Motocross Gear
HelmetWith out a doubt the most important bit of motocross gear you'll ever own is a helmet. Don't even think about buying a second hand one, you'll have no idea what's been done to it, even if it looks like it's in good nick. Regardless of what sport you're in, your head is the most precious part of your body even if you're a bit like me and it's not the best looking part!We've covered buying a motocross helmet in a lot more detail here. GogglesNext up on the list is a good pair of goggles. Apart from obviously protecting your eyes, they're also pretty important to see exactly where you're going! There's plenty of quality goggle brands out there so it's pretty much a personal preference.You can have a look at our buyers guide for motocross goggles here. BootsBoots are one of the most expensive bits of motocross gear you'll have to buy but they're also important for protection. They range a lot in price and quality so you should do your homework before deciding what to buy.Read about selecting the right boot for you here. Knee and Elbow Guards
I think just about anyone who has thrown their leg over a dirt bike will know the feeling of removing the skin from their elbows. Elbow guards are just the thing to stop that from happening. I wear a pair of Fox elbow guards under my jersey and they do a pretty good job.Just a couple of points to note, some elbow guards have a velco strap set up to secure them in place. That's fine but be aware that anything strapped too tightly around your arms will restrict the blood flow and can make arm pump worse. The Fox guards I use have a Lycra sleeve arrangment that you slip your arm through, they're not too restrictive but they can slip down your arm after they become older and the Lycra stretches. 
Your list of motocross gear should include a pair of knee guards. They range from basic padded plastic shells all the way up to custom fitted, kevlar composite knee braces. The cheaper knee guards really only offer impact protection (regardless of what the manufacturers would like you to believe) but the more expensive guards do offer some protection against your knee being turned and twisted in ways it shouldn't, obviously the more expensive knee braces are the preferred option here if you need the most protection for your knees. CTi knee braces (pictured right) are at the top of the heap as far as protective motocross gear goes, the level of protection and fit is top notch but they're very expensive, then again, so's a knee reconstruction. If you have some knee guards it's a bit of an eye opener to actually have a good look at them. You'll probably see plenty of scratches and nicks in the plastic, that's what your kneecaps would look like if you didn't have them! Kidney Belt and Body Armour
A kidney belt isn't quite a must have bit of motocross gear but they do save your back and kidneys from a lot of the impact and jarring that you receive when you're belting around a rough motocross track for a few hours. Some body armour suits incorporate a kidney belt, chest protector and shoulder pads. These types of armour are usually worn under your jersey and are made from padded material. The body armour that is worn outside of your jersey is commonly made from a hard plastic and usually has bicep and shoulder protectors attached also. 
They offer protection from falls as well as protection from roost and rocks thrown up by the bikes in front of you (Why are you behind? You should be in front!) You can save yourself a few dollars buying secondhand body armour, this is a good idea if you're 'team mum and dad' and you're trying to keep kids in gear as they grow. Just have a good look at any items offered for sale to make sure that straps and buckles etc. aren't worn and broken.
Riding Pants/Jersey/Gloves
Whizbang riding gear is probably one of the least important items on your motocross gear list as far as functionality and protection goes but it's the definitely the most important if you're out there on the track desperately pretending to look like you know what you're doing.What sort of gear you get here is usually dependent on your budget but there's a few things to keep in mind. Look for pants that have some sort of durable material (usually Kevlar) on the inside of the knee. This area cops a hiding not only from rubbing as you grip the bike with your knees but also from your knee guards inside your pants rubbing as well. A lot of the pants on the market are made from a nylon composite material which is pretty tough, dries quickly when wet and is resistant to tearing. My personal preference for jerseys is the nylon type because, like the pants, they dry quickly when wet and are resistant to tears. They also tend to slide on the ground better if you crash on a dry, hardpack track. What can happen, depending on which way you hit the ground, is that your sleeves or the waist of your jersey can ride up, leaving all that tender skin to be abraded away. Things to look for in a pair of gloves are, firstly, a good fit. Put them on and make your hand the shape that they would be if you were holding onto your handlebars, make sure they feel comfortable in that position. Be aware of any seams on the inside of the glove that may rub on your fingers, particularly in between your fingers. Look to make sure they don't bunch up in your palm with your hand curled also. When wearing gloves don't have the wristband too tight, you want them done up to keep mud and dirt out but not too tight that they restrict the flow of blood into your hands. Beware the dreaded arm pump! Getting yourself a complete set of motocross gear can be a gradual process, not everyone has the cash to get it all at once but there are certain bits that are more important than others. Get these first and the rest when you can. MxMegastore have a full range of motocross gear and apparel, take a look here Please note that to protect our younger visitors to Motocross 101, SafeSearch is turned on in these search results.
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