Dirt Bike Gear For Kids – What They Really Need

Dirt bike gear for kids is a topic most parents will deal with if their kid decides to ride a dirt bike. As a parent, trying to figure out what gear he or she needs to keep them safe, can be confusing.  With all the available dirt bike gear to choose from, its no wonder we get confused and frustrated. We want to keep our kids safe, but we don’t know what gear they need, and dirt bike gear can be very expensive.

So, “What Do They Really Need?” is the question many parents ask.  In this article, I tell you what Gear you need to purchase for your young dirt bike rider to get started. I then go into dirt bike gear they will need as they progress and become a better rider.   First thing first, dirt bike gear is very expensive.  There is no need to buy certain gear when after 2 or 3 months your kid makes the decision that dirt bikes riding is not for them.  I would stick to the essential gear until you and your child are sure dirt bike riding is going to be a long-term hobby.  What they really need is, Helmet, Goggles, Gloves, and Boots, that’s it.  Now let us look at these items in detail.

Dirt Bike Helmet For Kids

Not all helmets are created equal and some tend to be more expensive than others. However, the price should not be an indicator of quality, because there are some great helmets that offer more features for less money. Remember the goal is safety, not looks.

Here are some of the things you should look out for when choosing a helmet:

• Remember that lighter helmets are more comfortable to wear. Your child is more likely to wear it.
• How it fits their head. It needs to fit snugly on their head or it will move around during riding.
• Helmets with multiple ventilation ports will keep their head cooler so they focus on the task at hand.
• Helmet with removable and washable liners. Their head will sweat during riding, this means their helmet is going to smell if it can not be washed.

Final tips on purchasing a helmet for you kid.  Kids will grow and need a new helmet probability yearly, so buying a $200 helmet at this age is pointless.  Remember what I said, the price is not an indication of quality. There are some great helmets on the market. I recommend buying the helmet, gloves, and goggles as a package deal. You can find some great combo packages on Amazon. Click to see them now!

Dirt Bike Goggles For Kids

Goggles are critical to dirt bike riding because they protect your kids’ eyes and keep them safe. When buying dirt bike goggles you need to take into consideration how well they fit the face and how much foam they have. Not enough foam and the goggles will tend to hurt their face and let dust into their eyes.  The foam also works to absorb sweat when riding and stops sweat from getting into their eyes.

In most cases, if the helmet is for a child then the goggle size will need to fit into the helmet. Fortunately, many manufacturers make good quality goggles for kids and they are reasonably priced. If just starting out a basic pair is all they need, you can easily upgrade to a better pair as needed.  Like the helmet, I recommend buying the goggles as part of a package deal when first starting out.

Dirt Bike Gloves For Kids

Dirt bike gloves is another piece of gear your child must have for riding. Gloves protect their hands from blister during long rides and protect from cuts and abrasions should they fall off the bike. The key factor is fitment, you’ll want them to fit a little snug on their hands so the glove doesn’t move around on the fingers and palm.

When you buy a new pair, your child may tell you the gloves are too tight. That is what you want, as they wear them the gloves will stretch out.  A snug fit when new is good. Again, I would buy the gloves in a package deal with the helmet and goggles.  You can always upgrade to better gloves, once you know her or she is going to stick to dirt bike riding.

Dirt Bike Boots For Kids

This is the most challenging piece of dirt bike gear to buy. Why? Because dirt bike boots limit the movement between the ankle and the foot, and for a good reason. Without a pair of dirt bike boots, the ankle is susceptible to injury and breaks. It is for this reason you should never let your kid ride without boots.

kids that have never worn dirt bike boots will find them uncomfortable and difficult to walk in at first.  Your child may complain about the boots hurting their ankles or feet, but you need to be firm and make them wear their boots. Over time the boots will become easier for them to move around in.

Let us talk boot selection. Dirt bike boots can be one of the most expensive pieces of gear you’ll purchase, well worth the money. They range in price from $100 to $500. I recommend a conservative price point for their first pair of boots.  Shop for boots around the $100 to $150 price point. The boots in this price range will have good protect and last long. Fox Racing, Alpinestars, and Fly Racing are all brands that make great dirt bike boots for kids.

Okay, so that’s it, Helmet, Goggles, Gloves, and Boots. If you want to keep them safe – get this gear and make them wear this gear. I recommend not purchasing other gear until you are sure this (Dirt Bike) is something they enjoy and stick too.

Other Dirt Bike Gear For Kids

Now I want to talk about other dirt bike gear for kids that they don’t need, but they may want.  Start with riding pants and jersey. These items are next on the list to buy for your little dirt biker. You can let your kid pick out their favorite design and color when it comes to riding pants and jersey. It is just a matter of style and color.

I would buy these pants and jersey as a combo deal. These combo packages are great for riders that are still learning the ropes or for any rider that just wants to round out their gear bag with good gear while still saving money. Pants and jersey combos are priced at $75 to $100 per set. A combo sets can be a great gift for them.  The best place that I found to buy Pants and Jersey combos are on Amazon.

Dirt Bike Chest Protectors For Kids

If your kid wants to race or ride around other dirt bikes he or she will want a chest protector. Roost – the wicked spray of dirt kicked up from the rear tire of other dirt bikes – can hurt badly. A good chest protector will stop the roost from hitting their chest.

Some riders don’t wear a chest protector. It’s not like putting on an undershirt. It’s bulky, can limit movement and just feels heavy. However, manufacturers have also addressed riders’ concerns and today’s chest protectors offer maximum protection with lightweight materials designed to contour your body – if you buy the right one.

Chest protectors also offer significant trauma absorption in a crash so in addition to deflecting high-speed rocks you just might save a rib or two. It is, for this reason, some will argue that a chest protector is a must have before your kid starts riding. I’ll differently not argue when it comes to you doing what you feel is safe for your child. I recommend waiting a few months before you buy, let’s make sure your kid wants to stick to this dirt biking. If after a few months they are still riding and getting faster, then invest in a chest protector.

Dirt Bike Knee and Elbow Guards For Kids

Next on my list of personal protective gear for kids is knee and elbow guards. This is where knowing your kid helps. As they gain confidence and start to ride faster they are going to make mistakes and crash, that’s part of learning. When he or she gets to this phase of riding, then get them some expensiveness knee and elbow guards. As they become better rides and not crashing as much, they will stop wearing these guards. The best place to buy is Wal-mart or Amazon. Click to see them Here!

Dirt Bike Neck Braces For Kids

Dirt bike neck braces have come a long way since their inception with more manufacturers offering models with a better, tighter fit – and more functionality through impact protection and preventing head torsion. Neck braces generally fit and work together with the helmet and prevent the neck from extreme movement.

The decision to wear a neck brace is personal. Ask around and, well, the old saying goes, everyone has an opinion and that is no different when it comes to neck braces. So you probably won’t get very far when asking for advice.

It’s not a must-have like helmet and goggles but for those concerned with concussions or spinal cord injuries, may want a neck brace. I personally wear one every time I get on my dirt bike, but I also fractured my C4 vertebrae in a crash some years back. The doctor said the back of the helmet is what helped cause the fracture, so their’s why I wear one.

There you have it, I hope you can now make an informed decision on what dirt bike gear is right for your child. I’ll just say safety starts with you as their parent and mentor, you set the stage for good or bad riding habits. Riding is very enjoyable and fun when we keep our kids safe. So let’s gear up and go riding.

Let me know in the comments below if you found this article helpful or maybe you have safety tips or recommendations.