Motocross Clothing

Motocross, which is typically referred to as MX is a growing outdoor motorcycle sport that generally refers all types of off road motor vehicle sports including, but not limited to dirt bike track and trail riding, indoor arena cross, ATV or all terrain vehicle riding and much more. Motocross pants can be used in all of these sports. These pants were designed for riding in dirt, mud and sand or any combination of all three. Anyone planning on riding an off-road vehicle, especially if it is a dirt bike or ATV, should seriously consider owning a pair of motocross pants.

A scuba diver wears a wetsuit; a hunter wears an orange vest. If you are a motocross rider whether professional or amateur, you will want to wear a motocross jersey. Besides helping you fit into the motocross scene, jerseys provide safety to those whom choose to wear them. Motocross jerseys come in many different styles and sizes to fit any person or personality.

Motocross jerseys are designed to be rip resistant. This not only increases the life of your jersey, but also protects your skin that is under it. Many motocross crashes are minor, involving only sliding across the dirt. However, ask any rider that has endured “road-rash” and they will tell you that the more of it you can avoid, the better. Although losing skin off of you arm or upper torso usually isn’t life threatening, it is rather painful. These jerseys are made of 100% polyester so they will stretch slightly and survive scrapes and rubs.

Motocross jerseys also have padding built right into the shirt. The padding is generally in the elbows and/or shoulders. This padding comes in different thickness, the thicker providing more protection but also more restriction to the rider. The rider’s elbows and shoulders are a common location for impact with the ground and are most likely to be injured in the event an accident occurs. This is the reason that these areas are additionally protected.

Motocross jerseys are often made of radical colors and designs. It might seem like a minor matter, but these radical colors and designs can actually aid in safety by making it easier to see a rider. You may also try to select a jersey that is different in styling than those surrounding you so you can be easily identified. With helmets and goggles on, those riding on the trail will begin to look very similar.

There are many popular brands of motocross jerseys. O’Neil, Fox, Thor, and MSR are just a few of the manufactures whom are currently producing quality motocross jerseys. These jerseys usually have the manufactures name in large font on the exterior of the jersey, so you may want to consider sticking with one manufacturer for all of your motocross apparel so that they match. However, non-matching apparel is also certainly acceptable. Apparel completely covered in dirt is also completely acceptable and the norm, (after all, this is not exactly a clean sporting activity).

Although the vast majority of motocross jerseys possess padding built into the elbow region, elbow pads are also available as an additional layer of protection. The joint at the elbow is very sharp and will easy loose its protective layer of skin or even break in the event of a motocross accident. Having additional protection besides the padding in the motocross jersey is highly advisable. Elbow pads come with differing levels of protection, the lowest level being a thin layer of additional padding and the highest level of protection being padding in addition to a hard plastic protective layer. This hard plastic is different than just having a layer of additional padding. Padding will protect the rider from scrapes and minor blunt impacts to the ground. The plastic guard possessed in safer elbow pads will protect the elbow from more severe impacts with the ground. When a rider is on hard surfaces such as asphalt or compact dirt, additional protection could be the factor that keeps a day at the trail from ending in a ride to the hospital.

Motocross jerseys provide the rider with protection far superior to street clothes that may be used in the absence of a jersey but for the ultimate protection against spills and wrecks, a chest protector is a must. This plastic device resembles football shoulder pads and is aimed at protecting the very same body parts. A chest protector goes over the top of a motocross jersey. The jersey will act as a barrier between the tough plastic and the rider’s skin. Although the chest protector adds superior protection to the rider’s chest, back and shoulder pads, it does not add any additional protection to the rider’s elbows. Therefore, even with a chest protector and a jersey, for ultimate safety, elbow pads are still recommended

Depending upon the weather, the motocross rider may desire to have additional layers of clothing on for warmth. Although it is not necessary to wear clothing under the jersey, it may be advisable in several circumstances. The rider may desire to wear a t-shirt under the jersey to help keep it clean. This is especially true if the rider will be riding for several days without the opportunity to change the jersey or replace it with another one. Wearing an undershirt may also increase the lifespan of the jersey.

It is important to read the tag on the motocross jersey and follow the cleaning instructions. Most motocross jerseys are made of 100% polyester and therefore can be washed in a regular washing cycle without the need of special dry-cleaning. Most jerseys should be machine washed in cold water and then tumble dry on low heat. It is recommended that all of your motocross gear/apparel be stored in the same location so you don’t hit the trail only to realize something was left behind.

There are many manufactures of motocross pants in this industry that produce high quality products at competitive pricing.  Thor, Fox racing, No Fear, Alloy and many others are just a few of the most recognized manufacturers of motocross pants and other off road apparel. Although these listed manufactures may be some of the top sellers of motocross pants, most manufacturers’ products are very closely related in design and quality and should all be considered an excellent option when shopping for motocross pants.

Safety: Motocross pants are designed of rip resistant materials that will protect a rider in the event that an accident should occur. Most trails possess many hazards such as hard soil, rocks, trees and more that could seriously injury a rider’s legs and mid section if not protected. Although motocross pants cannot protect a rider from the most serious of injuries, they are able to reduce the cuts and scrapes that would most likely occur if alternative articles of clothing were used in place of MX pants.

Motocross pants have additional layers of protection built into the area surrounding the rider’s knees. This additional layer of safety is designed to protect the area of the rider’s leg that most likely will endure the initial impact of an accident. Although most MX pants contain this additional layer of protection, it is a good idea to seriously consider adding knee pads to your leg apparel. Knee pads can protect the bones and muscles surrounding your knee from the most serious of wrecks. Having this extra layer of protection could add safety and piece of mind to all motocross riders. Knee pads may slightly decrease the rider’s level of comfort, but the alternative of potentially risking injury, surgery and/or rehab should cause consideration of this additional layer of protection at the very least.

Comfort: Motocross pants, if fitted and maintained correctly, can be rather comfortable to the rider. These pants are designed to tuck into the riders boots to help keep them in place and to reduce debris from entering into the rider’s MX boots. It is advised that a rider bring a change of pants to wear rather than remaining in MX pants for a long period of time after riding. MX pants are often too dirty to be worn in the rider’s automobile after riding and can be sweaty, muddy and all around gross after a fun day of hitting the trails. Changing out of these pants into something clean will increase the rider’s level of enjoyment.

Although most pants do not come with extra padding in the rear, they are designed in such a way as to endure the strains placed on the rear and crotch section of the pants.

Alternatives: Many MX riders consider jeans to be a suitable alternative to motocross pants. While jeans do provide some layer of protection, they will not last as long or protect as well as motocross pants will. In addition, most rider’s will wear an entire outfit consisting of a motocross jersey, gloves, helmet, boots, chest protector, exedra that will coordinate with MX pants and make the entire outfit complete. By wearing motocross pants as part of an entire motocross rider’s safety gear, the rider significantly increases his/her level of safety, comfort and enjoyment.

Shorts may also be considered, but have no place on a motocross dirt trail whether the rider is a professional or recreational rider. The only exception to this rule might come if a rider was out on sand dunes. If the riding area is just sand and the rider is attempting to escape the heat, it may be acceptable to replace MX pants with shorts. However, scrapes and cuts can occur on sand just as they can on dirt, mud or any other surface so rider be-ware.

Riding without any form of pants or shorts is not recommended under any circumstances. Despite the potential for injury to the rider, innocent by-standers should not be forced to endure such an activity.

Storage: As with any article of clothing, motocross pants should be stored clean and dry in a dry place. If stored correctly during non-use, a quality pair of motocross pants should give the rider years of riding enjoyment.

Cleaning: Motocross pants can be washed by hand or by machine in cold water. Special dry cleaning is not necessary. Motocross pants should not be dried in a machine that tumble dries or by heat. Once these pants have been washed they must be hung out and allowed to drip dry. Using a heat dryer to dry motocross pants will shrink and damage them. Most special cleaning agents can be used to clean your pants, but you should be careful to clean a test spot first before applying any chemical to all of the pant material. MX is inherently dirty and therefore extra care will be necessary to restore you pants to any condition remotely resembling new once they have been worn on the trail.

Anyone who owns an off-road vehicle should seriously consider owning at least one pair of motocross pants. Whether young or old, experienced or novice, a rider can experience an unforeseen accident that could result in injury. Motocross pants will provide comfort and protection to all riders and are specifically designed to withstand the wear and tear that comes from the seat and other areas of the MX vehicle during riding.