Alpinestars SMX-1 R v2 Boots

Motorcycle gear usually forces you to choose between standard street-shoe comfort and proper track-level protection. The Alpinestars SMX-1 R v2 sits in that sweet spot where you don't actually have to compromise.

Let’s get this out of the way—this isn't a full-height track boot. You’re not getting shin coverage or rigid hinged ankle locks for extreme track days.

But... that’s also not really what this boot is trying to be.

What it is, is ridiculously comfortable. The low-cut microfiber design and accordion flex zones mean you can hop off the bike and walk around comfortably all day. In fact, I wear these so often for normal daily use that I end up replacing them roughly every seven years—that’s the average lifespan I get out of a pair from relentless everyday wear and tear.

It's surprisingly lightweight and handles hot summer riding with ease thanks to great natural airflow through the lining and mesh panels. And while it isn't a dedicated waterproof touring boot, it holds its ground remarkably well—it can easily withstand brief periods of rain without soaking your socks on a quick commute home.

Now for the trade-offs.

Because it wears so much like a regular shoe, it's easy to forget it's still a technical riding boot. The sole compound gives you fantastic grip on footpegs and wet pavement, but daily pavement pounding over years will eventually smooth down the tread.

And then there's the ankle coverage—it stops just above the ankle joint, so you do give up upper-leg protection for that walkability.

But here’s where it wins:

It’s the ultimate everyday utility boot.

Like, borderline "why would I wear anything else on the street" good. The combination of easy zip-and-strap entry, replaceable TPU toe sliders, and internal heel/toe counters gives you real protection without feeling like you're wearing ski boots to grab coffee.

At the end of the day, this isn't the boot you pick for hard track day sessions.

It’s the boot you pick because:

• It’s ridiculously comfortable for walking and daily wear

• It’s lightweight with solid summer airflow

• It can survive a sudden rain shower and years of abuse

...and you’re okay buying a fresh pair every seven years when you finally wear them down.

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Arai Contour-X Full Face

Helmets are one of those things where you very quickly learn the difference between "nice" and "good enough." Coming from an original Arai Defiant, I already knew what top-tier craftsmanship felt like. But putting on the Contour-X is a reminder of how far helmet tech has evolved.

Let’s get this out of the way—it isn't cheap. You are definitely paying for that ultra-premium fit, finish, and "wow this feels expensive" moment the second you pull it over your head.

But... that’s also not really what makes this helmet special.

What it is, is remarkably plush, surprisingly light, and absurdly easy to live with. Compared to the bulkier feel and heavier neck-strain of the older Defiant, the Contour-X feels much better balanced on long rides. Arai even flared the base opening by several mms, so you don't feel like you're ripping your ears off every time you take it on and off.

Airflow is genuinely incredible too. Between the massive rear spoiler exhaust and that clever 3D logo vent sitting right on the forehead, it flows way more air at speed than the Defiant ever did—making hot summer highway rides infinitely more tolerable. Throw on Arai’s Pro Shade system for that flip-down shade style visor, and it’s the ultimate sport-touring setup.

Now for the trade-offs.

The shield latch mechanism... yeah, it’s strange. Coming from the older side-pod design on the Defiant, Arai’s newer Variable Axis System (VAS) with the push-lever latch takes some serious getting used to. Trying to crack or open the shield with heavy gloves on can feel like solving a tiny puzzle box at 65+ mph until the muscle memory kicks in.

And then there's the price tag again—you definitely feel the hit to your wallet compared to most street lids.

But here’s where it wins:

It feels refined.

Like, borderline "they thought of every possible detail" good. The combination of rock-solid high-speed stability, lower wind noise, and built-in comms cutouts make it feel like a massive generation leap over the original Defiant.

At the end of the day, this isn't the helmet you pick if you're looking for a simple, budget-friendly lid.

It’s the helmet you pick because:

• It’s exceptionally comfortable and lightweight on long rides

• It flows air like a wind tunnel

• It fits Pro Shade visors cleanly without sacrificing safety

...and you’re okay dealing with a quirky visor latch to get there.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want. 🤌

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Scorpion EXO Covert FX Full Face

Helmets are one of those things where you very quickly learn the difference between “nice” and “good enough.” The ScorpionEXO Covert falls somewhere in the middle of that. Let’s get this out of the way—this is not an Arai or Shoei. You’re not getting that ultra-premium fit, finish, and “wow this feels expensive” moment when you put it on.

But… that’s also not really what this helmet is trying to be.

What it is, is light. Surprisingly light. The low-profile shell keeps it from feeling bulky, and it’s one of those helmets you forget you’re even wearing after a while. Many models in the Covert lineup are designed with lightweight composite or poly shells, which helps keep that weight down. Airflow is actually pretty solid too—especially in the summer. It’s not a full sealed touring helmet, so you get a decent amount of air moving through, which makes it way more tolerable when it’s hot out.

Now for the trade-offs.

The visor and overall finish… yeah, they scratch. Not instantly, but definitely easier than you’d expect. It’s one of those things you start to notice over time if you’re not babying it. And then there’s the whole “less luxury” thing again—you feel where the cost savings come in compared to the high-end brands.

But here’s where it wins:

It looks really good.

Like, borderline “this shouldn’t look this cool” good. The whole Covert design—especially with the mask—leans hard into that aggressive, almost tactical look. It’s honestly one of the main reasons people buy it, and I get it.

At the end of the day, this isn’t the helmet you pick because it’s the absolute best at everything.

It’s the helmet you pick because:

• It’s light

• It flows air well

• It looks badass

…and you’re okay with a few compromises to get there.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want. 🤙

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Held Shortcuff OG Manta Ray

Gloves don’t usually stick around for 15 years.

These did.

I don’t even remember the exact model name at this point—just that they’re a pair of Held short cuff motorcycle gloves with a titanium knuckle, and somehow they’ve outlived just about everything else in my gear rotation. These are my go-to summer gloves. Short cuff, lightweight, tons of airflow—basically the opposite of a full race gauntlet. Easy to throw on, easy to live with, and comfortable pretty much all the time.

They’ve never seen a crash (knock on wood), but they’ve seen everything else—heat, miles, daily use, and years of abuse. And yeah… they’re definitely showing it.

There are some solid holes worn through the palms at this point, which probably says more about how much they’ve been used than anything else. Fifteen years of gripping bars will do that.

Despite that, they’re still one of those pieces of gear I keep around. Not because they’re perfect—but because they’ve earned it.

At some point, I’ll retire them.

…but not today. 🤙

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Held Phantom 1 Gloves

Gloves. One of those things you don’t think much about… until you really need them.

Comfort is nice. Feel is important. But when it comes down to it, they have one job—protect your hands when things go wrong.

That’s where the Held Phantom Gloves come in. There are newer ones nowadays, but the older ones are solid. These are full-on race gloves. Kangaroo leather, hard knuckle protection, external stitching—the whole deal. No shortcuts, no pretending to be something they’re not.

One of the standout features is the stingray (yes, actual manta/stingray leather) palm sliders. It sounds over the top, but there’s a reason for it—these things are insanely abrasion resistant and designed to slide rather than grab.

And I can personally vouch for that. I’ve gone down once in these, and they did exactly what they were supposed to do. No blown seams, no catastrophic failure—just a glove that took the hit and kept my hands out of it.

That alone pretty much sold me for life.

Like most high-end race gloves, they start off a bit stiff, but once they break in, they mold to your hands incredibly well. Controls feel precise, grip is solid, and you do get a slight “oven mitt” feeling.

Are they overkill for casual riding? Probably.
Are they the easiest gloves to live with every day? Not really.

But if I’m sliding across pavement again, I know exactly which brand of gloves I want on my hands. And that’s really all that matters. 🤙

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Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet

It comes to no surprise that Motorcycle Helmets get expensive. You have the top of the line Arai and Shoei's at $600+ whereas the 'budget' helmets, such as Bell and Scorpion are around $200-300 for their lids. Which if you are a bargain hunter, definitely check these lids out. They tend to be on the heavy in comparison to their premium counterparts, but Bell and Scorpion helmets tend to be DOT, SNELN and/or ECE2205 approved. Meaning they are great helmets for less money (if you can tolerate the extra weight). I enjoyed my Icon Variant, but the helmet was incredibly expensive to replace (around $500 to get to the way I liked). So after a Kickstarter program (Lightmode), the mirrored visor and some fun spikes for the lid, I managed to spend less than $350 for a super 'bling' helmet that gets buttloads of looks down the road. 

The feel is intermediate oval, plush and provides plenty of airflow. I managed to fit all the various Sena headsets in, and the helmet is incredibly comfortable. I tend to wear this helmet when riding my Speed Triple, so I am completely exposed to the wind when riding. I will say that once speeds are around 75+ mph, the visor on top makes it a bit harsh on my neck and noggin. Turning your head on the freeway is a joke, don't do it. I have crashed in this helmet at around 35-40 mph for a few seconds off into some brush and had no head injuries or really no damage to the helmet itself. The airflow is pretty good, not as good as the Variant, but it is much better than a full face sportbike helmet. I have an Arai Defiant for long touring, and this Bell MX9 provides much better airflow. The helmet reminds me of a hornet head from the mirrored visor and is definitely a good helmet in my opinion after owning for 12+ months and over 20k miles now.