So, you have decided to introduce your little one to dirt bike riding? Well, this is a good gesture from you since your children will now know that you are a loving and caring parent.
But, have you taken a minute to think about the safety risks that lie ahead? Have you done enough to ensure that your kid doesn’t get hurt even when the worst happens?
The truth is that the primary goal of every dirt bike rider out there is to ride hard and enjoy a great time outdoors while feeling safe.
The burden of ensuring that your kid stays safe is on your back. This is the primary reason why you need to go out there and shop for the best gear and accessories that will ensure your kids are safe and there is nothing to regret in the future.
I understand the fact that it can sometimes be hard to sort out what you need to keep them safe and that is why I’m here to make your work easier.
The only thing that I want you to keep in mind is that you should never allow your kid to climb on that dirt bike if he/she hasn’t put on the right protective gear. A simple mistake can prove to be too costly.
Make sure that you buy quality gear that can last for long and provide maximum safety when need be. Although you may want to be careful with your budget, make sure that you don’t sacrifice quality for the price.
In the first part of this post, I have provided an overview of what your child will need that can help you if you are in a hurry and don’t have the time to read through the entire post. Keep reading to discover the best dirt bike safety gears for your kids.
Contents
Overview of What They Will Need
Basically, your kids will require the following protective gear when riding dirt bikes:
Clothing
This is the most critical layer of protection that they will need since it provides the first line of defense.
Clothing ensures that they are not only protected from harsh weather elements such as rain and strong winds but also from a crash or fall.
Hands, knuckles, and fingers, are always the first to get the fall and this is why having a strong layer of protection is essential.
Protective Gear
The more protection, the better and this can be the only difference between saving or losing a life when the worst happens.
This is the primary reason why you need to make sure that you get the right gear for your loved ones. Gloves, helmets, chest protectors, and dirt bike boots are must-haves, and there is no shortcut to that.
Accessories
Having high-quality dirt bike boots, riding goggles, ventilating gear, and various helmet insulators makes the entire thing more enjoyable.
We also have lots of other tools for monitoring and rally navigation that can help your kid become a better rider with safety in mind.
For instance, GPS and other tracking devices are ideal for young kids who love exploring uncharted territories and rough terrain.
Body Protection
The chest protector is an essential protective gear that can save vital body organs in the event of a crash or fall. They are designed to protect your kid and serve as the first line in case of anything.
If your kid is a rider who loves to jump or cruise in rough terrains, the chest protector will come in hands since the chances of a fall or crash are relatively high. A simple mistake can cause life-threatening injuries to your loved one.
First Aid
The first-aid kit is quite self-explanatory, and its importance can’t be overemphasized. Having a first-aid kit will ensure that immediate precaution such as dressing a cut is taken whenever an accident occurs.
You need to keep in mind that the simple things that you do before the medical team arrives could go a long way in saving your little one’s life.
Helmet
Whenever you think of biking, the first thing that should come to your mind is helmets. In fact, a full face helmet for your kid is a must-have protective gear.
A full-face helmet is essential since it protects it safeguards one of the most critical parts of the body; the brain and skull. Without a good helmet, a simple fall or crash could lead to severe brain damage or even death.
I’m 100% sure that this is the last thing that you want to think of when you introduce your kids to dirt bike riding.
There is a big reason why dirt bike helmets are full-face and not just half shells that only cover the head. In the event of a crash or fall, it is easy to face plant. Without the jaw protector, your kid can easily knock out all their teeth or even break their jawbone.
The jaw protector also plays a critical role in helping reduce concussions. Choosing the right helmet for your kid can be a little bit challenging, but things become easier if you know what to look for in a helmet.
First, you need to evaluate the safety features of the helmet to ensure maximum protection. Pay attention to the unique design features and check out certifications.
A good dirt bike should be at least DOT certified, and any other additional certifications make it better. You should also consider its ventilation and the material that make up the helmet.
You need to keep in mind that without adequate ventilation, your little one may sweat more hence hindering their riding ability.
The TMS Kids red Flame is an example of a good helmet that you can purchase. The helmet is extremely lightweight and durable. Its shell is colored red, and it offers a unique style that will endure and never go out of fashion.
It also comes in a wide range of sizes to suit different kids head sizes and make sure that you get the right fit for your little one. You need to be careful with some of the cheap helmets in the market since you may never get value for your money.
Dirt Bike Boots
Right after the helmet, the next thing that you need to worry about is the boots. One thing that you need to keep in mind is that boots have evolved over the years, and your choice will automatically boil down to what your kid prefers.
Boots are an essential protective gear since they protect the kid’s entire foot, the ankle, and also the lower leg. Just like any other sport out there, dirt bike riding puts your foot in line for a wide range of injuries.
A simple situation such as catching your feet on a rut while cornering can cause severe injuries that will cost you a lot of money to treat. However, such injuries can easily be avoided if you acquire the right dirt bike boots for your kids.
Apart from protecting the foot, dirt bike boots also support the foot to prevent awful twisting of the lower leg and ankle.
It is always good to ensure that the boots you get for your loved one is the same size as their normal shoes but don’t be afraid to order boots that are slightly large if your kid is growing fast.
Just make sure that boots aren’t too large since that may hinder their riding. Generally, I recommend against going for cheap boots since they won’t last long.
The relatively expensive boots also tend to flex much better than the cheap ones which helps the child feel the gear shifter much easier.
Some of the essential factors that you need to consider while purchasing boots for your kids include the weight and level of protection that you desire.
High-quality boots will offer maximum protection from a wide range of obstacles that the kid’s feet may come in contact with when busy riding.
The weight is also critical since no rider wants to ride with heavy boots. You should also pay close attention to the ergonomics of the boot and the fit.
For this category, I would recommend the O’Neal Dirt Bike Boots that are available on Amazon and other leading online stores.
Gloves
The gloves that you choose for your kid are a crucial consideration as well. You need to ensure that the gloves you buy provide a proper grip of the dirt bike; otherwise, they may slip off and severely injure themselves.
Ideally, the gloves that you acquire should be lightweight and provide excellent grip and also allow a greater amount of flexibility in their hands and fingers so that they can easily hit the brakes and the clutch.
You need to remember the fact that kids fall off dirt bikes all the time, so their hands can sustain severe injuries if you do nothing to provide them with good gloves.
If you want to save a few tears, make sure that the gloves have better padding and also fit well. Wearing dirt bike gloves will also prevent blisters from forming.
Be careful with the glove material since different manufacturers use different materials for their gloves.
Ideally, you should go for gloves that are stretchy enough to offer maximum freedom of movement.
XMFT offers a full set that comprises of a helmet, gloves, and goggles. The helmet is well-cushioned, and the gloves have maximum padding to act much like a second skin. This could be the best set for you if you are looking for something on a budget.
Alternatively, you can go for ATV off-road gloves for kids that feature loads of padding and an extra grip to ensure comfort and safe handling.
Chest Protector/Body Armor
The chest protector/ body armor is always an exciting thing to talk about since it is often overlooked by many dirt bike riders out there.
However, choosing to put on body armor is crucial since it provides the much-needed protection for many vital organs including your spine.But, the most significant disadvantage of body armor is that it can sometimes get hot taking away the freedom of movement that many riders desire.
Although you may be against the idea of getting a heavyweight chest protector for your kid, make sure that they have something to protect their fragile body parts.
In this case, consider getting them a lightweight, minimalistic body armor that won’t take away the freedom of riding but provide the much-needed protection.
The minimalistic body armors are designed to suit riders who value freedom of movement while protecting themselves as well. Most of them provide a soft foam layer that can help dispense impact in the event of a crash.
Minimalist chest protectors are comfortable to ride in, and your kids can wear them right under their riding jersey without being noticeable. Ventilation is also another crucial factor that you should consider while purchasing body armor.
Evaluate how it directs airflow and other ventilation mechanisms that have been put in place. If the armor isn’t well ventilated, there is a likelihood that it will get too hot to ride in and make your little one feel uncomfortable.
Be sure to purchase a chest protector that can wick away moisture and is designed with cooling vents to prevent it from overheating.
The Webetop Body Chest Vest is an excellent example of a well-ventilated chest protector that is comfortable to ride in. This body vest will protect your kid’s spine and ribs from injuries and also provide a unique protective shell for other body organs.
We all worry about our little ones, but well-designed chest protectors such as the Webetop Body Chest Vest will make you worry less and focus on other things that can make your child a better rider.
Dirt Bike Goggles
Goggles are also an essential protective gear when riding dirt bikes. Imagine all the dust and grit that could get into your little one’s eyes.
This is the [primary reason why you shouldn’t allow your child to go out riding a dirt bike without good sports goggles.
While choosing the goggles, make sure that you go for an all-around pair that they can use up a mountain or on a dirt bike. The goggles should have all the essential features.
Dirt bike goggles are essential just like the helmet since they protect the most fragile body part; the eyes. If something gets into your child’s eyes when they are riding can severely damage their eyes and cause a crash that can lead to other injuries.
There are also many things that you need to consider while purchasing goggles for your kids. First, you need to consider the size of the glasses. Technically, the larger the size of the goggles, the more the kid will be able to see while riding.
This is the primary reason why a lot of companies manufacture goggles with large lenses to help riders take advantage of their peripheral vision.
However, lots of limitations will determine the right size of goggles for your little one with the most significant limitation being the overall shape and size of their eye area of the helmet.
Make sure that you go for goggles that can comfortably fit in your full-face helmet and still provide a large field of vision. You should also pay close attention to the lens. The good thing is that you can easily purchase lenses for the goggles that you prefer.
As for color, it is always good to go for clear lens since it is easy to ride in them as there is no visual distortion.
Nonetheless, if you live in a region that is extremely sunny, consider buying goggles that have a slight tint. ATV provides a wide range of racing goggles that you can choose from.
ATV goggles are well-designed to augment the helmet and provide the much-needed additional facial protection for your loved ones. The goggles are lightweight, bendable, and durable.
Knee Guards
The other body part that you need to protect is the knee. This is a body part that tends to be neglected, but knee injuries are among the worst for any sport. They are painful and may take a long time to heal.
The probability of injuring your knees is probably high in dirt bike riding than any other sport out there. During a crash or fall, it is quite easy to twist or hyperextend your knee in an awful manner that it isn’t supposed to turn.
To prevent such life-threatening injuries, you need to make sure that your kids always put on the knee guards before they go out riding.
The knee guards usually stop the knees from moving and turning in ways that they shouldn’t in the event of a crash or fall.
One critical factor that you should consider while buying the knee guards is the comfort. The problem with this protective gear is that it can fit one kid’s knees really well but fail to fit on another kid’s knees.
This is because each kid’s body buildup is different. Luckily, some companies produce knee guards that are adjustable so that they can fit easily without any problems.
Some companies even offer completely customized knee guards, but they are usually expensive. You should also consider the weight and form of the guards before you purchase them.
Fox Knee Guards for Kids are among the best knee braces in the market today. They are designed to provide maximum safety from a wide range of unwanted collisions and serve as an effective shield when in a riding position.
These knee guards can also be used for other sporting and outdoor activities.
Kidney Belt
It sounds strange to pick out only one internal organ for special protection, but it is for a good reason.
If you ask anyone who has had kidney problems how it feels, they will tell you how it hurts. The best thing you can do as a parent is to ensure that your kid’s kidneys are well protected while riding.
Although kidney belts have slowly faded from the market over the years, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t protect your loved one’s kidneys. The kidney belts are an essential protective gear especially when you are going on long rides.
If you haven’t worn one yourself, give it a try today, and you will understand why it is essential.
Jersey and Pants
Although some people believe that it isn’t cool to put on a shirt/top while riding dirt bikes, this move can be hazardous for young kids.
You need to make sure that your kids wear some sort of shirt while riding dirt bikes since it provides an extra layer of protection for their skin.
A jersey will help stop branches, roost, dirt, and other debris from causing unwanted abrasions across your arms and torso.
A shirt can also help sunburn when your kids go riding on hot days. You should make sure that the dirt bike top you choose for your kid is infused with the necessary padding to ensure that their arms and torso are receiving adequate protection.
The shirt should be long-sleeved as a general rule of thumb. Pants are also equally important since they serve as the last line of defense against any damage or impact sustained on the lower body parts. The ideal dirt bike pants should be infused with a tough material that can’t be ripped easily.
Final Thoughts
This post provides you with a comprehensive guide to the types of dirt bike safety gear for kids that you need to know the moment you introduce your little ones to dirt bike riding.
The protective gear will ensure that they receive maximum protection in the event of a crash or fall.
Although these products aren’t cheap, the last thing you will want to do is to put your child’s life in line in the name of saving money.
Always remember the fact that dirt bike riding can be a dangerous activity and it is your primary responsibility to ensure that your kids stay safe.
The safety and health of your little ones must always take precedence over any financial considerations, and if it can’t, you should strongly reconsider your idea of involving your kid in the sport of dirt bike reading.
Do you feel like I have left out something essential? Let me know in the comments section.
