High-quality motocross gear is an essential part of preventing or reducing injury when riding. So many options are available that a beginner may be easily confused and make a choice that does not provide the maximum amount of protection. Understanding what to look for in motocross gear makes choosing high-quality gear an easier task.
Helmets
The highest-quality motocross helmets are certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Snell Memorial Foundation. Make sure the DOT certification or Snell certification logo is stamped on the helmet you choose. If a helmet contains a Snell certification, it automatically is DOT-certified as Snell incorporates all required DOT testing procedures and includes more stringent testing procedures. Because of the extra testing, a Snell-certified helmet is the highest quality helmet you can purchase.
Boots
Motocross boots protect your feet against rocks, sticks and other objects commonly found on or around motocross tracks. More importantly, they can prevent you from breaking your foot. Motocross boots have enough flexibility to allow for shifting gears and breaking but are otherwise very stiff, especially in the region surrounding the foot and ankle.
Motocross boots should cover your entire foot and extend up your leg to just below the knee, completely covering your shins. Choose boots that are made from waterproof material and have plenty of padding, especially on the soles and up the face of the boot that covers your shin. Try on the boots in the store and walk around to ensure the buckles do not arbitrarily pop open when you move. Wear knee-high, thick socks with your boots. The boots should fit snugly but comfortably.
Motocross Pants
Motocross pants come in two versions--form-fitting to your legs or loose-fitting. Both types should be made of sturdy material with strong stitching and contain heat-resistant patches on the inside of the pants from the knee to halfway up the thigh. This protects your legs from accidental burning from the engine or exhaust, especially in the case of a wreck when the bike can fall on top of you and trap your leg beneath. If pants are poorly constructed and do not contain the heat-resistant patches, they are substandard and potentially dangerous.
Gloves
Motocross gloves protect your hands from track debris while riding or when crashing and prevent your palms from blistering from the rough rubber of the grips. Motocross gloves should fit snugly around each finger and across the hand and contain a Velcro strap around the wrist to secure them in place. Motocross gloves should have additional padding across the tops of the fingers to protect them from rocks and branches, but the additional material should not inhibit finger mobility for clutching and braking.
References
- U.S. Department of Transportation: Part 571.218: Standard No. 218; Motorcycle Helmets
- Snell Memorial Foundation: Motorcycle Standards Comparison -- Snell and DOT
- Moto-guide: Motocross and Dirt Bike Boot Reviews with Tips and Discount Links
- Moto-guide: Motorcycle Gloves and Motocross Gloves--Protect Your Hands and Ride Hard!
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