Sports-touring kit

The best gear for covering miles

FORMIDABLE!

Shoei RYD £299.99

www.shoeiassured.co.uk

Thanks to its plush liner, quietness and five-star safety rating, we think this is the best-value helmet currently on the market. The Shoei isn’t flash — it lacks a drop-down visor or complicated venting but is stable, light and very easy to live with during a day in the saddle.

Best bit Its lightness. At a tested 1336g, it’s lighter than Shoei’s £700 race helmets!

FLEXIBLE! Dane Ikast Gore-tex £499

daneclothing.uk

Winner of our sub-£500 jacket test, the Ikast provides loads of flexibility for all-year riding, decent venting and an excellent thermal liner — it withstood our testing in the freezer better than others. It feels like a premium jacket but for mid-market money.

Best bit The storm cuffs — the best we’ve seem, they make draft-ingress impossible.

FUNCTIONAL! Richa Street Tour £109

www.richa.eu

One of the lowest-priced Gore-tex gloves on the market, these offer waterproofing with wonderful feel and a level of quality that means that they’ll last for many thousands of miles. With heated grips, you can ride into autumn.

Best bit The Gore-tex. They’re breathable, not sweaty, yet 100% waterproof.

FAITHFUL! Alpinestars Web GTX £199

www.alpinestars.com

In our testing we found these to be 100% waterproof, comfortable and breathable. With a Gore-tex liner they’re great in all weathers, give loads of confidence, while boasting higher-rated Level-2 CE protection. Entry from sole to calf.

FOOLPROOF!

Held Iconic Evo Large £61.99

www.held.de

A great combination of value and practicality, the Iconic does everything you want from a tailpack and is simple, easy to use and full of nice features. Expandable from 12-21 litres, there is real flexibility here.

Best bit Neat bungee net on the lid is extremely useful.