ABOUT KARLIS BERZINS

Karlis Berzins

Karlis Berzins has spent the last decade riding year-round and learning the hard way that comfort only matters if the gear actually protects when things go wrong. He started by upgrading the basics—boots, gloves, and a quieter helmet for highway miles—and that search turned into a habit of reading standards, comparing materials, and checking fit details that most product pages skip.

At The Rider Gear, Karlis focuses on rider equipment that can be verified: certification labels (EN 17092, EN 1621, EN 13634), construction choices (stitching, abrasion panels, impact zones), and how a piece of gear behaves across heat, rain, and long touring days. He cross-references manufacturer documentation, sizing charts, and replacement-part availability (pads, visors, liners), then explains what those details mean for real-world use.

Recent work includes “Motorcycle Apparel Certifications: CE, EN 17092, EN 13634” and the “EN 13634 Boot Safety Checklist,” where he breaks down what boot test levels actually indicate and how to spot them. He also compares specific models in “Best Motorcycle Boots 2026: EN 13634 Street to Casual” and evaluates helmet fit and noise in pieces like the Shoei lineup guide and RF-1400 vs X-Fifteen decisions.