What to look for…

When considering buying an adventure-touring suit

CE APPROVAL

The jacket and trousers will be awarded a rating that is either A, AA or AAA for overall construction and abrasion resistance while the armour will be Ce-certified to Level-1 or 2. The highest rating is AAA overall for the garment and Level-2 for the armour, but textiles typically only get as high as AA

ARMOUR

Where is the armour located and what standard is it? Most suits have armour in the shoulders, elbows and knees with some having it in the hips and back as well. Sometimes it can be a combination of Level-1 and 2 or the hips and back can be just soft foam with no rating

ATTACHMENT

The jacket should be able to be zipped to a set of trousers. How far does the zip extend around the jeans and is there a stretch panel to assist with comfort? Is it easy to access the zip with the jacket on?

LINING

How many linings are there and how thick are they? If you want all-weather protection, ensure the lining is thick enough for winter use. Always check how securely the linings attach to the inside of the jacket; one that pulls out easily is annoying

BACK PROTECTOR

Some jackets have no back protector or a non-ce-approved one, so check that the pocket is large enough to fit a Ce-approved protector (Level-1 or 2), which can often be bought separately from the garment manufacturer

ZIPS

YKK is the benchmark zip manufacturer and a chunkier zip is easier to do up. Look for any covering on the zip as this helps stop water getting past (especially on pockets) and also if there is a tag to assist with locating the zip with a gloved hand

POCKETS

How many pockets are there, where are they located and are they waterproof? Internal pockets are handy to keep your phone close at hand and safe but external pockets should be easy to access and ideally waterproof

FIT OPTIONS

Although jackets come in standard sizes, often jeans can be bought in a variety of leg lengths, from short to long. If you are a taller rider, a long leg will stop your boots becoming exposed when the leg rides up as you sit on the bike but more importantly, locate the armour in the right place