Good fit of course is essential.
Getting the correct width for your feet can be difficult, as many boots do not come in widths.
 Boots with heels help you stay on pegs and the soles protect you when you put your feet on the ground during a slow or stop.
Make sure that the soles provide good traction.
Boots should be flexible and not interfere with braking or shifting.
They should not be able to get tangled in the pegs when you need to put your feet down.
Socks can make or break boot comfort.
Cotton socks are more abrasive but absorb moisture.
Synthetic blends are much smoother and help protect against blisters.
It is a personal choice.
Heated socks in the cold can make your ride much more enjoyable.
Gloves can protect you in many ways.
It is common to get skin cancer on the back of your hands.
Do not use gloves with cutouts on the back for the same reason.
Sunscreen on your hands is not a good solution as when you sweat; it can run down to your palms and cause you hands to become slippery.
A physical barrier to the sun is a safer choice.
Warmth is an obvious advantage to gloves.
They can protect you from the wind blowing down your sleeves.
The instinctive behavior when you fall is to put your arms and hands out to protect your head and face.
Even a fall while you are standing still can cause plenty of pain and damage to your fingers and hands.
Heavy leather that is flexible is a good choice so that you continue to have good control of your bike.
Some gloves come with bent fingers.
Gloves can be perforated for the summer or have some synthetic fiber material in the construction for airflow.