Who makes the best...

[redReno_imp]

Which companies have you had experience with that made outstanding protective equipment?

Helmet:
Jacket:
Gloves:
Pants:
Boots:
Suit:
Reflective gear:
Water resistant/proof gear:
Pack/Luggage:KRIEGA http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kHx0J0BBVrI

I've had a shoei and alpinestars gear. Helmet is ok, I think I'll get a shuberth when I have the dough. Alpinestars jacket I've had for almost 2 years and it's still pretty good. Gloves are done.
I have Chippewa boots, great while riding but kind of uncomfortable to walk in.
I'd say kriega is the only company I know for sure that makes great packs, I love mine.

[Guth_imp]

"Best" is going to vary from one individual to the next.

Here are the companies whose products I've had good experiences with:

Helmet: I've been using Arai helmets since I started riding on the street seven years ago. Very happy with their product as well as their customer service (I broke one of the air vent switches on top of my current helmet after about 4 years of use. I had a replacement item back on the helmet in less than a weeks time at no cost to me. Most any modern helmet that fits well is going to be a better option than the latest /greatest helmet that doesn't fit right. Also, I prefer to buy my helmets as small / tight as possible without causing pain or discomfort. Over time, the inner lining materials do break in a bit and loosen up some.

Jacket: I own a Langlitz Leathers custom jacket. But I would actually recommend Johnson Leathers out of San Francisco. They are more than capable of making higher quality custom leathers at prices lower than what you'll pay for similar off-the-rack items from the big name manufacturers like Alpinestars or Dainese. They send you a test-fit jacket and then modify accordingly based on how the standard jacket fits and will make other customizations per your requests. The Johnson Leathers website does not represent their products well at all (nor does it represent their complete product line, so I'd recommend giving them a call). So, crappy website, but awesome leathers. Their work is truly top notch. (I also own an Alpinestars mesh jacket for the summertime when things get really warm.)

Gloves: I'm very particular about the fit of my gloves and would have a hard time buying a pair that I couldn't try on first without being able to return them hassle free. I own gloves from Dainese and Alpinestars and REV'IT. The Alpinestars fit my hands slightly better and have held up better than the Dainese gloves. The REV'IT gloves are for winter use only and are waterproof and insulated.

Pants: I own leather pants from Langlitz and some textile overpants from Alpinestars. I'd like to find a pair of leather overpants some day.

Boots: I use Dainese TRQ-Tour boots. These are waterproof and provide good protection. These boots have really been great, but down the road I'd prefer to find a boot that offered similar protection (from the elements as well as from accidents) but with a bit more of a straightforward, plain look.

Suit: No suit. Maybe some day.

Reflective gear: My Alpinestars jacket has built-in reflective surfaces as well as hi-viz markings. I cover my Langlitz jacket with an Icon hi-viz vest with reflective surfaces. My Kriega backpack has built-in reflective surfaces also.

Water resistant/proof gear: I have a REV'IT Pacific H2O one piece rain suit for when things get really wet.

Pack/Luggage: I too love my Kriega backpack and always use it for my commute to work. I also have a tank pack and a seat pack from Cortech that work well.

[HikerToo_imp]

Shoei if it fits, Dainese if it fits, Hepco-Becker
I've had people at lights compliment me for my Dainese leather jacket when I thought they were going to say the motorcycle :-)

[The Spaceman_imp]

Mr. Ferret! Paging Mr. Ferret! You have a riding gear thread waiting on aisle 7!

[Cormanus]

Mr Ferret's collection of gear requires an entire forum.

[Houtman_imp]

Helmet : Arai
Gloves : Held

[the Ferret]

Lol...Ferret here

Yes I have a lot of gear, but I am a common man, easily pleased.

I wear HJC helmets, couldn't tell you what their customer service is like because I've never needed them. Open face, 3/4, modular, full face, the IS series, I'm happy with them all. They fit me well, probably not the quietest, or have the best air flow, but I'm happy with them.

Same for my textile jackets..Tourmaster and Cortech. Never had a stitch or zipper fail, no velcro has come loose, they just do what they are supposed to do.

My riding pants are Tourmaster and Fieldsheer..work as advertised.

My solid leather jacket is an X-Element and there is a seam on the shoulder that has let loose. Its seen a lot of years/miles and was inexpensive to begin with. Love to have a Vanson, Langlitz, or Fox Valley but I am too frugal.

My mesh leather is a Tecknic... No issues.

Most of my gloves are Tourmaster and Cortech too, and they are good gloves, but I wear my deerskin gloves most of the time. I was unhappy with a pair of Alpinestars gloves that were advertised as waterproof and weren't.

I also use Cortech and Tourmaster soft luggage. Good stuff.

Despite the complete failure of the Alpinestars gloves, my Alpinestars waterproof touring boots have been waterproof and have been good boots. I also have a pair of Vega Nitro boots that have been decent, but not great.

My Frogg Toggs raingear has kept me dry so far.

I ride all year round in the midwest and that requires a lot of gear. From 0 degrees to over 100, rain, wind, and snow. Hardly miss a day as long as the roads are clear. I put my gear to the test, and I must say, compared to the gear we had 40 years ago (open face Buco fiberglass helmets with very little interior foam, goggles or bubble shields, work boots, green Army pea coats and wool sweaters, work gloves, blue jeans, maybe a wool scarf..the gear available today is just outstanding. It keeps you warm, and dry, is stylish and provides great protection if you fall off.

You know as far as what is best? Caviar and champaign is expensive, I'd rather have a cheeseburger and a coke. 5 star hotels cost a lot, I stay in Quality Inns or Microtels. That probably says a lot about me lol.

[redReno_imp]

Great posts so far
Thanks!
I'll be in Virginia for a few months, still debating whether or not I should ship the bike over (I'm worried about the colder months), but The ferret's post is edging me to a yes.

[emptysea]

Pretty happy with my Olympia mesh jacket and pants. They have a wind/water proof liner, but I also carry Revit rain gear...I find it much easier to add the Revit gear over my jacket and pants rather than zipping in the liners. SO, I guess I'm recommending an armored mesh jacket and pant, but skip the liners and buy frog togs or Revit rain gear.

HJC helmets are fine, but "best" will be the one that fits you correctly and has the safety and convenience features you want.

I like my Lee Parks deerskin gloves...not armored, but have skid patches. Very comfortable.

Also, most of this information is readily available in the Gear section divided pretty much by individual item. A lt of good and detailed information is already here for you

I'm not as diehard as Ferret, but layering with reasonably good gear keeps me riding in Chicago pretty deep into the cold and/or wet.

[shdwghst457_imp]

I'm not going to go out and say that these things are the *best* because I don't have enough experience with other brands, but I'm happy with my current ensemble:

Helmet: Shoei RF-1100
Jacket: River Road leather, ~$400
Gloves: Oakley Factory Pilots, carbon fiber knuckle plates, ~$80
Pants: Prefer not to wear any
Boots: Oakley Standard Issue ~$90
Suit: Sonny Crockett's