Before I buy anything, I spend weeks researching a product and all the substitutes before I buy. I hate spending money and when I do, I want to make sure it is the right choice.
All the products recommended below are either stuff that I use personally, or that I will buy now if I had to replace my existing motorcycle gear.
For rider safety gear, I always recommend getting the best possible gear you can afford. But that does not mean that expensive is always better. Where possible, I recommend the best value for money products. There are many good value options that is much cheaper than the premium brands.