is there a brand you guys prefer over others? and why?

also i was in cycle gear the yesterday and they said they didnt have any jackets in stock that would fit me... im about 5'8 and 150lbs, any guesses on what size jacket i'd wear?

and also if i ever plan on doing track days in the future should i just go ahead and get one that i could use for that as well? that requires a 360 zip for the pants right? any other requirements?

For textile gear, gloves, etc. I am VERY impressed with REV'IT. They have a warm weather jacket I will probably be picking up soon. For leather Vanson, RS Taichi, Spidi, and some Alpinestars gear. Look at Motoliberty, they carry everything I mentioned.

Might wanna swing over by Moto Liberty and have them walk you through some of their stuff. And believe me, there's a lot of it. If you're looking for leather, I LOVE my Dainese Laguna Seca jacket. Even though it's dead cow it still breathes really well. Perforations are a life saver.

As far as your size, it really depends on your chest measurements. Height and weight can get you close but you'll need to go try some on and have the sales person help you choose.

It sounds like we're about the same body size. I fit really well in the dainese gear. I usually wear a size 50 Euro.

+1 on MotoLiberty. They'll get you set up in the right gear for you.

I'm partial to Arai helmets and Red Wing steel toed boots.

I really like Vanson leathers, but can't find anything off the rack that fits my particular example of sterling uber-manhood.  Just never popped the coin for custom fit leathers from Vanson.

helmet- scorpion
jackets- fieldsheer very comfortable for myself (a lil round in the gut)
bohn under armor very corfortable
just love my oxtar shoes lil thin new but broke in very quick

Another vote for MotoLiberty here. I also like cycle gear too. Here's the main advice:
Shop around till you find what you are looking for.
The best brand in the whole world is the best you can afford that you will wear the most!
A $3000 track suit doesn't do much good in the closet, while a pair of draggin jeans on your butt are better than denim alone.
I think I've said before, gear is an ever evolving beast!

On a side note, I just picked up a set of Alpinestars GP Tech gloves. These are supposed to be the kitty's titty, the best they have to offer. Well, they probably are, after some decent get offs last weekend at the MiniGP races in Denton, I didn't even notice when my hand hit the deck. The glove is a little worn, but not much. The point that I'm taking the long way around to is this, these gloves are made for the track, not as soft and don't break in well for the street, but t-shirts and sandals are comfortable as heck too. Make sense?
Steve

I like my fieldsheer gear, but am going to start looking at getting something a little more stylish, yet still safe, and will look at dainese stuff.. 

I love my SIDI boots and will need to replace them soon, will probably go with a pair of SIDI vertigos..

I saw a pair of Dainese's top of the line gloves at cycle gear thursday, OMG, 300 bucks??? 

Alpinestars and Icon jackets feel tough as nails (stiff and heavy) for a reasonable price, but fit noticeably differently.  Moto Liberty has the best selection of sizes to try, and are priced competitively.  My dainese jackets are my favorites though, as the fit with gloves is near ideal, and are softer (broken in feeling) right out of the box.  That is one problem I did not expect to have, finding gloves that fit nicely over (gauntlet) or under (motocross short) the sleeve cuffs.

Also different jacket styles from the same mfg. also fit differently.  Definitley go a little on the snug side for fit, as most of the leather gear stretches out as it breaks in. 

Moto Liberty also has RS Taichi.
Good stuff, & they have 3 different sizings- Japanese, European, & American.
If you're on the slim side, the Japanese sizes are the way to go.
Just go to ML, spend several hours trying stuff on, ask a TON of questions. If they don't have it in stock, they'll special order

hey thanks for all the replies!

i really dig that dainese laguna seca jacket
and that rs taichi.

ill prob head over there later this week to try things on.

so, what things are required on a jacket to wear for track days?  i eventually would love to be able to do some track days and being a semi poor college student id like to be able to get one jacket for street and track day use. the only thing i have heard is it has to have a full zipper for the pants? is leather a requirement or are the textile jackets ok also?

Track Days are not all alike, & the requirements vary.
In general though, they require the pants & jacket to zip together (it's a safety thing).
You can have a taylor add a zipper to a jacket or pants if it doesn't have one.

I don't think everyone requires leather for track days.

When I first was getting started, I seriously tried to get one set of gear to work year round, but I never could get to work for me so eventually I added a leather jacket that could zip to pants, then several months later I was able to add the leather pants that could zip to the jacket.

Over time, I've discovered that motorcyling is probably one of the more fun money-pits you're likely to find - there's just no end the "necessities" 

Yep, there's always another piece of gear you "need"

I'm working on my 3rd complete set of gear.  It just worked out that way.  I'd pick up a piece of gear on sale here and there and then voila I realized I had a few full sets already.  I jump at a good deal  on gear, it's a good investment if you use it

haha i know about toys being money pits, my toy i sold for the bike was my jeep

and trust me... im already feeling that need for those "necessities" haha