Electric dirt bike gear: helmet, goggles, gloves, boots and body armor

Why dirt bike gear is different

Off-road, the ground fights back. Ruts grab the front wheel, roots and rocks kick the bike sideways, and branches reach into the trail. The rear tire of the rider ahead throws dirt and stones, called roost. When you fall, the bike can land on your leg.

An electric dirt bike adds one thing to that list: power that arrives the moment you twist the throttle, which can loop out a rider who is not ready. It also takes one thing away. There is no hot exhaust pipe to burn your leg, though brake discs still get hot after a hard run.

Street gear does not cover all of this. A bicycle or half helmet leaves the face and chin open, and sneakers do nothing for an ankle twisted under a 145 lb bike.

Shop the collection: browse all our electric dirt bikes, with current prices.

Helmet: full face, off-road, DOT

Wear a full face helmet on every ride, and make sure it carries the DOT label. DOT is the US safety standard for motorcycle helmets. Some also meet other standards, such as the European ECE standard.

• Off-road shape: a chin bar that sits forward for breathing room, a peak that blocks sun and roost, a wide eye port for goggles and plenty of vents for slow, hot trail work.
• Size: measure around your head just above the eyebrows, then use the maker’s size chart.
• Fit: snug all round, with the cheek pads pressing gently. Push the chin bar side to side: the helmet should move your head with it, not slide around it.

Our accessories include two full face helmets. The NANROBOT Full Face Helmet lists DOT and 3C certification, a clear anti-fog visor, a removable washable lining and a quick-release buckle, in XL (23.2 to 23.6 in) and XXL (24.0 to 24.4 in). It suits riders who prefer a visor, and road legal bikes. The VGV Off-Road Motocross Helmet is an off-road style helmet with an ABS shell, sold with riding gloves, goggles and a face cover, in sizes S to XXL. Whichever helmet you choose, check for the DOT label before you ride.

Goggles

Goggles seal around your eyes, and that seal is the point. Dust, mud and roost get past sunglasses. Off-road goggles have a foam frame that sits against your face and a wide strap that wraps around the helmet.

• Clear lenses for woods, cloudy days and evening rides. Tinted lenses for bright, open terrain.
• Anti-fog lenses help on slow, sweaty climbs.
• Tear-offs or roll-offs let you clear a muddy lens without stopping.
• Glasses wearers can look for goggles made to fit over glasses.
• Fit check: put them on with your helmet. There should be no gap at the nose or temples.

Gloves

Off-road gloves balance protection with feel. A thin palm lets you feel the throttle and brake levers, and padding or hard protection over the knuckles takes the hits from branches and falls. Grippy fingertips and a secure cuff keep them in place. They should fit closely with no loose fabric at the fingertips.

Boots

Your feet and ankles take more abuse than anything else on a dirt bike. They sit next to rocks and roots, they go down first when you dab a foot in a turn, and they end up under the bike in a fall.

Tall off-road boots have a stiff sole, a shin plate, firm ankle support and buckles that hold everything closed. They feel stiff at first and loosen with a few rides. Try them on with the socks you ride in. On the smallest kids bikes, sturdy boots that cover the ankle are the bare minimum. Sneakers are not enough on any bike.

Body armor and riding clothes

• Chest protector: front and back plates that shield your ribs, chest and spine from roost, handlebars and falls. Many riders call it a roost guard.
• Knee and elbow guards: hard caps over padding. Knee braces add support at the joint for faster riding and jumps.
• Armored jacket: a mesh jacket or vest with chest, back, shoulder and elbow armor built in, an all in one choice for trail riders.
• Neck brace: worth considering for fast riding and jumping. It pairs with a chest protector, so try them on together.
• Jersey and pants: long sleeves and long pants every ride, in tough, vented fabric that resists a slide on gravel.

The YUME Knee and Elbow Pads, Set of 4 include two knee pads and two elbow pads, made for scooter and off-road riding.

How much gear for your bike

More speed and rougher terrain call for more armor. Use the bike as your guide.

• Kids bikes at low speed: a helmet that fits, gloves, ankle boots, knee and elbow pads, and long sleeves and pants.
• Mini, pit and light trail bikes: the full core kit: full face DOT helmet, goggles, gloves, tall boots, a chest protector, and knee and elbow guards.
• Fast full size bikes: the full kit plus knee braces, a neck brace and an armored jacket.

Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.

Gear for kids and teens

Young riders need the same protection as adults, sized for them. A youth full face off-road helmet, goggles, gloves, boots, a chest protector, and knee and elbow guards make up the full kit.

• Buy for today, not for growth. A helmet that is too big can shift in a crash, and loose boots twist. Recheck the fit every season.
• Start small. The NAVEE Kids Helmet, a light, vented one-piece shell for 48 to 55 cm heads, suits NAVEE’s Cyber X kids bikes, which top out at 9.5 mph, or 15.5 mph on the Cyber X Pro. Once a child moves to a faster bike or rough trails, switch to a youth full face off-road helmet with goggles.
• Set the speed. Many kids bikes have parent speed modes. The Hiboy DK1 has three, at 5, 7.5 and 15.5 mph, and the Cyber X starts in a 5 mph safe start mode.
• Follow the maker’s age range and weight limit, and supervise every ride.

Our guide to electric dirt bike sizes helps you match the bike to the child.

A gear check before every ride

• Helmet buckled and snug, with no cracks or dents in the shell.
• Goggles clean, strap tight, lens not scratched.
• Gloves, boots buckled, chest protector, and knee and elbow guards on.
• Long sleeves and long pants.
• After a crash, inspect every piece. Replace the helmet, and any armor that is cracked.

Wash liners and pads when they get sweaty or muddy, and store your helmet away from heat, fuel and cleaning solvents. Our accessories include the helmets and pads named above.

New to the sport? Start with electric dirt bikes for beginners, then plan your first outing with our guide to where to ride an electric dirt bike. Helmet laws vary by state and by rider age, so check your state rules, and wear a helmet on every ride regardless.

Questions riders ask