Protective Clothing

Off-road riding requires protective clothing. Wearing the correct clothing can reduce the chance of injury and make your ride more comfortable.

Never operate an ATV without these essential items:

• Motorcycle helmet
  • Helps prevent serious head injury.
  • Select a helmet that carries a Department of Transportation label or the Snell-certified label.
• Goggles or other eye protection
  • Branches, road debris, and insects can impair your vision and jeopardize your safety.
  • Sunglasses do not protect adequately.
  • Goggles or a face shield offer better protection.
  • Choose eye protection that bears the marking VESC-8 (or V-8) or Z87.1, or is made of hard-coated polycarbonate.
  • Carry gray-tinted eye protection for bright days, yellow-tinted for overcast days, and clear for night rides.
• Gloves
  • Keep your hands warm in cold weather.
  • Prevent soreness and fatigue.
  • Offer protection during a spill or collision with branches.
  • Should be padded over the knuckles for the best protection.
• Boots
  • Heels prevent your feet from slipping off footrests.
  • Off-road boots are best, protecting lower legs, ankles, and feet.
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirt or jacket
  • Protect your skin from scratches.
  • For best protection, riders should wear off-road riding gear that includes:
    • Pants with kneepads
    • Chest and shoulder protectors

Cold Weather Riding

The wind-chill factor created when you ride makes it essential to dress warmly in cold weather. The clothing that works well for snowmobile riders is also ideal for ATV enthusiasts. For more information view Dress for the Weather within this site.