Complete value-for-money riding gear guide for Indian touring couples. Based on real rider reviews, Reddit, Team-BHP & Indian riding community feedback.
Always buy ECE 22.06 certified (superior to ISI). Try on in person — every head shape is different. Buy from authorized dealers only. Budget ₹8,000–₹14,000 per helmet for serious touring.
For women, the same full-face helmets apply — prioritize proper fit over brand. LS2 and MT tend to fit smaller head shapes better. Always try in person. Axor Apex is a decent budget option (ECE 22.05) for the pillion at ₹4,000–5,500, but LS2 is strongly preferred for ECE 22.06 coverage. Avoid Studds/Vega for highway touring — their ventilation and weight are not touring-grade.
For India's climate, a high-quality mesh jacket with CE Level 2 armour + a separate rain jacket/cover beats an "all-weather" jacket in comfort during summer touring. Rynox dominates this segment.
Viaterra's gear earns consistent praise for fit quality and durability. Solace Furious v3.0 is a favourite in the India Bull Riders community. Both brands offer excellent mesh ventilation suited for Indian touring. Viaterra is slightly more premium in finish. Solace is the budget-leaning option with solid real-world credibility.
The Rynox Air GT 4 is officially unisex and works well for women with adjustable straps. For a more tailored fit, Spartan Helios (also called Aspida Helios) is recommended in Indian forums. The Rynox Air GT pants even have positive reviews from women with larger hip-to-waist ratios thanks to adjustable panels. Note: Women-specific riding gear is limited in India — the best strategy is to buy unisex gear from Rynox/Viaterra and get proper fit in-store.
The Stealth Pro pants are described as "probably India's most commonly bought riding pants." With thermal liner and reinforced Cordura, these offer all-season capability. The Knox Microlock armour is less pliable than SAS-Tec but well proven. Recommended for mountain/cold touring.
The Solace S30 V3 is regularly paired with the Solace Furious jacket in the Indian touring community. CE certified knee and hip protection at a budget price. Good enough for beginner tourers on Himalayan 450. Used by IBR club riders on actual Himalayan tours.
Hands are the first thing that hits the ground in a fall. CE certified full-gauntlet gloves with knuckle protection are mandatory for touring. Never ride with half-finger gloves on highways.
Rynox gloves come in XS–S which fit most women well. Viaterra Grid MK3 also available in smaller sizes. For summer touring, prioritize CE certified knuckle protection and full coverage over slim-fit fashion gloves.
Pure riding boots (Orazo) are great on the bike but painful to walk in. For Himalayan 450 touring where you'll explore towns, opt for "lifestyle-meets-protection" boots like Cramster Touring or Trip Machine Derby that offer CE protection AND decent walkability.
The Cramster Touring Boots from Rynox's sister brand are consistently recommended for riders who want a boot they can wear while exploring towns — especially relevant for Himalayan 450 touring where you ride to a destination and then walk around. CE certified ankle/shin protection, orthopedic insoles, and a reasonably walkable sole make these the best all-round touring boots in India at the price.
Both Trip Machine Derby and Viaterra Bronson are CE certified boots that look like casual leather boots. Ideal for touring couples who want to walk around town without carrying a change of shoes. Viaterra Bronson uses SAS-Tec ankle protection. Trip Machine Derby has 3-point CE protection. Premium finish but worth it for the versatility.
⚠️ Note: Even the ₹15k budget overshoots a bit — do NOT cut the helmet. An SMK Stellar at ₹4.5k is the minimum acceptable helmet for touring.
✅ Sweet spot — premium helmet + full CE Level 2 everywhere. Best bang for money.
✅ Great for multi-day Himalayan 450 tours in varying weather.
⭐ Complete, all-condition touring setup with rain gear included. Ideal if you do 4–6 tours/year.
On the ₹25k-per-person setup: ~₹57,000–₹65,000 for both.
On the ₹40k-per-person setup: ~₹85,000–₹95,000 for both.
Tip: Buy the rider's gear first, fully kitted. Do not compromise the rider for the pillion. Once the main rider is sorted, build the pillion's kit gear-by-gear over the next 1–2 months.
Absolutely non-negotiable. Both must have ECE-certified full-face helmets before the first ride. This is the one item where you spend first, no exceptions.
Hands hit the ground first in 90% of crashes. Cheap investment, massive impact. Buy CE knuckle-protected full gauntlet gloves immediately.
Rynox Air GT 4 at ₹7,000 is an outstanding value. Buy the jacket before the pants — torso and upper body injuries are most common in crashes.
Even Orazo Picus at ₹3,800 with CE certification is vastly better than sports shoes. Don't ride highways in sneakers or sandals.
Riding pants with CE hip/knee protection are the last piece of the puzzle. Until you can buy them, a thick pair of full-length jeans is a stopgap (not ideal). Upgrade to dedicated riding pants within the first few months.
| Product | Category | Price (INR) | CE Cert | Ventilation | Value | For Women? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS2 FF800 Storm II | Helmet | ₹10–12k | ECE 22.06 + ISI | Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes (S/XS) |
| SMK Stellar | Helmet | ₹4.5–6.5k | ECE 22.05 | Good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes |
| MT Thunder 4 Goblin | Helmet | ₹9–13k | ECE 22.06 | Best in class | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes |
| Axor Apex | Helmet | ₹4–5.5k | ECE 22.05 | Average | ⭐⭐⭐ | Yes |
| Rynox Air GT 4 | Jacket | ₹6.5–8k | CE Class A + L2 | 5 mesh panels | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Unisex |
| Rynox Stealth Evo 3 | Jacket | ₹9.5–14k | CE L2 + 1000D | Good (mesh zones) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Mostly male fit |
| Solace Furious v3.0 | Jacket | ₹7–10k | CE L2 | Very good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Limited sizes |
| Rynox Air GT Pants | Pants | ₹5.5–7.5k | CE L2 Knee + Hip | Excellent mesh | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes (adjustable) |
| Rynox Stealth Pro Pants | Pants | ₹7.5–9.5k | CE L2 | Good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Mostly male fit |
| Rynox Advento Pro Gloves | Gloves | ₹3.5–4.5k | CE L2 EN13594 | 3 vents + perforated | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | XS available |
| Viaterra Grid MK3 | Gloves | ₹2.5–3.5k | CE Certified | Average | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes |
| Orazo Picus / Ibis Trail | Boots | ₹3.8–5.5k | CE EN13634 L2 | N/A | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check sizing |
| Cramster Touring Boots | Boots | ₹7.5–9.5k | CE Certified | N/A | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes |
| Trip Machine Derby | Boots | ₹8.5–12k | CE Certified | N/A | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes |
Best stores: Bulwark Moto, Powersports, Riders Junction (physical), your local RE dealer (for RE gear).
Best online: rynoxgear.com (official), viaterragear.com, powersports.in, Amazon India (verify seller), Riders Junction online.
"Don't shop online without knowing your fit — snug is safe." Every brand has a different shell shape. An LS2 might fit you perfectly while an SMK of the same size causes pressure points. Always try in person first.
Most jackets come without a back protector by default (or with a basic foam pad). Upgrade to a CE Level 2 back protector — it's sold separately for ₹1,500–₹3,000 and it could save your spine. Don't skip this.
Many jackets on marketplaces look like riding gear but have no real certification. "Riding jacket" in the name doesn't mean CE certified. Always verify CE Level 2 for armour, not just "armour included."
Ankle fractures are one of the most common motorcycle injuries. Even a ₹3,800 Orazo Picus boot offers vastly better protection than running shoes. This one mistake costs people months of recovery.
The gear you don't wear kills you. In 40°C Indian summers, a heavy textile jacket is unbearable, so riders ditch it. A ₹7,000 mesh jacket you'll wear every ride beats a ₹15,000 all-weather jacket you leave at home.
Buy mesh jacket + separate Rynox H2Go rain jacket (₹3,500). This gives you a 2-in-1 system that weighs less, ventilates better, and costs less than one "waterproof" jacket. Most experienced Indian tourers use this approach.
RE gear looks great and has decent protection, but it's significantly overpriced vs Rynox/Viaterra for the same spec. The RE Khardungla v2 jacket and Wanderer boots have fans, but you pay a branding premium. Better value elsewhere unless you specifically want the RE aesthetic.
Popular for being ECE-certified at a low price, but Axor's SHARP safety ratings "do not inspire confidence" per Team-BHP veteran reviews. The ECE stamp doesn't tell the whole safety story. Pay the extra ₹2,000–3,000 for LS2 or SMK instead.
Fine for city commuting at low speeds, but wind noise, poor ventilation, and basic safety ratings make them unsuitable for highway touring. The weight (1.5kg+) causes neck fatigue on long Himalayan 450 tours. Don't use these for touring.
The waterproofing in budget "all-weather" jackets typically fails within 6 months of actual riding. The "waterproof membrane" in cheap jackets is often just DWR coating. Buy dedicated mesh + separate rain jacket for better real-world performance.
India's most trusted riding gear brand. CE Level 2, 1-year warranty, ₹50k accident insurance, excellent customer service, 5-year protector warranty. Rynox has proven itself over 10+ years in Indian conditions. Buy directly from rynoxgear.com for authenticity.
Started with luggage, now making very well-received gear. Excellent customer service and finish quality. Particularly strong on gloves, luggage, and boots. International respect (riders in Morocco order from India). Reliable long-term brand.
Very popular in the touring community for jackets and pants. Good value-to-protection ratio. Furious v3.0 and S30 V3 pants are community staples. Strong in adventure riding circles. Slightly less premium finish than Rynox but proven safety credentials.
Spanish brand with strong India presence. ECE 22.06 certification, lightweight shells, excellent ventilation, Pinlock included. Consistent quality across price points. Widely available. Most-recommended touring helmet brand in India right now.
Spanish brand, ECE 22.06, outstanding ventilation. MT Thunder 4 Goblin is a community favourite for touring in India. Premium interior comfort. Excellent track record at India Bull Riders rallies. Try before buying as shell shape varies.
Orazo: Best CE-certified budget boots in India, proven at water crossings. SMK: Decent ECE helmets for budget buyers. Both are honest, no-frills Indian brands with real CE certification — a cut above unbranded gear.