Whether you’re riding a motorcycle on paved roads or through off-road trails, you’re bound to have a lot of fun. But there are some key differences, not just in the riding style, but also in the type of riding gear you’ll need. Here’s why:
Understanding these distinctions should make you think differently about the kinds of protective riding gear to wear.
Because of the technical nature of the riding, with varying terrain and obstacles, there are many opportunities to come off your bike. But as we mentioned before, generally the speeds are lower, and you’re likely to walk away with little more than a bruised ego, especially if you have the proper off-road gear on. Off-road gear is focused on protecting specific vulnerabilities.
Dirt-specific riding boots, like ADV or MX boots, may feel stiffer than regular riding boots, but they are made to provide maximum protection for your ankles and feet, preventing hyperextension and minimizing lateral flexion, which can cause sprains or worse.
These hard, plastic armor pieces are great for protecting your shins and knees from rocks, branches, and dirt, should you have a spill. Many riders, especially racers, even use full knee braces for more protection against hyperextension or twists.
Keep your body and joints protected from rocks or other debris that may get kicked up by riders in front of you. These hard armor pieces also protect you should you fall on sharp or hard objects.
Having a long-sleeve jersey on prevents scrapes and scratches from branches and brush. The dirt jersey, paired with the armor for your body and arms, will give you a good amount of protection on the trails. Many dirt jerseys are also lightweight, allowing plenty of airflow to help keep you cool.
These pants are made to go over your shin and knee protectors, so there is often extra space around the legs. The pants also protect you from branches, thorns, and anything else you might encounter on the trails. Some even have extra padding on the hips.
Dirt gloves are often made of lighter material than street gloves for extra dexterity (there’s a lot of clutch, throttle, and front brake coordination when riding off-road), and you don’t need the extra thick material to withstand sliding on asphalt. Some dirt gloves do have some extra padding on the palms and knuckle protection.
Dirt helmets have a visor peak that helps protect you from dirt, rocks, and branches from hitting your face on the trail, and can provide some protection from sunlight. Dirt helmets often don’t have a full-face visor and are made for goggles to be worn with them, allowing for more airflow around and through the helmet.
Because of the visor peak and the more open nature of the dirt helmet, they are not good for street riding. The peak makes the helmet less aerodynamic — if you are riding at higher speeds it could catch the wind and not only cause neck strain, it could be unsafe. It also has less protection against the elements hitting your face because you don’t have a full-face visor protecting you.
For those looking to ride on- and off-road, there are helmets made for dual-sport or adventure bike riding. These generally have elements from a dirt helmet, like a peak, but also elements of a full-face street helmet, like a full-face visor. ADV helmets often have multi-position peaks so riders can adjust them to reduce drag. As with all motorcycle helmets, be sure to look for a Department of Transportation (DOT) sticker on the back so you know you have a legitimate helmet.
On pavement you have different hazards and needs, starting with higher speeds and a smoother surface. You don’t want your off-road armor for pavement for those two reasons: They aren’t made for high-speed impacts and don’t provide the heat protection caused by a multi-second slide. On-road armor and the fabric in jackets and pants are tested to a very high melting point, and the joints in the garments are tested to not disintegrate under stress. (Look for CE Level 1 and 2 ratings as you shop.)
A pavement-specific boot has a different job than one designed for off-road. It still protects the foot and ankle (look for ones with a bit of armor over the ankle), but is generally more flexible so it’s easier to walk in after you reach your destination.
As mentioned before, street riding jackets and pants, whether they are leather or textile, are made to withstand multi-second slides on asphalt, protecting you from road rash. Most riding jackets and pants also come with armor to protect your back, shoulders, elbows, and knees. Some of the armor may even feel very flexible, but harden upon impact.
Street-riding gloves need to protect hands at higher speeds. Even rain can feel like sand or rocks at speed, so street gloves need to be thick enough to shield against the elements. They are also thicker to provide more comfort for higher-speed riding, especially in the cooler months. Street gloves often have extra armor at the palms and knuckles, again to withstand slides and hits on asphalt.
Since you’re more likely to go at higher speeds on the road, you’ll need a helmet with better aerodynamics. Road helmets are designed with that in mind, taking into consideration wind buffeting, noise reduction, and proper protection for the head and face when traveling at highway speeds.
There are many types of street helmets, and we recommend full-face helmets for the best protection. There are also modular helmets and helmets with built-in sun visors. Again, make sure you look for that DOT sticker on the back of the helmet!
For even more protection, technology has enabled wearable airbags. Several brands make a vest or jacket that can detect, within milliseconds, when a crash is about to happen and can deploy before impact. There are also airbag-riding jeans and pants. But if you want a wearable airbag, do check if it’s made for street or off-road. The systems are different because of the different styles of riding.
Having the proper riding gear is important, not just for safety but for superior comfort and, in turn, much more fun!
