protector for £30? No wonder they’re a RIDE Best Buy. Quite thick and likely to get a bit sweaty in summer, but solid and reliable nonetheless.
JACKET: Buffalo Retro £69.99
www.thekeycollection.co.uk
If you’re not a 4XL (as I am) you can get this jacket in colours, but for big lads it’s black-and-white only. It’s stylish enough and goes with the lid. Better still, it has a removeable thermal liner, enough pockets, and a membrane that promises to be waterproof – though I haven’t tried it yet and I don’t have great expectations. The pockets are simple, the cuffs do up with Velcro. It all works and has CE armour in the shoulders and elbows. Just the job.
TROUSERS: Oxford Rainseal overtrousers £19.99
www.oxfordproducts.co.uk
Though I would rather have proper leather trousers or armoured textiles, I’m prepared to ride in normal denim jeans – as long as it’s sunny. But I don’t want to get soaked when it rains. These good value RIDE Best Buy rated waterproofs will save me from getting soaked to the skin.
BOOTS: Dr Martens
OK, here’s another compromise: wearing the sturdiest footwear I have at home. If I was a hillwalker, I’d probably wear walking boots; but I’m not. But I grew up wearing DMS and they still do the job. If I didn’t own a pair of boots that covered the ankle, however, I might not have managed to get myself fully kitted out for just 4p under my £200 budget.
“With more cash, I’d buy a back protector”