If you enjoy riding ATVs or even if you are beginning to get into this activity, you know that ATV riding requires more equipment than your ride.

In order to stay safe and comfortable while you and your friends or family tackle the trails, you’ll need to invest in some ATV riding gear.

Clothes and protective gear for riding ATVs is crucial to keeping the good times rolling hour after hour and day after day. Nothing will slow you down quicker than an injury, so anything you can do to avoid injuries is a wise idea, and there are so many ATV clothing and accessories to help you accomplish that goal.

If you want to learn more about all of the best ATV riding gear options for you and your family and friends, read on. This informative post will tell you what you need so you can focus your energy on riding hard and tough!

The Basics

There are certain items you can’t do without when it comes to stocking up on ATV riding gear. Can you ride an ATV without a helmet? Sure, but it’s a terrible and dangerous idea to do so. You could get hurt or worse; whenever you participate in extreme sports, it’s crucial that you protect your head.

Do you need boots, goggles, gloves, and a jacket or a suit? Not really, but once you buy and use these items, you’ll be glad you did. Riding an ATV without protective gear is going to result in physical pain of all kinds and far less control than you will experience when wearing it. Don’t skimp in this area. You’ll have a far better time riding an ATV with this stuff than you will without it.

1. Helmet

The most important piece of protective equipment that you’ll buy for riding ATVs is a helmet. While you can use a motorcycle or even a bike helmet for ATV riding in a pinch, they are not the best choice for this type of extreme sport. These helmets don’t protect your head in quite the same way that an ATV helmet will, and you will likely find that they get hot and dusty very fast.

Instead, shop for an ATV-specific helmet. ATV helmets are durable and long-lasting, but they are also lightweight and breathable. A good helmet will include a visor to keep dirt and grime out of your face but will also leave enough space for you to wear goggles as well.

On the trail, you’ll get tired and thirsty quickly, and you’ll also want to stop and talk to your companions from time to time. With these sorts of things in mind, you’ll also want to look for a helmet that can be removed without much effort. You want it to stay on and feel snug when you’re riding, but you want to be able to take it off as needed as well.

Don’t rush when shopping for a helmet. You want to choose the perfect helmet for you. You may be wearing that helmet for years to come.

2. Boots

ATV boots are another great investment. They will keep your legs protected while also helping you to feel more secure on your ATV. They should be soft and comfortable on the inside while being both firm and flexible on the outside.

The best boots for ATV riding are breathable, protective, and lightweight. If you have been riding an ATV wearing other boots or other types of shoes, you will likely be quite impressed when you try ATV-specific boots. They’ll work as shock absorbers as you ride and will make you a better and more confident rider as well. They may take a little while to break in at first, but once you achieve that, you’ll feel right at home in your boots.

3. Gloves

Gloves are just as important as boots for most riders. You may think you don’t need gloves, especially in warmer weather, but just like with ATV boots, you’ll soon realize that ATV gloves are an indispensable part of your ATV riding gear collection.

A good pair of ATV gloves will protect your hands from the rocks and dirt that will invariably come up from the trail as you move forward upon it. Furthermore, the grips on the palms will give you more control over your ATV; you’ll be amazed at what a difference they make in this realm.

4. Goggles

When you’re driving an ATV, you must be able to see where you are going. Goggles can help ensure that you are able to see well. A good pair of goggles can be an excellent addition to your gear collection as well.

When shopping for goggles, you want to find a strong pair that will protect your eyes from dirt, branches, and other foreign objects, and you want to choose a pair that is compatible with your helmet. Beyond that, you should seek out a pair of goggles that are both breathable and comfortable, and you want to make sure they won’t fog up, either.

Because you want to be able to see what’s happening all around you, choose a pair that has a wide field of vision, too. Goggles that only face forward are okay, but you’ll probably appreciate a pair that wrap around to the sides a bit more.

5. Jackets and Suits

You can find cool looking ATV riding gear in all of the above categories, but you can really express your personal look and style when you purchase an ATV jacket or full bodysuit. There are so many different options on the market from a number of different designers and manufacturers, and you can buy these things in any colour you would like.

However, there are other factors to consider in this area besides the look. You want to choose ATV riding clothing that is comfortable, breathable and flexible, and you also want it to be protective. Looking great is one thing, but you also need to make sure that you invest in a piece of clothing that is functional for the long days of riding ahead.

If you plan to ride year-round in a number of different temperatures, you’ll need to buy different gear for different seasons. Cool jerseys are great for summer, but you may prefer leather or insulated clothing during the cooler months.

Gear Considerations for Women

Women love ATV riding just as much as men, but much of the ATV riding gear on the market is made for men. If you’re a woman who loves to ride, it may be tempting to buy whatever is easily accessible. Although men’s gear will work for women, it will be worth your time and effort to seek out and purchase gear made, especially for women.

Boots and goggles are unisex in most cases, and even most helmets can be adjusted to be worn by a man or a woman. Men’s gloves and protective clothing, however, may be too loose on women and may even end up hindering their ride. Women’s gloves and clothing are fitted for women and will give a female rider a better riding experience overall.

ATV Riding Gear for Kids

Children of all ages enjoy riding ATVs as well. The popularity of ATV riding for the small and even smaller continues to grow, and as a result, the market has responded with great ATV riding gear for them, too. If you’re a parent, you know that the most important thing is to keep your child safe while he or she is having fun.

Take your time choosing a good helmet for your little one. Once you’ve selected a high-quality helmet for him or her, you can move on to adding gloves, goggles, boots, and clothing to finish the look. Because children are always growing, you may find that you have to buy new stuff for your son or daughter every year, but it will be worth it when you know that he or she is comfortable, safe, and protected from head to toe.

How to Choose High-Quality Gear

If you don’t ride all that often, you might be tempted to go the inexpensive route when shopping for ATV riding gear, but don’t. When you buy cheap gear, you’ll end up paying for it in the end, either through physical injuries because you weren’t well protected or through purchasing new stuff after a short time because your old stuff fell apart.

Take some time to research gear that interests you and to read product reviews before you purchase anything. You can learn so much through these sorts of resources online, and it will be worth your time and effort in the end.

Happy Riding

Once you have all the right gear, you will be all set and ready to go now and in the future. You can get out on the trail on your ATV with your friends and family, knowing that you are safe and protected while you explore in comfort. All of these ATV riding gear items will ensure that you can ride for hours and keep your mind on your ride, not on injuries or pain. Suit up and have a blast!

If you’re interested in buying or renting an ATV of your very own in the Arborg area, please contact us today. At Westshore Marine, we’d love to help connect you with an ATV that you’ll just love. We’re also always happy to answer any questions you may have about this exciting extreme sport. Give us a call!