Whether your favorite powersports adventures include bouncing over the trails on an ATV or UTV, enjoying the water on your personal watercraft (or boat), or blasting through white powder on a snowmobile, Riding Gear clothing items are designed around specialized needs you face on these great toys.
First, they'll enhance comfort by keeping you cool thanks to creative ventilation design or by retaining every last bit of heat when you need more warmth. If that's not enough, many riding gear items can even generate their own heat electrically. Comfort continues on a more deep-seated level as riding gear items rebuff water to ensure you stay dry instead of soggy, and with reinforced support for parts of the body which need it most.
For safety, riding gear items protect critical elbow, knee, hip, and shoulder areas with strategically-located cushioning pads, and they protect against road burn in the event of a wipeout with sturdy, abrasion-resistant materials. It's fair to say the right riding gear items can literally save your life. And last but not least, riding gear apparel will do all these things with great looks and style!
So if you're new to riding and aren't sure what you need or want, read on. We'll guide you through some truly great powersports-oriented jackets, pants, vests, floation devices, footwear, undergarments, eyewear, gloves, head & face coverings, and more.
Note that while we reference various heated and waterproof items throughout this article, you'll also find them grouped together in our Heated Gear and waterproof Rain Gear sub-sections.
Certifications
When it comes to some gear such as jackets, pants, vests, and boots, you may see a "CE", "CE1", or "CE2" certification on various items. "CE" is a general code signifying an item of clothing meets European reinforced apparel certification rules required for street motorcycle riding in Europe. In the United States, CE- and/or EN-rated apparel is only required on racetracks. CE level 1 is required on most tracks, while some higher-speed courses may require CE2-rated gear.
All of the personal floatation devices we offer (life vests and inflatable belts) have been approved by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) - signifying they will effectively keep your head above water and help you remain in a position that permits proper breathing.
Jackets
We'll start with our Jackets section where we've got versatile textile jackets, lightweight mesh material jackets, and heavier-weight winter jackets.
We've also got specialty jackets geared toward high-visibility (with design choices as reserved or splashy as you like), waterproof protection, and heated comfort (choose heated liners that can be worn underneath another jacket, or full jackets with heated liners included). These specialty jackets are most commonly made from mesh and textile materials, which we'll cover further below.
While each style of jacket has its own unique appeal, it's important to remember that all of the ones we offer are designed with great protection in mind for powersports activities where crashes and wipeouts are common. Our mesh, textile, high-viz, winter, and other jackets have a high level of abrasion resistance to protect you in a scrape thanks to fabrics reinforced with Cordura and/or Kevlar that won't tear or shred the way normal clothes would. And, they'll keep you at a comfortable temperature thanks to adjustable ventilation channels in key areas.
Powersports riding jackets include CE-rated impact protection pieces for the elbow, shoulder, and back areas. And while high-visibility jackets specialize in bright reflective colors to ensure you're seen at night, many other jacket types also include some reflective sections.
Textile Jackets
Textile jackets are known for their versatility - providing a rider with comfortable protection in a range of temperatures and climates. If you're going on an extended trip where you'll be facing everything from grueling sun to damp chilly rain, textile jackets are a great choice thanks to their ability to retain heat when desirable, then shed it via ventilated channels that can be opened on demand. Textiles naturally excel at repelling water, and many are available with waterproof liners and pockets.
With a selection of high-visibility designs, you'll find textile jackets commonly include knitted polyester, nylon, fleece, Cordura, waxed cotton, and more - all of which are extremely resistant to becoming torn and shredded against road surfaces. In case you're not familiar with "waxed cotton", it's cotton impregnated with paraffin or beeswax to create a water-repellent or waterproof canvas. As with other jacket types, textiles include impact protection pads in critical areas.
If you're looking for great values in wet weather protection, we've got Fly Racing's Travel Men's Jacket (goose down inside), Fly Racing Butane Jackets for men and women, and the Speed & Strength Fast Forward Textile Jacket for starters.
Moving up, the Olympia Richmond Men's Jacket, Speed & Strength Rough Neck Textile Jacket, and Highway 21 Gearhead Men's Jacket add an insulated removable inner liner. And if you'd like, the FirstGear Kathmandu Jacket adds the convenience of a removable hydration pack with reservoir.
Mesh Jackets
Heavier jackets made of textile materials are great for riding in cooler temperatures. But for hot summers in the sun, mesh jackets provide the best breathability with lighter weight construction that also protects your body thanks to protective foam pieces around critical shoulder and elbow areas.
For best value, check out Wayloo's Solid Style Jacket choices along with the Fly Racing Flux Air Jacket for men & women, and the Fly Racing Coolpro Jacket for men & women. Moving up to mesh jackets with additional liners, adjustable cuffs, supportive straps, pockets, fasteners, and more, there's the Olympia Dakar 2 Men's Jacket and Rukka Air-Ya Women's Jacket.
Winter Jackets
For snowmobile riding, there's nothing better than a durable, water-resistant winter jacket that's easy to spot. If you're looking for value, we've got durable, water-resistant jackets such as the Fly Racing Aurora Men's Jacket, DSG Outerwear Craze 3.0 Women's Jacket, and Katahdin Extreme Gear Apex Men's and Women's Jackets. Generally, these tend to have less heat insulation any will require additional layers to be worn underneath.
Moving up, there's the Fly Racing Carbon Men's Jacket with a Cordura outerlayer, excellent insulation, and a number of strategically located heat release vents. DSG Outerwear offers the Divine III Women's Jacket for maximum warmth and the Prizm Women's Technical Jacket (less insulation) made from an extremely durable fabric known as Sympatex.
Pants
Because no two powersports activities are exactly the same, we offer a range of pants geared toward use on the water, wooded trails, and snow.
Long Pants
When you're on an ATV, you're legs can get nailed with a great deal of dirt, rocks, and other debris being flung at them with force. In such an environment, it doesn't take long to rack up cuts and bruises without a good pair of long pants - especially during a wipeout. For maximum protection, we've got heavier-duty off-road pants made in large part of nylon and polyester. If you prefer lighter weight, check out our mesh pants available in solid colors or wild colorful designs.
Got a snowmobile? Check out our winter pants with shoulder suspenders that are waterproof and insulated, yet light enough to wear over other pants. And for any cold weather applications, we'd recommend heated pants and inner pants liners that can be worn underneath anything. They're available with cords that can be plugged into your vehicle's electrical system or a belt-mounted battery pack. Plus, they've got integrated wiring connectors for heated socks (see further below).
Shorts
When you're out on the water on hot sunny days, it's easy to work up a sweat. To help you stay cool, we've got a great selection of shorts in various styles. Choose casual comfort with athletic type shorts featuring drawstrings and elastic waistbands, or choose more formal-looking shorts (traditional belt hooks, buttons, and zippers) that are actually pretty flexible.
Many of the shorts we offer are designed for water use, and they're all machine washable. Of note, the Fly Racing Compression Men's Shorts are made from breathable, elastic lycra and contain lightweight cushioning foam strips on both sides that can effectively protect against chafing and bruises.
Personal Floatation Devices
Whenever you're out on the water, a personal floatation device ( "PFD") can literally save your life if you've capsized in rough water, been thrown from your craft unexpectedly, are dealing with powerful currents, can't swim effectively because of heavy waterlogged clothing, or have been knocked unconscious.
In all of these cases, PFDs will keep you floating effortlessly in the water with your head safely above water level for as long as necessary. With a PFD automatically keeping you afloat, you can stay out of trouble - conserving your energy instead of panicking and frantically wasting it. This, again, is a true lifesaver because time is now on your side - especially if your watercraft has been swept away and is harder to get to.
PFDs can take several forms. In our Life Vests & Accessories section, we've got a wide selection of PFDs that include non-inflatable life vests, inflatable life vests, and inflatable belts. While all vests have multiple adjustable belts to create a comfortable yet snug fit, a life vest is only effective if it's sized properly for the wearer.
Non-inflating life vests consist of solid foam flotation pieces surrounded by a nylon, neoprene, and/or polyester shell. These represent an excellent zero-maintenance, error-proof, lower-cost choice.
Life vests that inflate are designed to do so either manually via a pull-cord or automatically after being submerged in water. Either way, a CO2-filled canister contains gases that flow into the inflatable section after it's punctured. Inflatable vests offer the convenience of being more compact and less restrictive for the user.
Should you need individual replacement CO2 cartridges or bobbin pieces, check out our Life Vest Accessories sub-section. We've also got straps that allow you to extend the width of your vest, and we've got additional straps that help secure your vest comfortably around the leg and crotch areas.
Full Life Vests
Full life vests completely cover your torso with front and back sections that cinch snugly together via straps and buckles. Starting with non-inflatable vests that represent excellent, low-cost value, we've got Airhead's Type Ii Adult Keyhole Life Jacket and Nylon Dual Adult Life Vest, Stearns' Classic Series Adult Life Jacket, and Full Throttle's Rapid-Dry Adult Life Vest just to name a few.
For those interested in inflatable vests with a manual pull handle, some examples we recommend are the Onyx Outdoor Deluxe In-Sight "Tournament" Auto-Inflate Life Vest, MTI Atlas Life Vest, and the Absolute Outdoor In-Sight Auto Inflatable Work Vest. If you prefer automatic inflation, check out the Mustang Survival's DLX38 Inflatable PFD Vest (choose manual or automatic inflation) and Elite Inflatable PFD Vest.
Inflatable Belts
Sometimes with very physical watersports, a full size life vest just gets in the way. Compact inflatable belts worn around the waist solve this dilemma, and are activated manually by a pull-tab connected to a small CO2 cartridge. As the life vest inside the belt pouch inflates, it emerges and becomes a full-size flotation device tethered to the belt. These represent good value, and are available for less than the cost of a full-size inflatable vest.
Inflatable belts we recommend include the Onyx Outdoor Manual Inflatable Belt Pack Life Jacket, Stearns Elite Belt Pack Inflatable Life Jacket, Mustang Survival Inflatable PFD Belt Pack, and Revere Survival Comfortmax Inflatable Belts Pack.
Vests
If it's too warm to wear a jacket, a good vest can offer excellent protection. We've got a great selection of textile vests (cotton and denim) for starters.
In the heat of summertime or when you're doing some strenuous off-roading, a cooling vest will effectively surround you and keep your core temperature down. Constructed from specialized polymer fibers and fabrics, these vests are designed to be soaked in cold water for several minutes. After wringing out excess water, the mesh fabric will hold and slowly release moisture through evaporation over 5 to 10 hours. During this period, water is retained inside the fabric to keep you cool, without surface wetness.
For cold weather riding, don't underestimate the extreme level of comfort that heated vests create. These typically feature 12-volt heated panels on the collar, back, and both sides of the chest in front. Wiring connectors are designed to hook up to your vehicle or to a portable 12-volt battery (see Product Options) that can continue keeping you warm anywhere away from your vehicle.
Whatever vests you decide on, you can always opt to boost your safety with a high-visibility reflective vest. We've got thicker vests in bright, reflective colors as well as lightweight ones that fit easily over any other vest or jacket.
Base & Mid Layers
Long Underwear & Underlayers
When it comes to staying warm in cold climates, the phrase "long johns" comes to mind - conjuring images of comfy layers worn against the skin underneath other clothes. Technically, these undergarments are known as "base-" and "mid"-layer clothes - and we've got the snug-fitting base layer shirts, pants, and body suits (one- and two-piece) you need for real warmth.
But that's not all. We've got undersleeves that are just what they sound like - pieces that protect only from your hands up to your biceps. These are great in the summer with short sleeve shirts. Choose solid colors, designs, or simulated tattoos.
Socks & Underwear
We haven't forgotten core essentials such as socks and underwear. In our Riding Socks subsection, you'll find long, short, and ankle-height socks of varying snugness levels in solid or colorful designs. And don't forget, we've got heated socks & heated insole pieces that can be worn inside any shoe or boot.
In our Underwear section, we've also got boxer- and brief-length underpants as well as bras - all of which are designed to offer the higher levels of support necessary for bouncing on a motorcycle during extended trips.
Eyewear
In our Eyewear section, we've got a great selection of sunglasses, goggles, replacement goggle lenses, and goggle accessories that are designed to fit comfortably - even inside an enclosed helmet. Many are available in a choice of frame colors and lens tints.
Note that some of the sunglasses we offer are labeled "convertible" sunglasses - this means that both temple pieces are fitted with small hooks at their ends used for attaching an adjustable strap which is included. When the strap is positioned around the back of the head, the pair of glasses convert into snug-fitting goggles.
Head Gear
If you plan on riding with your face exposed wearing an open-face helmet (or no helmet at all), you may want to consider some protection for that area. Not only can the right headgear shield you from a constant onslaught of snow, mud, or even water, it can keep you comfortably warm in cold temperatures.
In our Head Gear section, you'll find full face masks, half face masks, balaclavas, neck gaiters, bandanas, skull caps, headbands, head wraps, baseball caps, beanies, and more.
Gloves
If you're new to any kind of riding, you also need a good set of gloves. That set of winter gloves you've been using to shovel snow won't do, because powersports gloves go above and beyond them when it comes to protection. First, built-in padded armor is exactly where you'd need it for maximum impact cushioning in the unfortunate event you wipe out and land hands-first against something hard. Along with that, specially designed outer layers such as leather and/or other textile materials are very resistant to shredding and coming apart if the gloves slide along rough surfaces.
In our Gloves section, you'll find fingerless gloves, long-length "gauntlet" gloves, mesh gloves, winter gloves, off-road gloves, watercraft gloves, and more. If you live in a climate where spurts of rain can come out of nowhere, waterproof gloves offer great protection while rebuffing water completely. And for complete cold weather comfort, we've also got heated gloves complete with wiring connectors that hook into other heated jackets or liner sleeves, your vehicle, or an optional battery.
Boots
In our Boots & Footwear section, you'll find a huge variety of boot styles that serve as your final piece of protection along with applicable clothes, face protection, eyewear, and more. Like other powersports gear, boots must live up to higher standards of impact and abrasion protection while being sturdy enough to survive a rigorous pounding.
For classic looks, we've got touring boots of varying heights that are more conservatively styled. We've got snowmobile boots with warm liners and grippy treads for getting deep in the powder, and off-road boots with stronger straps, thicker leather, shin protection, and other shielding pieces that block impacts and high heat. And for blasting around in the water, we've got tailored watercraft shoes.
Don't buy any boots without visiting our Boot Insoles section to pick up a set of comfort pads. Plus, there's a variety of replacement insoles (also known as "footbeds") - the interior section that supports the bottom part of the foot.
Hydration Packs
"Hydration packs" make it easy to stay hydrated and enjoy liquid refreshment while riding on the trails, on your snowmobile, or even on the water. Similar to a plastic IV drip bag, a hydration bladder features a tube attached to its bottom which the liquid flows through. When the bladder is mounted inside a backpack or carrying pouch, the tube runs up to your helmet and underneath the edge - with the end of it secured near the mouth area. On the tube's end is a durable bite valve that allows liquid to flow only while the piece is being compressed with your teeth.
In our Hydration Packs section, you'll find individual hydration bladder reservoirs, tubes, coupling pieces, bite valves, and specially-designed backpacks of various sizes.
To continue your education on powersports gear, we invite you to read other articles on our website regarding helmet styles, materials, certifications, accessories, and more. And if you have any questions, we'll be happy to answer your calls seven days a week!