Good reliable brands

[WRFracer]

Boots: Alpinestar tech 10 - expensive but the best I've ever owned, soles do wear out but they are easy to replace.
Helmet: Anything over $500 is my rule of thumb, & one that fit you good not all heads are the same, Can't go past brands like Shoei, Arai, Airoh etc.
Gear: What ever is comfortable & at a good price I've had the best fall apart in one event and then had the same brand last a dozen events.
Knee Braces: CTi if you have the coin, I have one on my bung knee paid for curtousy of ACC, & a $20 fox knee gaurd on the good knee, This is stupid I no.

Just my opinion hope it helps.

[takitimu]

Sounds like the you get what you pay for.
I have thor quadrant boots and have trouble with the buckles coming undone a lot.
Yeah have heard that about gaerne and sidi boots, the fact that they're not made in china is a biggie, as for tyres the MH3 dont come in 18 inch.
Dont think michelin do equivalent in 18?would like a michelin rear.
Really happy with my S12 front tho.

The S12's have been revamped, got a couple of new rears in the garage, the new front S12 is supposed to be better on harder ground to.

Not so sure about the "you get what you pay for" arguement, there are still lemons out there, I went through three lots of knee pads before I found ones that I liked ( all roughly same price ).

I had Sidi Crossfires before my Gaerne SG10's & even after only 25 hours on the SG's, they suit me better so far anyway ( for the reasons ktmboy mentioned + the sidi's plastic edges I beat up because I fall off so often ).

Scott goggles are not cheap, but the foam does not last.

[chop]

Axo Prime boots seem to be wearing good and are comfy, i like rstiff ankles in boots and Axo's are just that.. liked my Fox F3 and Oxtar too. Scott Gear wears brillantly, and ive got some Shot gear ive had for 5 years and it hasnt fallen apart yet. Fox is good just wears a lil fast. Fox V3 helmet is great. Foam holds up well and is light. Started using bridgestone tyres lately and theyre ace. Scott no sweats are the googles to have..

[kezzafish]

i have a 661 helmet rupe and it's ok... just a cheapie... some of the padding from the lining has fallen apart in the drier/washing maschine. I've found metzeller tyres (MC5 or MC6) to be brilliant in terms of long lasting for the riding we do (clay/rock/gravel).... have all my mates on them and we've all tried a heap of different tyres and agree that the metzelleres are the best lasting... I have an S12 on at the mo and it gives better grip but has totally fucked it's edge after 3 rides.

Shift gear seems to be super cheap and lasts good for the price. +1 for AXO Prime boots, have heard the soles fall apart from someone who doesn't own them and mine haven't fallen apart so fuck knows where his info's coming from

[B0000M]

Sounds like the you get what you pay for.
I have thor quadrant boots and have trouble with the buckles coming undone a lot.
Yeah have heard that about gaerne and sidi boots, the fact that they're not made in china is a biggie, as for tyres the MH3 dont come in 18 inch.
Dont think michelin do equivalent in 18?would like a michelin rear.
Really happy with my S12 front tho.

Bridgestone 204? (ill check when i get home) is the tyre for you. feels the same, looks similar, grips the same, but comes in a 18

[SpikedPunch]

i have a 661 helmet rupe and it's ok... just a cheapie... some of the padding from the lining has fallen apart in the drier/washing maschine.

Can't say if it's fact or fiction, but from my skating days we were always told to handwash pads (and to soak them in vinegar to get rid of the pad funk) because the washing machine degrades the foam. Def get a longer life handwashing anyway.
(Sorry, off topic...)

[Bradz]

Alpinestars for boots definately get my vote, fox trackers fell apart within 6 months, got some tech 8s and 2 years later still going strong.

[B0000M]

or the riding we do (clay/rock/gravel).... have all my mates on them and we've all tried a heap of different tyres and agree that the metzelleres are the best lasting... I have an S12 on at the mo and it gives better grip but has totally fucked it's edge after 3 rides.

cheese and i did a comparison with the metz mc5 vs S12 rear, i had the metz and he had the s12, doing the same events, same distance and found that the S12 was lasting heaps better and offers a lot better side to side grip, but on the other hand cheese rides like a pussy lol

[camchain]

Remember the old saying: Gotta $10 head? Get a $10 helmet. Fortunately I have a $10 head so I can save $ on helmets and spend more on important items like tires.

Liking the Metz MC5 on the back at the moment, normally have torn a few knobs off previous tires by now, this ones looking good as per kezza&mates testing lab. Love Michelin MS3 on the front, wish they made an 18 for the rear.