I’m just about to buy my first bike -400cc-i am having trouble finding the right gear to wear,i’m not too keen on going fully armoured like a motorbike racer but nor do i want to but zooming around butt naked. just need some general advise one what armour or gear is most important, and what i can do without -seeing as i’m just going to work n back , not doing a tour de france

The minimum i wear is a jacket, gloves, a full face helmet and some non-specific over the ankle boots (walmart $25). I usually just wear all that with jeans.
I don’t wear it in case i fall down nessicarily. I wear it ’cause rocks, bugs… near anything… hurts when it hits you at 70mph. I’ve had rocks ( walnut sized) hit my visor on the freeway. Trust me, i’m glad i had a full face helmet. I’ve also had rocks hit my hands, so the knuckle armor on the gloves helped a LOT.
Just buy gear that fits and is suitable for the kind of weather you ride in. If it isn’t comfortable, you’ll never wear it and it defeats the purpose of even having it. You can get mesh, leather, or textile jackets. If you live somewhere hot, get mesh. Somewhere cold? textile or leather with a quilted liner will do nicely. same with gloves!
And, you shouldn’t have to spend over $350 or so. Both me and my gf spent less than that on our own gear.
just going to work and back regardless you should wear leather and if you want some slip on under armor just to stay safe
this is where i get all my riding gear cyclegear.com if there is a store by where you live go in and check them out ,at the least I wear a full face helmet ,gloves ,over the ankle boots, and a jacket, during the summer I take out the jacket liner and during winter the liner goes back in and leather chaps go on when your riding in temps down in the low 30’s you’ll need all the gear as well as a bacalava or a turtle neck to cover your neck between the jacket and helmet ,I wear a Joe Rocket jacket with armor ,and keep both a summer pair of gloves as well as winter pair with me you never know when the weather will change and denim jeans ,I’ve been hit by rocks and bee’s and at 70mph they fricking hurt in just a short sleeved shirt, I had a welt on my arm for a week just from a bee hitting me so now I either wear a jacket on or a long-sleeved shirt when I ride,so don’t be a fool and ride in shorts and tank top with tennis shoes
leather jacket 0r cordara they all should have Armour in just make sure the Armour is removable me i take shoulder pads & elbow pads out just leave back piece in as i wear mine all day, gloves helmet , boots keep ankles warm & protect
buy a leather jacket boots & gloves
Definitely get a leather jacket. It will block the wind on cool days and help with road rash should you go down. Also get a good pair of boots and a pair of riding gloves. Always wear long pants, no shorts. A good pair of sunglasses are also a must. Then point that bike to the horizon and ride. Hopefully you live in a choice state and can make up your own mind about whether to wear a helmet or not.
In order of inportance
1, a good full face helmet
2, Gloves – hard wearing – leather is good
3, Boots, with ankle guards.
4, Robust anti tear jacket, good quailty leather with back protector is recommended, but there are good textile ones
5, Leather trousers, or reinforced denim with knee and upper leg pads.
It doesn’t matter how far you are going, gravel rash hurts and the road is much harder and more abrasive than your skin.
Good site below shows videos and what is good gear to get..and necessary