I’m Kayla. I ride a black Yamaha MT-07 around town and on little weekend trips. I’ve tried a lot of women’s gear. Some of it rocked. Some rubbed me raw. Here’s what I really wear, how it fits my body, and what broke or saved my skin.
I’m 5'6", curvy hips, short torso, strong legs. I ride in warm summers and windy falls. I commute three days a week, then sneak up the canyon on Sundays. So my kit gets used, not just “posed.”
For quick outfit inspo that transitions from the bike to brunch without wrecking your wallet, I scan the PennyChic blog for budget-friendly style tricks that still play nice with protective layers. I even broke down my entire two-wheel wardrobe for them in this post.
My setup in plain words
- Summer: Rev’It! Eclipse Women’s mesh jacket, RST x Kevlar Tech Pro leggings (AAA), Alpinestars Stella S Max shoes, and Alpinestars Stella SP-8 V3 gloves.
FYI: the refreshed Eclipse 2 version just landed, and the complete women’s size run is laid out at Motorcyclegear.
- Shoulder seasons: Alpinestars Stella Andes V3 Drystar jacket and pants, TCX Lady Blend boots, Held Air N Dry gloves.
- Rain: Oxford Rainseal two-piece over suit stuffed in my tail bag.
- Extra safety: Helite Turtle 2 manual airbag vest on longer rides.
That’s the gist. Now the real stuff.
Jackets I actually wear
Rev’It! Eclipse Women (mesh)
Hot day hero. The airflow is wild. It’s like riding in front of a box fan. The fit hugs the waist and does not punish hips. Elbow and shoulder armor come standard. The back pad pocket fits a Level 2 Seesoft (I added mine). If you want another rider’s take, check the detailed rundown at Piston Society—their notes on sizing and airflow line up with what I’ve found.
One July afternoon, I slid at maybe 20–25 mph across wet paint near a grocery store. Dumb angle, old crosswalk. My elbow took it. The mesh scuffed, but it didn’t hole. Bruised, not bloody. I wore it again that week. It runs “normal” in size. I’m a medium. Sleeves hit my wrist with gloves, not mid-palm.
Downside? The collar taps my neck when I shoulder check. A dab of lip balm on the tag fixed the rub. It’s also loud in wind. Mesh flaps a bit at highway speed. Not a deal breaker.
Alpinestars Stella Andes V3 Drystar (touring textile)
This one looks “serious.” It is. It’s waterproof. Big vents on the chest and arms. The drop tail keeps your lower back warm. I like the waist belt; it lets me cinch without squishing my ribs. It zips to the pants, which matters if you slide.
I wore it in a cold October rain for 40 minutes. Bone dry inside, even at the elbows where some jackets leak. The storm flap snaps can be fussy with gloves on. Also, the chest can feel tight once you add a thicker mid-layer. I sized up to a large so I could eat a burrito and still breathe. Priorities.
Leather days: Alpinestars Stella GP Plus R V3
It smells like a race paddock and weighs like a hug. Great in fall, crisp spring mornings, and evening canyon runs. With the pants zipped, the jacket stays put. No ride-up. But leather in traffic heat? Whew. I save it for routes that move.
Pants, jeans, and the bathroom test
RST x Kevlar Tech Pro Leggings (AAA)
These changed my mind on leggings. They look like gym tights but carry serious slide rating (AAA). There’s a thick liner, plus hip and knee armor. They stay up. No sag when I swing a leg over. I can run errands in them and not feel like a stormtrooper.
I did a parking-lot tip at 0 mph—stopped wrong, foot slipped on gravel. Knee hit first. The cup stayed in place. No hot spot, no tear. After a year, the waistband still snaps back. Wash cold, dry flat. Don’t cook the Kevlar.
They do run warm. On the hottest days I go with armored baselayer plus riding jeans instead.
Knox Urbane Pro Mk3 Women (armored shirt) + Riding Jeans
This is my mix-and-match trick. The Knox shirt has Level 2 armor in shoulders, elbows, and back. It fits like a snug jersey. I wear it under a thick hoodie or a waxed cotton jacket. Paired with Rokker or Bull-it women’s jeans with knee and hip armor, it looks “normal.” On coffee runs, I don’t get the full biker stare. When I want an extra-slouchy outer layer, I crib styling ideas from PennyChic’s cozy oversized experiment in their Easel Clothing review and throw a roomy fleece over the armored shirt.
Bathroom note—let’s be real: one-piece suits are a pain. I love my old Aerostich, but I need a stall and a pep talk. Separates win when you’ve had two iced coffees. If you tour, try pants with a longer front zip or a drop seat. Klim Altitude pants come close, but I still wish for a true zip-around drop seat in more women’s lines.
Boots that saved my ankles
TCX Lady Blend
They look like cute leather boots. They ride like real gear. Malleolus cups, stiff sole, and a small heel that doesn’t snag pegs. I walked four miles at a street fair in them after a ride. No blisters. They run a bit narrow in the toe. I went half size up. Lace them tight for the bike, loosen to walk.
Alpinestars Stella SMX-6 V2
Track-ish, but street OK. Full shin and ankle support. I wore these when I got pinched between two cars at a slow roll. The left boot took the squeeze. My ankle did not. They’re bulky under skinny jeans, but who cares—bones matter.
Gloves that don’t quit
- Alpinestars Stella SP-8 V3 (summer): Perforated leather, palm slider, wrist strap you can find by feel. I can still work my phone at a light. Barely, but still.
- Held Air N Dry (two-chamber): One side is airy; the other side is waterproof with a little squeegee on the left index. It’s like magic when the sky flips in five minutes.
Tip: fit your gloves on the bike. Can you reach the signal? Can you grab the front brake fast? If not, size or model is off.
Rain and cold, the honest version
Oxford Rainseal two-piece goes over everything. Yes, it looks like a trash bag. Yes, it works. I keep the pants rolled inside the jacket pocket. If I see fat drops, I pull under a bridge and shimmy in. The ankle zips are wide enough for boots. The jacket’s waist drawcord keeps puddles from pooling at my belly.
For cold, I stack a thin merino base layer, then a light puffy, then my Andes jacket. Neck tube always. Heated grips help more than a heavy glove on long rides. Funny, right?
Sizing quirks and small wins
- Hips vs. waist: Women’s pants still gap. A belt with a low-profile buckle helps under jackets. So does the jacket-to-pants zip. And if the women’s rack fails you, remember that PennyChic’s guide, I Tested Derby Clothes for Guys—What Actually Worked, proves that the men’s section can hide some real gems.
- Sleeves: I need reach room. When you try jackets, sit on the bike if you can. Elbows bent. Bars up. If the cuff creeps to mid-forearm, try a size up or a “tall” cut.
- Armor placement: Knees should stay on your knee when seated. Sounds obvious. It isn’t. Walk, sit, squat. I do a silly “ride dance” in the mirror. Saves regret later.
- Hair and collars: Ponytails catch on Velcro. I use a simple buff and tuck. Less snag, less neck itch.
The airbag question
I wear a Helite Turtle 2 on trips or spirited rides. It goes over my jacket and clips to the bike with a tether. I’ve never set it off in a crash. I did pop it once while dismounting too fast. Startled the guy at the gas pump. It deflated in a few minutes. I swapped the CO2 can and moved on. Over big chests, it can feel snug, so size carefully and practice clipping in. Worth it for me.