Unlike street riding gear, off road riding gear should protect you in challenging trail environments without restricting movement, while riding accessories help with hydration, navigation, communication, fuel, and repairs.
This guide covers protective gear to wear and riding accessories to bring—so you can ride smarter and safer.
Start with protection: Off road motorcycle riding gear for safety and comfort
Good off road riding gear needs to combine protection with ventilation, flexibility, and a secure fit. Appropriate protective equipment for off-highway riding includes a helmet, gloves, protective clothing, and over-the-ankle boots.
Helmet and off road riding goggles: Head and eye protection
Your helmet is the first line of defense. Off road motorcycle helmets are designed with extended chin protection, a peak, and generous ventilation. NHTSA identifies off road helmets as a category intended for motocross and other off road use.
When choosing a helmet, pay attention to:
- A snug, stable fit
- Effective airflow for physically demanding rides
- Safety certification (DOT, ECE, or Snell)
- Compatibility with goggles and other mounted equipment
Goggles protect your eyes from dust, debris, mud, and branches. Look for good optical clarity, ventilation, and anti-fog performance. Carrying a spare clear lens can be worthwhile for varying light conditions.
Off road riding jacket and pants: Durable and breathable riding wear
off road clothing must withstand repeated movement and contact with the environment.
A riding jacket should provide reasonable abrasion resistance while allowing enough airflow for strenuous riding. Ventilation is especially valuable during summer, while a weather-resistant outer layer helps when conditions turn wet or windy.
For riding pants, look for tough materials in high-wear areas, enough room for knee guards or braces, reinforced construction where the pants contact the motorcycle, and an adjustable waist fastening.
Riding base layer: Moisture-wicking comfort layer
A base layer sits against your skin and manages moisture during extended rides. A lightweight moisture-wicking shirt helps move perspiration away from the skin and reduces discomfort underneath protective equipment.
For summer, choose a thin, breathable base layer. When temperatures fall, add insulation underneath your outer gear while ensuring your protective equipment still fits correctly.
Chest, elbow and knee protectors: Impact absorption for vital areas
Protective armor adds a layer between your body and the ground, rocks, or obstacles. Knee protection is particularly useful on technical trails where frequent body movement puts extra demands on the knees.
Off road riding boots and riding gloves: Grip, support, and hand and foot protection
off road boots should provide significantly more support than ordinary footwear. Look for ankle and lower-leg protection, lateral stability, durable materials, secure closures, and a sole suitable for footpegs.
For gloves, look for a close fit, durable construction, and enough flexibility for throttle, clutch, and brake control. Full-finger gloves also protect against branches and abrasion.
Level up your experience: Off road riding accessories for a better ride
The following accessories can make off road riding more convenient and better prepared. A nearby trail may only call for water and basic tools, while remote or full-day routes justify extra fuel, navigation, communication gear, and repair supplies.
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Off road helmet intercom: Best off road riding gear for communication
For riders in pairs or groups, communication equipment makes coordination much easier. A helmet intercom allows riders to talk without stopping or taking out a phone. It helps riders point out obstacles, coordinate stops, check on riders who fall behind, and share route information.
When choosing an intercom, check water resistance, battery capacity, sound performance, and whether controls are easy to operate while wearing gloves.
For group rides, the Moman CP-X is worth a look. It connects up to 24 riders on a mesh network. The controls work with thick riding gloves, ENC noise reduction handles the wind, and music plays alongside the intercom.
Hydration pack: Hands-free water supply
Water becomes increasingly important as riding time and temperature increase. A hydration pack lets you drink through a hose while keeping both hands on the handlebars.
A suitable pack should carry enough water for the route, stay stable during movement, fit comfortably with body armor, allow ventilation, and leave room for small essentials.
Riding backpack: Off road riding gear and tool storage
A riding backpack holds items that don't belong in pockets or on the off road vehicle—repair equipment, first-aid supplies, spare clothing, snacks, phone, and small electronics. A compact riding backpack is preferable because it stays relatively stable while you move.
Fuel bag: Extra fuel for long rides
Fuel availability becomes a serious consideration when exploring remote trails. Carrying extra fuel extends your range when stations are far away.
Only use a container intended for fuel and follow transportation requirements. For short rides close to fuel stations, this accessory is unnecessary.
Phone mount: GPS and navigation at a glance
A secure phone mount turns your smartphone into a convenient navigation screen. Look for a firm handlebar attachment, reliable retention, vibration resistance, and an adjustable viewing angle. Do not assume cellular service will be available on remote trails—download maps for offline use before starting.
TPMS: Real-time tire pressure monitoring
Tire pressure affects traction, handling, tire wear, and the likelihood of damage. Michelin recommends checking pressure when tires are cold and selecting pressure according to riding conditions. A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) provides an additional way to track pressure while riding, especially on longer trips.
Emergency and repair tools: Breakdown fixes and trailside safety
A basic repair kit is invaluable when a mechanical issue occurs miles from assistance. Depending on your motorcycle and route, consider packing tire repair tools, a compact inflator or pump, multi-tool, spare fuses, zip ties, electrical tape, first-aid supplies, and a flashlight. For remote trips, include a communication and emergency plan.
FAQs
Here are answers to the most common questions about choosing and using off road riding gear.
What off-road riding gear setup is right for me?
There is no single combination that works for every rider or every trail. The right setup depends on your riding style, terrain, weather, distance, and how far you'll be from assistance.
Start with the essentials: helmet, goggles, durable clothing, impact protection, gloves, and supportive boots. Then add accessories according to your route. The goal is not to carry the most gear possible, but to build a setup that works for the way you actually ride.
What off road riding gear for summer is the best choice?
A practical hot-weather setup includes a well-ventilated helmet, goggles, lightweight jersey and pants, gloves, boots, body armor, and a moisture-wicking base layer. A hydration pack is useful for longer rides. Rather than skipping protection because of heat, choose gear designed for airflow.
Can I wear motocross gear for trail riding?
Yes, but with some adjustments. Motocross gear offers mobility, ventilation, and impact protection—qualities that also work well on trails. The difference is that trail riding often involves longer hours and more varied conditions.
You may need to add hydration, navigation, communication, weather protection, fuel, and repair tools depending on your route. A short technical trail, an all-day forest ride, and a remote desert trip all call for different combinations of off road riding gear and accessories.
