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How do you pronounce Dainese?
 

The best pronunciation for the US market is die-yuh-NAY-say.

What is so special about Dainese?

Since 1972 Dainese has been developing some of the most technical and striking motorcycle apparel for all types of riding. Their brand penetrates into many other sports as well, including Skiing, Equestrian, and Mountain Biking. In recent times, Dainese acquired AGV helmets which now comprises the unique stable of “Italian Legendary Protection”. In our opinion Dainese is like the love-child of Nike and Armani - that rides a motorcycle.

Why is Dainese so expensive?

Dainese has their own research and development center, or D-Tec, dedicated to advancing the industry in safety and technology. They develop new materials in house to improve rider comfort and safety, including developing leather tanning methods and working with companies like DuPont to develop proprietary textiles for their products. They have machines working around the clock (sometimes for weeks at a time) testing colorfastness, wear and abrasion resistance, as well as impact absorption.  All of this tireless work keeps Dainese at the forefront of technology for riders, allowing them to make some of the safest and most comfortable gear in the world. 

Dainese also has very strict quality control which, in combination with the super high quality materials they use, produces superior gear that is engineered with the finest detail. Then there’s the design aspect. Not only does Dainese work to make comfortable and safe gear, but they make gear you love to wear. The attention to detail combined with the time that is put into perfecting their products makes what you put on much more than just riding gear. Many items are so well styled that you’d be hard pressed to realize that they are designed just as much for protection, not simply for you to look good in.

Dainese recognizes not all riding styles demand their most premium features. Many riding styles require only basic protection, which is why Dainese offers gear like the Cage Leather Jacket and the Air-Flux Textile Jacket. The Cage and Air-Flux are simplistic in design but, they’re shown the same attention to detail and quality control as the more expensive gear in Dainese’s collection.

What is the difference between D-Dry and Gore-Tex?

D-Dry is a proprietary material that Dainese manufactures for production with their waterproof apparel. Because the process is proprietary, Dainese is able to provide a waterproof/breathable membrane at a much lower cost. Gore-Tex is an independent technology that licenses Dainese to use their product. Every piece of apparel that comes with the Gore-Tex seal has gone through an extensive vetting process to be assured that the resulting products are of the highest quality. The main advantage to their material is a substantial increase in breathability, as well as an increase in durability. Gore-Tex products come with a lifetime guarantee directly from W.L. Gore.

What are "In" vs. "Out" Boots?

Dainese’s “In” vs “Out” indications let you know whether the boot is intended to be worn in the suit or out of the suit. The “In” boots are unique to Dainese in that they are designed to be worn underneath the bottom of their suits, and attach with velcro to create a seal between your knee/shin armor and the bracing on your boots. This effectively creates a more protected lower leg than you get from a standard setup where the boot is on the outside. Dainese’s racers have been using ‘“In” boots for a long time, with every one of their top riders utilizing this style every time they rubber down on the track. 

On the street side, many casual riders also prefer the lower profile of the “In” boots for wearing under jeans or other pants. The only drawback to this is that the velcro, designed to mate with the velcro in the suit, can damage the lining or fabric of pants that aren't constructed to accept the boot. For this reason, one should cover over the velcro if you want to wear “In” boots under something besides a suit or pant that is designed for it. “Out” boots are more in line with industry standards, where they are designed to be worn on the outside of suit. They are adjustable so you can either wear them under pants or over depending on your preference or what pants you are wearing. 

How Does Dainese Fit?

Dainese uses European sizing, which is designed to fit closer to the body than the standard American cut.  As a general rule to determine jacket size, take your US measurement in inches and add ten to that number, though this will not be the only determining factor. We recommend watching the video for specific jackets you are considering as not all styles adhere strictly to the same guidelines. For pants, take your US size and add eighteen. Across the board, Dainese runs taller as a brand. Sleeve length and inseam length usually provide enough length for taller, thinner frames. These are only suggested guidelines; please contact a Gear Geek for more specific information or view the size chart for each product.

In addition to European sizing, Dainese's collection contains a variety of gear with different pre-curves. Race suits like the Dainese Racing Suit are designed to fit like a second set of skin. Their sport oriented gear such as the Dainese Racing C2 Leather Jacket is designed to have built-in pre-curve, making riders most comfortable in the aggressive riding position. Gear in their vintage line, like the Dainese R-Twin, has a relaxed cut for a comfortable riding experience in the upright position.

Don’t worry about getting differently sized jacket and pants because with Dainese, all the zippers are the same length and different sizes will fit together. The only exception to this is that women’s zippers are shorter than zippers on men’s garments, so mixing and matching across gender lines will not provide proper alignment.

I thought you said Dainese runs tall, why are the Dainese New Drake Air Textile and Alien Pants so short on me?

The Dainese Alien and New Drake Air Textile Pants are made to fit as in-the-boot pants, so they are purposefully short.  If worn with ankle height boots, you will likely have a gap between the pant and the boot as the inseam is only meant to come just to your ankle. The advantage to wearing with mid-calf boots is that there is less material to bunch up around the top portion of the boot.  The result is a more streamlined joining of boot and pant for the best flexibility. A “boot-cut” pair of pants (like the Dainese Gator or most of REV’IT!’s pants) are designed to have plenty of material to go over top and around bulky ADV/Touring boots.

Why do some pants have odd sizing like 25 or 100?

Some Dainese pants are offered in short and tall options.  The Short option is roughly half of the regular option, for example, a size 50 short would be listed as 25.  Conversely, a 50 tall would be listed as 100.  We have taken the guesswork out of Dainese short/tall sizing on our website by listing applicable pants with their regular size and a short or tall notation.

What is the sizing for the full length back protectors?

Full length back protectors come in 4 lengths,  types 1S, 1, 2 and 3. The larger the number, the longer the back protector (typically more vertical armor plates). You can find Dainese’s sizing chart for back protector lengths here. The correct back protector fitment would result in the bottom of the protector reaching your tailbone while the top should end even with the 'point' of your shoulder blades.

Why are the back protector inserts listed as G1 and G2? What is the sizing? 

The Wave G, Shield Air, and Manis back protector inserts for jackets come in 2 sizes, G1 and G2. The general rule of thumb is that G2 are for men’s jackets, and G1 are for women’s jackets. However, the smaller sizes of men’s jackets (44 and 46) will use the G1 as well.

Is the protection and armor in Dainese apparel tested?

If you are looking for the legalese (lawyer-speak) that catalogs the requirements and specifications for Dainese’s certification process, click here.  Full disclosure -- you need to speak Italian.  In the vernacular, Dainese certifies all of their protective equipment to CE standards including shoulder, elbow, knee, and back protectors.  More recently, a CE level 2 certification has surfaced that is more robust.  Dainese has risen to this challenge with a few new back protectors that meet this more stringent standard.

What offers better protection, leather or textile?

This is a loaded question and, of course, every crash scenario is different.  It is impossible to objectively quantify the protective difference in leather and textile, however, there are a few properties and general guidelines that will differentiate them.  

Leather, to date, is the most protective material on the market.  Additionally, Dainese’s D-Skin leather (used on the likes of the Dainese Super Speed) is manufactured to an even tougher point than traditional cowhide.  The disadvantage to leather is the added thickness, weight, flexibility, and cost.  The advantage is a “second-skin” feel and superior protection.

Textiles by themselves are a weaker material, however, with cutting-edge technology and research, Dainese constructs their textiles with the worst-case scenario in mind.  Impact areas are reinforced with rip-stop, D-stone, or “Super-fabric” panels and stitching is reinforced and double or triple layered to prevent ripping or tearing. Textiles are much lighter and more flexible. They are also much more functional when it comes to adding and removing liners or layers, venting, and pockets.  

Overall, textiles are almost always enough to protect you in a minor crash. They are preferred by commuters and touring riders around the world.  If you are an aggressive rider, or riding on the track, leather is the better choice for high-speed environments. Most track-day or racing environments will require leather protection as a prerequisite for entry.

Kangaroo hide vs Cowhide?  Which should I choose?

Kangaroo hide is both lighter and more elastic than cowhide, which allows for a thinner and more flexible construction when used in a racing suit.  The weight reduction is substantial and allows riders to be much more comfortable and increases rider mobility.  The downside to Kangaroo is while it is more protective in any single event, the thin-ness of the hide means that it will be less durable over time. 

The decision to go with Kangaroo vs Cowhide depends on how you plan to ride your motorcycle.  If you are obsessive about shaving every last ounce and want the best performance on the track, Kangaroo is your drug of choice.  If you are an occasional track-day rider that wants to get the most longevity out of your purchase, Cowhide will be your best friend for longer. With this said, check your local track regulations first as some racing organizations (particularly the Land Speed Record variety) do not approve the use of Kangaroo.

How should I care for my Dainese leathers?

Dainese sells a leather care kit (a small kit comes with every one-piece suit) that should be all you need. In it is a special cleaner that you can use to try and remove those stubborn bugs and road grime. After you use this cleaner, it is imperative that you allow the leather to dry completely before using the leather conditioner. Dainese’s leather conditioner is designed specifically for riding leathers, which means it doesn’t contain many of the petroleum distillates that some fashion leather balms utilize. Fashion leather balms are designed to break down the leather’s structure to make it more supple. While you want to maintain your leather’s moisture and flexibility, you don’t want to break it down and have it rendered useless. 

If you get caught in the rain in your leather jacket, allow it to dry completely in open air to prevent any moisture being trapped in any folds or to allow any molds to form. Once it is totally dry, use their leather conditioner to bring your leather back to its correct level of softness. When using the leather conditioner, be sure not to over-condition it. You just want to get some moisture back into the hide, not make your jacket slippery and slimy. It’s better to use a smaller amount at first, and re-apply if necessary rather than over-applying the first time. If you take good care of their leathers, they will take care of you.

Do not worry about how to clean the sewn-in inside liners of Dainese leather jackets. They are designed to be anti-microbial and therefore should be fine without cleaning, even with a lot of wear. If you need to spot clean the inside liner, just use a damp sponge or cloth, and hold the liner away from the leather while you’re spot cleaning. To help keep your leathers funk-free for as long as possible, we recommend the use of base layers or undersuits, as well as hanging the garment on the provided hanger unzipped to allow for a lot of airflow after sweating in it.

How should I care for my Dainese textiles?

A:There are a few different kinds of textiles that Dainese uses, and the care is a little different depending on which kind you have. There is a tag inside each Dainese garment that explains how to wash and care for that garment specifically. As a general rule, removing all armor and hand-washing your textile garment is the best and safest way to clean it if it gets very dirty. Stay away from any kinds of fabric softener, and avoid the dryer unless the garment’s tag indicates otherwise. This also applies to Dainese’s Kevlar jeans, casual garments and base layers. A good rule of thumb with anything Italian is do NOT put it in the dryer, or you may have to find someone smaller than you to wear it in the future.

How should I care for my Dainese boots?

In general there isn’t much you need to do to take care of your boots. You may use a damp cloth or sponge or toothbrush to remove exterior road grime, but they don’t really need to be washed. Avoid the use of chemicals on your boots completely. To help keep the inside in good condition, it is a good plan to leave them unzipped after wear to allow them to air out. The insoles are removable, so if you had a particularly sweaty day in your boots, taking the insole out in addition to leaving the boot unzipped will allow them to stay in better condition.