If you plan on burning down your favorite canyon in jeans and a tank top that’s fine, no one will stop you. Try that on the racetrack however, and a track official would probably tag you with a tranquilizer the size of a lawn dart before you even got out of pit lane. Simply put you need the right gear.

Let’s take it from the top. A helmet is by far the most important piece of protective gear that you will buy. There are a number of manufactures that stand out in the industry, including AGV, Arai, Soumy, And Shoei. These are just a few of the major manufactures that provide quality helmets. First thing that you need to check is if the helmet is snell/dot approved. Choose a helmet that fits snugly without creating pressure points. Be aware that a helmet which is only slightly uncomfortable at the dealer will feel torturous after a three-hour ride. Don’t be cheap when buying head protection. Chances are that at some point you will test your head’s rebound capabilities, as I have done a time or two, so it’s best to have a top notch hat on your head. If you plan on riding on the track, may I suggest an inexpensive piece of equipment, earplugs. You can thank me later. 

Leathers rank the second most important piece of protective clothing. Properly constructed double-stitched seams are important. Ideally you can get leathers with both comfort and protection, but cheaper suits sometimes have disproportionate measurements and fittings. Get on the internet and talk to people about the suit’s your considering. If possible, try leathers on before buying. Also a good back protector is highly recommended and required for racing. 

What’s the first thing you do when you are closing in on the ground with your body flailing about before impact? Although it’s not recommended, it’s natural to stick out your hands to stop the fall, of course, which brings us to gloves. Opinions as to which features make up a good glove differ greatly. All I can say is make sure they are comfortable for you. Make sure the gloves are double-stitched at possible points of impact and have good padding in the palms and the backs of the knuckles. Carbon-fiber inserts are the rage, and while they do offer excellent abrasion resistance, their edges can cut into the hand if it’s bent backward. So once again, as with all the gear, if possible try it on first. 

Finally, a good of boots should round out your riding ensemble. At the bare minimum, they should have armor in the toe, ankle, and shin areas. Flailing around in a crash makes a riders feet susceptible to injury.  

Here’s a good rule to live by: If it looks cheap, feels cheap, and is priced cheap, chances are …it’s cheap. If buying quality protective gear means saving a little longer and waiting a few months before getting on the track, than it’s a good idea to wait. You can’t just plan for the ride – you have to also plan for the crash.