Plenty of riders and outdoorsmen choose not to wear the proper gear whenever they ride.
However, many people learned the hard way that such a choice proved to be their undoing.
ATVs are off-road vehicles that are designed to access trails and other hard to reach areas. No matter how much of an experienced driver or how careful you are, accidents can and will happen.
While you are tearing through mud or across dirt trails, there’s just so many factors that you can’t control. So, when an accident happens, it won’t hurt that you are wearing the proper riding gear – quite literally.
Today, we have compiled the list of reasons why you should wear the appropriate clothing and gear while riding.
What follows is a list of reasons why you should invest in the proper gear.
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Come on, admit it! You like looking at your reflection at the storefront while donning some pretty sick clothing and gear.
We all have!
Part of the attraction of wearing proper gear is to set yourself apart from the rest of the riders. If you want to feel like a rider, you need to look the part. I don’t know about you, but
having the right gear just makes me feel good. Plus, the immature side of me thinks that getting some glances from the ladies is a nice bonus.
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Most people would avoid riding their off-road vehicle because it might cause some serious damage. However, this is a common misconception because riding an ATV in the rain will not hurt or break it. I mean, they are designed for off-roading and trail purposes, so they can withstand sand, dust, mud, and even streams of water without any issue.
So, using your off-road quad will generally be fine.
The driver, however, will need the proper protection from the harsh outdoor elements. Believe it or not, riding in the rain is a ton of fun. Well, that’s only if you have the proper riding gear. The right gear allows you to ride comfortably warm and dry and the wetness around you merely becomes a part of the scenery.
A good rain suit and a pair of waterproof gloves can significantly improve your riding experience in the rain.
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You only have one pair of ears, and once you get older, they will thank you if you have taken steps to protect them.
With that said, ATVs, quads, and dirt bikes can be quite loud. Thus, it’s no wonder that the loud sounds can cause cumulative damage to your hearing. Whenever you are riding an ATV or any other high-powered motorcycle, you should wear earplugs.
Even just wearing a good quality full-face helmet can go a long way in protecting your hearing rather than having your bare ears flapping out in the open. A helmet is definitely better than nothing. However, we still recommend wearing earplugs whenever you ride.
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Being cold while riding is just no fun. Well, shivering in the cold is never an ideal experience, regardless of what you’re doing.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of jackets and suits that can be bought in multi-season configurations. However, these clothing and gear can be rather expensive. In most cases, a windproof shell can significantly warm you up while you are riding.
If you have the budget, invest in a good electric riding gear which can help greatly as the temperature dips below the 40s. If you like riding for hours on end, this definitely counts as a worthy investment. Also, a pair of insulated gloves is never a bad idea if you like riding out in the cold.
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Regardless of your personal preference, it should never cross your mind to ride an off-road vehicle without wearing a helmet.
While it’s cool to feel the wind in your head as you ride, not wearing a helmet increases your chances of being severely or even fatally hurt by tenfolds. And of course, in some states, riding without a helmet is illegal.
So, if you don’t want to have an unwelcome brush with law enforcement, wear the proper gear while riding which include your helmet.
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Nothing can beat an ATV ride during the warm summer days.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should abandon the idea of wearing the proper gear. This may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s highly recommended that you cover up while riding out in the heat. Well, it’s better that you keep yourself covered than having your skin directly exposed to the sun.
Riding without a cover will not just give the worst case of the sunburn but the sweat will also evaporate quicker which leads to raised core temperature. The right hot weather gear will keep the sun off your skin while providing optimal ventilation to keep your
body from overheating.
On top of that, it’s highly recommended that you use a high SPF sunscreen and reapply every hour when you’re riding out in the sun. While you’re at it, don a good pair of automotive goggles and facemask.
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Just about every sport has its own set of gloves that are designed for performance and protection – it’s no different when riding an ATV.
The best ATV sport-type gloves are lightweight, tight-fitting, features good ventilation, and sufficient padding in key areas of the palm. Wearing gloves while riding will keep your
hands from getting blisters and protect them from debris. Gloves can also give you the ability to consistently control the levers on your ATV.
Plus, in case you want to work on your vehicle or do some chores, you’ll be thankful that you already have your gloves on.
But of course, the type of gloves that you use will depend on the season. During spring or fall, keep a pair of waterproof gloves handy because driving with cold hands is a real nuisance. Winter ATV riders will want to invest in a pair of snowmobile gloves for the waterproof shell and insulation.
When it comes to ATV gloves, I’m particularly fond of the Seibertron Dirtpaw Gloves.
Image source: Pixabay
If you ride in a group or in a particularly popular off-road area, the last thing you’ll want is to experience a collision.
When wearing riding clothing and gear, it’s important that you choose the ones that will improve your visibility. Therefore, jackets and vests that feature bright colors are recommended. Even when riding in the dark, many jackets and vests feature some type of reflective material to avoid any collision.
The idea is to be conspicuous whether it’s day or night. If you like wearing black all the way, make sure that you at least wear a bright-colored helmet. While it’s cool to wear camo gear, it’s generally not recommended, unless you are hunting.
A good place to start is to check out the Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 Men’s Motorcycle Riding Jacket.
Image source: Pixabay
When you’re driving in mud, dirt, and other off-road terrains, there’s a high chance that a debris will eventually hit your unprotected eye. That doesn’t just hurt but it can cause permanent damage as well.
If you’re not wearing a full-face helmet, you should get yourself a pair of ATV goggles or sunglasses. This doesn’t just protect your eyes from debris, it allows you to see the road ahead as well.
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Well, we’ve arrived at the ultimate reason why you should consider wearing the right riding gear.
When you’re riding in off-road paths and trails, there are some things that you can’t control. So, whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, there’s always the chance that you will
experience a crash. Road rash, broken or fractured bones, deep lacerations, and permanent scarring and disfigurement are just some of the consequences of riding if not properly outfitted.
So, gear up and prepare for the worst.
That wraps up our list of reasons why you should wear the proper riding gear.
If you love riding your ATV, quad bike, and motorcycle, it’s imperative that you get the proper gear. While they can be quite the investment, they allow you to ride long and far.
Stay safe and have fun!
Featured Image via Pixabay