Royal Enfield gravel riding gear tested

Royal Enfield isn’t new to making riding gear. But over the years, that catalogue has grown from basic protective apparel into something far more ambitious: a full ecosystem of purpose-built riding equipment, whether you’re out touring, adventure riding or just using it for the daily. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been living with their off-road ensemble – the Gravel Jacket, Dirt Pants, Escapade Chequer helmet and MX-Pro gloves – using it on shoots, daily rides to the office, and the occasional trail explorations. Let’s talk in more detail.

Royal Enfield Gravel Riding jacket and trousers

Royal Enfield isn’t new to making riding gear. What started with basic protective apparel early on has now turned into a full ecosystem of purpose-built riding equipment, whether for touring, adventure or daily use. This kit is one such example. Called the Gravel Riding Jacket and Trousers, this is a combo meant to do a bit more than just your average daily ride.

What I mean is that this combo is focused on people who want something stronger than city riding gear to go on their off-road adventures. With that idea, the jacket is beefier than the regular jackets – the choice of materials will tell you that. With a mix of multiple materials like ribtex bonded fabric, polyester mesh, and polyester reinforced patches at impact zones, you have a mix of stretchable panels, summer-season friendly mesh panels, and durability. There are stretch panels where you need mobility, like around the joints, mesh sections to prevent it from becoming a sauna inside, and a firm shape that allows easy movement without feeling baggy. One point you have to note here is that, though it gets mesh panels for breathability, this is still a heavy jacket with fewer mesh sections than a typical summer or daily riding jacket. In warm conditions, particularly in slow-moving traffic or technical off-road sections, you are always aware of the insulation created by the dense fabric and armour. This, rather than a complaint, is proof of the intent. By adding abrasion-resistant materials and thicker fabric, RE provides a more durable structure that can take abuse in case of a fall.

What this jacket does well is offer practicality along with durability. Pockets are placed logically, including a large rear pocket, two pockets in front and one near the chest as well, all equipped with YKK zippers. Inside, it is equipped with CE Level 2 armour at the shoulders and elbows, backed by a Level 2 Safetech back protector. A big miss here is no chest protector, which is an important part of any riding gear. Still, there are pockets for the chest protector in case you want to add yours. There is no built-in waterproof or thermal liner either.

The pants follow the same philosophy. They feel robust without being cumbersome, and the construction mirrors the jacket’s focus on protection and movement. CE-rated knee and hip armour provide meaningful impact resistance, while stretch panels around the knees and inner thighs prevent the stiffness that plagues many protective trousers. There’s plenty of adjustability at the waist and hem, making them usable across a range of body types. Like the jacket, they do not trap heat excessively, but they are clearly designed more for protection than for maximum ventilation.

Both pieces fit well, and that’s why even in the saddle, the armour sits well without shifting or creating pressure points, even when you’re standing on the pegs or moving aggressively through rough terrain. Good, because you don’t want to feel like you’re wearing a knight’s armour. Comfort is good for what the gear is intended to do, and it won’t be the reason you feel uncomfortable off-road.

Where this set shows real potential is in how close it comes to being a complete adventure solution. If you are looking for something lighter than your average adventure jacket, this is certainly an option. These provide almost the same protection, though it does not provide the same storage capacity. That can be fixed with another bag, or just carrying less stuff on rides – advice that a lot of us need.

But even if you were to use these for intended purposes only, this will shine. For dry trail riding, weekend exploration and warm-weather adventure, both work extremely well. Just remember – if this is going to be your first investment in riding gear, you will need to buy a chest protector, inner linings, and a rain liner as well.

Royal Enfield MX-Pro gloves

The MX-Pro gloves are the next part. Built to be used off-road, it uses materials and offers a fit consistent with that goal, backed by CE-certified Class L1 - KP standards for safety and protection. It gets TPR knuckle guards and TPU sliders positioned to reduce injury in a fall, with a mix of mesh, microsuede and genuine leather, providing abrasion resistance in key areas while preserving feel at the controls, and remaining comfortable. Perforated leather adds ventilation, and it also has neoprene at the cuffs for more comfort. Since they’re not as thick, on the go, these offer excellent tactile feedback. Clutch modulation, brake input and throttle control all remain precise, which is crucial when riding on loose surfaces where a rider's input is a lot more than on daily rides. By not making them entirely out of leather, the brand has also kept them pretty light.

Another good thing about these is the price. For under `4000, you get comfort and safety, including sliders, which are often not found on many budget gloves. Truth be told, I like these so much that I’m using them even on my daily commutes too. And why not? These are comfortable, light, and offer more ventilation than my regular leather gloves.

In the interest of being usable off-road, they are not waterproof, and in colder conditions, your hands will feel it quickly. For dry-weather riding and trail use, they perform admirably. For riders who regularly face rain or winter temperatures, they will need a secondary pair.

Royal Enfield Escapade DS helmet

The Escapade DS helmet is perhaps the most straightforwardly impressive part of the kit. It doesn’t pretend to be a premium European or Japanese adventure helmet, and the cost proves that right away. Costing under `4000, it gets the fundamentals right, and that’s plenty for the price you pay. The helmet gets ISI and DOT certification, and is made out of a high-impact thermoplastic shell with vents in front and rear. The visor design, with its dual-sport styling, works functionally as well as aesthetically. But it’s going to be hard to take out, given how intricately it’s been put in. The peak deflects sunrays and debris, and prevents excessive wind lift at speed, something many budget adventure helmets struggle with. Because of that, the helmet feels planted even at highway speeds, and that stability builds confidence. At around 1500 grams, the weight is on the higher side compared to premium options, but not enough to become fatiguing in real-world use. On the move, it feels rather light.

The interior padding is comfortable, removable and washable, which sounds basic until you’ve lived with a helmet that doesn’t allow it. The fact that you get that for a helmet costing less than `4000 is pretty good. One inclusion it should have had is a D-ring locker, rather than the comparatively cheaper ratchet style one. Ventilation is decent, and for most Indian riding conditions, it strikes a sensible balance between protection and comfort. It doesn’t try to impress with gimmicks; it simply does the job it’s meant to do.

Taken as a complete system, Royal Enfield’s off-road gear makes its intentions pretty clear. This is not lifestyle apparel, but one made to work really well for off-road. With that in mind, it offers a good mix of comfort, practicality and safety. That being said, the lack of integrated weather protection across the jacket, pants and gloves means this is not a one-kit-does-everything solution. It expects the rider to understand conditions and plan layers beforehand. It feels built for use, and it performs with a level of comfort that I personally hadn’t expected before. If your priority is protective, well-constructed gear, this Royal Enfield off-road kit gets the fundamentals right really well.