What to Check Before Buying Motorcycle Gear Online

Buying motorcycle gear online can be kind of a minefield. You see a picture, it looks cool, and you think "That’s the look I want." But then it arrives, and it fits like a potato sack, or worse, it offers zero protection.

If you are in the market for waxed jackets for bikers, you aren't just buying a fashion piece. You are buying something that needs to save your skin and keep you dry.

At Speedwear, we have the Pulford jacket that is specifically designed for motorcycle use; it has CE AA rating. Here is what you actually need to check before you hit the checkout button.

1. Armor Pockets are Non-Negotiable

Look, we love the vintage vibe. That is why we do this. But riding in 2026 isn't like riding in 1960. The traffic is faster and the roads are crazier.

There are loads of waxed cotton jackets available; these are just cotton. If you slide down the road in that, it will shred in two seconds. You need to look for waxed jackets for bikers that has a CE rating of A, AA or AAA, its not enough to just have come with armor pockets. The Speedwear Pulford jacket comes with armor in the elbows, shoulders and has provision for a back protector should you wish. You get the classic look, but underneath, you have modern impact protection and abrasion resistance to AA standard.

2. Check the Lining

Waxed cotton is designed to resist rain, but it’s not resistant to rain on its own, it relies on a wax coating to repel the water. For warmth you want to check the inside lining. Is it a classic tartan check? The Speedwear Classic waxed cotton waxed jacket has a tartan liner that offers a little more warmth in colder conditions, whereas the Pulford has a removable thermal liner offering an added level of warmth that can be removed in warmer climates.

3. Can You Re-Proof It?

Finally, check what the material is and how you maintain it, as they are not all equal. Real waxed jackets for bikers need love and care in the form of reproofing. After a year or two, they dry out and require a little TLC. We stock Proofing Wax specifically for this purpose.Browse our collection at Speedwear. We supply proofing wax to help you maintain your jacket and keep it in tip top condition.