What you can’t ride without
Getting out on your dirt bike is a great way to spend time, it’s exciting and enjoyable, but part of what makes it so exciting is the risk. That risk is always there, it is a part of riding a dirt bike, but we don’t just accept it, we have protective equipment to make sure that whatever happens, we are as safe as we can be.
But what should you be using? Here is what we think is the most important protective gear for dirt bike riders, some you will know, others you may not. Either way, you shouldn’t be heading out without them.
MX helmets are the ultimate in protection
The most obvious protective gear that (I hope) everyone knows you should never be without is your helmet. Our heads are pretty delicate. I’ve seen someone suffer permanent damage from an over the bars on a mountain bike while just messing around in a car park, so imagine what can happen on a trail going dirt bike speeds.
Never, ever head out on a ride without a helmet. There are a couple of things you should look for with a dirt bike helmet, starting with the practical stuff. A peak is great for protecting you against spray, stray branches and so on, but look for a helmet that uses plastic scores or a breakaway system, as these will simply snap away if they get caught on something, rather than yanking your head and causing a crash.
New technologies such as MIPS allow for the helmet outer to rotate around the head in an impact, reducing the risk of injury even further, so are well worth checking out too. Check for DOT or ECE certification for quality and crash resistance, and always look for reviews before picking a helmet.
Our motocross gear guide article might be the good point to start with.
Googles for dirt biking
It goes without saying, your eyesight is pretty important, and not just for biking, so don’t leave anything to chance. It only takes one stone, piece of dirt or debris to permanently impact your eyesight, even a twig from a tree can cause severe pain and worse if it catches you in the wrong place.
Goggles do more than just protect – with polarized or tinted lenses, they can seriously boost your vision too. Go for dual-pane lenses to cut down on fogging, which happens when your lens steams up and kills your sight. Also, don’t overlook thick, absorbent padding. It helps manage sweat and, paired with soft foam, creates a tight seal to keep your eyes locked in and safe.
Our favourite googles so far are Airbrake® MX Jeffrey Herlings Signature Series Goggles
Body protectors for mx riding
Many people find that a full chest / neck / arm and back protector is too restrictive to wear on every ride, preferring just a neck protector, but for me, I want the full protection. In my experience, it’s the times you think that everything is fine, and you are riding safe when things go really wrong, and I want to have the best possible protection when it does.
These days, you can get really solid, robust protection without an excessive weight penalty thanks to the use of light composite, and with excellent padding and clever material choices, can still be breathable too so you can use them in the heat without trouble.
MX gloves keep your hands safe
If your knee is the first contact with the ground in a crash, your hand is probably second, but gloves are for more than that. They keep your hands protected from the elements, where a great pair of insulated gloves can make cold weather riding a very different experience on their own. Of course, if you have ever had a stray branch whack your fingers, you know that you don’t have to have an accident to need impact protection for your hands.
Look for sturdy protection and insulation for cool weather, and breathable materials for summer wear.
Motocross riding boots is a must
Trail riding or MX boots are not only designed to provide the grip you need to stay on the bike even in difficult situations but provide protection too. These boots include robust reinforcement to keep your vulnerable ankle supported, avoiding sprains and even breaks that can keep you off a bike for weeks.
We all have different foot types, so recommending a specific style really doesn’t work with boots. Instead, get to a store and try a few on, make sure that they have adequate protection and good grip, but most importantly, make sure they are comfortable. You might have to try a few brands and types until you find the right ones. Remember, no matter how expensive or string your protective gear is, it can only protect you if you wear it. If a boot is uncomfortable, you will end up not wearing it, so comfort first here.
Everything else
That covers the essentials, and while things like tops and trousers do help with protection when riding a dirt bike, what style, color and brand you use are more down to personal taste. The most important thing when thinking about protective gear is that you find products that are comfortable to wear, because if you go on a long session, the last thing you need is to be distracted by the gear you have on.
With these items though, you have all the important and vulnerable areas protected, and that gives you confidence to push yourself and improve your riding.
Keep on reading – How to train like a pro MX racer?
