Dirt Bike Gear: What You Actually Need
Helmet, goggles, boots, gloves and riding clothes are the must-haves. Chest protectors, knee braces and neck braces come next. Here's what the MSF, AMA and CPSC say, and what the labels mean.
An electric dirt bike is quiet and easy to ride, which makes it tempting to hop on in a T-shirt and sneakers. But a light e-moto like the Sur-Ron Light Bee X claims 50 mph, and the ground is just as hard.
This guide covers the gear every off-road rider needs, what’s worth adding, and what the safety labels mean, using what the MSF, AMA, CPSC and standards bodies publish. It’s for new e-moto riders and parents kitting out a young rider.
Prices are rounded from makers’ US sites in November 2026.
What is dirt bike gear?
Dirt bike gear is the protective equipment worn for off-road motorcycle riding: a certified helmet, eye protection, boots, gloves and abrasion-resistant clothing, plus optional armor for the chest, back, knees and neck. Safety bodies such as the MSF set a minimum kit, and racing bodies like the AMA require more.
Why it matters
The minimum is not optional. The MSF’s DirtBike School tells every rider to “always wear a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots and gloves.”
Electric doesn’t mean slower. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute notes that bicycle helmets are tested at about 14 mph and says “emotos definitely require a motorcycle helmet.”
It’s sometimes the law. Utah, for example, requires riders under 18 to wear a DOT-rated helmet on public land; our street-legal and registration guide covers more rules.
The gear list, in priority order
| Gear | Status | Who says so | Example and price (Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOT helmet | Must-have | MSF, AMA, CPSC | Fox V1, about $280 |
| Goggles | Must-have | MSF, AMA (eyewear) | 100% Strata 2, about $30 |
| Over-the-ankle boots | Must-have | MSF, AMA | Leatt 5.5 FlexLock Evo, about $610 |
| Gloves | Must-have | MSF, AMA | Leatt Moto 1.5 GripR, about $30 |
| Long sleeves and pants | Must-have | MSF, AMA | Riding jersey and pants |
| Chest and back protector | Recommended (required for AMA motocross) | AMA | Leatt Chest Protector 3.5, about $175 |
| Knee brace or knee guard | Recommended | AMA | Leatt 3DF 5.0 guard about $115; X-Frame brace about $350 to $600 |
| Neck brace | Recommended | AMA | Leatt Neck Brace 3.5, about $255 |
What we ride in: on our two Sur-Ron Light Bee X bikes, we ride in a helmet, goggles, gloves, a chest protector and knee guards.
Helmets
Look for a full-face motocross helmet with a DOT label. The CPSC’s helmet guide lists a “motocross or motorcycle” helmet meeting DOT FMVSS 218, Snell M2020 or ASTM F3103 for dirt bike riding.
| Standard | Who runs it | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| DOT FMVSS 218 | NHTSA (US law); makers self-certify | The legal minimum. Rear label must read maker, model, DOT, FMVSS No. 218, CERTIFIED |
| ECE 22.06 | UN Regulation No. 22 (Europe) | Adds rotational (oblique) impact testing |
| Snell M2020 / M2025 | Snell Foundation, an independent nonprofit | Voluntary; M2025 (in effect since August 2024) adds oblique impact tests. Certified helmets are listed at smf.org |
Snell recommends replacing a helmet after five years of normal use and after any crash impact. Our picks are in best dirt bike helmets; for kids, see best youth dirt bike helmets.
Goggles
Goggles seal around the eyes so roost and dust can’t get in, which sunglasses can’t do. Key features are a polycarbonate or injection-molded lens, tear-off posts, a wide silicone strap, and an over-the-glasses (OTG) fit if you wear glasses.
Leatt and Oakley cite eyewear standards such as ANSI Z87.1 and EN 1938 for some models. Our picks are in best dirt bike goggles.
Boots and gloves
The MSF and AMA ask for over-the-ankle boots, and AMA motocross rules require boots at least 8 inches high. Motocross boots add shin, ankle and toe protection; Leatt’s 5.5 FlexLock Evo, for example, uses TPU armor, a rear blade to limit over-flexing and four aluminum buckles. See best motocross boots.
Gloves protect your hands in a fall and improve grip. Basic motocross gloves like Leatt’s Moto 1.5 GripR (about $30) use a mesh back and thin palm; Leatt states no impact certification for it. See best dirt bike gloves.
Body armor and the EN 1621 levels
European standard EN 1621 rates impact protectors: part 1 for limbs (knees, elbows, shoulders), part 2 for backs, part 3 for chests. Level 2 lets less force through than Level 1.
Chest and back protectors guard against roost and impacts; AMA motocross rules make chest and back protection mandatory for racers. Leatt’s Chest Protector 3.5 is rated EN 1621-3 Level 1 for the chest and EN 1621-2 Level 1 for the back. See best chest protectors.
Knee braces vs knee guards. A brace has a hinged frame aimed at ligament injuries (Leatt says its X-Frame, an FDA-listed medical device, is designed to help reduce ACL, MCL and meniscus injuries), while a guard is impact padding only. See best motocross knee braces.
Neck braces. Leatt says its Neck Brace 3.5 is independently tested to help reduce critical cervical spine injuries by up to 89%, but that’s the maker’s claim and we didn’t find a published independent study to confirm it. The AMA recommends neck braces without requiring them.
How to check a helmet’s DOT label
The helmet is the one piece every safety body agrees on, so make sure yours is the real thing. Under the federal helmet standard, FMVSS No. 218, the maker certifies its own helmets, and the certification label is the proof.
Since May 2013, NHTSA’s rule says that label must sit on the outside rear of the helmet, 1 to 3 inches up from the bottom edge. It must show only these, in this order:
- The maker’s name or brand.
- The model designation.
- “DOT,” in letters at least 0.38 in high.
- “FMVSS No. 218.”
- “CERTIFIED.”
A separate permanent label inside should give the size, the month and year it was made, and care instructions, including a warning to replace the helmet after a severe blow. For an extra check, Snell, an independent nonprofit, lists the helmets it has certified on its website; see best dirt bike helmets for picks.
How to buy dirt bike gear, step by step
- Buy the helmet first. Use the maker’s size chart, and check for the DOT label on the back.
- Add goggles that fit the helmet’s eye port. Bring the helmet when you try goggles.
- Get over-the-ankle boots. Motocross boots give the most protection.
- Add gloves and riding clothes. Long sleeves and pants are the MSF minimum; see best dirt bike jerseys and best dirt bike pants.
- Add armor as you ride more. Chest and back first, then knees and neck.
- Replace after crashes. Snell says to replace a helmet after any impact.
Gear for kids
Kids need the same list in youth sizes, plus close supervision. Razor’s manuals call for an approved helmet, elbow and knee pads and closed shoes even on its smallest bikes. See our kids’ dirt bike gear checklist and electric dirt bikes for kids.
Common mistakes
Wearing a bicycle helmet. It’s not built or tested for motorcycle speeds.
Riding in sneakers. Over-the-ankle boots are the MSF minimum for a reason.
Skipping goggles because it’s “just a short ride.” One rock in the eye ends the day.
Keeping a crashed helmet. Snell says even good helmets can’t protect properly a second time.
Buying armor before basics. Get the helmet, goggles, boots and gloves right first.
Related guides
- EmotoTrail home: every guide, by topic
- Best dirt bike helmets: eight DOT-rated picks
- Best dirt bike goggles: eight picks
- Electric dirt bikes: the buyer's guide
- Electric dirt bikes for kids: age-by-age guide
- Are electric dirt bikes street legal?: laws and helmet rules
Frequently asked questions
What gear do you need to ride a dirt bike?
The MSF says to always wear a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots and gloves. AMA off-road events require the same and recommend a chest protector, neck brace and knee braces.
Do electric dirt bikes need different gear than gas bikes?
No. E-motos reach 45 mph and more, so the same motorcycle-grade gear applies. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute says e-motos definitely require a motorcycle helmet, not a bike helmet.
What does DOT mean on a helmet?
It means the maker certifies the helmet meets FMVSS 218, the US federal motorcycle helmet standard. Since 2013 the rear label must show the maker, model, DOT, FMVSS No. 218 and CERTIFIED.
What is the difference between a knee brace and a knee guard?
A knee brace has a hinged frame designed to help reduce ligament injuries; Leatt's X-Frame, for example, is an FDA-listed medical device. A knee guard is impact padding, such as Leatt's EN 1621-1 rated 3DF 5.0, with no ligament claim.
How much does a full set of dirt bike gear cost?
As of November 2026, the budget picks in our guides come to about $210 for a helmet, goggles and gloves (about $150, $30 and $30), before boots and riding clothes. Premium helmets alone run about $800 to $1,000.