Gear

Motocross gear isn’t about looking the part. It’s what takes the hit when you go down, and everyone goes down, from first-timers to riders with twenty years on the track. It’s also what lets you finish a full moto without blistered hands or fogged goggles on lap three. This guide helps you pick each piece in the right order, without blowing your budget.

Every article answers the same questions: what the piece does, how to pick the right size and protection level, which mistakes to avoid, and how to make it last. We don’t push brands. We tell you what to look for on the label and in the store.

The helmet: the one piece you never compromise on

If your budget allows one good purchase, make it this one. Our guide to choosing a helmet covers the shell, peak, ventilation and weight. Helmet sizing matters as much as quality, because a helmet that moves on your head protects poorly in a crash. Check the helmet safety standards too: DOT is the legal minimum in the US, and ECE 22.06 or Snell ratings are worth looking for. After a hard impact, replace it, even if it looks fine.

Boots, gloves, goggles: what keeps you on the bike

When choosing boots, think ankles and shins. Motocross boots stop the twist that breaks a leg when a foot catches in a rut, which is why hiking or work boots don’t cut it. Choosing gloves is about grip and feel on the controls, not thickness.

For vision, it comes down to choosing goggles: lens, foam, fit with your helmet. A good goggle anti-fog routine makes all the difference on cool or damp days, especially while you sit on the start gate.

Body armor: knees, chest, neck, elbows

Next come the protectors riders tend to skip. Knee braces range from simple guards to hinged braces that limit knee twisting, and the knee is the joint motocross hurts most. A chest protector takes roost and bar impacts. A neck brace limits extreme head movement in a crash. Its benefit is debated, and our guide lays out both sides honestly. Finally, elbow guards save skin and bone in the slow tip-overs that happen most often.

Riding clothes and base layers

Your jersey and pants need to fit over your armor, resist abrasion and breathe. Underneath, base layers move sweat away and prevent chafing under knee braces. When the weather turns, our rain and cold weather gear guide keeps you dry and warm without losing mobility.

Kids, budget and gear care

A young rider needs the same protection as an adult, just smaller, and kids outgrow gear fast. Our kids motocross gear guide explains when to buy new and when used makes sense. Starting out on a tight budget? The motocross gear on a budget article ranks purchases by priority: helmet and boots first, everything else after.

Last, good gear maintenance makes everything last longer: wash your riding clothes properly, clean the helmet liner, and dry boots away from direct heat.

New or used gear?

Some gear buys well used, some doesn’t. A jersey, pants or a chest protector in good shape can save you real money. A used helmet is a gamble, because you can’t see an old impact from the outside, and boots take the shape of their first owner’s feet. Our rule: helmet new, boots new if you can, everything else judged on condition.

What order should you buy in?

Starting from scratch, here’s the order we recommend: helmet, boots, goggles, gloves, knee protection, chest protector, then riding clothes. The first two prevent the serious injuries. The rest prevent the small ones and let you ride longer and more relaxed.

Once you’re geared up, you can focus on our dirt bike riding tips. And remember that well-fitted gear disappears once you’re riding. If something bugs you on the bike, the size or the adjustment is wrong.