“Wear a helmet,” your mother used to nag, “wear a helmet!” Then you’d roll your eyes and put it on just to appease her. She was right, though; in some vehicles, helmets are up to 41% effective at preventing riding deaths.
A helmet is a great start when gathering up your youth ATV riding gear. Rough, unpaved off-road trails present exciting challenges–and threats to your life, even when careful. If you’re new to riding an ATV, though, you might have no idea what youth riding gear is essential–and what’s just nice to have.
Join us as we discuss kids’ ATV riding equipment for all situations.
A Decent Pair of Goggles
A helmet is a must-have, and so are goggles. Many of the trails you will tackle are muddy, if not dusty. Wheels on all types of ATVs can kick up rocks that could easily give you a black eye–or worse.
Make sure these are anti-fog, anti-scratch goggles that are comfortable. They don’t need to be airtight, but they should be easy to adjust on the go. Get a decent pair and you can wear them dirt biking or riding a sandrail as well.
Some Racing Boots
You can wear any shoes you like. We do, however, highly recommend racing boots as part of your ATV riding equipment.
Improved grip on the stirrups keeps your kids’ legs on the vehicle. Protective shin plates and toe cups defend their most sensitive areas. They also feature an easy-to-remove buckle and a replaceable insole.
Riding Gloves
Gloves may feel completely optional. They do help more than you realize, though. They prevent blisters from forming and increase your grip on the handlebars.
Along the trail, there will be branches and rocks aimed straight at your hands. Riding gloves have rubberized knuckles and thick, stitched leather to protect you. Despite seeming bulky, good riding gloves never get in the way of your dexterity and control.
Roostguards and Joint Pads
The roostguard is the “breastplate” of the off-roading world. This protects your upper body from falls or scrapes with offroad elements. It’s adjustable, with shoulder pads to match.
Alongside your roostguard, you need elbow and knee pads. Kids may still have rock-solid knees, but that doesn’t mean sideswiping a boulder still won’t hurt. Kids being kids, there is going to be plenty of intentional rough-and-tumble.
Riding Shirts and Pants
This one is totally optional. Any breathable, fast-drying, moisture-wicking polyester or denier will do the trick. You want fabric that is comfortable to sit in and won’t chafe after hours of riding.
If you are riding at night though, you want reflective fabrics. There may even be some wear-resistant panels for added padding and protection.
Check out these UTV rental FAQs to answer your questions about an upcoming ride.
Purchase Your Youth ATV Riding Gear Today
ATV riding is a thrilling, yet dangerous off-road experience. It’s critical that your little ones come prepared with the proper youth ATV riding gear. Use this guide as a touchstone as you cobble together the necessary equipment.
Follow our blog for more tips to make sure your next outing is safe–and fun.
