PSA: Don’t buy a dirt bike unless you’re prepared to buy some good-quality safety gear!

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risks associated with dirt bike riding or racing, investing in high-quality protective gear will greatly reduce the chance of serious or fatal accidents. Great dirt bike gear will also keep you more comfortable and improve your performance, so that you can get the most out of your ride.

There’s a ton of dirt bike gear out there, but what pieces are most essential for your safety? This guide will help you prioritize what dirt bike gear you most need in order to protect yourself and ride with ultimate confidence.

Essential Dirt Bike Riding Gear for Safety

Let’s start with an overview of the most essential protective gear for dirt bike riders:

Dirt Bike Helmet

More than 60% of dirt bike deaths resulted from not wearing helmets! So the importance of investing in a high-quality, full-face dirt bike helmet and wearing it at all times cannot be overstated. Motocross and dirt bike helmets are different than other types of motorcycle helmets in that they have more ventilation for visibility as well as an open space for riding goggles.

Dirt Bike Goggles

Not being able to see clearly while riding a dirt bike is an obvious safety hazard. Good quality dirt bike goggles protect your eyes from dust, debris, and the elements so that you can see clearly no matter the weather. When looking for a good pair of goggles, look for anti-fogging ventilation and large lenses to maximize peripheral vision. It’s a good idea to choose your helmet before you buy your goggles to ensure a more secure fit.

Dirt Bike Boots

Dirt bike riding boots protect your feet, ankles, shins, and calves from torsional and lateral injuries, scrapes, and burns. Specifically designed to protect you from some of the most common dirt bike injuries, they should not be replaced with any other type of boot. There are different types of boots for different types of riding and levels of experience. For example, Alpinestars offers a line that includes Tech 3 Boots for entry-level riders, Tech 10 boots for more advanced riders with a dual-hinge system, heel reinforcement, and additional straps for more advanced riders, as well as many options in between.

Knee Braces

There are both knee braces and knee guards available, but they offer different levels and forms of protection. Both knee guards and knee braces offer impact protection for the knees and shin- but knee braces provide even greater stability and prevent hyperextension, torsional, and lateral injuries.

Chest Protector or Body Armor

Body armor is vital as it helps protect your spine and vital organs. A roost protector provides less protection than a chest protector– although roost protectors can be more comfortable and easy to wear, chest protectors are made of more sturdy materials that will allow you to ride on dangerous tracks or trails with confidence and peace of mind.

Neck Brace

Neck braces have become much more common in recent years, as they have been proven to help prevent several different types of serious spinal injuries. When shopping for a neck brace, size is extremely important. If it’s too tight, it could restrict head movement, which is a safety hazard in and of itself.

Elbow Guards

Elbow protectors provide added protection for beginners or those riding on rough terrain. You can choose between soft shell elbow protectors, which are lightweight and provide maximum mobility, and hard shell elbow protectors, which help absorb impact in the event of a crash or fall.

Though less essential for safety, additional dirt bike riding gear for adults– such as riding pants, jerseys, and gloves– can help improve your performance and make your riding experience more comfortable… not to mention stylish!

Mens Dirt Bike Riding Gear: Trail Riding vs. Motocross

Safety gear is paramount for all dirt bike riders. However, the type of safety gear you need will vary depending on whether you ride your dirt bike on a trail or a motocross track. Trails come with more obstacles and safety hazards such as trees, branches, roots, rocks, and debris. That’s why trail riders often invest in additional or more heavy-duty safety gear, such as body armor, chest protectors, bicep and forearm protectors, etc. Motocross riders, on the other hand, tend to look for more lightweight and flexible safety gear that won’t slow them down or limit their freedom of movement.

Our Favorite Womens Dirt Bike Riding Gear Brands

Nowadays, more women ride motorcycles and dirt bikes than ever before. Women dirt bike riders can choose to buy mens riding gear or gear that’s specifically cut for women, the main difference being that the gear made for women tends to be more tailored around the waist, butt, and thigh area. Womens dirt bike riding gear is also available in different colors compared to men’s gear. Women’s jerseys are also cut smaller with tighter sleeves, so it’s a good idea to size up if you plan to wear a chest protector underneath.

Fly Racing is one of the top brands for women’s dirt bike riding gear. They offer a wide range of helmets for women designed for maximum performance, functionality, and affordability. Alpinestars also offers gear for women, including great boots and chest protectors.

Youth Dirt Bike Riding Gear & Important Safety Tips

It’s important to note that some states have set minimum ages for dirt bike riders, while others require specific safety equipment and adult supervision for children. So before buying dirt bike gear for your kids, be sure to check your local requirements.

Contrary to popular belief, training wheels (on regular bikes and dirt bikes) can actually make it harder for kids to figure out the balancing act on their own. Instead, start them out with a strider when they’re young, then move them onto some sort of electric bike, and then finally, when they’re ready and confident, introduce them to a dirt bike.

When it comes to buying kids riding gear, you mustn’t cut corners. Although beginners won’t be going super fast, you still want to invest in high-quality gear that will keep them safe. Flyracing and Alpinestars are two of our favorite brands for kids' dirt bike gear. One of the most important considerations is the size and type of dirt bike. For safety reasons, you don’t want to start them out on a bike that’s too big or too fast!

Dirt Bike Riding Gear from ZMPerformance

No matter what kind of rider you are, ZMP carries all the dirt bike gear you need from the most trusted brands. Our high-quality gear will maximize your safety, comfort, performance, and style– so you can enjoy your ride to the fullest!