RST are the leading British motorcycle clothing brand. With a UK design and development centre in Derbyshire, it means their products are made for the British climate and the demands of our riders.
Iggy testing the airbag on his RST V4.1 race suit…
The company are also at the forefront of racing, both at home and on the world stage. They’re the official safety partner of the Isle of Man TT and the North West 200. You’ll see top-flight racers at every level wearing RST leathers (I personally race in an RST V4.1 airbag suit). Of course, most of us spend the majority of our time on the road and that’s where their commitment to safety, style and affordability really shines.
Airbag protection
RST have a full range of textile and leather riding kit and make everything from underlayers to boots, gloves and textile jackets. The company have focussed on improving rider safety for many years. They were already way ahead of the game when CE approval for motorcycle safety gear became mandatory in 2018. Since then they’ve gone large on wearable airbag tech, thanks to a partnership with leading French company In&Motion. RST now have what is probably the largest range of airbag-equipped kit of any company.
Chest protection
At the preview of their 2024 range last week they announced a further addition to their safety strategy. They’re now adding pockets for chest protection into many of their latest garments. After the head, the thorax is an area where we as riders are very susceptible to serious or fatal injuries. It’s where our major organs are most likely to suffer catastrophic damage from an impact. If you’re buying a new RST jacket in 2024 ask your dealer if chest pockets are part of the design and pay the twenty-odd quid to upgrade your armour. The chest protectors aren’t included as standard in most products but it’s an optional extra. It may save your life, or reduce serious injury.
Scooter riding kit
Many of the 2023 products are carrying over for next year, including a couple of my favourites. We’re just going to highlight a few garments that may appeal to scooter riders but there are lots more to choose from. You can find out more here.
Frontline CE softshell
I’ve been riding in one of these for the last two years and it has been my ‘go-to’ scooter-riding jacket for three out of four seasons. It’s comfortable yet warm and very waterproof thanks to the SinAqua lining (it kept me dry in a Belgian monsoon after last year’s Euro Lambretta). It’s a Kevlar-lined softshell so is less bulky than most riding jackets. The Frontline still has plenty of protection though, with CE Level 1 shoulder and elbow armour, as well as a back protector pocket. The jacket is CE level A and also has reflective styling for added safety.
The Frontline is adjustable for the perfect fit with sleeve and waist toggle and drawcord adjusters. It’s available in Black/Grey and Grey/Neon for £149.99
Havoc Men’s Textile Jacket
New for 2024, here’s another useful scooter-riding jacket. The havoc is designed for the urban environment and it’s similar to the Frontline. This softshell also has a SinAqua waterproof lining, it comes with the latest, lightweight RST Airflow CE armour (almost invisible and comfortable to wear). It has Level 1 shoulder and elbow protection as standard and a back protector pocket. The hood is removable and there are four outer zip pockets and two internal ones. It comes in a choice of Black, Black/Grey and Grey. It will retail at a very reasonable £149.
Kevlar Loadout ¼ zip CE
We all know scooterists love a bit of camo but the camo design makes this jacket stand out from the crowd so I’m not sure it’s working. I love it though. The Loadout jacket is waterproof, stylish and safe with a Kevlar lining on key impact areas. It comes with level 1 shoulder and elbow protection, plus a pocket for a back protector. The hood is detachable, there are two outer zip pockets and it has waist and cuff adjusters. Inside you’ll find RST’s faux sheepskin Sherpa fleece lining, as well as a waterproof liner. The Loadout retails at £169.99 and comes in a choice of Navy Camo, Khaki Camo or Black.
Paragon 7
This is the 2024 update to the excellent Paragon 6. Version 7 has an improved fit and extra ventilation. The armour has also been upgraded to Level 2 for the shoulder, elbow and back, plus it has a pocket for chest armour. The jacket has a CE Rating of AA. The Paragon 7 is an outstanding touring jacket that will keep you warm, dry and safe. It comes with a fixed SinAqua Pro membrane, quick-dry mesh liner and a removable heavyweight thermal lining, even the outer pockets are thermal lined to keep your hands warm off the scooter. The outer material is MaxTex and it also has a Ballistic liner for added abrasion resistance.
This jacket comes in both ladies and gentlemen’s fit with a choice of Black/Black or Black Flo Yellow. It will cost £259.
Pro Series Ranger
This top-spec touring jacket is made from MaxTex and Ballistic fabric with a fixed quick dry 3D bubble mesh lining. It has a SinAqua Pro over jacket and removable mid-weight thermal lining. There are two front pockets, two hand warmer pockets, one rear map pocket, four internal pockets and a hydration pocket (to take a water pouch). The Ranger is big on ventilation with four front vents, two sleeve vents and two back vents. It’s billed by RST as a jacket “Designed to see you ride around the world.” It can also accommodate the new RST airbag shirt. RPP is £399.99 and it’s available in Sand/Graphite and new Vigi Green (there are matching textile trousers to go with it). You can buy one here.
Airbag Armoured Shirt
Although many of the RST top-end products have a built-in airbag (we’ve not featured them here), they now make a standalone Armoured Airbag Shirt. This can be worn under many jackets and features the excellent In&Motion airbag system. It also features Level 2 armour in the chest, shoulders and elbows. It retails at £389.99 and you can get one here.
In&Motion
Airbag tech was way too expensive for ‘ordinary’ road riders, or racers until very recently. In&Motion changed all that with their subscription-based In&Go box. It’s the brains for their airbag. You get the box with your airbag garment and pay £12 a month to use it. That subscription also gives you updates to the latest detection algorithms. If you prefer not to run a subscription you can buy your box for £399 with no further charge. Once you have an In&Box you can use that to power any of your In&Motion kit by just swapping the box around.
Refer a friend
If you take out an In&Motion subscription, use this code and you’ll get three months free: PRWNNYL
Buy from SLUK
SLUK have been using, recommending and supplying RST products for many years. You can view most of the range here if we don’t have what you’re looking for, just drop us an email and we’ll try to help.
