Have you recently booked an ATV excursion, or are you considering doing so? You may be very excited about trying out this thrilling ride, but before you head out, you need to think carefully about what to wear ATV riding.
While the clothing choices may depend slightly on where you are riding, as if you are going to a colder place, you will want to dress warm, the most important thing you need to think about is safety. After all, as much fun as ATV riding is, it can be quite dangerous, especially if you fall off onto the hard or rocky ground.
Here are all of the clothing items you should wear to make sure that you have a fun but safe time on the ATV.
Contents
Helmet
Riding an ATV without a helmet is almost as dangerous as riding a motorcycle or dirt bike without one. A lot of ATV places may even say that a helmet is the only safety equipment you need because it is the most important thing used to protect yourself while riding. There is no excuse not to wear one.
People riding an ATV for the first time may not realize that there are helmets that have been specifically designed for this hobby. A helmet designed for ATVs and motocross will have some key features, such as a more durable chin guard and goggles storage (rather than a regular face shield).
A motorcycle helmet will suffice in an emergency, but an ATV helmet is ideal. Remember that your helmet is the most vital piece of riding gear, so invest in a high-quality one. Also, make sure that it is comfortable to wear and that it fits properly, as you will have it on for a long time and don’t want to feel uncomfortable.
Goggles
Goggles only need to be worn if your helmet does not have a visor attached or you prefer to ride with the visor up. When you’re out on the trail with your ATV, a thousand different things might fly at your face, from rocks to twigs to dust and everything in between.
UV polarised goggles will protect your eyes from flying debris as well as bright sunlight, which could cause you to become temporally blinded, leading to an accident.
If you’re going on long backcountry rides, make sure you get a pair that fits well with your helmet and can be worn for a long time. Also, because mud and pebbles may easily damage ATV goggles, choose goggles with removable and interchangeable lenses so you can easily swap them out.
Gloves
Gloves with palm grip will help you keep your hands in the right place when it counts, while gloves with varied parts on the fingers will often perform better on fine hand movements. Ventilated areas on the backs of gloves keep your hands cool and comfortable when riding so you can avoid sweaty hands. If you’ll be riding in the cold, invest in some insulated gloves or handlebar muffs to keep your hands especially warm.
Gloves also have the advantage of protecting your hands if you fall off the ATV. When you fall, you naturally put your hands out to protect your body, but this can make your hands all cut up. You’ll have some added padding and protection to avoid this with gloves.
Riding Boots/Closed-Toe Shoes
Choose a pair of ATV riding boots with sticky soles and ankle/calf padding to make your legs more comfortable when handling the quad bike. Because you’ll nearly always have to walk in muddy conditions while trail riding, boots with cleats on the sole are always an excellent choice to improve your grip.
If you’re looking for sturdiness in the shoes, check at the buckles. Because buckles are typically a boot’s weak point, a pair with sturdy buckles will last longer. If you ride ATVs with foot shifters, look for boots with a plastic toe guard on the left foot.
Shirt
Even if you are riding in hot conditions, the best shirt to wear is long-sleeved. This is for many reasons. These shirts can protect you from sunburn, which you may not realize you are getting while out on your ATV for a long time.
It can also protect your arms from any debris that might fly at you while riding while also protecting your arms if you have an accident.
For an added layer of protection, you could wear a sturdy jacket made of leather or pleather, similar to what is worn when riding a motorbike. This will also help to keep you warm if you are riding in colder weather.
Long Pants
Like with the shirts, even if you are riding in hot weather, you should still wear long pants. Loose-fitting jeans or pants made out of sturdy material are best as this will prevent any cuts and protect your legs when out riding.
What Not to Wear
We recommend against wearing anything too bulky because it may hinder your ability to maneuver quickly on the terrain. We also don’t recommend wearing belts on an ATV tour because they can be very uncomfortable after two or three hours.
Don’t wear shoes that are too tight, even if they are your sturdiest and toughest pair, as you will feel pain very quickly, and it may ruin your experience. The best option is to wear clothes that either fit just right or, even better, to wear a bit baggy clothes for extra comfort.
Also, make sure that you are not wearing “nice” clothes. ATV riding is very dirty, and by the end, you will be covered in dust, mud, and even branches or leaves. The last thing you want to do is wear your finest clothes only to see them ruined by the end.
Can I Wear Casual Clothes?
Technically yes, you can – see some of these casual ATV outfit ideas. As mentioned earlier, a lot of ATV riding places only require that you wear a helmet for safety reasons and leave your other clothing choices up to the rider. However, there are many disadvantages to wearing casual clothes.
The biggest disadvantage is that they do not provide enough protection when you are out riding. When going at high speeds, you will be hit by dirt, small rocks, and even bits of trees and wood. If you go out in a t-shirt and shorts, then all of these will hit your skin, making it a very painful experience. It will be even worse for you if you have an accident and fall off.
Even if you find that the ride was not that bad, by the end, you may see that your clothes are damaged beyond repair. Shorts just cannot hold up as well as jeans, so there may be several holes or rips in the fabric, meaning you will probably have to throw them away.
Takeaway On What To Wear ATV Riding
ATV riding is an enjoyable experience for people of nearly all ages, from teenagers to adults. It is a particularly popular activity for people to try out when on holiday. If you are going to give this a go, then you must wear the right gear so that you are not only comfortable when you ride but you are also protected from the elements.
The most important clothing you need to wear is a helmet, but clothes made of tough fabric, sturdy shoes, and gloves are highly recommended.
