Safeguarding Yourself With Protective Clothing and Gear

By definition, off-road riding means “rugged,” so you should always wear clothing that combines protection and comfort. Never operate an ORV unless you protect yourself from head to toe by wearing these items and have them professionally adjusted when you purchase them to ensure the safest fit.

U.S. Department of Transportation–approved crash helmet

• Helps prevent serious head injury.
• Should fit snugly and fasten securely.
  • To check for proper fit, ask someone to try to turn the helmet from side to side after you strap it on.
  • If the helmet turns or feels loose, tighten the strap or find a smaller helmet.
• May be a full-face helmet or an open-face helmet.
  • Full-face helmets provide the best protection. They protect both your head and face; protect you from tree branches and falls, as well as collisions; provide warmth; and muffle loud noises.
  • Open-face helmets are cool and light but do not protect your face. You should wear eye protection also.
• Stick reflective tape on your helmet to make you more visible at night.
• Select a helmet that has a safety-approved label from the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Goggles (or other eye protection)

• Protect you from hazards—branches, road debris, and insects —which can distract or even blind you.
• For proper protection, use goggles or a face shield—do not use sunglasses alone.
• Choose high-impact eye protection made of hard-coated polycarbonate or stamped with the safety-approved markings VESC-8 (or V-8) or Z87.1.
• Wear tinted lenses appropriate for your lighting conditions—gray for bright days, yellow for overcast days, and clear for evenings and nights.
• Make sure your eye protection is:
  • Free from scratches
  • Securely fastened at all times
  • Well-ventilated to avoid fogging

Gloves

• Keep your hands warm in cold weather.
• Prevent soreness and fatigue.
• Protect your hands during a fall or if they scrape against a branch, rock, or other debris.
• Should have padding over the knuckles for the best protection.

Boots

• Heels help keep your feet firmly on the footrests.
• Over-the-ankle boots offer protection from ankle and foot injuries.

Long pants and long-sleeved shirt or jacket

• Protect against scratching from branches.
• Provide some cushion if you fall or collide with an object.
• Protect you from heat exhaustion or sunburn during warm weather.
• Provide warmth and protection from hypothermia during cold weather.

For best protection, use off-road riding gear

• Pants with kneepads
• Chest and shoulder protectors
• Riding belt for lower-back support
• Off-road-style boots that protect your lower legs, ankles, and feet

Cold Weather Riding

In cold weather, clothing that works well for snowmobile riders is also ideal for most ORV enthusiasts.